| Young couple accused of neglecting young children to | | | | dehydration." |
| surf the Web and play computer video games. | | | | The brother was also treated for starvation as well |
| In Reno, Nevada a couple authorities say were so | | | | as a genital infection, because of a lack in muscle |
| obsessed the the Internet and computer video | | | | development he had difficulties walking, investigators |
| games that they left babies starving, suffering other | | | | say. |
| health problems have pleaded guilty to child neglect. | | | | The father, "Michael Straw is an unemployed cashier, |
| Michael and Iana Straw had two children, a girl ll | | | | and his wife worked for a temporary staffing agency |
| months old and a boy 22 month old. Authorities | | | | doing warehouse work, according to court records." |
| found these two children very malnourished and near | | | | Michael received $50,000 from inheritance that "he |
| death last month after social working took them to a | | | | spent on computer equipment and a large plasma |
| hospital. According to prosecutor Kelli Ann Viloria the | | | | television, authorities said." |
| children are doing much better, gaining weight and are | | | | American Medical Association ponder Video game |
| in foster care. | | | | addiction |
| "Michael Straw, 25, and Iana Straw, 23, pleaded guilty | | | | "While child abuse because of drug addiction is |
| Friday to two counts each of child neglect. Each | | | | common, abuse rooted in video game addiction is |
| faces a maximum 12-year prison sentence." | | | | rare, Viloria said." |
| According to prosecutor Viloria the couple was too | | | | Last month, doctors at an American Medical |
| distract by online computer video games, namely the | | | | Association dismissed having video game addiction as |
| fantasy role playing "Dungeons & Dragons" series, to | | | | a mental disorder, stating more research need to be |
| give their children proper care. | | | | done. Some argued it was like alcoholism while other |
| "They had food; they just chose not to give it to | | | | felt there was solid evidence that is was a |
| their kids because they were too busy playing video | | | | psychological disease. |
| games," Viloria told Reno's local publication. | | | | It is hard to know whether or not video game |
| The status of the Children when found. | | | | addiction is a true psychological disorder. It is very |
| When police found the girl and took her to the | | | | possible, seeing people pull all nighters playing |
| hospital the staff there had to shave her hair | | | | computer video games, pausing only to use the |
| because it was matted with cat urine. "The 10-pound | | | | bathroom, not even eating is problem in this writers |
| girl also had a mouth infection, dry skin and severe | | | | mind. |