TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES v. TIKINDRA G.

347 S.W.3d 188, 2011 Tenn. App. LEXIS 111 (2011) Appeal denied by In re Samaria S. and Samarion S., 2011 Tenn. LEXIS 701

(Tenn., July 14, 2011)

1. What did the court conclude regarding whether parental conduct must be "knowing" in order to be considered "severe child abuse"?

2. Why did the mother argue that her failure to adequately nourish her newborn twins was not knowing?

3. Why did the court disagree with her position? On what did it base it's conclusion that she acted knowingly?

4. Do you think the result would have been different if the mother had not been instructed in how to care for her newborns?