`smart Cards' Make The Grade 
Relatively New In This Country, They Got A Big Boost From Use At The Olympics

120th District Challenger Urges Debate 
Bill James, Republican Candidate For State Representative, Offered On Friday 
To Debate Opponent Phyllis Mundy.

Sunday, September 29, 1996 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3 





TAMAQUA -- At a preliminary hearing next week, Consualo Quijano's lawyer
plans to argue that she did not intentionally scald a 7-year-old physically
and mentally handicapped girl left in her care. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Quijano, 23, of McAdoo, says the injury to Erin Shook was accidental. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But a police affidavit says, in part, that "the story given by the
caretaker Ms. Quijano is inconsistent with (Erin's) injuries and . . .
indicate an intentional case of dipping a child into a tub of hot water."
Quijano was babysitting Erin and her sister Erica at the time of the Aug. 8
injury. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McAdoo Police say they interviewed child welfare authorities in Schuylkill
County as well as doctors and nurses before filing the affidavit with District
Justice Andrew Zelonis, Tamaqua. Quijano faces charges of simple assault,
aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, and endangering the
welfare of children. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The affidavit also says that Erin's sister Erica, whose age was not listed,
told authorities she left the girl in Quijano's care in a bathtub in Quijano's
home while it was light outside. When she returned later, she found Erin
burned. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 According to the affidavit, however, Quijano told police that Erin, whose
disabilities prevent her from walking, had crawled into tub on her own in the
middle of the night on Aug. 8, took off all her clothing and burned herself
while trying to clean the tub. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Attorney Tom Marsilio of Wilkes-Barre believes Quijano will "ultimately be
exonerated" of the charges against her during an Oct. 10 preliminary hearing.
He declined to explain details of how he will defend her, however. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Police Chief Joseph Litchko, who filed the charges, declined comment about
the case. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A criminal complaint in the case says Erin Shook suffered second degree
burns to her buttocks and right knee area. Papers filed with the charges note
Erin's handicap and say she has the mental capacity of a 3-year-old. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Marsilio says his client gave a statement about the injury and cooperated
with police. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Erin's mother, Pat Kunkle, who lives with Quijano at rear 34 West Blaine
St., says she had taken a day trip to Great Adventure amusement park in New
Jersey, leaving Erin and Erica in Quijano's care. She believes Quijano is
innocent. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I've been taking care of my brothers and sisters since I was 14," Quijano
says. "I never hit them, I don't beat them. I love those children (Kunkle's)
like my own brothers and sisters." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kunkle stresses that Quijano got medical treatment for Erin after the
injury. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The affidavit says Kunkle, who is not charged criminally, was "very
reluctant" to bring Erin to a followup examination with a doctor after the
injury. The examination was aimed at determining if the injuries were
consistent with Quijano's explanation of them. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kunkle says Schuylkill County Children and Youth Services staffers removed
Erin and Erica from her custody after charges were filed against Quijano. She
faces a hearing in Schuylkill County Court to determine if she should
permanently lose custody of her children. "I'm going to fight to get my kids
back," Kunkle says. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Woman Denies Scalding 7-year-old Mcaddo Girl