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Teen Runaways in the News

11/03/2009
Child Sexual Exploitation, News, Runaways
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So, last week, The New York Times starting running a series (or a mini series, or a couple) of articles on teenage runaways and the traps that await them as they try to survive on the streets alone.

The first article, “Recession Drives Surge in Youth Runaways,” is about how the recession is increasing the number of teens who run away from home. According to the article, “Over the past two years, government officials and experts have seen an increasing number of children leave home for life on the streets, including many under 13. Foreclosures, layoffs, rising food and fuel prices and inadequate supplies of low-cost housing have stretched families to the extreme, and those pressures have trickled down to teenagers and preteens.” That sucks. There’s also a video you might want to check out-

The second article, “For Runaways, Sex Buys Survival,” focuses on what runaways have to endure in order to survive on the streets, the difficult choices they must make, the predators that target them when they are at their most vulnerable, and those in law enforcement trying to help. As you may or many not know, Port Authority is a hub for both runaways who come to the city looking for a better/different/another life, as well as pimps, perverts and other garbage who prey on them. There’s also a video.

If you are a teen in need of help, or know (of) one, please try to get help:

National Runaway Switchboard– 1-800-RUNWAY (1-800-786-2929); available 24 hours a day.

Here are additional resources from the National Runaway Switchboard website:

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline:

Serving abused children and their families, Childhelp is devoted to providing services that allow for each and every child to know “a life filled with love”. Some of the programs and services they provide are: Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, Child Advocacy Centers, and Therapeutic Group Homes. Childhelp has regional offices and facilities in the following states: AZ, CA, TN, MI, and VA.Childhelp’s hotline is: 1-800-4-A-CHILD.

Children of the Night:

Children of the Night is a non-profit organization founded in 1979 to assist children between the ages of 11-17 who are forced to prostitute on the streets for feed and shelter. Through their outreach, shelter home, and 24-hour crisis hotline, Children of the Night are able to rescue youth who have been raped, beaten, overdosed on drugs, and are trying to escape the streets. Children who call the hotline are counseled over the telephone while they wait for transportation to the Children of the Night Shelter or until they can be placed in a shelter in their local area. The Children of the Night hotline is: 1-800-551-1300.

Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS):

Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS) was founded in 1999 designed to serve girls and young women ages 12-21 who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. GEMS has helped hundreds of young girls and women exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential by providing them with empathetic, consistent support and viable opportunities for positive change. Their services include prevention and outreach, intervention, and youth development programs.



Local News (10/19/09-11/1/09)

11/02/2009
Local, News
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Queens Girl Wants to Dance; Her School Wants Her to Study, October 28, 2009, NYDN

*Oct 22 - 00:05*

Kelly Sinisgalli, a Queens girl in the 4th grade, lost her spot in her school’s dance program because her school said her test scores weren’t high enough; and she’s none too happy about it. According to the article, “Kelly Sinisgalli, 9, scored at the top level on last year’s state math exam, but was at grade level in reading, which the school said required attention.” So they took her out of dance and required her to take a test prep class. Kelly and her parents are outraged. Now, I, have to say that I’m kind of on the side of the school with this one, although I can see it both ways. On one hand, she a nine-year-old girl, so do you really want to deprive her of pursuing her artistic passion for test prep? But then again, since when is “average” or “on grade level” good enough? Have we stopped expecting more of our children and ourselves? I’m all about kids being kids, but we also have to encourage high academic standards. I am a little wary of a “test prep” class- is she getting the help she needs to improve her reading, or is she being taught how to take a test? Both sides need to re-examine themselves a little bit here, says me.

Siblings Make Beautiful Music Together, October 27, 2009, NYDN

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The DeBerry family, who lives in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, has a family full of bright children- five to be exact. And they are all musically talented. “Brian, 12, plays the cello, and his sisters, Meghan, 16, Priya, 14, Taylor, 10, and Morgan, 9, are aspiring violin virtuosos. Although the mother and father, Sherr and Sean, are out of work and going through hard times, they find comfort in (and are committed to) supporting their childrens’ musical talent. Now, I’m all about supporting the dreams of your children (who are, after all, our future), but not paying a bill so you can buy one of them a $1,000 violin…be serious.

Little Girl’s Letter Inspires Others, October 24, 2009, NYDN

*Oct 17 - 00:05* *Oct 17 - 00:05*

Bianca Perez, a 6-year-old girl from Staten Island,wrote a letter to Sasha and Malia Obama asking them to help her family. Her mother was murdered in front of her two years ago and her father fell on difficult times. She wanted the first daughters to ask their father to help her father. From the mouths of babes. Well, her letter inspired readers who wanted to help the family.

National News (10/19/09-11/1/09)

11/02/2009
National, News
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Man Runs Over “Westernized” Daughter, October 30, 2009, NYDN

Over in Arizona, an Iraqi immigrant allegedly ran his 20-year-old daughter, Noor  Faleh Almaleki, down with his car “because she was becoming ‘too Westernized.'” He was arrested when his plane  arrived in Atlanta. smh…

Teens Ticketed for Rapping at McDonald’s Window, October, 30, 2009 NYDN

Four teens in Utah drove up to a Mickey D’s drive-through there and rapped their order. According to the article, “the teens said they were imitating a popular video on YouTube. They rapped their order, which begins with, “I need a double cheeseburger and hold the lettuce …” once quickly before repeating it more slowly.” They were given a ticket for disordely conduct, although they dispute that they ever held up the line.  Ok, the ticket-issuing was dumb, bu the youtube video was hilarious! If you haven’t seen it…here it is-

“Balloon Boy” is a Hoax, October 29, 2009, NYDN

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, I’m sure you’ve heard about the “balloon boy” controversy. If not, here goes- a 6-year-old Colorado boy named Falcon Heene captivated the nation when his parents called 911 to report that he trapped in a floating hot air balloon. Well, turns out, after a two-hour search, he wasn’t in balloon after all; he was in the attic hiding/sleeping. Police now believe the parents set up the entire incident to try to get a reality show. Now, I saw the Heene family on Wife Swap, but this is truly shameful. If you want more, google it…ican’t.

FBI Bust Saves Children From Sexual Exploitation, Arrests Predators, October 27, 2009, NYDN

According to the article, “FBI officials say they have rescued 52 children in a series of raids around the United States aimed at under-age prostitution.” sexual expoitation. Let us remember that there is no such thing as under-age prostitution or child prostitutes. Children too young to consent to sex, cannot be prostitutes; they are victims. Good job on the raids. Keep it up.

Missing Black Women in North Carolina Get No Media Attention, October 21, 2009, Newsweek

Well surprise, freakin’ surprise. So, according to the article, “Ten women have been found slain or have been declared missing in Rocky Mount, N.C. in recent years. But the rest of the country hasn’t heard about a possible serial killer stalking the young women in this Southern town of 60,000.” People are starting to question why. Perhaps because “they were all African-American, many were poor, and some had criminal histories including drug abuse and prostitution.” There’s also a multimedia piece on unsolved serial killings in LA. Check it out.

Global News 10/19/2009-11/1/2009

11/02/2009
Global, News
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Student Deported w/o Her Degree, October 31, 2009, CNN.com

Berlanty Azzam says she was blindfolded, handcuffed and sent back to Gaza by Israeli forces.

Berlanty Azzam is a 21-year-old college senior studying business at Bethlehem University in Jerusalem. She went to Ramallah (the capital of the West Bank) for a job intervew but on her way back, was stopped at a checkpoint guarded by the Israeli Army. She was being deported from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip for illegally staying in the West Bank longer than her permit allowed. Now, she can’t go back and finish her studies and earn her degree. Check out the article for more details.

Dutch Girl Won’t Be Flying Solo Anytime Soon, October 30, 2009, CNN.com

Lauren Dekker, 14, wanted to fly around the world by herself. And when a Dutch court found out that her parents weren’t going to stop her, they put her under the care of the state. On Friday, the court decided that she wasn’t experienced enough to sail solo. Maybe next year, chica.

President of Chile Leaves HER Mark, October 28, 2009, The New York Times (NYT)

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Michelle Bachelet became president of Chile in 2006, making her the first woman to do so. It was a big deal, especially because Chile is a conservative country and she didn’t have a famous husband backing her. Early in her presidency, there were lots of demonstrations and she wasn’t a popular president. But her work, especially her handling of the economy during the recent crisis, helped increase her popularity. With only five months left in office, the 58-year-old single mother of three, is expected to go down in history as one of Chile’s most popular presidents.

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Trying to Stop Rapid Spread of H.I.V. in Russia, October 28, 2009, NYT /Associated Press (AP)

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H.I.V. is spreading is Russia. According to The Times, “the number of Russians infected with H.I.V. has doubled in the past eight years.” So AIDS experts want the country to try new tactics to fight the disease. Russia favors an “abstinence-based strategy,” while experts are encouraging them to try things like needle exchange programs, methadone clinics (for heroin addicts), and free condoms. Some in Russia are wary of some of these programs because they don’t want to seem to “endorse” risky behavior. I say, you better do whatever works.

Tight Jeans Banned in Indonesia, October 28, 2009, The New York Times

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So…apparently, some Muslim women in Indonesia (who live in a certain district of the Aceh Province) will no longer be allowed to rock tight jeans, courtesy of a dress code that goes into effect January 1. Why? “Wearing tight jeans exposes their bodies, which is strictly banned under Islam,” said one man quoted in the story. The law will be enforced by the Shariah police (police who enfore Islamic law). What will happen to the clothes? They will be shredded and the woman will have to wear government-issued skirts. Men are also forbidden from wearting shorts. (map of Indonesia that also explains more info. about religion in diff. parts of the country)

Death Penalty for Adulterers in Indonesia? October 27, 2009, NYT

So, in more Indonesian law news, adulterers can be stoned to death. Now, in addition to giving public canings for gambling, prostitution and affairs as punishment, the Shariah police will be enforcing religious morality more harshly than ever before. Not everyone agrees with these harsh laws or measures, but the country is clearly cracking down…literally.

Making a Better Dominican Baseball Player, October 24, 2009, NYT

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There are lots of famous Dominican baseball players- Sammy Sosa, Manny Ramirez, A-Rod (although he was born in Washington Heights, not the DR).  And in the Dominican Republic, many are working to make sure that tradition continues, to the point of giving teenage boys injections, vitamins and painkillers to try to make them better players in hopes of getting them to play Major League Baseball (and to get more $ for the agent/trainer/coach). According to the article, “Dominican-born players make up about 17 percent of major league and minor league rosters in the United States and Latin America, but about 38 percent of the players who tested positive for steroids and other banned substances since 2005.”

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Rural Wives “Sold” in India? October 23, 2009, CNN.com

So there’s an article on CNN.com reporting on the hardships of farming familes in rural parts of India, specifically that because of the severe drought and the bad economy, the farmers are in debt and desperate for money. According to the article, “to survive the bad years, some farmers say they turn to the “Paisawalla” — Hindi for the rich man who lends money. Farmers say the loans from these unofficial lenders usually come with very high interest.” And paying it back somes means selling whatever they have- including thier wives…say what now?!

NY1 Anchor Accused of Assaulting his Wife

10/31/2009
Domestic Violence, Issues, Local, News
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So, ladies, as I’m sure you all know, we don’t play “woman beating” around these parts. So imagine my surprise when NY1 political anchor Dominic Carter is accused of assaulting this wife earlier this week! I thought to myself…oh hells no! And I actually watched that show, several times….Dominic…say it ain’t so.

 

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Dominic Carter

 

*Oct 29 - 00:05*

Carter, after appearing in court

So here’s the deal, Carter’s wife Marilyn  accused him of punching, choking and kicking her. She later recanted those allegations, but, according to the NY Post, ” cops were called to the Carters’ Rockland County house four times in the last two years for domestic disputes, police records show. The most violent incident — in which Carter, 46, was arrested for assault — occurred Oct. 22, 2008.”

Carter, whose work contract expires in a month, has been suspended from his job as an anchor (right before the Nov. 3 Mayoral race) as it was also suggested that he tried to use his position as an influential news anchor to convince a judge to “bury” the charge. You lost one, Dom.

If these allegations are true, shame on you.

Girl Gang-Raped at High School Dance; People Participate, Some Watch and Yet No One Helps

10/30/2009
National, News, Staying Safe
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So, I’ve been holding off on posting this because I didn’t know quite what to say…I STILL don’t, but here goes. Apparently, last Saturday, a 15-year-old girl was gang raped by a group of guys animals for two and a half hours on the campus of Richmond High School in the Bay Area in California, while a homecoming dance was going on inside. There was plenty of security inside, along with parents and school officials, to make sure that there was no violence, at the dance, but none outside. The girl left the dance and was going to meet her father to go home when a male “friend” asked her to walk with him to another (secluded) part of the campus. There, they met a group of people who had been drinking. She was then robbed, beaten and brutally raped. And if that was not horrible enough, “As many as 10 people were involved in the assault in a dimly lighted back alley at the school, police have said, while another 10 people watched without calling 911 to report it.” Some put that number as high as 20. Some of the “bystanders” stopped to participate in the rape, and even recorded the brutal rape on their cell phones. WHAT?!

The girl was finally found, not because someone saw what was going on and called the police, but because “someone in the area who had overheard people at the assault scene talking about the incident,” called it in, according to police. How heartless can you be? Oh, and good luck prosecuting the “bystanders” though, as “A 1999 California law makes it illegal not to report a witnessed crime against a child, but the law applies only to cases in which the child is 14 or younger.” I am beyond disgusted.

According to the article, “three juveniles and two adults are in custody in the rape on Saturday, said the Richmond police spokesman, Lt. Mark Gagan. The three juveniles will be charged as adults, he said.” Police believe she knew at least one of her attackers. What is this world coming to? When our girls can’t even depend on decent people to help protect them? I mean, it’s sad that it has come to this, but we expect criminals to behave like animals. But we expect more of “decent” people, regular citizens, we have to, in order to believe that others will protect us when we can’t protect ourselves. Not necessarily get involved (because many won’t), but at least, call the police. I guess, “decent” people and criminals have one thing in common- you certainly can’t tell by just looking.

Sarah’s Story: Sentenced to Life as a Teen for Killing Pimp

10/23/2009
National, News
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So, this is a story that’s recently gained a lot of traction,  and that weighs very heavily on my heart. Sarah Kruzan is a young woman from California who grew up hard-  a mother on drugs who abused her. At 13, she met a man who forced her to prostitute herself sexually exploited her. At 16, she killed him. Sarah was sentanced to life in prison w/o the possibility of parole…plus four years. She’s now 29, this is her story.

In cases like these, we all wonder what we can do. Well, the first thing, I think, is to educate ourselves and share what we’ve learned. Two years ago, I went to a panel discussion hosted by the National Organization of Women (NOW) here in New York. They topic was “Mean Streets: NY Teens Caught in the Sex Trade,” and the panel was discussing the selling of children for sex, specifically in New York State (what it is, who it affects, and what we can do to help)

Here are some of the startling facts I learned there:

Fact: “Every year, thousands of kids, 85% of which are girls and 67% which are African American, end us as the victims of sexual exploitation in New York City.”

Fact: “Selling sex if a harsh reality for girls as young as 13 and 14, which is the average age of entry into prostitution in the Unites States.”

(no longer a) Fact: “Children under the age of 17 are not old enough to legally consent to sex, yet under current New York State law child runaways caught in prostitution are prosecuted.”

The panel was to raise awareness for  The Safe Harbor Act which would “treat sexually exploited youth as children in need of supervision and services,” (instead of criminals) and “create a range of specialized, community-based programs to help sexually exploited children reclaim their young lives and get them off the street permanently.” And after years of working to raise awareness, lobbying, rallying, speaking out, and testifying in Albany (by girls who themselves were formerly exploited), The Safe Harbor Act passed last year! It wasn’t an easy fight, but it happened because people worked to make it happen.

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One thing that will always stand out in my mind about that NOW panel was this advice- don’t call it “child prostitution,” because that makes it seem like the girls had a choice, or agency, in selling their bodies for sex. Instead, call it “child sexual exploitation,” because that is what it is- adult men exploiting children (who are the victims) sexually. From that point on, I have stopped saying “child prostitute,” and corrected others when they did. It may not seem like much (and it is really a very little thing), but changing the way people think about something is the first step to changing how it’s dealt with.

So when we read stories like that of Sarah Kruzan (and make no mistake about it, she is not the only youth who was sentenced to life in prison without any possibility of getting out), let’s think about what we can do. Learn about the issue, sign the petition (if you are so inclined), send a letter to your congressman,  friend the campaign on myspace.com, or facebook.com, but even more than that, tell somebody else. Start a dialogue in your home, with your friends, in your community. Get involved. It’s the only way to make change happen.

And if you, or someone you know is being sexually exploited, there are places you can go for help. Please check out G.E.M.S.,  a phenomenal organization here in NYC that’s making a real difference.

Local News (10/12/09-10/18/09)

10/21/2009
Local, News
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Pre-Teen Pageant Controversy, 10/17/09, New York Daily News (NYDN)

*Oct 14 - 00:05*

Ashanti McKelvin, an 11-year-old Queens girl, wanted to compete in the Miss Pre-Teen New York City Pageant. Only, Ashanti is deaf and pageant officials said tat they would not provide a sign-language interpreter for her unless she paid for it herself. (Does that not sound all types of illegal?) Well, interpreters aren’t cheap, so her outraged mom contacted the Daily News and after the story aired, Ashanti got her interpreter. Good for you, pretty pretty.

Another Teen Shot by Stray Bullet, 10/14/09, NYDN

*Oct 12 - 00:05*

Brian (Cozmik) Scott, a 18-year-old “Rollerblading phenom” died after being shot to death in a Brooklyn restaurant. “Scott, a rising star in the city Rollerblading scene who dreamed of going pro, was shot twice in the chest and once in the back, police said.” Reports are that the was just an innocent bystander. Two of his friends were also wounded. r.i.p.

Middle Schooler Killed in Car Crash Laid to Rest, 10/12/09 NYDN

*Oct 11 - 00:05* *Oct 11 - 00:05*

Leandra Rosado, an 11-year-old middle schooler, who died in a terrible drunk driving crash was finally laid to rest. I’m not sure if you heard, but here’s the basic story. Carmen Huertas was driving a car load of girls to her house for a slumber party, only Carmen was apparently driving drunk. Her car flipped over on the Henry Hudson Parkway and Leandra was killed; the other girls and Huerta suffered cuts, bruises, whiplash and broken bones. smh.

National News (10/12/09-10/18/09)

10/21/2009
National, News
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Teen Vogue Cover Controversy? 10/16/09, New York Daily News (NYDN)

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So, Jourdan Dunn and Chanel Iman, two young teen supermodels, are on the cover of Teen Vogue. Score 1 for Teen Vogue for putting teens of color on their cover, but that’s not the controversial part. Jourdan, 19, is also pregnant, although you can’t see her “baby bump” on the cover. Apparently, the magazine said they didn’t know she was pregnant when they shot the photos, but she talks about the pregnancy in the article. Hmmm….controversial? or made up ish? You decide. I call bs.

Ralph Lauren Fires Size 4 Model for Being Too-Fat, 10/15/09, NYDN

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So, we’re back to too-fat models again…or not skinny-enough models, I should say. This time, model Filippa Hamilton is claiming that Ralph Lauren cancelled her contract when she couldn’t fit into the clothes. She is 5-feet 10 and all of 120 pounds, a size 4. Then an ad shows up which was photoshopped to death, making the girl look bobblehead ridiculous. Many are concerned with the message this sends out to young girls.

Cross Burning and Lawsuits in Westchester 10/14/09, NYDN

Ok. So this one is a bit of a doozie…Timothy Montague-Artope was suspended for four months after hitting a girl who said racist things to him back in 2007. The girl, on the other hand, was suspended for about 5-10 days. Her older brother, Christopher Hudak, and his friends then burned a cross on Timothy’s yard. So Christopher went to jail for six months for that and went back last week for making threats against President Obama online. Now, Timothy’s family is suing the school district for not doing more to prevent what happened. Drama. Is this not 2009? People, please.

15-year-old Boy Burned in Florida, 10/13 and 15/09, Associated Press (AP)

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Michael Brewer, a 15-year-old Florida boy was set on fire by about 5 other teens and badly burned. He is in the hospital in serious condition. Apparently, “Michael Brewer was attacked at an apartment complex i in South Florida on Monday after turning in another teen for trying to steal his father’s bicycle, authorities said.” Check out the article for more details.

Halloween Costumes Too Sexy for (Pre) Teens? 10/12/09 NYDN

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Halloween is fast-approaching, and with it the “too-sexy costume” debates…Pre-teens and teens dressing too provocatively and sexily for their parents (and other concerned adults’) tastes…idk…what say you?

Miley Cyrus Leaves Twitter, 10/12/09, People Magazine

Miley Cyrus (actress, singer, phenom) quit twitter last week and wrote a rap about why. (Basically, she wants some more privacy in her private life). Can’t be mad at that. But I’m sure her fans/followers miss her. Do you, girlie.

“Yeah, the rumors are true, I deleted my Twitter. I had to say goodbye and this little rap is to tell my fans why,” People magazine quoted her as saying in the song. “I want my private life private. I’m living for me.”



Global News (10/12/09-10/18/09)

10/21/2009
Global, News
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Teen Girl Sets Sail on a Journey Around the World, 10/18/09, New York Daily News (NYDN)

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Jessica Watson, a 16-year-old girl from Australia, set sail on Sunday in an attempt to becomes the youngest person to sails around the world, unassisted. “‘Without assistance’ means a vessel may not receive any kind of outside help or take on board any supplies, materials or equipment during the attempt. A craft may be anchored or beached during the attempt, but any repairs must be made without outside resources, materials or help.” So Jessica and her pink yacht are on their own. It’s a long trip (23,600 miles) and can be very dangerous, so some wonder if she should be allowed to try. Back in August, a court in The Netherlands ruled that 13-year-old Laura Dekker was too young to try. What do you think?

Is Nepalese Teen the World’s Shortest Man? 10/16/09, (NYDN)

Nepal Shortest Man

Khagendra Thapa Magar is 22-inches tall. That’s shorter than the length of two rulers, y’all.  His family tried to get him into the Guinness Book of World Records when he was 14, “but was told he was too young and may still grow.” Now he’s 18 and wants his shot at the title. “21-year-old He Pingping of China currently holds the shortest man title, standing just 29-inches tall.”