Category: abuse

Three Gymnasts Sue Coaches and Owner of Orange County Gym

SANTA ANA—Three gymnasts are suing an Aliso Viejo-based gym, alleging they were battered and emotionally abused by their coaches. Azarian Gymnastics did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the suit filed March 19 in Orange County Superior Court. The suit filed on behalf of Ashton Woodbury, 19, of Berkeley, Katelyn You, 15,…


Ex-Vatican Altar Boy Testifies in Seminary Sex Abuse Trial

ROME—A former Vatican altar boy has testified that an older seminarian would come into his bed at night to perform a sexual act on him in the Vatican’s youth seminary, saying his initial shock gave way to resignation because he feared being sent home. Accuser L.G. testified for the first time Wednesday in the Vatican’s…


US Condemns China at UN Rights Forum for Abuse of Uyghurs, Tibetans

GENEVA—The United States on Friday condemned China’s abuse of ethnic and religious minorities, including what it called “crimes against humanity and genocide” in Xinjiang against Muslim Uyghurs and severe restrictions in Tibet. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who meets his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Alaska next week, is due to raise the treatment…


Couple Becomes ‘New Mommy and Daddy’ to Boy Abused by Adoptive Mom, Now He’s a Thriving Teen

A couple embarking on a tentative journey into fostering found themselves to become “new mommy and daddy” to an abused kid the first day they met him, lying in his hospital bed. However, the pair confidently embraced their new roles for a child in desperate need, and have never looked back since then. Mom of…


Australia’s $452 Million Immediate Response to Aged Care Royal Commission

The Australian government has announced a $452.2 million raft of measures as an immediate response to the findings of the royal commission into aged care, as it sets out to reform the sector. The royal commission has made 148 recommendations to the Morrison government, including new laws to protect the rights of elderly people and…


ICE Nearly Released Sex Abuse Convicts Due to Biden Memo

AUSTIN, Texas—U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was prepared to release three men convicted of sex offenses against children, Texas officials said, in an apparent misapplication by authorities of enforcement directives from President Joe Biden’s administration. The three were not released after discussions in recent weeks between the state prison system and immigration authorities. But the…


Couple Takes Nephew Into Their Home After Parents’ Alleged Abuse Lands Him in Hospital

A Virginia couple has welcomed their baby nephew into their home after he faced alleged physical abuse at the hands of his birth parents to the point that the 7-month-old was hospitalized for his injuries. Michelle Harris Templeton, 31, and her husband, Nathan, 32, decided to choose a new name for their nephew, calling him…


New Zealand Mom Beats Meth Addiction, Shares Before-and-After Photos to Inspire Others

Few things can be more damaging to family and self than drug addiction, and one New Zealand woman knows this all too well. After battling meth addiction for years, the young mom and former meth dealer has shared before-and-after photos of her battle with addiction. Jessica Nicholas is just 31, but she has already gone…


Waitress Saves Boy From Abusive Parents by Secretly Holding a Sign: ‘Do You Need Help?’

A concerned waitress who came to the aid of an abused boy, sitting with his mom and stepdad at her place of work, may well have saved his life. Catching the boy’s attention with a stealthy note, the waitress ascertained that he needed help and called 911. Orlando, Florida, waitress Flavaine Carvalho grew suspicious when the…