Tag Archives: California

Day care closed after 2-year-old sickened by marijuana

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Roubena Hartounian was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment and neglect at her day-care center, Bina’s Family Child Care, after a 2-year-old under her care was hospitalized for being under the influence of marijuana.

City officials discovered that the residential day-care had no power, and there were rat droppings scattered inside. The police turned away eight people who arrived and tried to drop off their children.

It is unfortunate that an adult would put many children in a dangerous situation.

 

CA Supreme Court ruled that unlicensed school employees can give insulin injections

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Commentary by Sam Spital, California State Board License and Criminal Defense Attorney

It strains credulity to believe the Supreme Court declared that California law permits unlicensed employees to give insulin injections, albeit pursuant to a doctor’s order. It is a slippery slope and this opens the door to even more situations in which the training and education of a licensed nurse are being marginalized.  The American and California Nurses Association based their arguments on California law (Bus. & Profs. Code section 2700 et seq.) that heretofore has held only licensed nurses can administer insulin.Specifically, the Legislature has mandated in the Nursing Practice Act the requirements for licensure with specific courses of education, scientific knowledge, skills and clinical training, and these include the administration of medications [Bus. & Profs. Code section 2725(b)(2)]

The author did not relate any of the pros and cons, nor alternatives to an increasingly important concern in public schools throughout California since more and more parents are discovering school nurses are unavailable on a regular basis (only 5% of the schools in California have a full time nurse on duty; 26% have no nurse on duty and the rest have only part time nurses).

No citation to the actual Supreme Court case was set forth in the article, but the name, citation and link are as follows:  AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION vs. TOM TORLAKSON, August 12, 2013 (Case #S184583) https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/documents/anavtorlakson2013.pdf

 

Proposal would give benefits to same-sex military spouses

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A new proposal could give housing, health care, and other benefits to same-sex spouses of military members by the end of August. The department would also give up to 10 days of leave to personnel so they could travel to a state where they could legally marry.

It is fortunate that the military is now willing and able to provide equal benefits to everyone in its ranks. The military is a fundamental and important part of our country. The people who choose to serve and their domestic partners deserve equal rights and protection under the law if members of the military are willing to give their lives for their country.

 

California officials review rehab centers after reports of fraud

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Officials in California are conducting a statewide review of drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers after reports of fraud surfaced.

CNN and The Center for Investigative Reporting released joints reports stating that some rehab clinics have billed the state for patients who don’t show up, or for patients with no substance abuse problems.

It is distressing when these institutions, which are funded by taxpayers and were created to help those in need, start to take advantage of the state. They are taking for granted the millions of dollars that are put into rehabilitation programs by the citizens of the state.

 

Female inmates sterilized without approval

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The Center for Investigative Reporting has found that almost 150 women were sterilized by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation between 2006 and 2010 without state approval. Former inmates and prison staff both say that patients were coerced into being sterilized, and those who were targeted were often pregnant, and were those deemed likely to return to prison.

The tubal ligation procedure for prisoners has required approval from top medical officers on a case-by-case basis since 1994. No requests have come before the health committee, yet at least 60 were performed at Valley State Prison for Women, and many were performed at California Institution for Women.

It is disgusting to treat human beings in this way. These women’s bodies are their own, and have the right to decide whether or not they should be able to bear children. A licensed professional should not be able to manipulate and coerce people in this way. It is against the code of ethics and against human decency.

Some proponents will argue that society has a vested interest in the welfare of the children of those who lack good judgment. All taxpayers not only pay a huge sum of money to incarcerate criminal offenders, but for their medical conditions and/or diseases. Some pundits ask why we spend more money for each staff to operate our prisons than we pay teachers.
As long as we debate the pros and cons of this and all other important  topics of particular interest, we will eventually reach a consensus if not a reasonable and proper solution.

2.5 million put at risk from security breaches in 2012

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There were about 130 breaches of consumer data in California in 2012, according to a recent report. This put about 2.5 million people at risk.

The area that had the most breaches was the retail sector, with financial institutions and insurance providers following on the list.

Personal data being compromised is not only newsworthy but evinces a horrible scourge in society today. If we cannot rely upon our private information being protected by and with whom we conduct business, we will have to go back to the days of cash only and 100% anonymous transactions. It seems elementary that when we pay a fee to use credit cards and part of the cost of the items we buy of necessity includes an implied if not express promise our privacy should and will be protected. It is despicable that we cannot fully rely upon being safeguarded by these organizations, whether small or large, governmental or in the public sector.

 

Gun owner charged in accidental shooting death

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55-year-old Todd Conrad Francis is being charged with three felony counts: involuntary manslaughter, child endangerment and criminal storage of a firearm.

Francis’ 9-year-old daughter was playing with her neighbor Eric Klyaz in the garage on June 4. They were handling Francis’ 9 mm pistol when it apparently went off, killing Klyaz. At the time, the children were being babysat by the girl’s 14-year-old brother.

Francis surrendered at the police headquarters on Tuesday and was released after posting $100,000 bail. He will be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. on June 25 in San Diego Superior Court.

This is a tragic situation, and our hearts go out to the family of all of those involved.

 

Chargers doctor steps down

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David Chao, the team doctor for the Chargers, stated this Thursday that he’ll be stepping down. He’s been with the team for 17 seasons.

Chao said he wants time to spend with his wife and children, and also has a back injury that will require him to get surgery this month. He said his time spent with the Chargers has been great, and said he wouldn’t trade it for the world.

However, controversy has surrounded Chao’s time with the Chargers. In the past few years, it has been reported that he has had two drunk driving citations, several medical malpractice lawsuits, a public reprimand from the California medical board, and an investigation into his record keeping by the Drug Enforcement Agency. Additionally, at a Super Bowl news conference in January, some New Orleans official demanded that Chao be replaced.

However, the Chargers stand by their doctor, saying that he was part of the team.

Auto theft sting operation results in 64 arrests

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After eight months of investigation, 64 people were arrested on Tuesday in connection with a network of North County auto theft rings.

“Operation Perfect Storm” had undercover detectives begin to infiltrate multiple unrelated operations starting in August, California Highway Patrol Commander Scott Parker said. The officers then proceeded to set up a storefront to buy stolen property.

92 stolen vehicles were seized during the operation, as well as 10,000 rounds of ammunition, nine guns, and drugs. Some stolen military gear was also recovered.

The 64 defendants were accused  in 30 separate cases back in May, with over 90 witnesses testifying in front of the grand jury. Over 50 arrests were made this past Tuesday, with 14 people remaining at large. Among those arrested were seven Marines and a sailor.

 

20-year-old Wrongfully Fired

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It’s important to know your rights as an employee.

20-year-old Anthony worked as a cook and dishwasher at a Mountain Mike Pizza franchise near Antelope, CA, for six months. Anthony also suffers from bipolar disorder. During the time he was employed at the pizza place, his disorder did not affect his work performance. On one of his days off, Anthony had a breakdown and had to be hospitalized overnight, causing him to miss his shift the next day. His boss asked him to bring in a doctor’s note, which said “Crestwood Psychiatric Clinic” at the top.

As soon as Anthony’s employer found out about his bipolar disorder, she allegedly cut his hours to zero, while still keeping him on as a technical employee. She told him that she had no hours for him. This went on for about three weeks, until Anthony sat down with her. Then, he said, she accused him of threatening her, the company, and another employee.

Anthony had the presence of mind to contact the California Labor Board after he got fired, since he felt that his former employer was violating California labor laws. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against in the workplace, make sure to use the proper legal channels to report the incident and take action.

 

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