WISN: The Milwaukee Channel (TV)

Video Reveals Alleged Child Abuse

Foster Children Removed From Milwaukee Home

WISN TV, February 17, 2004

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee police arrested a 39-year-old woman after a neighbor's security cameras intercepted images from her video camera showing her allegedly abusing foster children.

William Brookins called police after he watched the images on a monitor from his home security cameras Sunday night.

Brookins said he realized he was intercepting another camera's images, which showed two young girls holding their hands overhead.

He said after 25 minutes, the 2-year-old's arms began to sag. A woman rushed into the picture and hit the toddler in the abdomen and the face, knocking her to the floor.

Three foster children and three of her own children lived in the home.

The younger children went to other foster homes. Child welfare workers took custody of the woman's children.

Police said the videotape is admissible in court because it was captured accidentally by a citizen. They said as long as authorities didn't ask a citizen to act as an agent and gather information, it's legal.

Prosecutors are still reviewing possible charges.

Copyright 2004 by TheMilwaukeeChannel.com The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved.