Trial Postponed for Accused Daycare Director in Michigan
Originally scheduled to begin jury selection today, Judge Ronald Lowe of the 35th district court adjourned the trial due to a death in Jacqueline Hadwin's family. The new court date is set for October 29.
Prosecutors say Hadwin saw bruises and scratches on Allison at least once, but did not call.
Child Protective Services. Under the State of Michigan mandatory reporter law, regulated child care providers are listed as mandatory reporters.
Shortly after Allison's death, allegations arose from Cher Majeske, a former Childtime Child Care employee. She claimed that she reported seeing bruises on Allison to her supervisors in July, but that no action was taken. In October, the State of Michigan Adult and Child Licensing department revoked the day care license from Childtime. The complaint investigation found violations of the Child Care Organizations Act and administrative rules regarding the licensee and persons required to report child abuse or neglect. Officials from Childtime Child Care Inc. of Novi have denied any wrongdoing.
When reached by telephone, Allison Newman's paternal grandfather, Ken Newman, replied he had "no comment" in regards to the postponement.
If convicted of the misdemeanor charge, she faces up to 93 days in jail or a $500 fine or both.
Allison Newman, the child who Hadwin is accused of failing to report abuse on, died on September 22nd 2006. That morning, at approximately 2 A.M., her foster mother Carol Poole called 911 after she found Allison unconscious. Initially being rushed to Annapolis Hospital, she was later airlifted to the University of Michigan Hospital where she was put on life support and was unresponsive. Her parents later that day gave consent to remove the life support. She was the second child who died in the summer of 2006 while in foster care.
Carol Poole, Allison's foster mother, is currently in jail awaiting trial on charges of first degree murder, first degree child abuse and manslaughter. While her story has changed four different times, prosecutors have yet to disclose how and when the injuries occurred. Carol Poole's next hearing date is scheduled July 23rd to hear additional testimony from a police officer as well as an expert witness for the defense.No trial date has been set yet.
Source: State of Michigan Office of Child and Adult Licensing
35th District Court
Published by Liz Copeland
I'm a freelance writer, DMC mentor, and artisan-level embroiderer. I knit, crochet, sew, quilt, and spin my own yarn as well. I'm an instructor for embroidery and other fiber and textile related crafts. View profile
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11 Comments
Post a CommentGreat reporting on this tragedy!
guilty, not quilty.
Where's the darn edit button?!?
Bruises and scratches on a two-year old...Since when is that a sign of abuse? I've never seen a two-year-old child who didn't have some sort of bruise. It's totally normal for that age.
And let's put the blame for the death where it belongs...
1. The foster parent (assuming she is found quilty)
2. The biological parents who had their child taken away
If the "woman in question" did not think abuse was taking place, why should she have reported it? And the workers who actually thought the girl was being abused obviously didn't feel strongly enough to contact the authorities themself.
The trial should have been postponed. Do you really think any of the particpants wanted this dragged out more than the year+ it has already been? I'm sure the thought process wasn't 'Great, a death! Now i can put my life on hold for about 5 months!!'
It's worth noting that "Liz Copeland" is actually Jennifer Lethbridge, who had her 10 children taken away from her for abuse and neglect.
Scary stuff
I find it a bit disheartening to hear that this trial is going to be postponed because of a death in this woman's family. The woman in question wasn't concerned enough to save the life of a child and stood idly by while abuse was occurring, so I honestly don't feel that she should be shown any mercy by having the trial postponed.
It's a shame that yet another innocent child had to die because of a foster parent's sickness and cruelty.
Oh how sad, great reporting, but a sad, sad story.
This is so terrible and scary! Good reporting!
Great reporting, very sad story.