Stephen Hubbard didn't ask Santa Claus for a long list of toys. Instead, the eight-year-old Hammond boy wrote a letter requesting a pair of snow pants for himself and some clothes for his mother.
But Stephen didn't live to see any presents under the tree on Christmas Day. His life was taken on Monday, Dec. 20, reportedly at the hands of his mother's live-in boyfriend.
Friends, family and neighbors gathered Wednesday afternoon in Baldwin for a special memorial service, held at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home to pay tribute to Stephen.
Neighbors described Stephen as "polite and very sweet." Friends said he was "caring."
Officials with SCC said the entire school district is saddened by the death of Stephen, who was a student in Mrs. Johnson's second grade class.
"It's a horrible tragedy," said St. Croix Central District Administrator Dan Woll of the student who began attending classes at SCC last year.
Stephen was pronounced dead five hours after his mother, 33-year-old Christine A. Dennis, summoned emergency rescue workers to her home at 955 Larcom Street in Hammond.
In a written statement, St. Croix County Sheriff Dennis Hillstead said the mother returned home when her boyfriend, Kevin H. Rood, 41, called her at work at around 5 p.m. to say that her son had fallen in the shower and struck his head. Emergency workers were initially told that Stephen may have suffered some sort of seizure and was not breathing.
Stephen was taken by ambulance to the Baldwin Area Medical Center, where he was airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul and then placed in the intensive care unit at Gillette Children's Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 10:43 p.m.
"The type and location of injuries led physicians to suspect that Stephen may have been a victim of abuse," Hillstead said in his statement.
Rood had reportedly been home alone with Stephen from the time he arrived from school at about 3:30 to 3:45 p.m. to the time the mother returned home to call 911.
In an interview with police shortly after the incident, Rood told authorities he became angry with Stephen and had "physically punished him for his actions."
"During this punishment, Rood caused Stephen's head to strike against the wall and possibly a door jam," Hillstead wrote. "He had Stephen go into the bathroom to take a shower, where he collapsed."
Autopsy results, performed by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner, were turned over to the St. Croix County District Attorney's Office this week for review. Formal charges were still pending at press time Monday afternoon. Rood, however, was expected to make an initial court appearance on Tuesday. Rood remains in the St. Croix County Jail.
Records indicate Christine Dennis recently relocated to Hammond with her son after living in a Spring Valley apartment complex for a few months. Prior to that, she is believed to have lived in Colorado, which is also the last known address of Stephen's father, Charles D. Hubbard.
It has not yet been reported how long Rood had been living with the mother and son.
(taken from the New Richmond News Dec 30, 2004)
Stephen Hubbard bill signed into law
Published Thursday, January 05, 2006
Just over a year after his tragic death, 8-year-old Stephen Hubbard of Hammond now has a law named after him.
The "Stephen Hubbard" bill was signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Jim Doyle.
The new law requires that courts look at evidence of child abuse or neglect and the past criminal records of all members of a household before deciding custody of a child following a divorce of the child's parents.
Prior to passage of the Stephen Hubbard Law a court only had to consider evidence of abuse of just the parents and not stepparents or a significant other.
At the time of the incident St. Croix County District Attorney Eric Johnson said that a pattern of abuse was being investigated.
"The Stephen Hubbard bill has gained so much support from inside the 29th Assembly District and across the state," said Rep. Andy Lamb, R-Menomonie, one of the bill's primary authors.
"Now that the Stephen Hubbard Bill is the Stephen Hubbard Law, children in Wisconsin will be better protected from Stephen's tragic fate," he added.
Another key proponent of the measure was Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls.
"I'm glad this legislation has become law to prevent similar tragedies and enhance the safety of children in their own homes," Harsdorf said.
But Stephen didn't live to see any presents under the tree on Christmas Day. His life was taken on Monday, Dec. 20, reportedly at the hands of his mother's live-in boyfriend.
Friends, family and neighbors gathered Wednesday afternoon in Baldwin for a special memorial service, held at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home to pay tribute to Stephen.
Neighbors described Stephen as "polite and very sweet." Friends said he was "caring."
Officials with SCC said the entire school district is saddened by the death of Stephen, who was a student in Mrs. Johnson's second grade class.
"It's a horrible tragedy," said St. Croix Central District Administrator Dan Woll of the student who began attending classes at SCC last year.
Stephen was pronounced dead five hours after his mother, 33-year-old Christine A. Dennis, summoned emergency rescue workers to her home at 955 Larcom Street in Hammond.
In a written statement, St. Croix County Sheriff Dennis Hillstead said the mother returned home when her boyfriend, Kevin H. Rood, 41, called her at work at around 5 p.m. to say that her son had fallen in the shower and struck his head. Emergency workers were initially told that Stephen may have suffered some sort of seizure and was not breathing.
Stephen was taken by ambulance to the Baldwin Area Medical Center, where he was airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul and then placed in the intensive care unit at Gillette Children's Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 10:43 p.m.
"The type and location of injuries led physicians to suspect that Stephen may have been a victim of abuse," Hillstead said in his statement.
Rood had reportedly been home alone with Stephen from the time he arrived from school at about 3:30 to 3:45 p.m. to the time the mother returned home to call 911.
In an interview with police shortly after the incident, Rood told authorities he became angry with Stephen and had "physically punished him for his actions."
"During this punishment, Rood caused Stephen's head to strike against the wall and possibly a door jam," Hillstead wrote. "He had Stephen go into the bathroom to take a shower, where he collapsed."
Autopsy results, performed by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner, were turned over to the St. Croix County District Attorney's Office this week for review. Formal charges were still pending at press time Monday afternoon. Rood, however, was expected to make an initial court appearance on Tuesday. Rood remains in the St. Croix County Jail.
Records indicate Christine Dennis recently relocated to Hammond with her son after living in a Spring Valley apartment complex for a few months. Prior to that, she is believed to have lived in Colorado, which is also the last known address of Stephen's father, Charles D. Hubbard.
It has not yet been reported how long Rood had been living with the mother and son.
(taken from the New Richmond News Dec 30, 2004)
Stephen Hubbard bill signed into law
Published Thursday, January 05, 2006
Just over a year after his tragic death, 8-year-old Stephen Hubbard of Hammond now has a law named after him.
The "Stephen Hubbard" bill was signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Jim Doyle.
The new law requires that courts look at evidence of child abuse or neglect and the past criminal records of all members of a household before deciding custody of a child following a divorce of the child's parents.
Prior to passage of the Stephen Hubbard Law a court only had to consider evidence of abuse of just the parents and not stepparents or a significant other.
At the time of the incident St. Croix County District Attorney Eric Johnson said that a pattern of abuse was being investigated.
"The Stephen Hubbard bill has gained so much support from inside the 29th Assembly District and across the state," said Rep. Andy Lamb, R-Menomonie, one of the bill's primary authors.
"Now that the Stephen Hubbard Bill is the Stephen Hubbard Law, children in Wisconsin will be better protected from Stephen's tragic fate," he added.
Another key proponent of the measure was Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls.
"I'm glad this legislation has become law to prevent similar tragedies and enhance the safety of children in their own homes," Harsdorf said.
Stephen Hubbard didn't ask Santa Claus for a long list of toys. Instead, the eight-year-old Hammond boy wrote a letter requesting a pair of snow pants for himself and some clothes for his mother.
But Stephen didn't live to see any presents under the tree on Christmas Day. His life was taken on Monday, Dec. 20, reportedly at the hands of his mother's live-in boyfriend.
Friends, family and neighbors gathered Wednesday afternoon in Baldwin for a special memorial service, held at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home to pay tribute to Stephen.
Neighbors described Stephen as "polite and very sweet." Friends said he was "caring."
Officials with SCC said the entire school district is saddened by the death of Stephen, who was a student in Mrs. Johnson's second grade class.
"It's a horrible tragedy," said St. Croix Central District Administrator Dan Woll of the student who began attending classes at SCC last year.
Stephen was pronounced dead five hours after his mother, 33-year-old Christine A. Dennis, summoned emergency rescue workers to her home at 955 Larcom Street in Hammond.
In a written statement, St. Croix County Sheriff Dennis Hillstead said the mother returned home when her boyfriend, Kevin H. Rood, 41, called her at work at around 5 p.m. to say that her son had fallen in the shower and struck his head. Emergency workers were initially told that Stephen may have suffered some sort of seizure and was not breathing.
Stephen was taken by ambulance to the Baldwin Area Medical Center, where he was airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul and then placed in the intensive care unit at Gillette Children's Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 10:43 p.m.
"The type and location of injuries led physicians to suspect that Stephen may have been a victim of abuse," Hillstead said in his statement.
Rood had reportedly been home alone with Stephen from the time he arrived from school at about 3:30 to 3:45 p.m. to the time the mother returned home to call 911.
In an interview with police shortly after the incident, Rood told authorities he became angry with Stephen and had "physically punished him for his actions."
"During this punishment, Rood caused Stephen's head to strike against the wall and possibly a door jam," Hillstead wrote. "He had Stephen go into the bathroom to take a shower, where he collapsed."
Autopsy results, performed by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner, were turned over to the St. Croix County District Attorney's Office this week for review. Formal charges were still pending at press time Monday afternoon. Rood, however, was expected to make an initial court appearance on Tuesday. Rood remains in the St. Croix County Jail.
Records indicate Christine Dennis recently relocated to Hammond with her son after living in a Spring Valley apartment complex for a few months. Prior to that, she is believed to have lived in Colorado, which is also the last known address of Stephen's father, Charles D. Hubbard.
It has not yet been reported how long Rood had been living with the mother and son.
(taken from the New Richmond News Dec 30, 2004)
Stephen Hubbard bill signed into law
Published Thursday, January 05, 2006
Just over a year after his tragic death, 8-year-old Stephen Hubbard of Hammond now has a law named after him.
The "Stephen Hubbard" bill was signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Jim Doyle.
The new law requires that courts look at evidence of child abuse or neglect and the past criminal records of all members of a household before deciding custody of a child following a divorce of the child's parents.
Prior to passage of the Stephen Hubbard Law a court only had to consider evidence of abuse of just the parents and not stepparents or a significant other.
At the time of the incident St. Croix County District Attorney Eric Johnson said that a pattern of abuse was being investigated.
"The Stephen Hubbard bill has gained so much support from inside the 29th Assembly District and across the state," said Rep. Andy Lamb, R-Menomonie, one of the bill's primary authors.
"Now that the Stephen Hubbard Bill is the Stephen Hubbard Law, children in Wisconsin will be better protected from Stephen's tragic fate," he added.
Another key proponent of the measure was Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls.
"I'm glad this legislation has become law to prevent similar tragedies and enhance the safety of children in their own homes," Harsdorf said.
But Stephen didn't live to see any presents under the tree on Christmas Day. His life was taken on Monday, Dec. 20, reportedly at the hands of his mother's live-in boyfriend.
Friends, family and neighbors gathered Wednesday afternoon in Baldwin for a special memorial service, held at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home to pay tribute to Stephen.
Neighbors described Stephen as "polite and very sweet." Friends said he was "caring."
Officials with SCC said the entire school district is saddened by the death of Stephen, who was a student in Mrs. Johnson's second grade class.
"It's a horrible tragedy," said St. Croix Central District Administrator Dan Woll of the student who began attending classes at SCC last year.
Stephen was pronounced dead five hours after his mother, 33-year-old Christine A. Dennis, summoned emergency rescue workers to her home at 955 Larcom Street in Hammond.
In a written statement, St. Croix County Sheriff Dennis Hillstead said the mother returned home when her boyfriend, Kevin H. Rood, 41, called her at work at around 5 p.m. to say that her son had fallen in the shower and struck his head. Emergency workers were initially told that Stephen may have suffered some sort of seizure and was not breathing.
Stephen was taken by ambulance to the Baldwin Area Medical Center, where he was airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul and then placed in the intensive care unit at Gillette Children's Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 10:43 p.m.
"The type and location of injuries led physicians to suspect that Stephen may have been a victim of abuse," Hillstead said in his statement.
Rood had reportedly been home alone with Stephen from the time he arrived from school at about 3:30 to 3:45 p.m. to the time the mother returned home to call 911.
In an interview with police shortly after the incident, Rood told authorities he became angry with Stephen and had "physically punished him for his actions."
"During this punishment, Rood caused Stephen's head to strike against the wall and possibly a door jam," Hillstead wrote. "He had Stephen go into the bathroom to take a shower, where he collapsed."
Autopsy results, performed by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner, were turned over to the St. Croix County District Attorney's Office this week for review. Formal charges were still pending at press time Monday afternoon. Rood, however, was expected to make an initial court appearance on Tuesday. Rood remains in the St. Croix County Jail.
Records indicate Christine Dennis recently relocated to Hammond with her son after living in a Spring Valley apartment complex for a few months. Prior to that, she is believed to have lived in Colorado, which is also the last known address of Stephen's father, Charles D. Hubbard.
It has not yet been reported how long Rood had been living with the mother and son.
(taken from the New Richmond News Dec 30, 2004)
Stephen Hubbard bill signed into law
Published Thursday, January 05, 2006
Just over a year after his tragic death, 8-year-old Stephen Hubbard of Hammond now has a law named after him.
The "Stephen Hubbard" bill was signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Jim Doyle.
The new law requires that courts look at evidence of child abuse or neglect and the past criminal records of all members of a household before deciding custody of a child following a divorce of the child's parents.
Prior to passage of the Stephen Hubbard Law a court only had to consider evidence of abuse of just the parents and not stepparents or a significant other.
At the time of the incident St. Croix County District Attorney Eric Johnson said that a pattern of abuse was being investigated.
"The Stephen Hubbard bill has gained so much support from inside the 29th Assembly District and across the state," said Rep. Andy Lamb, R-Menomonie, one of the bill's primary authors.
"Now that the Stephen Hubbard Bill is the Stephen Hubbard Law, children in Wisconsin will be better protected from Stephen's tragic fate," he added.
Another key proponent of the measure was Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls.
"I'm glad this legislation has become law to prevent similar tragedies and enhance the safety of children in their own homes," Harsdorf said.
