The case that I decided to focus on is an older abuse case, but it has recently beenresolved in the courts. It is a child abuse case involving James and Bonnie Zeleski. Theywere both charged with abusing their infant daughter.
The child was brought to thehospital with a fracture in each leg, a fracture in each arm, a thigh fracture, three brokenribs, a ripped esophagus, pneumonia, malnourished and several other cuts and bruises. The girl was transferred to an Omaha hospital. The father, James, was charged on June3, 1998 with Class 4 Felony Child Abuse. His wife, Bonnie, was later charged andconvicted of a Class 3 Felony.
James was sentenced to three years probation and sixmonths in jail. His wife was sentenced to 15 to 18 months in prison. I think that this case was fairly portrayed by the media. I know at the time, therewere several letters to the editor and opinion printed on the subject, but the Grand IslandIndependent seemed to be fair and stick to the facts.
It was a horrible crime and I thinkthey did a good job being unbiased. I think that it is a good idea to publicize crimes likethis. From my other studies, I have learned that the informal sanctions, publichumiliation and shame, are far more effective than the formal sanctions in preventingcrime. When people who are having a hard time dealing with being a parent seesomething like this in the media, they may stop to think about their actions.
A good ideawould be to run several articles on where parents can go to for help. The combination ofthe two, may help prevent this from happening to another child. As a mother I have a definite interest in this crime. I cannot even begin tounderstand how anyone could do something like that to someone so helpless.
I am alsointerested in this case from the legal perspective and how the case was resolved in thecourt system. I personally think that the sentencing was very lenient. I think this is a good activity. I studied journalism for a while and I am veryaware of how the media can distort a situation.
I think as a human service worker it isvery important to know what is going on and how the situations are being resolved. Anytime situations like this can be brought to public attention I think it can help. Justgetting one person to think about their actions possibly save the life of a child. Grand Island Independent, Wednesday, June 3, 1998Grand Island Independent, Thursday, June 4, 1998Grand Island Independent, Saturday, January 9, 1998Grand Island Independent, Thursday, February 18, 1998
