Charges filed against man in toddler's death

Lisa M.
Anoka, MN     07/17/2009 10:50 PM

To wait such an extended period of time before summoning emergency assistance to a child who is so clearly in such distress and pain IS NEGLECT. Period. I don't give to hoots about how stinking worried other family members may have been about being accused of child abuse because if you care about that child, you will do ANYTHING in your power to help that child no matter if it means possibly being accused of neglect. The issue of being accused of the harm done to that child can be worked out at a later time for crying out loud. Being scared is NO EXCUSE. Watching a child scream in pain. Watching a child refuse to eat. Watching a child struggle for his breath. WATCHING THE LIFE SLOWLY DRAIN FROM A SMALL CHILD IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES. And some of you people are speaking of comapssion for these family members?! And to read that the murder of this child was "unintentional", is absolutely horrifying. This child's death came at the hands of this monster of a man. The life shaken from this toddler by the very person who was supposed to be there to comfort, love and console him if in distress of any sort. This entire story is sickening. The family involved who watched this child's slow and painful death while taking no action until it was too late. The mother who should go to prison right along with this sick and twisted monster of a man.

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connie r.
Rosemount, MN     07/10/2009 6:45 PM

It is a sad situation for everyone involved, but there is just to much of this gooing on. The mother should have chose her child over her husband. He is the one that she should have been taking care of. Children trust that there parents will love and take care of them. they don't know any different. I just hope the other children in this family are being taken care of better then that one was. We all can hope and pray the turn out to be better adults then their parents!!! People need to stand up for there children no matter what!

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trish w.
Hastings, MN     07/09/2009 10:55 AM

I read the report and sounds like they knew he was hurt, they were just too afraid to get help cause then someone might have caught on that the child had been abused. There should be some accountability on the mothers part also. This sickens me, I can't believe these monsters!!

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rosemary h.
Ankeny, IA     07/07/2009 9:36 AM

I think DJ.B is exactly right...no compassion for that family from me...terrible sorrow for the baby..yes..

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sdgsd a.
Newport, MN     07/06/2009 12:25 PM

I don't get how any mother could turn there back so blindly to the obvious distress this infant was in!! The kid was in distress, and they NEGLECTED to do anything about it for several days! If that were to have been my child, as a mother, I would have that kid in right away, and bet your hind-end I would press charges against WHOEVER is responsible for it! There is just NO EXCUSE! More than just Mr. Hokanson should be doing time for this. The mother neglected to get that child medical attention right away. I don't care how busy my schedule is, my child is my most important thing in my life, and they will ALWAYS come first!

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T N.
Hastings, MN     07/04/2009 8:36 AM

This story makes me sick! I just want to run and give my 13 month old daughter a hug. How can anyone harm an innocent child. This mother should loss custody of her other two children. She may not have been the one who hit her son but she is just as guilty for standing by and not taking proper care of her child. Sick.

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Jack M.
Prescott, WI     07/02/2009 10:46 AM

There are no winners or good guys in this story. How unfortunate that this child's mother selected a murderer as her mate. The baby had no chance.

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DJ B.
Rhinelander, WI     07/02/2009 6:42 AM

Compassion for those who did nothing for this child as he suffered for days. Absolutely NOT. As far as the family and extended family suffering for the rest of their lives, so be it. Anyone that can be witness to what this child was going through in his last days and did nothing, probably doesnt have the moral make up to understand their lack of action played a big part in the babys short ,tortured life. Compassion for those involved...........nope, never.

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T S.
Farmington, MN     07/01/2009 10:41 PM

Read the entire police report and you will agree with DJ B that the family should've gotten him help a whole lot sooner. I believe that he could've been saved if they would've gotten him medical attention as soon as they noticed something was wrong. not waiting 5 days! http://legacy.hastingsstargazette.com/pdfs/hokansoncomplaint.pdf

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JM W.
07/01/2009 9:24 PM

Greg is right about the fact that the whole family will suffer for the rest of their lives because of the horrible way the child lived and died. Compassion is definitely called for here. I don't know how the any of the different families involved will survive and thrive after this abomination. It will be very hard for them to forgive themselves and each other. They all need our prayers.

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