John D Cravens,Troy,IL broke his 9 wk old

**MadeaBecBec** · July 9th, 2009, 03:55 PM

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) -- A southwestern Illinois man is jailed on $500,000 after being accused of breaking an infant's ribs.

Madison County prosecutors on Wednesday charged 27-year-old John Cravens of Troy with aggravated battery of a child.

Authorities say the 9-week-old baby suffered multiple rib fractures in May.

A spokesman for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services says that agency received a report of suspected abuse involving the child June 22 and is investigating.

It's unclear if the baby is in state custody.

Cravens doesn't have a listed home telephone number, and it isn't immediately clear if he has an attorney.

http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story...storyid=179692

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
07/08/2009

TROY, Ill. - A Troy man has been charged with aggravated battery to a child.

Madison County prosecutors filed the charge Wednesday against John D. Cravens, 27, of the 300 block of Riggin Road. Bail was set at $500,000.

Troy police began an investigation after they were contacted June 22 when a 9-week-old infant was admitted to St. Louis Children's Hospital with numerous broken ribs. Police said the child was in protective custody Wednesday.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/new...0?OpenDocument

Cravens looks like a crack-head.....
I am just getting more and more frustrated with these child abusers, if they can't handle raising a child, there are just too many "good" options for a parent not to take them into consideration and admit that they don't have the ability or the desire to do what's right... Doesn't Illinois have a safe haven law?

I pray for you little one, to be safe and sound and most of all loved.....

**MadeaBecBec** · July 9th, 2009, 04:00 PM

Just answered my own question, (I seem to do that alot, since turning 55)
Yep, Yep! Illinois does have a safe haven law.. Here it is: http://www.saveabandonedbabies.org/d...walletcard.pdf
My goodness, they even give out wallet cards to new parents with a toll free number on it..... Of course, the Cravens infant may have been too old, at 9 weeks, still a hospital there probably would've taken the child anyway!
John D Cravens: Are you illiterate? Or just cowardly scum?

**shadowman** · July 9th, 2009, 04:16 PM

It takes a real coward to hurt a little baby. What can a child of that age do to deserve broken ribs, for Christ's sake? One thing: Cry. Their only means of communication because they need something. Changing, food, comfort, etc.,...yeah, breaking their ribs will quiet them down, asshole.

I hope that they throw his ass in prison. Someone will turn his skinny ass out the first week.

Honestly, I couldn't be in law enforcement because of scum like this.

**scorpiogirl** · July 9th, 2009, 06:05 PM

The Meth mosters did it.

**MadeaBecBec** · July 9th, 2009, 06:20 PM

I understand, Shadowman, I feel the same way! I couldn't work for Youth Services either, I wouldn't follow protocol there or in cases like this.....
I've helped many a friend, at their requests, that had a colicky baby and the parent/s were becoming frustrated, plus needing rest to continue caring for their infant! Colicky babies just need soothing and rocking, whispers in their tiny ears and most times a parent/s that have been relieved for an hour or two, I felt honored to hold and rock those little treasures and appreciated my friends for realizing they had to have help! I have enjoyed watching them all grow up and some become parents, themselves! Watching an infant sleep peacefully, dry and satiated, is the most wonderful and rewarding experience!

Cravens, well, I've decided he's just an evil, selfish and cowardly waste of skin.....

So yeah I agree, Cravens is an asshole!

**totallytoddler** · July 9th, 2009, 07:33 PM

I just don't get what a 9 week old could have possibly done to engrage someone so badly to break ribs????? I know this happens every day......but what did the baby do? CRY???? *GASP* Thats what babies DO ya fucker...it's how they communicate......and apparantly breaking baby ribs is how YOU communicate!!!!!

Maybe a little TLC, a bottle or a diaper change MIGHT have been the route you should have gone!!!

When will these people EVER learn?