Maize pumpkin patch to close permanently after owners charged with child abuse – KWCH

Report on the Closure of Cedar Creek Farms & Pumpkin Patch and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

• Cedar Creek Farms & Pumpkin Patch, a local enterprise in Maize, Kansas, has announced its permanent closure, effective October 26.
• The closure is subsequent to the owners, Aaron and Kara Smith, facing formal charges of child abuse.
• This event carries significant implications for several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning justice, child protection, economic stability, and community well-being.
• The property associated with the business is scheduled for auction on November 11.

Legal Proceedings and Connection to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The impetus for the business’s closure is a pending legal case against its owners. The charges directly conflict with the objectives of SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies and provide access to justice for all.

• Aaron Smith is charged with unlawfully impeding the normal breathing or circulation of a child under 18.
• Kara Smith is charged with unlawfully and knowingly torturing or cruelly beating, striking, or kicking a child between the ages of six and 18.
• The Smiths are currently released on a $10,000 bond and are scheduled for a preliminary court hearing on November 6.

1. Target 16.2 (End Abuse and Violence Against Children): The specific allegations of physical abuse, torture, and cruel treatment are a direct contravention of this critical global target to protect children from all forms of violence.
2. Rule of Law: The formal charges and judicial process demonstrate the function of local justice institutions in addressing violent crime and upholding the law, a foundational element of SDG 16.

Socio-Economic Impact and Relation to SDGs 8 and 11

The termination of the pumpkin patch operation affects the local economy and community fabric, highlighting challenges related to sustainable economic growth and community development.

1. SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The permanent closure represents the loss of a local small business, negatively impacting local economic activity and entrepreneurship. It ceases a source of seasonal revenue and community engagement, running counter to the goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
2. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The owners’ statement described the farm as a “place where families could unplug, reconnect, and make lasting memories.” The loss of such a community-oriented space, particularly under circumstances related to violence, detracts from the social cohesion and availability of safe, inclusive public spaces that are central to SDG 11.

Implications for SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The underlying allegations of child abuse are fundamentally at odds with the core principles of SDG 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

• The alleged acts of violence against a child represent a severe threat to the physical and mental health and well-being of the victim, undermining the global commitment to protect vulnerable populations and ensure they can achieve their full health potential.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The primary Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) addressed in the article is:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • This goal is focused on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. The article’s central theme revolves around criminal charges of child abuse and the subsequent legal process, which directly relates to the justice and protection aspects of SDG 16.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the focus on child abuse, the following specific target under SDG 16 is directly relevant:

• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
  • The article explicitly details the charges against the pumpkin patch owners. Aaron Smith is charged with “unlawfully and knowingly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood by applying pressure on the throat, neck or chest of a child under 18.” Kara Smith is charged with “unlawfully and knowingly torture, cruelly beat, cruelly strike or cruelly kick a child.” These alleged actions are clear examples of the violence and torture against children that Target 16.2 aims to eliminate.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official statistical indicators, but it provides information that serves as qualitative or case-level indicators of progress towards achieving Target 16.2. These implied indicators demonstrate the functioning of justice institutions to protect children:

• Existence of a justice system response to child abuse: The fact that the owners “were charged with child abuse” indicates that a system is in place to hold individuals accountable for violence against children. The filing of charges is a primary step in addressing such crimes.
• Prosecution of specific forms of violence against children: The detailed charges—impeding breathing, torture, and cruel beating—serve as indicators that the legal framework is being applied to specific, severe acts of violence, in line with the goal of ending all forms of violence and torture against children.
• Progression of legal proceedings: The article notes that the accused “are due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 6.” This shows that the case is moving through the justice system, which is a necessary process for ensuring justice and upholding the rule of law to protect children.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kwch.com