KTUL.com - Tulsa's Channel 8 - News, Weather & SportsProtecting Oklahoma's Kids From Sexual Abuse

Protecting Oklahoma's Kids From Sexual Abuse

Posted: Updated:
  • Latest Headlines

  • Friday, May 25 2012 9:03 PM EDT2012-05-26 01:03:06 GMT
    It's a good time to be a graduate... At least from the gift perspective. A study by the National Retail Federation conducted by Big-Insight found that one-third of Americans plan to give a graduation
    It's a good time to be a graduate... At least from the gift perspective. A study by the National Retail Federation conducted by Big-Insight found that one-third of Americans plan to give a graduation
  • Friday, May 25 2012 8:58 PM EDT2012-05-26 00:58:02 GMT
    A small plane crash-landed Arkansas Friday afternoon. It was a four-passenger plane en route from Tulsa to Tunica, Missouri. It happened near Ozark Regional Airport in Mountain Home around 3:30 p.m. FAA
    A small plane crash-landed Arkansas Friday afternoon.
  • Friday, May 25 2012 8:31 PM EDT2012-05-26 00:31:27 GMT
    Inside the courtroom it's day 4 of the trial for Susan Grady. She's charged with second degree manslaughter in the death of her 9 year old son Aaron who had complications related to diabetes. Dan Davis
    Inside the courtroom it's day 4 of the trial for Susan Grady. She's charged with second degree manslaughter in the death of her 9 year old son Aaron who had complications related to diabetes. Dan Davis with the Church of the Firstborn said in terms of healing, "We look to God." Davis was the first witness for the defense to testify and went on to say, "God can heal any illness that is our belief."
  • Friday, May 25 2012 6:43 PM EDT2012-05-25 22:43:36 GMT
    The search is on for a gun used in a Wagoner County shooting on Wednesday.Investigators confirm they've been looking in a muddy creek near 209th East Avenue for the weapon. They had a diver in the water
    The search is on for a gun used in a Wagoner County shooting on Wednesday.Investigators confirm they've been looking in a muddy creek near 209th East Avenue for the weapon. They had a diver in the water
  • Friday, May 25 2012 6:36 PM EDT2012-05-25 22:36:51 GMT
    Dozens of local musicians are showing their support for the Greenwood Cultural Center. More than 50 bands and vocalists are performing at "Tulsa We Funk" Friday night. It's a fundraiser for the
    More than 50 local bands perform at Greenwood Cultural Center Friday night to raise money for the center.
  • Friday, May 25 2012 6:32 PM EDT2012-05-25 22:32:51 GMT
    Every Friday night, the Drillers put on a fireworks show at ONEOK field. This weekend, there will also be a special Sunday fireworks show for Memorial Day. The action gets started after the game, which
    Every Friday night, the Drillers put on a fireworks show at ONEOK field, but this weekend has a special Sunday show.
  • Friday, May 25 2012 6:29 PM EDT2012-05-25 22:29:01 GMT
    Thousands of rock fans will be heading to Pryor this weekend.Rocklahoma took the stage Friday.The three day festival features dozens of rock bands playing on four stages.Headliners include Megadeath, Rob
    Thousands of rock fans will be heading to Pryor this weekend.Rocklahoma took the stage Friday.The three day festival features dozens of rock bands playing on four stages.Headliners include Megadeath, Rob
  • Friday, May 25 2012 5:53 PM EDT2012-05-25 21:53:11 GMT
    A Tulsa County jury has begun deliberations in the case of a woman charged with manslaughter, accused of neglecting to get medical attention for her son, who died nearly three years ago. Susan Grady
    A Tulsa County jury has begun deliberations in the case of a woman charged with manslaughter, accused of neglecting to get medical attention for her son, who died nearly three years ago.
  • Friday, May 25 2012 5:46 PM EDT2012-05-25 21:46:58 GMT
    If you go to the Tulsa Zoo this holiday weekend, be sure to check out their newest addition. A baby meerkat made her public debut Friday morning. She was born March 29th and is the first meerkat
    A baby meerkat is now on display at the Tulsa Zoo.
  • Friday, May 25 2012 5:19 PM EDT2012-05-25 21:19:10 GMT
    Keilani Ricketts struck out seven batters in tossing her 14th shutout of the season as Oklahoma defeated Arizona 6-0 Friday in the first game of an NCAA Super Regional in Norman. Ricketts allowed seven
    Keilani Ricketts struck out seven batters in tossing her 14th shutout of the season as Oklahoma defeated Arizona 6-0 Friday in the first game of an NCAA Super Regional in Norman.

Weeks after the name Sandusky forever tarnished Penn State, the topic is still as hot off the press as day one.

"There's probably at least three or four people a day that come in here and talk about it," said Matt Lehman of NYC pizza, where theories drop as fast as olives on a slice when it comes to guessing why authorities weren't notified sooner.

"Man, I don't think they told police because they were trying to cover themselves, you know?" he said.

Surely, if someone saw that abuse taking place in Oklahoma, they'd be required to call the cops, right?

"You don't have to report it to law enforcement at all," said State Senator Harry Coates.

That shocking truth was discovered by the senator when he was following the Penn State scandal and wanted to see what precautions Oklahoma had in place.

"We don't have adequate protection on the books for our young people, our children in Oklahoma, against sexual predators," he said.

As it is now, you do have to report any type of abuse to DHS, but if you don't, it's just a misdemeanor. So Senator Coates is proposing to make it a law that if you witness the sexual abuse of a child, you have to call the cops. And if you don't...

"And if you don't you are going to be charged with accessory to the crime and a felony," he said.

But what about folks that are married? And say, a wife struggling with turning in her husband?

"Could be a conflict of interest between family members," pondered Lehman.

"Well, she will have to, she will have to report it, or be charged with a felony, and accessory. Now she doesn't necessarily have to testify against her husband, but she does have to report it," said Senator Coates.

A lesson learned from a disgraced coach; if adults won't do the right thing on their own, make it a law, for the sake of the kids.

"I'm hoping so man, you know I don't want to see any kind of that stuff happen to kids, you know," said Lehman.

 

Powered by WorldNow
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and KTUL. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.