CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Foster mother found guilty of capital murder

Foster mother found guilty of capital murder

© 2007 The Associated Press

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5118917.html


CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A mother of five accused of forcing a
4-year-old foster child to drink a mixture of water and Cajun spices
last October has been found guilty of capital murder in the boy's death.

Jurors reached their decision Friday after hearing about three weeks of
testimony in the case against Hannah Overton. She will be sentenced by
the judge on Wednesday.

Prosecutors have agreed not to seek the death penalty. Under Texas law,
capital murder carries only two possible sentences: death or life in
prison without parole.

Overton's husband, Larry Overton, is also charged in the death of Andrew
Burd. His trial is set for Sept. 24.

During Hannah Overton's trial, prosecutors questioned why she and her
husband made several phone calls but none to 911 the day the boy drank
the concoction, and delayed taking the boy to a clinic for more than 1
1/2 hours.

One of the doctors who treated the boy that day testified their delay in
seeking help reduced his chances for survival.

When polled, all 12 jurors said they found her guilty because of her
failure to act.

A gag order issued by the judge prevents prosecutors and Overton's
attorneys from commenting on the verdict until after Overton is sentenced.

During the trial, Overton, a former licensed vocational nurse, admitted
she gave Andrew a cup of water mixed with spices but said it wasn't to
punish or harm him.

Her attorneys said Andrew had behavioral problems and an eating disorder
and ingested something on his own to cause the toxic sodium levels.

Sharon Hamil, Andrew's foster mother for the 18 months before he lived
with the Overtons, said she remembered a much different boy.

"When I had Andrew I didn't have any problems," Hamil said. "To me he
was a happy, typical child."

The Overtons were in the process of adopting Andrew, who had lived with
them since June 2006.

___

Information from: Corpus Christi Caller-Times, http://www.caller.com








CURRENTLY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES VIOLATES MORE CIVIL RIGHTS ON A
DAILY BASIS THEN ALL OTHER AGENCIES COMBINED INCLUDING THE NSA / CIA
WIRETAPPING PROGRAM....

CPS Does not protect children...
It is sickening how many children are subject to abuse, neglect and even
killed at the hands of Child Protective Services.

every parent should read this .pdf from
connecticut dcf watch...

http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com/8x11.pdf

http://www.connecticutdcfwatch.com

Number of Cases per 100,000 children in the US
These numbers come from The National Center on
Child Abuse and Neglect in Washington. (NCCAN)
Recent numbers have increased significantly for CPS

*Perpetrators of Maltreatment*

Physical Abuse CPS 160, Parents 59
Sexual Abuse CPS 112, Parents 13
Neglect CPS 410, Parents 241
Medical Neglect CPS 14 Parents 12
Fatalities CPS 6.4, Parents 1.5

Imagine that, 6.4 children die at the hands of the very agencies that
are supposed to protect them and only 1.5 at the hands of parents per
100,000 children. CPS perpetrates more abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse
and kills more children then parents in the United States. If the
citizens of this country hold CPS to the same standards that they hold
parents too. No judge should ever put another child in the hands of ANY
government agency because CPS nationwide is guilty of more harm and
death than any human being combined. CPS nationwide is guilty of more
human rights violations and deaths of children then the homes from which
they were removed. When are the judges going to wake up and see that
they are sending children to their death and a life of abuse when
children are removed from safe homes based on the mere opinion of a
bunch of social workers.


CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, HAPPILY DESTROYING THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT
FAMILIES YEARLY NATIONWIDE AND COMING TO YOU'RE HOME SOON...


BE SURE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOUR CANDIDATES STANDS ON THE ISSUE OF
REFORMING OR ABOLISHING CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ("MAKE YOUR CANDIDATES
TAKE A STAND ON THIS ISSUE.") THEN REMEMBER TO VOTE ACCORDINGLY IF THEY
ARE "FAMILY UNFRIENDLY" IN THE NEXT ELECTION...