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Case of frostbite results in Elkhart woman facing charges of child neglect

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An Elkhart woman is facing child neglect charges after her son’s leg had to be partially amputated due to frostbite.

Brittney Dickens, 33, was charged last week with one count of neglect of a dependent resulting in serious injury. Police were called after the three month-old child was brought to an Elkhart Emergency Room with frostbite and other potentially life-threatening ailments. He was malnourished, dehydrated, and had severe frostbite on his right foot and an infection that had spread through his bloodstream. He was also suffering from septic shock and renal failure.

Dickens told police that she didn’t know how he ended up with frostbite.

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7 comments

David George June 5, 2023 at 8:55 pm

She doesn’t know how he ended up with frostbite!
She didn’t notice infection or malnourishment either.
I would say something is very wrong with the attention she should pay to a child.
Give the boy to good parents, sterilize her and lock her up for a long time.

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Tim F. June 6, 2023 at 6:05 am

Long time in prison. Definitely take away kids, the system was aware of the abuse. I know for a fact. Someone needs to give these babies a real life, they also deserve a fighting chance she had all hers. GODS LOVE TO ALL.

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DLKirkwood RN June 6, 2023 at 1:27 am

The child may have been too close to an air conditioner that is old and throughs out too cold of air. The article did not mention how, but I am offering one way it may have occurred. I can think of others but . . .

How many children are raised and cared for from birth to Kindergarten in Elkhart, I wonder, while a wife goes to work each day and hangs out with her friends after work or on weekends? Or, a mother raising a child alone because the man took off to find another conquest and persons it was a babysitter, or someone else who ???? while mom worked? Judge not lest ye be judged, is how Jesus teaches.

As to this mother (I am an RN who has seen many couples with children) it is not every woman (by far) who knows how to care for a child. Today, many come from dysfunctional homes related to spousal abuse, drugs and/or alcohol, parent with multiple partners in a society where Attorneys get rich off of divorces, because that is where the money is so many couples just cut out the middle man (the ministers, preachers, and others who still believe in weddings)––so why add to the expense when one can just walk away? Before you say the Bible says . . . which denomination and were in the Bible does it say you must marry under your state’s rules and not a different state? Laws change nearly as much as Biblical instruction in some churches. Today, there is church to fit anyone’s view in the world, and many churches no longer teach what God had stated, just the parts that suit their way of thinking. Not all churches push for their congregation to study the Bible; as a matter of fact only some do.

The New Testament is the New Covenant between mankind and God. Hebrews 8:13 tells us the old covenant became obsolete, as soon as Jesus, rose from death. The entire 8th chapter says it. The Old Testament (now) is history that leads up to and explains why Jesus had to sacrifice Himself for the world, and in there it explains exactly when, how it would occur, and how that proof points to Jesus. An theist went to scientifically look at Jesus in three different way to see which was proven correct and why using scientific methods. He said that this man Jesus was either a Liar, a Lunatic, or the Lord. His conclusion: Lord.

So, please stop judging a woman you do not know, lest you are judged on that day coming by the harsh manner that you have judged this woman. WE don’t know who she is, what her life has been like, nor if this child was her first. The article only gave a brief account of what happened. Many woman are abused in North America; esp. if they have developmental problems, have been abused and threatened by someone who may be over her, or left here after their Jolly Time with her, and she kept a baby who would love her and she the baby, but no one taught her how to care for it.

I will not judge this woman, because I am a Christian who knows Christ. I have studied the Bible for 50 plus years, mostly the New Testament which is relevant and about Jesus (the way of salvation) and what he said, taught, and commanded.

Please, everyone. Unless you can prove you are GOD, do not Judge another unless they are from within your Church . . . and pray for them. If they do not show improvement from the prayers, take your concerns to the person directly. If they don’t try to stop doing wrong, take it to the Elders, if that does not work, to the Preacher, and if that fails: put the person out of church or turn your back to them until they repent.

This is what the New Testament teaches. Read it, study it, practice it.

If you are not “religious” just be kind about what is posted anyway. In doing that you will come across as a likable person, and not one that I care to put into worldly expressions.

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Charles U Farley June 6, 2023 at 9:41 am

While I can appreciate your sentiment, the stark reality of the situation is that we have been too tolerant for too long to idiocy and failure. I think the fact that we have stopped passing judgement on people has led to a spike in problems, similar to what happened with the “time-out” generation.

Your third paragraph (correctly) began as a litany of failure, failure that we as a society have turned a blind eye to in recent decades, failure that is now reaching crippling proportions. You call out as causes the very things that societal norms used to actively cull.

It’s time to end this insanity, and start calling out the failure whenever it appears. We need MORE judgement, not less, and if that bothers the “turn-the-other-cheek” segment of Christianity I am ok with it.

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Robin June 6, 2023 at 1:49 am

Until we start making the punishment for abusing a child, as severe as possible, this is gonna continue! Children should be at the top, number one priority to protect!!

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Tim F. June 6, 2023 at 6:08 am

AMEN…

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Randy June 6, 2023 at 8:50 am

A society who does not condemn abortion will never make abuse of children a harsh penalty. Those who embrace/promote abortion seem to have more compassion for animals than unborn life.
This all points to a society of moral decline which was prophesied in scripture. We are all sinners, but Jesus Christ provided a way to be cleansed of sin and through the power of His Holy Spirit is resource to resist temptation. This does not make one better than another. Instead it is a path toward hope, forgiveness, compassion, empathy and love. Not only that, it is a free gift to us! All that is needed is acknowledgement that one is a sinner, repentance and simply ask Christ to take control of your life … then allow Him to do so.
This action/lifestyle may not change ones physical circumstances, but it certainly will change your eternal future. Find a good church that teaches from the entire Bible to learn how to live in Christ and walk a path of truth and light. Surround yourself with folks that love Him and will provide you support, guidance and love.

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