Parents' Companions Linked to Child Abuse

"When the boyfriend moved in, the bruises began. Kailyn Montgomery's mother was alarmed. Every few days, new bruises appeared on Lindsey Ostler's 2-year-old. Ostler took her daughter to a clinic and then a hospital, triggering an investigation. Ramsey County authorities put the Maplewood girl in protective foster care until her injuries healed, then sent her home. Two months later, 18-year-old Kyle Kelbel beat Kailyn to death.

That was December 2000. The murder made Kailyn one of at least 13 children since 1999 killed by their parents' companions, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Her case illustrates what some say is a growing problem — desperate young women entrusting their children to men in situations that make them more likely to be abused." By Rick Links, Pioneer Press Link to Article (last visited 8-16-06 NVS)