MEDIA COVERAGE MARCH 2009
Front Page Desert Local News Anyah's Law & Petition Campaign
Media Video links
http://www.kpsplocal2.com/Global/SearchResults.asp?vendor=wss&qu=anyah+glossinger
http://www.kesq.com/Global/SearchResults.asp?vendor=wss&qu=anyah+glossinger
Updates
A tiny bit of justice served, or at least a small wrong made right -
Sixto Mitre was finally terminated from employment at United Cerebral Palsy!!!!!!
The male coach involved in Anyah's death, who left Anyah in the pool
when she drowned, was allowed to continue working for UCP even after the state
of California shut the program down. He was doing RESPITE (in home care)....
Untill now!
Reason for termination: Inappropriate behavior in the work place!
As for the employment practices of the United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire:
Leaving a small child with limited sight, no speach, and no ability to
swim in a pool causing a drowning, death, an investigation by the state,
and closure of a program ........
ACCEPTABLE
Sending a pictutre text message of two naked men kissing
to a co-worker .....
UNACCEPTABLE
I wonder how long it will take Palm Springs Unified to recognize their mistakes as well?
Media Archives "Mother of cerebral palsy drowning victim continues fight for justice"on KESQ ....... www.kesq.com Family and friends of Anyah Glossinger are taking her story to the streets, collecting
Media Coverage Links for October 2008
Protest for higher standards...................KESQ.COM
Drowned Childs Mother Angry............Knews Radio
Mother fights for justice..........Aspires-relationships.com
Media Coverage Links for September 2008
Mother files lawsuit..........Desert Sun Newspaper
"Justice For Anyah takes to the streets"...The Desert Local News
It came to my attention that I was unfortunately
misquoted in the above story, in the following statements ......
#1 " They have people working in their district that are involved in criminal negligence,”
said Wereschagin. This is unfortunate because it is a misquote and simply is not what I said!
It is not my goal to persuade people to have the same opinions as myself, it is my goal to help
inform parents of this unfortunate situation and to help prevent this from happening again.
#2 Wereschagin, along with the others who attended this protest, believe that 80th Assembly
Candidate Gary Jeandron, who also sits on the Palm Springs Unified School District board, is
to blame for a lot of the reasons behind the mess. She added, “If he wants to do that job, he
should start paying attention to the issues going on in his school district. Which is the fact
that these people are employed here and many parents are upset about it.”
I know who is to blame for this mess, and it is not Gary Jeandron, or the board at Palm
Springs Unified. However it is my personal opinion that the standards of employees at
PSUSD should be raised so that children are safe, and the parents in the community believe
in the teachers competency. Jeandron is not solely responsible for the boards decision,
however he is a public figure and he is running for assembly therefore he should foster
more responsibility in his district!
#3 My website does not state (nor is it my opinion) that Micheal Jeandron in the
district attorneys office "has declined to file charges." Micheal Jeandron is a
public information officer as stated bellow!
Though I am very grateful for the interest taken by the desert local news,
and of Leslie Andrews (Author of the story), it is my main concern that people
be aware of actual facts and truth.
September 29, 2008 Protest at Palm Springs High School -
Parents, teachers, and students demand higher standards
For more info click Protest Take Action
Photos by : Desert Sun NewsPaper
BE INFORMED ON GARY JEANDRON FOR ASSEMBLY
AND HIS ROLE IN THIS ISSUE
~ Gary Jeandron is on the board of the Palm Springs Unified School District
~ A complaint was filed with Palm Springs Unified by a mother of a disabled teen student, it was processed through
their "CLASSIFIED" department. Attached to the complaint was a copy of the state of CA. findings, listing Anyah's death
as being a direct result of inadequate care and supervision, it reads that the employees failed to provide adequate
care to keep the child alive and violated supervision policies resulting in her drowning and
death. Also attached was copies of sexually explicit and preditorial conversations and comments made on myspace to an
under age boy, by the male coach involved in Anyah's death, whom is currently working for Palm Springs Unified.
~ A representative for the school board told the press that they felt these situations were not directly connected to
their employment with PSUSD, and that though they do not condone such behavior they ultimately felt it was
not relevant to their work with students in the district and they declined to terminate them.
~An Appeal was filed and the board met with the mother to reevaluate their decision, at which time Gary Jeandron
present on the board responded by asking the mother " so you expect us to hold these individuals accountable for
something they did while they were not working for PSUSD". His comment was accompanied by a
slight role of the eyes!
The mother of the disabled teen responded, "NO, I want you to keep them away from the children in this district, and
terminate them for their inappropriate conduct, they have failed to meet the basic care required to keep a child
alive and if they had raped or molested someone they would be terminated". "Is causing a death not worse"?
~ JEANDRON and the school board ultimately declined to terminate the two individuals
and the board sent a letter thanking the mother for her
"CONCERN AND PARTICIPATION."
In a recent exclusive interview JEANDRON
told Leslie Andrews, a reporter for THE DESERT LOCAL NEWS
“I think the primary reason for being a candidate is because of our youth.
I’m big on education and I’m big on after school programs.” - Desert Local News©
MICHAEL JEANDRON (IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE) - IS THE SON OF GARY JEANDRON
THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY D.A. DECLINED TO FILE CHARGES ON THE TWO
INDIVIDUALS WORKING IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Protest for higher standards...................KESQ.COM
2008 Presidential Candidate Positions on Disability-related Issues
http://olrs.ohio.gov/prescompare.htm
Media Coverage Links for August 2008
Corporate Liability Possible in the death of an autistic girl .......K NEWS RADIO
To many criminal cases being dismissed each month in Riverside County
Father seeks damages .....The Desert Sun
Father Files WRONGFUL DEATH SUIT .....Press Enterprise
Media Coverage Links for July 2008
Parent wants PSUSD aides fired, claims
inappropriate behavior! online @ desert sun newspaper
Drowning victim's family pursues corporate liability
online @ desert sun newspaper
Media Coverage Links for June 2008
FROT PAGE: DESERT LOCAL NEWS "Mother of Drowning Victim
Launches Web Site" .. CLICK HERE
*Parents please beware: The two coaches (Sixto Mitre and Elva Lerma)
that were responsible for Anyah at the time of her drowning are currently
employed by Palm Springs Unified School District to work directly with
children. Many people have stated they are very uncomfortable with this,
including; parents, PTA members, teachers, health aides, coaches and
even students. These two individuals were found by the state to have failed
to adequately meet the needs of a child in their care which resulted in that
child's death.
These two individuals are currently working in the PSUSD classrooms.
You can find Anyah's petition for justice on line, use the link below:
http://gfcfrecipes.blogspot.com/
Latest media coverage on The Justice for Anyah petition link below:
http://www.deserttelevision.com/Global/story.asp?S=8440123
By Natalie Brand
KPSP Local 2 News
signatures of support. Last week, we reported the District Attorney's Office declined to
file criminal charges against the two United Cerebral Palsy employees involved in the
drowning of Anyah, who was five years-old and autistic.A spokesman for the District
Attorney's office says while it appears caregivers may have made mistakes in judgment,
they don't rise to the level of recklessness required to support criminal negligence.But,
Anyah's mother, Emily Wereschagin wants a meeting with DA Rod Pacheco saying of the
decision, "My first reaction was that it showed a lack of knowledge and a lack of education
of the special requirements needed for autistic children."Family and friends of Anyah say
they're fighting for justice. Laura Ballegeer helped start the petition, which has already
gathered hundreds of names. Ballegeer says, "I have a child with special needs. It could
have been me."Friends say they will continue to collect signatures through the weekend.
They plan to be at the COD street fair on Saturday.
ARCHIVE media links
http://www.kesq.com/global/story.asp?s=7774236
http://www.cbstv2.com/global/story.asp?s=8024774
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_H_irc28.4409e6b.html
http://www.kesq.com/global/story.asp?s=8238112
http://www.kesq.com/global/story.asp?s=8224301
http://cbs2.com/school/Palm.Springs.Hydrotherapy.2.722487.html
http://www.cbstv2.com/global/story.asp?s=7923985
http://www.deserttelevision.com/global/story.asp?s=7960453
http://www.cbstv2.com/global/story.asp?s=8024774
http://www.kesq.com/global/story.asp?s=8238112
http://www.kesq.com/global/story.asp?s=8313315
http://www.deserttelevision.com/global/story.asp?s=7960453
http://www.cbstv2.com/global/story.asp?s=8241309
http://www.ksby.com/global/story.asp?s=8314588
http://anyahraven.newsvine.com/_news/2008/06/02/1532135-what-could-the-district-attorneys-office-be-thinking
http://www.cbstv2.com/global/story.asp?s=8241309
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200804290355/NEWS01/804290318
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200805130355/NEWS01/805130316
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200805310355/NEWS0802/805310313
http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=5120
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_H_irc28.4409e6b.html
http://gfcfmommy.blogspot.com/2008/06/prayer-for-anyah.html
http://anyahraven.newsvine.com/
http://cbs2.com/school/Palm.Springs.Hydrotherapy.2.722487.html
http://www.autismvox.com/you-can-never-be-too-safe-when-theres-water/
http://www.blognetnews.com/autism/feed.php?channel=43
http://backgroundinvestigations.blogspot.com/2008/03/palm-springs-cerebral-palsy-closed.html
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_H_drowning18.433bf8f.html
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080425/NEWS01/804250366/1006/news01#pluckcomments
http://anyahraven.newsvine.com/_news/2008/04/25/1452795-school-district-investigates-employees-conected-to-drowning-of-5-year-old-girl
http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=8224301
http://www.cbstv2.com/Global/story.asp?s=7923985
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080428/NEWS01/80428024
Coming soon: The Police Report and investigation is still being
with held because the case is still open.
The Riverside County District Attorney's office declines to file charges......
MICHAEL JEANDRON
Public Information Officer
Riverside County District Attorney’s Office
Indio: 760.393.3232
Riverside: 951.955.9215
MichaelJeandron@rivcoda.org
We have declined to file charges in the death of Anyah Gossinger. The decision was based on the fact that the evidence
did not reach the threshold required by
law to warrant criminal charges.
The law distinguishes between
‘ordinary negligence,’ which is the
standard used in most civil contexts,
and the higher standard of
‘criminal negligence,’ which would
apply in a criminal case such as this.
The law defines criminal negligence as follows: A third caregiver then entered the pool area with her child and noticed Anyah at the bottom of the pool. Anyah was immediately pulled out of the water and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) was administered. While no one knows exactly, it is estimated that Anyah was under water for approximately sixty seconds. The CPR was initially ineffective because Anyah had regurgitated some food that blocked her airway. Several minutes passed until the blockage was discovered and the food was cleared out. Her lungs received no air during this period. CPR was then continued until medical help arrived. While it appears that the caregivers may have made several mistakes in judgment and in supervision of Anyah, these mistakes do not rise to the level of recklessness that is required to support a criminal charge in this case. This decision does not impair the rights of Anyah’s family to seek civil redress through a wrongful death action.
A careful review of the evidence presented by the Desert Hot Springs Police Department shows that the actions of Anyah’s caregivers did not rise to the higher level of criminal negligence as required by the law. The evidence shows that Anyah’s caregiver was watching Anyah and another special-needs boy while the boy’s caregiver left briefly to use the restroom. Anyah was in the pool wearing ‘floaties.’ The boy began to climb out of the pool onto a narrow raised tile platform. A fall from this platform could have injured the boy. Anyah’s caregiver went to the side of the pool to restrain the boy. While her attention was directed to the boy, Anyah apparently slipped out of her floaties and sank to the bottom of the pool.
Anyah's family's press release and response.
We understand that the preliminary review by the District Attorneys office has resulted in a recommendation against filing criminal charges against those whose conduct caused Anyah’s death. We are disappointed. However, this is a preliminary decision, not a final decision. We have asked for a meeting with District Attorney Rod Pacheco. It is ultimately Mr. Pacheco’s decision as to whether a case should be prosecuted. He will make the final decision. We know that Mr. Pacheco is an advocate for victims of crime and victims rights. We do not believe that the district attorneys staff understood the unique limitations and special care requirements that Autistic children have. We know that those caring for Anyah did, which is what we believe the staff overlooked or failed to fully consider in making their decision.
We are confident that Mr. Pacheco will consider these facts and circumstances in making the final determination. We are confident that Mr. Pacheco believes that a disabled child like Anyah deserved the full protection of the law – as do the parents of disabled children – and will act accordingly.
Mariecar Mendoza • The Desert Sun • February 25, 2008
The mother of the 5-year-old girl who drowned in Desert Hot Springs is now speaking out, nearly a month after the incident.
Emily Wereschagin is still coming to grips with her second born Anyah Raven Glossinger's death and says she will not rest until she understands the circumstances surrounding her daughter's death.
"We are absolutely devastated by the loss of our daughter. There are no words to describe this tragedy," Wereschagin said Friday. "Anyah was the center of our world and nothing can justify the loss of such a precious life."
Anyah, who was legally blind and diagnosed as having low-functioning autism, died Jan. 24 - the day after she was found submerged underwater at an indoor mineral pool at a facility, located at
The Desert Hot Springs Police Department is the lead investigating agency and is conducting a criminal investigation. Investigators said, however, preliminary results indicate the incident was accidental and did not involve Angel View employees.
"It's still wide open at this point," said Desert Hot Springs Police Commander Ed Smith on Friday. "We are still in the waiting mode."
Investigators are awaiting an autopsy report from the Riverside County Sheriff's-Coroner as well as requested documents from United Cerebral Palsy and Angel View, including licensing records, Smith said.
In the meantime, Anyah's family is planning a public memorial and candlelight vigil.
The family has also established a memorial fund under Anyah's name through Bank of America. Contributions can be made by calling 340-1867.
"We're devastated. It has been really, really difficult," Wereschagin said. "This should never have happened, and our family is going to do everything in our power to make sure nothing like this ever happens again."
Palm Springs Unified Employees Put on
Leave Pending Criminal Investigation.
Article below.
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200805130355/NEWS01/805130316
This article sparked a national news brief and
was broadcasted in three different states, talk
radio in two states, and was printed in
newspapers from the west coast to the
mid west.
