Nevada couple blame Internet for child neglect - GoFuckYourself.com

Sarah_Jayne · 07-16-2007, 07:44 AM

Nev. couple blame Internet for neglect

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."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070716/...rnet_addiction

Evil Chris · 07-16-2007, 07:46 AM

Throw away the key on these two.

Scott McD · 07-16-2007, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah_MaxCash

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.

Well isn't that just great....

who · 07-16-2007, 07:47 AM

That's making me feel all twisted up and racist inside..

Iron Fist · 07-16-2007, 07:49 AM

They were playing second life wern't they?

jonesonyou · 07-16-2007, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by who

That's making me feel all twisted up and racist inside..

racist?

Whats happening to this country?

J. Falcon · 07-16-2007, 07:49 AM

Talk about a strong addiction. Fucking idiots.

J. Falcon · 07-16-2007, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by who

That's making me feel all twisted up and racist inside..

What does race have to do with this?

who · 07-16-2007, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonesonyou

racist?

Whats happening to this country?

I just want to lash out at everyone when I hear stuff like this.

Snake Doctor · 07-16-2007, 07:55 AM

Really makes you want to beat the shit out of them

Sarah_Jayne · 07-16-2007, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lenny2

Really makes you want to beat the shit out of them

ah but it is the fault of the evil internet

guti · 07-16-2007, 09:57 AM

I heard the same, Thats unveliebable, xD But playing wow is better than taking care of children, come on! xD

J. Falcon · 07-16-2007, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guti

I heard the same, Thats unveliebable, xD But playing wow is better than taking care of children, come on! xD

You are an idiot.

Sarah_Jayne · 07-16-2007, 10:21 AM

apparently, their addiction did allow them to stop to have sex and give birth

pornvue · 07-16-2007, 10:42 AM

they shouldn't deserve kids then....they should just go play all they want, and hopefully they will die in malnourishement cause they're too busy playing games...grrrr

D · 07-16-2007, 11:14 AM

That's a sad story.

Hopefully a decade without access to MMO's will teach them that there's more to life than the fantasy of their second lives... and give their children a chance to grow up.

Sarah_Jayne · 07-17-2007, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D

That's a sad story.

Hopefully a decade without access to MMO's will teach them that there's more to life than the fantasy of their second lives... and give their children a chance to grow up.

I am sure they will have a ton of time to think about it in jail. I agree that it is a good thing that the kids will at least have a chance at a life now.

GatorB · 07-17-2007, 05:21 AM

If there was never an internet they would blame TV addiction. If there wasn't any TV they'd blame something else other than themsleves. Funny I didn't hear how THEY were malnourished. Obviously they found time to feed themselves.

Madame0120 · 07-17-2007, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah_MaxCash

apparently, their addiction did allow them to stop to have sex and give birth

There's always those pesky patch days to catch up on your humping.

Dazybell
Mighty Mage

BlondeBecks · 07-17-2007, 08:14 AM

It reminds me of the fact that you have to have a license to drive a car but anybody can have a child!!!

Throw them both in jail and throw away the key.

Funbrunette · 07-17-2007, 08:16 AM

That's awful!

It's too bad anyone can get pregnant and have children!

Sarah_Jayne · 07-17-2007, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funbrunette

That's awful!

It's too bad anyone can get pregnant and have children!

Trust me..not just anyone can. I can't have kids ...yet she could..there you go.

TG Rebecca · 07-17-2007, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah_MaxCash

apparently, their addiction did allow them to stop to have sex and give birth

ugh. i was actually thinking the same thing when i was reading this and how old the children were.

Brother Bilo · 07-17-2007, 09:35 AM

I blame World of Warcraft!!! I vote to abolish that game because it's destroying our families and ruining our country.

Damn, that sounds like a platform. I should get into the politics game, make some real money.

High Plains Drifter · 07-17-2007, 09:55 AM

Michael Straw:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...did=904 87026

Iana Straw:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...dID=907 38735

martinsc · 07-17-2007, 10:01 AM

damn... that's fucked up....

DamnGoodRatio · 07-17-2007, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GatorB

Funny I didn't hear how THEY were malnourished. Obviously they found time to feed themselves.

Hey, now... you need an awful lot of Ramen soup to keep up your strength to help your guild slay orcs... or something. Gotta keep your priorities straight.

Seriously, though... I caught that, too, when I read the article. It's a shame. What's comforting to me, though, is to know that when these folks hit prison and their fellow inmates find out that they're in there due to harming their own children (and trust me, the guards LOVE to let little facts like that accidently slip), they will be taken care of in an appropriate manner.

Elli · 07-17-2007, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by High Plains Drifter

Michael Straw:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...did=904 87026

Iana Straw:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...dID=907 38735

Woah, harsh. Iana has a whole diatribe about proper parenting on her Myspace profile. And the person who is her number one friend left this comment:

"I 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."

D · 07-17-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah_MaxCash

apparently, their addiction did allow them to stop to have sex and give birth

Quote:

Originally Posted by High Plains Drifter

Michael Straw:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...did=904 87026

Iana Straw:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...dID=907 38735

Didn't seem to stop them from developing their MySpace pages, either.

jakethedog · 07-17-2007, 10:39 AM

fucking sick sick sick bastards

FakeNick · 07-17-2007, 11:14 AM

this is one of those times where i wish we were more like china and only allowed 1 child per family and then only if you can pass a test and get a license

posh rat in hell · 07-20-2007, 07:03 AM

what the fuck ever happened to personal responsibility

dynastoned · 07-20-2007, 07:20 AM

fry these fuckers. there isn't enough space on earth anymore for the retarded.

TubeTitans_SusieQ · 07-20-2007, 07:38 AM

once again...just 2 more people that should die...

07-16-2007, 07:44 AM	#1
Sarah_Jayne Now with more Jayne Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 40,077	Nevada couple blame Internet for child neglect Nev. couple blame Internet for neglect 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." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070716/...rnet_addiction

07-16-2007, 07:46 AM	#2
Evil Chris OG Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: 3rd from the Sun Posts: 13,233	Throw away the key on these two. __________________ It PAYZE to post on GFY chris at payze.com \| Skype chriswrp

07-16-2007, 07:49 AM	#5
Iron Fist Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 23,400	They were playing second life wern't they? __________________ i like waffles

07-16-2007, 07:49 AM	#7
J. Falcon www.AdultCopywriters.com Industry Role: Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 31,607	Talk about a strong addiction. Fucking idiots. __________________ Adult Copywriters SEO Content for Porn Sites sales at adultcopywriters dot com

07-16-2007, 09:57 AM	#12
guti Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 139	I heard the same, Thats unveliebable, xD But playing wow is better than taking care of children, come on! xD __________________ With SILVERCASH I made my FIRST SALE!

07-16-2007, 07:47 AM	#4
who So Fucking Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: ICQ #23642053 Posts: 19,593	That's making me feel all twisted up and racist inside..

07-16-2007, 07:55 AM	#10
Snake Doctor I'm Lenny2 Bitch Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: On top of my soapbox Posts: 13,449	Really makes you want to beat the shit out of them

07-16-2007, 10:21 AM	#14
Sarah_Jayne Now with more Jayne Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 40,077	apparently, their addiction did allow them to stop to have sex and give birth

07-16-2007, 10:42 AM	#15
pornvue Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 474	they shouldn't deserve kids then....they should just go play all they want, and hopefully they will die in malnourishement cause they're too busy playing games...grrrr __________________ Pornvue - UPLOAD YOUR VIDEOS FOR FREE!!

07-16-2007, 11:14 AM	#16
D Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Valley Posts: 7,412	That's a sad story. Hopefully a decade without access to MMO's will teach them that there's more to life than the fantasy of their second lives... and give their children a chance to grow up. __________________ -D. ICQ: 202-96-31

07-17-2007, 05:21 AM	#18
GatorB The Demon & 12clicks Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: SallyRand is a FAGGOT Posts: 18,208	If there was never an internet they would blame TV addiction. If there wasn't any TV they'd blame something else other than themsleves. Funny I didn't hear how THEY were malnourished. Obviously they found time to feed themselves.

07-17-2007, 08:14 AM	#20
BlondeBecks Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Porn Capital of the World Posts: 361	It reminds me of the fact that you have to have a license to drive a car but anybody can have a child!!! Throw them both in jail and throw away the key. __________________ HardcoreHotel.com

07-17-2007, 08:16 AM	#21
Funbrunette Confirmed User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 4,834	That's awful! It's too bad anyone can get pregnant and have children! __________________ Stephanie (Funbrunette) [email protected] ICQ: 155-713-409

07-17-2007, 09:35 AM	#24
Brother Bilo Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: I live in cage Posts: 4,193	I blame World of Warcraft!!! I vote to abolish that game because it's destroying our families and ruining our country. Damn, that sounds like a platform. I should get into the politics game, make some real money. __________________

07-17-2007, 09:55 AM	#25
High Plains Drifter Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: ♠ ♣ ♥ Posts: 2,341	Michael Straw: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...did=904 87026 Iana Straw: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...dID=907 38735 __________________

07-17-2007, 10:01 AM	#26
martinsc Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 27,047	damn... that's fucked up.... __________________ Make Money

07-17-2007, 10:39 AM	#30
jakethedog Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Vancouver B.C. Posts: 2,497	fucking sick sick sick bastards __________________ No sig .. just me

07-17-2007, 11:14 AM	#31
FakeNick Confirmed User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 739	this is one of those times where i wish we were more like china and only allowed 1 child per family and then only if you can pass a test and get a license __________________ this is my sig, it is the only one i have which is why it is mine

07-20-2007, 07:03 AM	#32
posh rat in hell Confirmed User Join Date: May 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 403	what the fuck ever happened to personal responsibility

07-20-2007, 07:20 AM	#33
dynastoned mmm yeah! Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: roseville, ca Posts: 5,061	fry these fuckers. there isn't enough space on earth anymore for the retarded.

07-20-2007, 07:38 AM	#34
TubeTitans_SusieQ Confirmed User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 3,884	once again...just 2 more people that should die... __________________ Make $40 on Every FREE Lifetime Registration ICQ: 370399852