Thorp and Sailor's Grave Board

Couple Blame Internet for Neglect of Children

JawnDiablo - 7-16-2007 at 02:04 PM

RENO, Nev. - A couple who authorities say were so obsessed with the Internet and video games that they left their babies starving and suffering other health problems have pleaded guilty to child neglect.


The children of Michael and Iana Straw, a boy age 22 months and a girl age 11 months, were severely malnourished and near death last month when doctors saw them after social workers took them to a hospital, authorities said. Both children are doing well and gaining weight in foster care, prosecutor Kelli Ann Viloria told the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Michael Straw, 25, and Iana Straw, 23, pleaded guilty Friday to two counts each of child neglect. Each faces a maximum 12-year prison sentence.

Viloria said the Reno couple were too distracted by online video games, mainly the fantasy role-playing "Dungeons & Dragons" series, to give their children proper care.

"They had food; they just chose not to give it to their kids because they were too busy playing video games," Viloria told the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Police said hospital staff had to shave the head of the girl because her hair was matted with cat urine. The 10-pound girl also had a mouth infection, dry skin and severe dehydration.

Her brother had to be treated for starvation and a genital infection. His lack of muscle development caused him difficulty in walking, investigators said.

The Straws have been given public defenders. Jeremy Bosler, head of the county public defender's office, declined to comment to The Associated Press on Saturday.

Michael Straw is an unemployed cashier, and his wife worked for a temporary staffing agency doing warehouse work, according to court records. He received a $50,000 inheritance that he spent on computer equipment and a large plasma television, authorities said.

While child abuse because of drug addiction is common, abuse rooted in video game addiction is rare, Viloria said.

Last month, experts at an American Medical Association meeting backed away from a proposal to designate video game addiction as a mental disorder, saying it had to be studied further. Some said the issue is like alcoholism, while others said there was no concrete evidence it's a psychological disease.

Patrick Killen, spokesman for Nevada Child Abuse Prevention, said video game addiction's correlation to child abuse is "a new spin on an old problem."

"As we become more technologically advanced, there's more distractions," Killen said. "It's easy for someone to get addicted to something and neglect their children. Whether it's video games or meth, it's a serious issue, and (we) need to become more aware of it."

JawnDiablo - 7-16-2007 at 02:06 PM

fuckin retards

Dave - 7-16-2007 at 02:12 PM

jesus christ what a bunch of fucking idiots

Discipline - 7-16-2007 at 02:23 PM

Some people are too stupid to live, let alone be parents.

newbreedbrian - 7-16-2007 at 02:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Discipline
Some people are too stupid to live, let alone be parents.

Siczine.com - 7-16-2007 at 02:43 PM

Jesus christ, video games do come with a fucking pause button. How anyone could be so stupid and irresponsible is beyond me.

Muttley - 7-16-2007 at 04:46 PM

I still don't understand how you need a license for a car or a gun, but any dopey fuck can have children.

I love how they compare video games to meth.

This couple should be murdered with a +5 Battle Axe.

DaveMoral - 7-16-2007 at 06:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Muttley

This couple should be murdered with a +5 Battle Axe.


HAHA! Quoted for Fuckin' Truth!

BDx13 - 7-16-2007 at 06:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by newbreedbrian
Quote:
Originally posted by Discipline
Some people are too stupid to live, let alone be parents.

upyerbum - 7-16-2007 at 09:34 PM

Yet another example of people not willing to take responsibility for themselves. You know, I used to be a junkie, in my late teens I got into some nasty habits, but there is a reason why I'm not, and never will be again. If you cannot learn from your failures then you cannot grow, and if you cannot grow, you will die. I'll get of my pulpit now.

MyOwnWay - 7-17-2007 at 12:05 AM

Put those stupid motherfuckers in jail for the twelve years, better yet, just fucking kill them. They're a waste of tax money. Give those kids to foster parents who may actually give a shit about them.

clevohardcore - 7-17-2007 at 12:09 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Discipline
Some people are too stupid to live, let alone be parents.









^^^^^^^^^^ This should go down as the best post ever.

random - 7-17-2007 at 01:19 AM

I'm all for murdering these people alongside the rapists in the other thread.


And what the fuck is an "unemployed cashier"? Cashier isn't a profession or a skilled trade, like "unemployed plumber" or "unemployed accountant", that one can be unemployed from. This guy is just plain fucking unemployed.

BDx13 - 7-17-2007 at 01:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by random
And what the fuck is an "unemployed cashier"? Cashier isn't a profession or a skilled trade, like "unemployed plumber" or "unemployed accountant", that one can be unemployed from. This guy is just plain fucking unemployed.


man, there have been some quality posts recently, and this one is right up there!

Muttley - 7-17-2007 at 04:12 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by random
And what the fuck is an "unemployed cashier"? Cashier isn't a profession or a skilled trade, like "unemployed plumber" or "unemployed accountant", that one can be unemployed from. This guy is just plain fucking unemployed.

I was thinking the exact same thing.

JawnDiablo - 7-17-2007 at 06:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Muttley
Quote:
Originally posted by random
And what the fuck is an "unemployed cashier"? Cashier isn't a profession or a skilled trade, like "unemployed plumber" or "unemployed accountant", that one can be unemployed from. This guy is just plain fucking unemployed.

I was thinking the exact same thing.


as was I....

XnMeX - 7-17-2007 at 10:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by random
And what the fuck is an "unemployed cashier"? Cashier isn't a profession or a skilled trade, like "unemployed plumber" or "unemployed accountant", that one can be unemployed from. This guy is just plain fucking unemployed.


That is CLASSIC!

It's like saying "Unemployed fast food franchise worker"

If your life "career" is being a cashier, I feel sorry for your life.

XnMeX - 7-17-2007 at 10:59 AM

Guess what I found... Lets see, internet junkies HAVE to have myspace accounts...

http://www.myspace.com/misfits180 (the father)

http://www.myspace.com/ikstraw (the "proud" mother with her kids pictures all over the place)

Read the comments.

CR83 - 7-17-2007 at 11:20 AM

This is just another example of people in our society not taking responsibility. Pieces of shit. I saw a new story where the little girl had cat urine in her hair. Fucking people.

DaveMoral - 7-17-2007 at 05:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by random

And what the fuck is an "unemployed cashier"? Cashier isn't a profession or a skilled trade, like "unemployed plumber" or "unemployed accountant", that one can be unemployed from. This guy is just plain fucking unemployed.


I didn't even notice that part...

Muttley - 7-17-2007 at 10:06 PM

the mom's kinda decent... i'd fuck her skull violently.

clevohardcore - 7-17-2007 at 10:30 PM

What fucking losers.

This is what a relative posted on her(the evil mother) myspace

" can never forgive what you did, you bastards deserved what you got for almost killing my nephew and niece this can never be forgiven... I hope your kids will look at you both later on in discussed and for this ill never see them again I will never forgive you... your dead to me. "

Siczine.com - 7-17-2007 at 11:40 PM

Crazy.