A most outrageous case of child abuse and cruelty, spanning generations

This dreadful story comes out of Austria. This man, Josef Frizl, pictured at left, abused his daughter from the time she was 11. In 1984, when she was 18, he lured her to the basement, where she was chained and assaulted repeatedly, resulting in the births of at least six children. He reported her missing, and his own wife had no idea of the horrors going on in the basement. He claimed three of the babies as his own, telling his wife his missing daughter had dropped them off because she was unable to care for them. 

In  the meantime, this woman was forced to endure repeated rapes and unmedicated childbirths with no prenatal care and no pediatric care for three of her children, who have never seen the sunshine in their lives. It was only when the oldest child became so ill she needed to be hospitalized that she received medical care and the story began to unfold.

This barbarism and cruelty is unimaginable. This man needs to be locked away, punished, removed from society. A woman loses 24 years of her life, has some of her children taken from her and the others forced to live as captives. All at the hands of her father.

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Captive woman bears 6 children from rapist father

AMSTETTEN, Austria (CNN) -- Austrian police believe a 73-year-old man held his daughter captive in his cellar for the past two decades and fathered at least six children with her, according to police and state-run news reports Sunday.

The woman, identified as 42-year-old Elisabeth F., has been missing since 1984, when she was 18 years old, police said at a news conference.

The situation came to light earlier this month after her daughter -- a 19-year-old woman, identified as Kersten F. -- was hospitalized in Amstetten after falling unconscious, according to police.

She was admitted to a hospital in Amstetten, outside Vienna, by her grandfather with a note from her biological mother requesting help. Amstetten is a rural town about 150 km (93 miles) west of Vienna.

But police said a DNA test later revealed her grandfather, Josef F., was also her father, according to ORF, Austria's state-run news agency.

That sparked a police investigation, which revealed that Josef F. may have fathered at least six children with his daughter, forcing her and three of the surviving children to live in the cellar of his house, according to ORF's Peter Schmitzberger.

The children are now between 5 and 19 years old.

Police are awaiting DNA tests to verify their relationship to Josef F., who faces arrest for "severe crimes against family members," according to police. So far, he has not given a statement to police.

Police spokesman Franz Polzer told ORF that the 73-year-old has led police to several hidden rooms in his cellar accessible only by an electronic passcode that he provided to police. Watch a report on the discovery »

On Sunday, police searched the hidden rooms where Josef F. admitted he kept his daughter and their children, Polzer told ORF. The rooms included sleeping quarters, a kitchen and a bathroom, which Josef F. told police he built, Polzer said. Neighbors told ORF they were shocked to hear the news, and had no indication such horrors were taking place in their town.

"One can't imagine how it could happen, how nobody could realize anything of what was going on in the cellar of this house," Schmitzberger told CNN. "It's quite unimaginable."

Acting on "a confidential tip," Amstetten police apprehended Josef F. and Elisabeth F. on Saturday near the hospital for questioning, according to a police statement. Once police assured the daughter that she would never have contact with her father again, "she was able to tell the whole story," Schmitzberger said.

Josef F. lived upstairs with his wife, Rosemarie F., who police said had no idea about her husband's other family living in the cellar.

Josef F. and Rosemarie F. had adopted three of the children that he had with his daughter, according to police. He told his wife that his missing daughter had dropped the unwanted children off at the house because she could not take care of them, police said.

The other three children -- Kerstin, 19; Stefan, 18; and Felix, 5 -- remained locked in the basement with their mother, according to police. None had seen the light of day during their entire time in captivity, police said.

After she was detained Saturday, Elisabeth F. gave police a "psychologically and physically disturbed impression," police said in a statement. She told them her story after she was assured her children would be protected from further harm.

She said her father began sexually abusing her at age 11. On August 8, 1984 -- weeks before she was reported missing -- her father enticed her into the basement, where he drugged her, put her in handcuffs and locked her in a room, she told police. For the next 24 years, she was constantly raped by her father, resulting in the six surviving children, she said, according to the police statement.

She told police she gave birth to twins in 1996, but one of the babies died a few days later as a result of neglect, and Josef F. removed the infant's body and burned it.

She told police that only her father supplied her and her children with food and clothing, and that she did not think his wife knew anything about their situation.

When Kerstin fell ill earlier this month, Josef F. apparently told his wife and the hospital that his "missing" daughter had dropped off the sick girl on his doorstep.

In an effort to find out what might be ailing 19-year-old Kerstin, the hospital asked the media to put out a bulletin requesting any information about the girl or her missing mother, attorney general Gerhard Sedlacek told NTV.

Sometime later, Josef F. brought Elisabeth F. out of the cellar, telling his wife that she had returned home with her two children after a 24-year absence, police said.

He took Elisabeth F. to the hospital to talk with doctors about Kerstin's condition, and at that point, authorities became aware of her situation, Sedlacek said. 

Bank Teller Shot During Robbery Loses Twins; Fund Set Up

Shot Bank Teller Loses Twins: Deaths Come Days After Shooting; Arrestees No Longer Accused In Case

INDIANAPOLIS -- The twins a pregnant bank teller was carrying when she was shot during a robbery this week have died, the Marion County coroner's office said Friday.

One of Katherin Shuffield's twins was born dead, and the other died after birth, said Marion County's chief deputy coroner, Alfarena Ballew. One death happened Thursday night, and the other Friday morning, the coroner's office told 6News' Jack Rinehart.Shuffield, 30, of Franklin, was five months pregnant when she was shot in the lower abdomen Tuesday in a robbery at Huntington National Bank, 2030 N. Post Road. Police said a gunman entered the bank, jumped the teller counter and shot Shuffield before taking money and leaving.

Shuffield's husband, Jason, said in a statement that his wife remained in critical condition at Methodist Hospital.

"Katherin's recovery is our top priority," he said.

Officials had said no bullet struck the fetuses, but Shuffield's appendix and a large part of her small intestines had to be removed.

Ballew said she would examine both fetuses to determine the causes of death.

Prosecutors could consider additional charges, such as feticide, against the gunman because the fetuses have died, said Marion County chief trial prosecutor David Wyser. In order for manslaughter charges to be filed in Indiana, Shuffield would have had to have been at least seven months pregnant, he said.

Arrestees Won't Be Charged In Teller Shooting; 1 Accused Of False Informing

Several men who police said were arrested Wednesday in connection with the robbery will not faces charges in the robbery and shooting, but one will be charged on suspicion of lying to investigators, officials said Friday.

Authorities said the arrests were made based on false information from one of the arrestees, Shed James Jr., 25.

James "flat-out lied" and "has not explained why," Wyser said.

Police arrested James and three other people Wednesday on preliminary charges of conspiracy to commit robbery. On Friday, the Marion County prosecutor's office said it wouldn't file those charges, and that investigators determined James had fed to investigators lies that led to the arrests.

Prosecutors intend to file a false informing charge against James, Rinehart reported.

Indianapolis police on Friday downplayed the degree to which the alleged lies set them back.

"Depending on the information that we obtained through the help of the community -- that's not unusual," Indianapolis police Lt. Jeff Duhamell said. "Some of the search warrants may lead us to a different path in the investigation and that's not unusual. We are continuing to be vigilant in our investigation."

The men had been in custody on a 72-hour hold, the window that authorities use to detain suspects while gathering evidence before filing charges.

Police Check Whether Car Used In Robbery, Shooting

Police declined to say Friday whether the gold Dodge Intrepid they found Thursday was the car the shooter used to flee.

Investigators questioned the owner of that car Thursday, police said.

A source told Rinehart the car's owner reported it stolen Thursday afternoon -- after police announced they found the vehicle abandoned in a parking lot in the 5600 block of Post Road.

Police are suspicious about why the owner reported it missing after it was recovered, the source said. Authorities had said earlier they were looking for the car in connection with Tuesday morning's bank robbery and shooting.

A police detective said the vehicle smelled as if a dye pack -- an antitheft device that banks keep with their money -- had exploded in or near the vehicle.

Police had said they believed whoever robbed the bank picked up a dye pack as he grabbed money from the bank's drawers.

Robbery Details

Police said the gunman entered the bank at about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday while one customer and three employees were inside. Though no one resisted, the gunman went over the teller counter and shot Shuffield, police said.

After Shuffield was shot, witnesses told police, the robber grabbed cash from some drawers and fired a bullet at an empty chair before exiting the bank. A block to the west, at least one person saw him enter the passenger side of a gold, late-model Dodge Intrepid with dull, worn paint, police said.

The Intrepid sped away and a new, bright blue Honda Pilot SUV followed, the witness said, prompting police to wonder whether the SUV's occupants were linked to the robber. Information about how much money the robber took wasn't available.

Witnesses described the shooter as black, 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing about 215 pounds. He was wearing a blue stocking cap, a dark face covering, a gray jacket, blue jeans and dark shoes with light-colored heels, witnesses told police. Police said he also wore sunglasses and teal surgical gloves and was carrying a 9 mm gun.

Though the gunman's face was covered, authorities developed a sketch of him based on witness descriptions and released it Tuesday night. Police also released pictures of two vehicles similar to the ones they're seeking in connection with the incident.

At a news conference late Wednesday afternoon, some local ministers called on the shooter to surrender to one of them, arguing that the process of them handing the shooter to police might be smoother for him than police finding him.

Police endorsed the ministers' offer. They also said anyone with information about the shooting should call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.

A benefit fund for Shuffield was established. Donations can be made to:

Katherin Shuffield Benefit Fund 

c/o Huntington Bank, Attn: Main Office Branch

45 N. Pennsylvania St. 

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Pregnant bank teller shot during robbery

Hell's already got a place reserved for this guy.

Pregnant bank teller shot during Ind. robbery

By KEN KUSMER, AP, 2 hours ago

INDIANAPOLIS — A bank teller pregnant with twins was shot in the stomach during a robbery Tuesday morning, and a police search was under way for the gunman.

Indianapolis police spokesman Lt. Jeff Duhamell said the teller, who is five months pregnant, was in serious to critical condition but was alert when taken to a hospital.

"This is senseless. Some poor lady, trying to make a living, pregnant, shot by a man without any provocation," said Indianapolis Police Chief Michael Spears.

The gunman came into the Huntington Bank branch around 9:30 a.m., jumped over the counter screaming and shot the teller in the lower abdomen, Duhamell said. He then fired another shot as he was running out of the bank, he said.

Duhamell said the shooter got away with money, but would not say how much.

Schools in the area were locked down as police searched for the shooter. They were combing streets and a large field behind the bank in search of the shooter.

Police said the suspect jumped into the passenger side of a car to get away, suggesting that more people were involved in the robbery.

Duhamell said it is unusual for bank robbers to shoot anyone because tellers are trained to simply hand over the cash.

One customer and three employees were in the bank during the robbery, a Huntington spokeswoman said.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

This should frighten us all

Two stories that are very disturbing. A young man's parents kick him out, so he stays with a friend. Shows his gratitude by killing his friend's family's pet cat, and the animal is found with a sock stuffed in its mouth with duct tape around his face, having been tortured and sodomized before being left to die. This young man is a serial killer in the making, and evidently gets pleasure in torturing and killing smaller and innocent creatures. He has a "troubled past" should never be let out, but of course that will never happen. In some years he will back out on the streets.

In the other, a child rapist in Alaska is arrested for binding and raping dogs now. The authorities are concerned. 

Yeah, they should be. He's a convicted child rapist. He shouldn't have been out. He should be in jail. He raped a kid and should be on the inside for good. After he served time for raping a kid, he lunged at another child but is only receiving probation. A convicted child rapist lunged at another child and is now binding and sodomizing dogs. And he was out, free to do all this. Two maniacs are out there doing brutalizing children and animals. Disgusting.

What will it take for this country, so intent on liberating Iraq, to actually protect its own children from violent predators and punish convicted violent felons?

Teen charged with torturing, killing cat

By Darrell Clem 

OBSERVER STAFF WRITER 

A Westland, MIch., teenager is charged with sodomizing a cat and torturing and killing it while he was staying at a friend's house in the 2000 block of Stieber, near Wildwood and Palmer.

Todd Allan Treviso, 18, was ordered jailed with a $50,000 cash bond during his arraignment Wednesday in front of Westland 18th District Judge Sandra Ference Cicirelli. A not-guilty plea was entered for him.

Treviso is facing an April 17 preliminary hearing that will determine whether he should stand trial in Wayne County Circuit Court on charges of sodomy and torturing and killing an animal. If convicted, he could face penalties ranging up to 15 years in prison.

Treviso was charged following allegations he tortured and killed the cat, named Magic, during the early morning hours of April 4, police Lt. Dan Karrick said. The defendant needed a place to stay and had been living with a friend, Karrick said.

Police didn't know the cat's age or whether it was male or female.

Treviso is accused of duct-taping the cat's front paws together, as well as its back paws. He also is accused of sticking a sock in the pet's mouth and "duct-taping its mouth shut," Karrick said.

The cat was found on a neighbor's porch, the lieutenant said.

"The cat at that time was dead," he said.

Little information was available about Treviso, although Karrick said police believe the teen has had "a troubled past."

Generally in cases involving animal torture, authorities fear that such behavior could lead to even more heinous crimes, possibly against people, Karrick said.

dclem@hometownlife.com | (734) 953-2110

Registered sex offender has sex with tied-up dog, police say

KETCHIKAN: Witnesses say Lab was tied to tree and its mouth was taped shut.

The Associated Press

Published: April 15th, 2008 12:14 AM
Last Modified: April 15th, 2008 01:07 AM

KETCHIKAN, AK. -- A 26-year-old Klawock man has been charged with two counts of criminal mischief for allegedly having sex with a tied-up dog. Harold Simpson, a registered sex offender, is being held on a $10,000 bond. The charges stemmed from an alleged incident last Wednesday in the woods outside the village.

A witness told Klawock Police Officer Chris Paulson that she saw Simpson coax a white dog into the woods by a green rope and later saw the dog come running out without the rope, according to Paulson's affidavit. The witness then said she saw Simpson coax a black Labrador retriever to come to him, tying the green rope around the dog's neck and leading it into the woods.

Two men told the officer they went looking in the woods for the dog and found a man having sex with it, according to the affidavit The dog was tied to the tree by a green rope, and white tape had been placed around its muzzle, Paulson's report says. He says he later recovered a green rope and white tape with black hair on it from the scene.

The Ketchikan District Attorney's office had charged Simpson with two misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief.

At an arraignment hearing Friday, Ketchikan District Attorney James Scott told Craig District Court Magistrate Kay Clark that there isn't a state law to prohibit having sex with a dog.

The state also asked for bail, a rare move for a low-level offense.

"Mr. Simpson, however, poses perhaps the greatest threat to the community of any defendant that we will see in this court, or any other in Southeast, for some time," Scott said.

According to court records, when Simpson was 16, he was convicted of twice raping a young boy. He's also serving probation for assault after lunging at a child last year.

The state's "very real concern," Scott said, is that if a small child had been available and unattended at the time and place where these dogs were taken, "that the small child would have been found taped (and) tied in the woods.

Simpson has been assigned a public defender, who did not immediately return a call Monday to The Associated Press.

Missouri couple accused of putting children inside clothes dryer

Just saw this in this morning's news. These two monsters put an 8-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl in a clothes dryer together and turned it on and the kids got all banged up. It's a wonder the children survived this and didn't crush one another. They've apparenty also been hit in the head by the boyfriend. Thank God they went to the school and asked for help, or at least that is what was said on the Nancy Grace clip. I hope that wherever they land in the foster system or amongst relatives' homes after this nightmare, they go together. They'll need each other for support.

I have never understood how any mother allows a boyfriend, husband, whatever to harm her kids, and in this case, it looks like she also participated in the abuse. I don't think bail should have been set for her. She abused the kids and allowed the guy she was screwing to abuse her kids. There are few species of mammals on earth that would allow another being to hurt their offspring. This woman doesn't have the level of maternal instinct your typical rodent does. Nice going, Mom.

Kids in a clothes dryer. They should throw these two pieces of trash together in a clothes dryer and turn it on, and then see how much they like it. Seriously.

Missouri couple accused of

putting children inside clothes dryer 

By Joyce L. Miller

GateHouse News Service

Tue Apr 15, 2008, 12:09 PM CDT

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. - On the same day advocates gathered for a candlelight vigil for the victims of child abuse and neglect, a mother and her live-in boyfriend were locked up for allegedly putting two children in a clothes dryer. 

The suspects are being held in the Camden County Jail, which is just across the lawn from where the Camden County Child Advocacy Council held a vigil Monday night to recognize April as national Child Abuse Prevention month. 

The two victims were allegedly placed inside a clothes dryer after being physically abused. According to reports, the machine was turning when the children were inside. The children have been removed from the home.  

Stephen W. Ray Jr., 26, of Linn Creek, was arrested Friday after the incident was reported to the Division of Children's Services. He is charged with two counts of felony child abuse. He is being held without bond on a probation and parole violation. 

Ray allegedly was living with the mother of the children at a home in Linn Creek when children's services was called to investigate allegations of abuse in the home.  DCS staff and two Camden County Sheriff's Department deputies visited the home April 12 after receiving a hotline call. On Monday, a warrant was issued for the arrest of the mother, 29-year-old Nicole M. Eberhart. She was arrested Monday afternoon at her place of employment. She was charged with two counts of felony child abuse. Bond for Eberhart was set at $100,000.

If convicted, Ray and Eberhart could face up to seven years in prison and/or fines of up to $5,000.  

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, please call the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-392-3738.

Contact this reporter at joycem@lakesunleader.com.

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The next time you buy some cheap piece of crap made in China ...

... think about this photo. This photo appeared on CNN today; it is a woman being taken to her execution in China. Brutality, no dignity. Her face is swollen up; she looks like she is being choked and is being held like some kind of specimen. Look at the dispassionate faces on the police, no human compassion whatsoever. Wonder what she did, maybe disagreed with some public policy or something. Before they executed her, she probably worked as slave labor in a factory making the cheap crap we buy at the dollar stores here.

Look at this pic. Then buy your cheap flip-flops and plastic food containers and other shit from Wal-Mart and Target, but look at the tag, please. If it's made from China, put it back.

Westboro Baptist Church to picket the funerals of teens killed in car crash

You know the Westboro Baptist Church; you've heard of them in the news. They are led by a lunatic named Fred Phelps and they picket at the funerals of people known to be gay with signs that say, "God hates fags." In fact, their Web address is "godhatesfags.com." It's not bad enough that people have lost someone they love; then as they lay them to rest they get to contend with this particular brand of evil and insult. 

The members of the Westboro Baptist Church are pretty much the lowest form of life you can imagine. One of the things I find most disturbing about them when they publicize photos they've taken of little kids -- kids like 4 years old -- holding signs that say, "God hates fags." Chills you to the bone.

In this news story, the church is picketing the funerals of two teenagers killed in a car crash in Maryland with no element of homosexuality in the story. Hetero type of tragedy here. They've
expanded their horizons now. Evidently they believe the people of the state of Maryland are being punished because Maryland is coming down hard on this "church" and its activities. God Bless the State of Maryland.

I believe in God, I always have although my faith has been tested. I always come back to God, though, and trust me, the God I believe in and know loves me is greatly angered by the kind of person that would picket the funeral of anyone to cause their loved ones even greater sorrow.

God loves fags, Reverend. But he hates your fucking guts.

Church plans teen funeral protests

The family and friends of two teenagers who died in a car accident over the weekend are puzzled as to why a fundamentalist church group plans to demonstrate at the teens' funerals.

Tracey Burke, whose daughter Emily died in the crash near Finksburg late Saturday night, said she doesn't understand the logic of Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro Baptist Church unless its members, "are just people of hate." "It makes no sense," Burke said. "I can't believe they'd choose to [demonstrate at] the funeral of a child."

Julio Calderon, whose brother Rodolfo Calderon also died in the crash, said he was stunned to find out about the picketing. "I don't know why people want to interfere with our moment of privacy and grief," he said.

According to a release from the Westboro Baptist Church, tragedies are happening in Maryland because the state is persecuting the organization, and their demonstration is based on their belief that "God hates Maryland."

Shirley Phelps-Roper, the daughter of Westboro Baptist Church leader the Rev. Fred W. Phelps Sr., said the teens died because God put a curse on Maryland. "Maryland is a state of rebels with no cause," Shirley Phelps-Roper said Monday.

Maryland State Police said they are looking into Westboro Baptist's decision to attend the funeral and deciding what, if anything, they can do.

No recent news on Dorothy Dixon

Every couple of days I Google the names "Dorothy Dixon" and "Michelle Reilly" to see if there is any news on the people who are accused of torturing pregnant and developmentally disabled Dorothy Dixon to death in Alton, Ill., and starving her 1-year-old baby (who is mercifully still alive and recovering). If you read my post below, you will see that poor Dorothy Dixon was shot over 30 times with BB's into her skin where they stayed and became infected. Her abuse went on for six to eight weeks, and was performed by Dorothy's housemate Michelle Reilly and the others who lived with them. Dorothy was burned with a caustic liquid, she was not permitted food, she was made to walk around with no clothes, she was made to defecate in a bucket.

Dorothy's housemates tortured and killed her, but helped themselves to her monthly Social Security checks. Grotesque behavior on the parts of these people, if it's even okay to call them that.

There is no news, and I wonder why there is such silence. Has anyone pleaded guilty or not guilty to these vile counts? There are two minors involved in the group who tormented this woman and starved her 1-year-old son who now has no mother. A 12-year-old has been charged as a juvenile; a 15-year-old as an adult. At least three other adults are involved in these atrocities.

If there is no news within the next few weeks, I will start making calls to Illinois papers or the police department. This cannot slip through the cracks like poor Dorothy's life did.

Here is a link for a blog entry about Dorothy Dixon from the end of March: Blog entry on Dorothy

Some sad anniversaries

I'd like to take a moment to mark two lives that were both very important to me, both of which ended about this time of year.

On March 18, 1992, Phil, a good friend, former boyfriend, talented architect, and all-around wonderful human being died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His death was a tremendous source of pain to me and his many friends, and years later I still think about him often and think about what could have been had he made other choices and felt better equipped to deal with life's ups and downs.

Many people say suicide is such a selfish act, but I believe that Phil and others who choose this course are in such a state of pain that they see no other alternative. Phil wasn't seeking to hurt anyone, just to end the pain that was eating at him, and he was living his life in a state of pretense that everything was okay when it was not. I'm just so sorry that he had to deal with sorrow that was so overwhelming. He was a good, funny person and deserved better.

On April 27, 2007, my buddy, Lincoln, the man who taught me virtually everything I know about printing and print production, died in a single-car accident. Lincoln was a kind soul, a Quaker who did not have it in his heart to hurt people. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was generous to a fault. He had overcome addiction problems in his life, but as we all know, addiction is a foe that does not give up easily, and years after he cleaned up Lincoln found himself facing substance abuse problems again, and this time they led to the accident that took his life far too early.

Whenever I got a new job or freelance account, Lincoln came along as my printer of choice. If I'd ever have written a book, which was my hope, he'd have had it printed for me. It was a given.

Just a note about two wonderful people whom I loved and who will always have a place in my heart.

Wal-Mart Named "Worst Person in the World"

You may have read about Wal-Mart's suit against Debbie Shank, its former employee who was brain damaged in a car accident and is now in a nursing home. It's horrible; read the details below. But there has been such a tremendous backlash as a result of publicity against the company (articles on CNN and MSNBC, online petitions from consumers to boycott the company, the worst possible press)  that they have now decided not to take money from this brain-damaged woman and her husband with cancer who works 2 jobs to support them. The couple also lost their son in Iraq, by the way, and since Debbie Shank has short-term memory loss, every time she learns of the death of her son, it is like hearing it for the first time and she grieves anew. That is who Wal-Mart was suing.

Even though they have dropped the lawsuit, still don't shop at Wal-Mart, please. To have put this family through such hell, they cannot have any kind of conscience or compassion at all. I'm embarrassed to say I used to buy my formula and diapers there. My kids are in middle school now, but I'm embarrassed to have ever patronized these bastards. 

Read some of their bad press below. Trust me, had it not been for articles like this, Wal-Mart would still be suing Debbie Shank and her husband.

Wal-Mart Dubbed "Worst Person in the World" on MSNBC's Countdown

By WalmartWatch.com

Last night, MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann dubbed Wal-Mart the "Worst Person in the World" for suing severely brain-damaged Wal-Mart employee, Debbie Shank, for $470,000.

According to Olbermann, "...You know why people think of Wal-Mart and evil in the same sentence? Because of the crap you guys do like this...Wal-Mart: may your stores melt in the hot sun. Today's worst person in the world."

When Missouri Wal-Mart employee Debbie Shank was left severely brain-damaged and disabled after a collision with a semi-trailer truck seven years ago, her Wal-Mart health care plan paid her initial medical bills. The Shank family won a $417,000 settlement (after legal fees) from the trucking company, which was placed in a trust fund for Debbie's future medical care.

Wal-Mart subsequently sued the family for $470,000 - for medical expense reimbursement, plus interest and legal fees - and won. The Shanks appealed, but last week, the Supreme Court refused to hear their case so the Shank family must pay Wal-Mart.

Debbie lives in a nursing home, is disabled, memory-impaired and requires 24-hour care. Her husband, Jim Shank, works two jobs and doesn't know how he will pay for Debbie's future nursing home expenses. Shank spoke about the family's tragedy and Wal-Mart's heartlessness toward his family on CNN Headline News yesterday and CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 last night.

"Despite its public relations efforts to improve its image, this tragic situation exposes the truth about how poorly Wal-Mart treats its employees," said David Nassar, Wal-Mart Watch Executive Director. "Wal-Mart claims it must recover the money from the Shank family in 'fairness' and to 'protect' the plan, but those claims are absurd because Wal-Mart self-funds its health care plan. Wal-Mart can and should do the right thing and let the family keep this money to take care of Debbie Shank."

Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott earns more than $470,000 a week and Wal-Mart earns $470,000 every 38 seconds. Surely the largest company in the world, with $11 billion in profits and run by the nation's wealthiest family, could spare the $470,000, do the right thing and give this poor family a break.

In December, Wal-Mart Watch conducted a fundraiser and in conjunction with SEIU contributed $15,000 to the Shank family. In addition, the organization appealed to the Wal-Mart's Associates in Critical Need Foundation, the Wal-Mart Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation to assist the Shank family, but received no reply to its requests. Wal-Mart Watch is currently circulating a petition to the company.

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com

and my life is just an image of a rollercoaster anyway ...

Rollercoaster

Words and Music by Ben Watt, Everything but the Girl

I still haven't got over it even now. 

I want to spend huge amounts of time on my own. 

I don't want to cause any serious damage. 

I want to make sure that I can manage, 

because I'm not really in your head, 

I'm not really in your head. 

And I see love and disaffection 

and the clouds build up and won't pass over. 

This is my road to my redemption. 

And my life is just an image of a rollercoaster anyway. 

I still haven't got over it even now. 

I want to spend huge amounds of time in my room. 

And I'm not coming out until I feel ready, 

not running out for a while my heart's unsteady,

and I'm not really in your head. 

I'm not really in your head. 

When your sky falls to minus zero, 

well some things must dissappear. 

Oh, this is my road to my redemption. 

And my life is just an image of a rollercoaster anyway. 

The names may have been changed but the faces are the same

The names may have been changed but as people we're not the same. 

And I'm not, no I'm not, no I'm not 

really in your head. 

And my life is just an image of a rollercoaster anyway. 

Yeah, my life is just an image of a rollercoaster anyway.