Games cited in recent deaths

The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas recently reported that a 36-year-old mother neglected her 3-year-old daughter while playing EverQuest for several hours, resulting in the child's death.

The child was allegedly left in a car without ventilation.

Mary Christina Cordell faces felony manslaughter charges, according to a Springdale, Arkansas, police spokesman. A Springdale police detective stated, "We believe that on the day in question, Ms. Cordell was playing an Internet game, EverQuest, for a period of time exceeding two hours, during which she had no knowledge concerning the whereabouts of her daughter."

According to NWAOnline.net, messages posted to a site run by a group called Spouses Against EverQuest under Mary Christina Cordell's name suggested that the game was "addictive" and was in part responsible for her divorce: "I feel sorry that people get wrapped up into this and destroy their relationships. I just hope that one day they will wake up before it's too late and realize they are alone with no real friends and their family is gone."

Also, an Associated Press report today states that two teenage stepbrothers, ages 16 and 13, from Newport, Tennessee, told police they were imitating Grand Theft Auto when they fired a .22-caliber rifle up to 25 times at vehicles along Interstate 40 on June 25 of this year.

The two pleaded guilty to reckless homicide, reckless endangerment, and aggravated assault after shooting and killing a 45-year-old man and injuring a 19-year-old woman.

The AP report states the two have been sentenced to juvenile prison.