Reader calls out CBH for child abuse coverage

In light of recent articles in the newspaper regarding cases of child abuse in Grant County, I have been seriously disgusted with the way this news has been handled. Since when is it okay to violate the privacy of minors, especially when they are the victims of these awful crimes? Have they not suffered enough? Instead, this newspaper has decided to let everyone know the gory details of the crimes against them and even go so far as to let everyone know where they live. I do not believe child abusers have the right to privacy. But adding the details about the children whose lives are involved in these cases is wrong. And just because names weren't named doesn't mean it wasn't spelled out in every other way. Shame on the writer of these articles and shame on the editor for printing them without discretion.

Furthermore, in regard to the article about the 2-year-old boy whose parents have been accused of starving him, I was really disappointed in the writer's lack of research. I felt the entire article pointed to the mother's continued breastfeeding as the source of his illness and neglect. In fact, the writer went so far as to say that she should have stopped breastfeeding at six months. From an article published in Pediatrics March 1, 2012, "The American Academy of Pediatrics reaffirms its recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding as complementary foods are introduced, with continuation of breastfeeding for 1 year or longer as mutually desired by mother and infant. Medical contraindications to breastfeeding are rare." Finding this policy statement online literally took me less than a minute. Perhaps the writer should have spent more time concentrating on the alleged drug abuse.

LeiAnn Johnson

Moses Lake