My little one is being abused by a father and his new wife . The state has overlooked and downright ignores the abuse. THis is in the face of overwhelming evidence that was never admitted in a court despite many to have it reviewed. THere were doctors reports, counselors, child advocates and even photographs of her being abused. THe CPS refused to even act on it even when her doctors and other professionals were calling on behalf of her safety. I am know threatened with jail for trying to protect her even in the face of the fact there are and have never been to my knowledge allegations of any kind of abuse against me .
She was turned over to her abusive father and his wife . Her brother and I have not been allowed to see her or even speak to her in many months. I have lost my savings, my house ,and jobs trying to pay attorney and court costs trying to protect her and finally I face the real possibility of losing my freedom thus leaving her without anyone to fight this unfair system , she and her brother are trapped in, on there behalf. So, I, no we need help. I still believe there are people out there who stand up for what is right and I hope I will find you . I do this for the love of Katelynn
TEARDROPS FOR KATELYNN:
""Still,
if you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without bloodshed,
if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly,
you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival.
There may even be a worse case.
You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory,
because it is better to perish than live as slaves."
~Winston Churchill
"Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties,
and so bear ourselves that if we as a people last for a thousand years, people will still say,
This was their finest hour!"
Indiana's Shame the Abuse OF Katelynn:
Partial Chronology
Note : this DOES NOT include 500+ additional pages of evidence an attorney gave me
1996:
* I separate from abuser after I am assaulted by abuser.
* Little daughter returned by abuser hurt sees family doctor.
* Abuser assaults me and kids while trying to abducted little daughter.
* Police statements taken.
* Arrest warranted issued for abuser and protection order put in place. Other
court Excludes little daughter from protection order.
* Abuser arrested outstanding bench warrant found in next county abuser
extradited.
* Minister of abusers church bails him out.
* I file for divorce and temporary custody granted to me and restraining order
placed Against abuser little daughter excluded from restraining order.
* I request Guardian Ad Litem for little daughter.
* Ad litem submits report recommends abuser visits every weekend. Judge grants
1996:
* Temporary Order issued
1998:
* Letter from Domestic violence counselor abuser refuses contact via phone or in
Person. Court does nothing.
1999:
* Little daughter crying of owie in butt from girlfriends son.
* Little daughter seen by family physician, refers to sexual abuse hospital.
* Little daughter is seen at sexual abuse hospital.
* Little daughter returned crying abuser's girlfriend slapped in face, spanked
repeatedly for pottying in pants and is jerked out of bed.
Little daughter seeing child psychologist
* Little daughter returned crying is hurt when abuser and girlfriend involve
little daughter in domestic violence fight. Abuser and girlfriend separate.
2001:
* Little daughter returned home sick, it is winter little daughter has no
outerwear abuser and parents kept. Abuser?s parents refusing to return.
* Little daughter crying abuser takes little daughter to abuser?s parents house
calls mother dirty names, new girlfriend plays spanking game with little daughter ,
new girlfriend accuses brother of spying.
* Little daughter crying Abuser's new girlfriend threatens little daughter not
to go near mother, drags little daughter is dragged by shoulder blade across 5
people
* Sitting in chairs, forced to pray on knees for being bad, threatened mother if
refusal and beatings.
* Little daughter crying returned by abuser , abuser and girlfriend threatens to
beat her for being bad since they can't force her to pray.
* Court threatens to give little daughter to abuser if little daughter doesn't?t
go on visits
* Little daughter threatened to be struck repeatedly by abuser if she doesn't?t
tell Abuser what little daughter told mother.
* I speaks to child protection services about concerns. child protection
services speak Children. Says he can't help.
* Abuser remarries at wedding little daughter is burned with curling iron on
forearm. burn is blistering, seeping fluid and about an inch and 1/2 long.
And her underwear is removed.
*Abuser returns little daughter with bruising on upper arm and forearm brother
sees
* I speak to town police they refuse to get involved. Town police send me to adjoining town.
* Police statements taken and child protective services open investigation.
* Within week after child protection service talks to abuser on phone only
* investigation dropped by child protection services.
* Child protection worker visits my home.
* Family doctor makes report to child protection agency against abuser after
doctor Visit regarding abuser.
* Legal services mails letter stating no funds to help.
* Little daughter agitated and crying . There is red mark from kneecap to ankle.
Little daughter talks about wife rubbing her butt ?feels like sawing in half?
booby traps, her book of wrongs, taken to another county where wife beats her,
chemicals sprayed in her eyes and more.
* I report again to child protection services. Little daughter tells worker
herself.
* Child protection services refuses to help, says they can't get involved since it civil matter.
* I go to domestic violence shelter. Advocate advises child psychologist,
and keep journal.
* Little daughter starts therapy with domestic violence recommended.
* Little daughter returned crying brother no longer welcome for tell child
protection Service worker about abuse.
2002:
*Legal services mails letter stating no funds to help.
* Little daughter agitated and crying . There is red mark from kneecap to
ankle. Little daughter talks about wife rubbing her butt feels like sawing in half?
booby traps, her book of wrongs, taken to another county where wife
beats her, chemicals sprayed in her eyes and more.
* I report again to child protection services. Little daughter tells
worker herself. Child protection services refuses to help.
*I go to domestic violence shelter. Advocate advises child psychologist,
and keep journal.
* Little daughter starts therapy with child psychologist referred by domestic violence safe house recommends.
* Little daughter returned crying brother no longer welcome for tell child protection
Service worker about abuse.
* Little daughter returned crying says she is so hungry.
* After abuser refuses to bring little daughter home I speak to town
police. Town police refuse to get involved.
* Little daughter suicidal over book of wrongs wants to die. Little
daughter says she cannot fix all her wrongs little daughter is tired.
* Abuser's wife tries to run me and children off road. I flee with
children to safe house.
* Court places Protection order against abuser's wife on behalf of me and
little daughter. Ad litem compels visit on contingency abuser promises to keep
wife not around little daughter. This is not complied with. ad litem doesn't believe.
*Little daughter's Psychologist goes to child Protection Services with me to
demand casa for little daughter since part of abuse happened in nearby county.
*Child Protection Agency refuses casa worker for little daughter and
refuses to investigate.
* Little daughter referred to new woman counselor.
* New counselor files initial assessment . Summary notes little daughter
suicidal , intensive fear of abuser and adjustment disorder stemming from abuse.
Counselor places little daughter on suicide watch while in safe house.
* While in safe house ad litem compels me to turn little daughter over to abuser.
* Abuser promptly forces little daughter to divulge location of safe house,
threatens little daughter with violence, call mother names to little
daughter, picks fingernail polish off little daughters fingers with
abusers fingernails, abuser tells little daughter again child protection agency on his
side.
* Safe house counselor promptly issues safe phone to me they are
concerned for our safety.
* Safe house child advocate files statement of little daughter telling
advocate of abuse
Indiana's Shame A Brother's Cries for Katelynn:
What follows is a little of what her brother can talk about. Brother says other is to painful to talk about know and the the only other eyewitness to her abuse cries to save his baby sister:
Dear Hero's,
I witnessed my mother face overwhelming odds in gaining justice for my sister.
Most of the law and legal officials in my area refuse to help. You see my sister
is being abused by her father and his new wife. In this area everyone has played
hush-hush, and my sister continue for a while. The court problem arose, when mom
attempted to press charges against him. even with my sister told the CPS and
police what happened nothing happened. You see my sister came back to our house
with 2 bruises about the size of a quarter bruises on her arm, and she said that
her step mommy got mad and picked her up off her feet. I used to think of this
step father as a real father was there. I heard my precious little angel yell
DADDY! He ran in there, I thought that the
father did something to help his daughter. Instead he decided to comfort his
wife. As the abuse went on My sister was told by her grandmother that "If you
don't shut up i'll whip you". Her father even threatened her life. From this her
father decided to file for custody of my sister. After a one sided court battle,
in which the GAL wrote bias reports. On of the courts arguments to give her father Custody was
that i reported the abuse to CPS, and the police. You see I saw this court
attempt and succeed to sacrifice my sister because appearances are deceiving.
Just because you look good doesn't mean you are good. Currently the only thing that can be held against me is my age.While i am currently job hunting and do have a part time job, that won't
enough. The Week that my mother pressed charges that was glossed over. The court also might try to say no because of my race. In the court papers there was a ban put on me seeing my sister while she was forced into foster care. Apparently having the same mom doesn't count.
Also what follows is some of what katelynn's brother saw: My moms marriage to my baby sister father was very rocky. One of the reasons they broke up was because of My older brother. He was very hard on my brother. During the marriage her father was thrown out of the house at least twice
because of what happened to my brother. Her father would often punish my brother
to hard. . Once to punish my brother her father took him to the backyard of our
house and shot his ninja turtles with a bee-bee gun. I watched out the window of
our bedroom. The second to last time her father was thrown out my mother would
only let him come back until he went to counseling with my brother. One visit I
went there and played Mario brothers on the nintendo there. The last time her
father was thrown out was after dinner. On a different night after I ate dinner
I then went to bed in my bunk bed. Yet I couldn't fall asleep. I heard Mom and
her father arguing. My mom said "get your hands off me", "don't throw coffee on
me", "and get out". Around this time they argued a lot so all I did was
listened. I woke up the next morning and he was gone I was shocked, yet I
shouldn't have been. While they were separated this time I went over to see her
father at his mom’s house. At this time I was around 10 or 11 years old, and her
father had been like a father to me. Around this time we moved to a new house
and it had to be fumigated. When this happens we didn't go back into the house
for the rest of the day. My mom for some reason asked if we could stay the night
with her father. Being the true gentleman he was e said no, go live in your car
for all I care. Then one day her father came over and attacked my mom and my
family and tried to take my sister. It started by him coming over. When that
happened my mom told me to go up stairs, yet natured called and i wanted to know
what was going so I watched from the bathroom which wasn't far from the living
room so I listened to them argue some more. The basic argument was that her
father wanted to take my sister from my family and never return. One moment I
looked out and the next moment I look out and her father was bending my moms arm
back while my relatively new born sister was in her other arm. I don't know what
came over me but I went over and tried to restrain him. If I wasn't around ten
at the time I would have succeeded. Yet I didn't her father let go of my moms
arm and bumped his elbow to my face. With this time my mom yelled for my 17 year
old brother. At that time he ran down the stairs but her father was already
waiting for him and clocked him good. While he lay on the ground stunned her
father tried to hit him again. Much to his dismay my mom jumped him to prevent
him from hitting my brother. He stopped and some how ended up near the door
where my older sister came out of nowhere with a broom, and she got him then.
Her father than took the broom away and broke than stormed out. At the time I
watched stunned I couldn't believe what had just happened. I found out later
from reading the papers her father went from there straight to the local police
and told that he came over and attacked my family and that we wouldn't give up
my sister. I went with my sister to her dad. Later after my mom called the
police, first the local, no one came, then she called the county once more no
one came, than she called the state and then the local police came up. They took
a statement from my mom. There was talk of pressing child abuse charges yet my
mom said she didn't want to have my older brother and sister, and myself testify
in court. So she filed charges for attacking her. Then my sister’s father gets
anger management and 2 years non reporting probation. Her father than later
began dating a woman. At first I didn't care. My sister always scratched her
head, so my mom went to the hospital to see what was going on. The doctor told
her that my sister
Indiana's Shame A Brother's's Teardrops For Katelynn:
I am katelynn's brother. katelynn was old enough to talk. Everything revolves around when her father is seeing a woman. It just exploded than. It started with the spanking game. and went on to her coming home with a black eye. They than forgot to feed or feed very much food her on a regular basis. The only reason I know about some of this is because I was there on some of it. I was allowed until my 17th birthday when mom went to the police the first time. I haven't been to see her father sense then ironically it was in toward the end of 2001 and at the beginning of 2002. And as you can see it only got better from their. It evolved to being chased by anyone and everyone and most legal officials and psychologist trying to help her father take her. The thing is looks are deceiving. Just because you look homey doesn't't mean you are. My mom worked hard to support my family and I will always be proud of her for that. Yet I never thought it would be used against her. The thing that strikes me the most is the GAL. In all his reports he writes about everyone but kati's dad and his wife being responsible for her getting hurt while in their care. I never knew it was katelynn's responsibility for her father's wife hurting her. This is in one of the last reports by the GAL. . Pictures and doctors reports tend to argue otherwise on that. Oh!, and there is the excuse that her dad's wife is too small to hurt anyone. She is quite petit, yet unlike katelynn she is fully grown and has her full strength. Naturally I hold Katelynn's dad and his wife in low regard. I don't want to overwhelm you, but this has custody battle has grown to consume this part of my life. I won't stop until katelynn is free! . These people still have katelynn and last time they found out someone was trying to get katelynn away from her father they placed her in foster care for about two months. And they have shown a pension for going after katelynn, and while I want her safe I won't risk her safety at all! The most ironic part is when my mom was married to katelynn's's father, him and I were always together. I was about 5 or 6, and he was the father figure I never had than. And now I am one of the people he despises most. The reason mom divorced him was because he was abusive to my older brother. My mom divorced him and the first custody battle started. And we eventually reached this point.
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
this is an extremely complex, convoluted and complicated matter. it appears the appropriate authorities and the courts are conversant with the case. how may we here at FG be of help to you?
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
In my state they be out in five minutes. I would call the sentator. And file a civil complaint against the state DCF , cps. whatever you call it there. Then I would go to court file motion (Called a prosea) to have the court look at with out the interference of the cps. Then if the court finds a reason, they will order the cps to get involed. It's free. Just go to the county court house tell them you want to motion the judge to have you speak to him explain. If you need anymore advice go to findlaw.com
kmhowe
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
Ladycop,
Yes to your observation. However I know that you all are intelligent and very well aware that sometimes injustice does happen. I see this from this forum garden page.
I am not exactly sure what to do because if I was I assure you I would have done it! I have exhausted traditional avenues, this in no way diminishes that a child is at risk. My intent is to recieve justice for this little girl and I feel fairly safe in saying that is a worthy thing to do. I do not seek attention for myself for if I did I would publish her name , her brothers and my name and everyone invovled. IT is fairly hard to get narcissitic attention when no one knows who you are. THerefore it must be obvious that my goal , my objective is not to make this about me but the primary focus remains on the abused child. This is as it should be.
I also feel confident that you all are very well aware of the system allowing children to be battered , to death since it is in the media on a weekly basis. It is for the most common knowledge of the abuses and neglect the system has shown abused children. I am confident you to can see this. All I want is that the focus stay on this abused little girl and getting her safe and that is all!
I had hoped that maybe smarter heads would prevail and maybe have an idea I could not think of , since it is my belief Americans basically love children. I want this child to have justice and not be abused any longer and I don't think anyone can say that is an unreasonable demand nor selfish.
Utlitmately the only question is to assure this child's safety and that is all.
I appreciate very much you asking the question not all are strong to ask. My hope again is to have little katelynn and her brother recieve justice and what I can to help them to the best of my ability as I know you all are concerned about the children or you would not have replied.
Teardrops for Katelynn
Teardrops for Katelynn
Yes to your observation. However I know that you all are intelligent and very well aware that sometimes injustice does happen. I see this from this forum garden page.
I am not exactly sure what to do because if I was I assure you I would have done it! I have exhausted traditional avenues, this in no way diminishes that a child is at risk. My intent is to recieve justice for this little girl and I feel fairly safe in saying that is a worthy thing to do. I do not seek attention for myself for if I did I would publish her name , her brothers and my name and everyone invovled. IT is fairly hard to get narcissitic attention when no one knows who you are. THerefore it must be obvious that my goal , my objective is not to make this about me but the primary focus remains on the abused child. This is as it should be.
I also feel confident that you all are very well aware of the system allowing children to be battered , to death since it is in the media on a weekly basis. It is for the most common knowledge of the abuses and neglect the system has shown abused children. I am confident you to can see this. All I want is that the focus stay on this abused little girl and getting her safe and that is all!
I had hoped that maybe smarter heads would prevail and maybe have an idea I could not think of , since it is my belief Americans basically love children. I want this child to have justice and not be abused any longer and I don't think anyone can say that is an unreasonable demand nor selfish.
Utlitmately the only question is to assure this child's safety and that is all.
I appreciate very much you asking the question not all are strong to ask. My hope again is to have little katelynn and her brother recieve justice and what I can to help them to the best of my ability as I know you all are concerned about the children or you would not have replied.
Teardrops for Katelynn
Teardrops for Katelynn
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
tmbagrl,
YOu know in order to answer what anyone else does or thinks is at best speculation. As I am sure you understand. However I will try. tmbgrl I think it is just because we are one of (how many people comprise the United States?) a million and it is very likely they just thought no one would care about one little girl and her brother. I hope that they are wrong! It certainly isn't and problay won't be the last time the system has overtly and/or coverlty failed an abused child and cleanup after the child dies. But this time we all have a chance before this child is added to a list to not let her name be added to statistics of children abused who died in a horriable way. The only difference now is you know her name and about her. I hope she is real because her pain is! I am determined and hopefull little katelynn and her brother will not just be 2 more names added to a long list of children abused to death that noone ever really knew. I am hoping for justice! I am hoping that these officials are wrong that this little girl and her brother aren't nobodies that nobody would care about!
Teardrops for Katelynn
YOu know in order to answer what anyone else does or thinks is at best speculation. As I am sure you understand. However I will try. tmbgrl I think it is just because we are one of (how many people comprise the United States?) a million and it is very likely they just thought no one would care about one little girl and her brother. I hope that they are wrong! It certainly isn't and problay won't be the last time the system has overtly and/or coverlty failed an abused child and cleanup after the child dies. But this time we all have a chance before this child is added to a list to not let her name be added to statistics of children abused who died in a horriable way. The only difference now is you know her name and about her. I hope she is real because her pain is! I am determined and hopefull little katelynn and her brother will not just be 2 more names added to a long list of children abused to death that noone ever really knew. I am hoping for justice! I am hoping that these officials are wrong that this little girl and her brother aren't nobodies that nobody would care about!
Teardrops for Katelynn
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
Flopstock,
In order to answer your question I will have to insert an exert from somewhere else I hope this is ok?
Fighting the "Hidden American Disgrace"
of Court Abused Children
We, the Courageous Kids , are a growing group of young people, whose childhood was shattered by biased and inhumane court rulings, which forced us to live with our abusive parent, while restricting or sometimes completely eliminating contact with our loving and protective parent.
Some of us, whose mothers tried to protect us from abuse, did not see our mothers for years, or were only allowed to see our mothers under oppressive supervised visitation orders. We were not allowed to hug our mothers, or talk about how we felt. Some of us were separated from siblings, grandparents and extended family. We lost our home, pets, toys, friends,… our childhood. We lived in fear, depression, hopelessness and helplessness for years. Some of us ran away from our abusers. Some could not handle the trauma and committed suicide.
We who survived, got older, stronger, and are boldly proclaiming:
"ENOUGH!"
...Some of us have turned 18, and are now "free", although nightmares and painful memories will haunt us for many years, maybe forever. Some of us still have siblings in the clutches of our abusers. We are kids from all over the country who have been beaten, molested, raped, sodomized, mentally battered, isolated, terrorized, and shamed by our controlling, battering parents.
We have been mentally, physically, sexually, verbally, emotionally, and psychologically abused by court order.
We have been misrepresented by court-appointed attorneys; facts were falsified or twisted by court-appointed evaluators; we were forced through mind-games by court-appointed counselors to be silent about the abuse. Neither our voices, nor the voices of our protective parents, were heard.
Many of us suffered because the court accepted an invalid theory, and than blamed our protective parents by lawyers and psychologists who get paid by abusers to cover up their history of domestic violence and child abuse.
Judges and court appointees turned on our protective mothers with a vengeance. They refused to allow our mothers to present evidence or witness testimony to prove that our fathers had abused us, and refused to listen to anything we, the victims, had to say about being abused. Most of our mothers were completely stripped of custody, leaving us motherless, and with no protection from our abusive fathers. All of our mothers were treated like villains, and all of us kids suffered because of the way the courts treated our mothers. In the courts' frenzy to punish our mothers for trying to protect us, the courts failed to realize, or didn't care, that they were punishing us too.
Taking children away from safe parents and placing them in the custody of abusive parents has been called "America's most darkest, shameful secret" in an award-winning article by Kristen Lombardi, a Boston Phoenix reporter.
Although difficult to believe that such horror exists in America today, thousands of children have been, and still are, taken away from their protective parent and placed with their abusers, by court orders. And some kids who were placed with abusers years ago are still trapped because the courts, refuse to admit to, and correct their mistakes. Some of those kids are our younger siblings, and we are grieving for them.
Some of us kids are not able to speak out yet, because we are still stuck with our abusers and we are too afraid of how they, and the courts, will retaliate against us and our protective parents if we speak out.
SO this is probly why and there have been people who tried to help
End of this exert( sorry I didn't know how to spell this)
April 23, 2005 8:16 AM... March 01, 2005 6:35 PM
I've spoken with poster.I spent about an hour on the phone with her and she is the parent of Katelynn. The story is one of great injustice, abuse and fear. She fears for her daughters safety, sanity and security. Cries that she should be able to save her child after all she's the parent. Everywhere she turns she hits a wall of indifference, What to do to help? We are open to suggestions as I've sent a Detective friend to investigate and even he is stumped As to why this has happened!!
C-Activist
I have met you and seen your papers and know that you are no abuser I also know you were found not guility at the trial, my understanding is the jury did not have the power to return your child to you, which is a miscarriage of justice.
B.
Member Indiana jail4judges
American Family RIghts Association
So I guess it must be obvious I am still here because little katelynn is still at the hands of her abusers. SO now you know this is going on . Sadly with a little research you would find little katelynn is not the only one.
Again if I knew what to do I would do it! See a law is only as good as those who would enforce it . Restrai ning orders are not being enforced I feel confident this comes as no surprise to you. But see I am strong to I do not have all the knowledge and maybe someone would have a suggestion I had not thought of. Again if wanted sympthy all I would not have to reply to angry email , or email not based on fact or punitive or ones that pretty much just criticize me but I do respond hoping that it will be the one that maybe will help me figure out how to help little katelynn and her brother.
Teardrops for Katelynn
In order to answer your question I will have to insert an exert from somewhere else I hope this is ok?
Fighting the "Hidden American Disgrace"
of Court Abused Children
We, the Courageous Kids , are a growing group of young people, whose childhood was shattered by biased and inhumane court rulings, which forced us to live with our abusive parent, while restricting or sometimes completely eliminating contact with our loving and protective parent.
Some of us, whose mothers tried to protect us from abuse, did not see our mothers for years, or were only allowed to see our mothers under oppressive supervised visitation orders. We were not allowed to hug our mothers, or talk about how we felt. Some of us were separated from siblings, grandparents and extended family. We lost our home, pets, toys, friends,… our childhood. We lived in fear, depression, hopelessness and helplessness for years. Some of us ran away from our abusers. Some could not handle the trauma and committed suicide.
We who survived, got older, stronger, and are boldly proclaiming:
"ENOUGH!"
...Some of us have turned 18, and are now "free", although nightmares and painful memories will haunt us for many years, maybe forever. Some of us still have siblings in the clutches of our abusers. We are kids from all over the country who have been beaten, molested, raped, sodomized, mentally battered, isolated, terrorized, and shamed by our controlling, battering parents.
We have been mentally, physically, sexually, verbally, emotionally, and psychologically abused by court order.
We have been misrepresented by court-appointed attorneys; facts were falsified or twisted by court-appointed evaluators; we were forced through mind-games by court-appointed counselors to be silent about the abuse. Neither our voices, nor the voices of our protective parents, were heard.
Many of us suffered because the court accepted an invalid theory, and than blamed our protective parents by lawyers and psychologists who get paid by abusers to cover up their history of domestic violence and child abuse.
Judges and court appointees turned on our protective mothers with a vengeance. They refused to allow our mothers to present evidence or witness testimony to prove that our fathers had abused us, and refused to listen to anything we, the victims, had to say about being abused. Most of our mothers were completely stripped of custody, leaving us motherless, and with no protection from our abusive fathers. All of our mothers were treated like villains, and all of us kids suffered because of the way the courts treated our mothers. In the courts' frenzy to punish our mothers for trying to protect us, the courts failed to realize, or didn't care, that they were punishing us too.
Taking children away from safe parents and placing them in the custody of abusive parents has been called "America's most darkest, shameful secret" in an award-winning article by Kristen Lombardi, a Boston Phoenix reporter.
Although difficult to believe that such horror exists in America today, thousands of children have been, and still are, taken away from their protective parent and placed with their abusers, by court orders. And some kids who were placed with abusers years ago are still trapped because the courts, refuse to admit to, and correct their mistakes. Some of those kids are our younger siblings, and we are grieving for them.
Some of us kids are not able to speak out yet, because we are still stuck with our abusers and we are too afraid of how they, and the courts, will retaliate against us and our protective parents if we speak out.
SO this is probly why and there have been people who tried to help
End of this exert( sorry I didn't know how to spell this)
April 23, 2005 8:16 AM... March 01, 2005 6:35 PM
I've spoken with poster.I spent about an hour on the phone with her and she is the parent of Katelynn. The story is one of great injustice, abuse and fear. She fears for her daughters safety, sanity and security. Cries that she should be able to save her child after all she's the parent. Everywhere she turns she hits a wall of indifference, What to do to help? We are open to suggestions as I've sent a Detective friend to investigate and even he is stumped As to why this has happened!!
C-Activist
I have met you and seen your papers and know that you are no abuser I also know you were found not guility at the trial, my understanding is the jury did not have the power to return your child to you, which is a miscarriage of justice.
B.
Member Indiana jail4judges
American Family RIghts Association
So I guess it must be obvious I am still here because little katelynn is still at the hands of her abusers. SO now you know this is going on . Sadly with a little research you would find little katelynn is not the only one.
Again if I knew what to do I would do it! See a law is only as good as those who would enforce it . Restrai ning orders are not being enforced I feel confident this comes as no surprise to you. But see I am strong to I do not have all the knowledge and maybe someone would have a suggestion I had not thought of. Again if wanted sympthy all I would not have to reply to angry email , or email not based on fact or punitive or ones that pretty much just criticize me but I do respond hoping that it will be the one that maybe will help me figure out how to help little katelynn and her brother.
Teardrops for Katelynn
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
flopstock wrote: I am more confused with each post. [....] to be honest she's not real to me. and i don't know her name. it's all just too vague.
Uhh...ditto.
Uhh...ditto.
[FONT=Arial Black]I hope you cherish this sweet way of life, and I hope you know that it comes with a price.
~Darrel Worley~
[/FONT]
Bullet's trial was a farce. Can I get an AMEN?????
We won't be punished for our sins, but BY them.
~Darrel Worley~
[/FONT]
Bullet's trial was a farce. Can I get an AMEN?????
We won't be punished for our sins, but BY them.
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
Arnold Lange,
You entirely right but this must not be about the focus stay on the little katelynn
and her brother!
SO that said what you can is raise your voices cost nothing to report or email
NOTICE OF DUTY TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE
You are required by law to report every instance of child abuse which becomes known to you or which you reasonably suspect to have occurred to a child.
You must report your observations or as soon as practicall
You must understand that the law does not require us as individuals to investigate or verify the truth of reports of child abuse on our own, but we are required to make any reports known to the authorities. It is the responsibility of the authorities to perform investigations. I am mandated to report ALL allegations of abuse and neglect, even those that I personally may have doubts about.
Mandatory Reporting Facts
· All 50 states have passed some form of a mandatory child abuse and neglect reporting law in order to qualify for funding under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)(Jan. 1996 version), 42 U.S.C. 5101, et seq.. The Act was originally passed in 1974, has been amended several times and was most recently amended and reauthorized on October 3, 1996, by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Act Amendments of 1996 (P.L. 104-235).
· CAPTA mandates "minimum definitions" for child abuse and sexual abuse. Child abuse or neglect is any recent act or failure to act:
o Resulting in imminent risk of serious harm, death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation
o Of a child (usually a person under the age of 18, but a younger age may be specified in cases not involving sexual abuse)
o By a parent or caretaker who is responsible for the child's welfare
Sexual abuse is defined as
o Employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of any child to engage in, or assist any other person to engage in, any sexually explicit conduct or any simulation of such conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct; or
o rape, and in cases of caretaker or inter-familial relationships, statutory rape, molestation, prostitution, or other form of sexual exploitation of children, or incest with children.
Immunity. CAPTA requires states to enact legislation that provides for immunity from prosecution arising out of the reporting abuse or neglect. In most states, a person who reports suspected child abuse in "good faith" is absolutely immune from criminal and civil liability. For that reason, most healthcare attorneys will advise a client "that it is far better, in theory, to be faced with defending a civil action for reporting suspected abuse rather than the bleak alternative of defending a civil action . . . if a child is injured or killed as a result of failing to make a report of suspected child abuse.
Remember, Indiana law requires the reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect. Callers can remain anonymous and are immune from all civil and criminal liability, provided they have made the report in good faith.
Exert from a different advocate:
My understanding is that everyone who sees this thread has an obligation, whether strictly legal or simply moral, to make a report also.
I am very much alarmed at the idea that a report of a any child being harmed could be ignored. None of us are in a position to verify the facts of what has been reported, but if there is any chance at all that any of this is true, we MUST do all we can to protect that child!
Attorney general of Indiana:
1(800)382-5516
http://www.state.in.us/attorneygeneral/
Indiana Govenor Mitch Daniels:
info@mymanmitch.com
This is a petition to Demand Justice for Katelynn:
http://www.gopetition.com/online/5918.html
You know that is to assure yourself that this remains about little katelynn and her brother and not about me. So that was a fair question I hoped I answered. I have put in info that is way to report it at no cost to anyone. I hope that helps.
Teardrops for Katelynn
You entirely right but this must not be about the focus stay on the little katelynn
and her brother!
SO that said what you can is raise your voices cost nothing to report or email
NOTICE OF DUTY TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE
You are required by law to report every instance of child abuse which becomes known to you or which you reasonably suspect to have occurred to a child.
You must report your observations or as soon as practicall
You must understand that the law does not require us as individuals to investigate or verify the truth of reports of child abuse on our own, but we are required to make any reports known to the authorities. It is the responsibility of the authorities to perform investigations. I am mandated to report ALL allegations of abuse and neglect, even those that I personally may have doubts about.
Mandatory Reporting Facts
· All 50 states have passed some form of a mandatory child abuse and neglect reporting law in order to qualify for funding under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)(Jan. 1996 version), 42 U.S.C. 5101, et seq.. The Act was originally passed in 1974, has been amended several times and was most recently amended and reauthorized on October 3, 1996, by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Act Amendments of 1996 (P.L. 104-235).
· CAPTA mandates "minimum definitions" for child abuse and sexual abuse. Child abuse or neglect is any recent act or failure to act:
o Resulting in imminent risk of serious harm, death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation
o Of a child (usually a person under the age of 18, but a younger age may be specified in cases not involving sexual abuse)
o By a parent or caretaker who is responsible for the child's welfare
Sexual abuse is defined as
o Employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of any child to engage in, or assist any other person to engage in, any sexually explicit conduct or any simulation of such conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct; or
o rape, and in cases of caretaker or inter-familial relationships, statutory rape, molestation, prostitution, or other form of sexual exploitation of children, or incest with children.
Immunity. CAPTA requires states to enact legislation that provides for immunity from prosecution arising out of the reporting abuse or neglect. In most states, a person who reports suspected child abuse in "good faith" is absolutely immune from criminal and civil liability. For that reason, most healthcare attorneys will advise a client "that it is far better, in theory, to be faced with defending a civil action for reporting suspected abuse rather than the bleak alternative of defending a civil action . . . if a child is injured or killed as a result of failing to make a report of suspected child abuse.
Remember, Indiana law requires the reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect. Callers can remain anonymous and are immune from all civil and criminal liability, provided they have made the report in good faith.
Exert from a different advocate:
My understanding is that everyone who sees this thread has an obligation, whether strictly legal or simply moral, to make a report also.
I am very much alarmed at the idea that a report of a any child being harmed could be ignored. None of us are in a position to verify the facts of what has been reported, but if there is any chance at all that any of this is true, we MUST do all we can to protect that child!
Attorney general of Indiana:
1(800)382-5516
http://www.state.in.us/attorneygeneral/
Indiana Govenor Mitch Daniels:
info@mymanmitch.com
This is a petition to Demand Justice for Katelynn:
http://www.gopetition.com/online/5918.html
You know that is to assure yourself that this remains about little katelynn and her brother and not about me. So that was a fair question I hoped I answered. I have put in info that is way to report it at no cost to anyone. I hope that helps.
Teardrops for Katelynn
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
you have managed to consistantly and verbosely evade the FACTS of this nebulous case and therefore there is really nothing we can do here. and of course everyone here understands their moral ,and in some cases , legally mandated duty in re: child abuse.
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
ladycop,
I am sorry that you feel that way. I am not a professsional person. I am just a normal person. It would be irresponsible of me to identfy any child on the internet. I would strongly not recommend anyone to do that. That said I am expressing myself the best I know how. I am sorry that was not good enough for others. Again I am just a normal person. If I am ask a question I will try to the best of my ability to answer it and that is all I can reasonable do. I am not trying to offend anyone. I was extremely touched and knew this group would care. No disrespect intended but there is no reason to call me "verbose" or the other thing. I only replied when a question was ask and that was all. I put the other up because that was free and I hoped it would help not to offend or tell anyone what to do. It is unfortuanate if that was taken wrongly. I put the other up because Arnold Lange made an observation that I thought was fair and deserved an answer. SO I put up the activists statements as some form of reassurance.
That is all I did . There is no reason to be abrupt I only put the original posting and only replied when someone talked to me. Again I can only reiterate that I was touched that this group cared and was asking questions and that is all.
Teardrops for Katelynn
I am sorry that you feel that way. I am not a professsional person. I am just a normal person. It would be irresponsible of me to identfy any child on the internet. I would strongly not recommend anyone to do that. That said I am expressing myself the best I know how. I am sorry that was not good enough for others. Again I am just a normal person. If I am ask a question I will try to the best of my ability to answer it and that is all I can reasonable do. I am not trying to offend anyone. I was extremely touched and knew this group would care. No disrespect intended but there is no reason to call me "verbose" or the other thing. I only replied when a question was ask and that was all. I put the other up because that was free and I hoped it would help not to offend or tell anyone what to do. It is unfortuanate if that was taken wrongly. I put the other up because Arnold Lange made an observation that I thought was fair and deserved an answer. SO I put up the activists statements as some form of reassurance.
That is all I did . There is no reason to be abrupt I only put the original posting and only replied when someone talked to me. Again I can only reiterate that I was touched that this group cared and was asking questions and that is all.
Teardrops for Katelynn
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
i was not being abrupt or insulting...merely pointing out that we have no information with which to assist this child, she may be a representation of all abused children. we have no facts from your posts. i tend to cut to the chase. tell me who she is, what the story is, and why the courts are so uncaring in this case...they are extremely liability-minded in these cases as are child welfare organizations. and children who are abused, raped, murdered are often named in publications so as to help them. in otherwords...what would you have us do? not a long-winded dissertation, give us some pragmatic concrete information. that is all anyone has asked you for. this is just tap-dancing about the issue. who's the child, where is she, and why is she in danger? tell me like i am taking the report. and i will.
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
Lafycop and other lady
I have to geet off the computer right know cause my time is up. Please wait for me and I will try to explain. Thank you for your patience.
Teardrops for Katelynn
I have to geet off the computer right know cause my time is up. Please wait for me and I will try to explain. Thank you for your patience.
Teardrops for Katelynn
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
flopstock wrote: heck we don't even need the kids name. give us the parents or a case number. If you know them.
and for the record. LC is being very gentle...you don't want to see her blunt or insulting, trust me...loler, uh, thanks Flop...i think. :-3 ...somehow i suspect we will never get the facts of this matter.
and for the record. LC is being very gentle...you don't want to see her blunt or insulting, trust me...loler, uh, thanks Flop...i think. :-3 ...somehow i suspect we will never get the facts of this matter.
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
H. L. Hunt
Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work
Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work
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RedGlitter
- Posts: 15777
- Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2005 3:51 am
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
Rdlight, I recognize you and your posts from Care2. I had thought Katelynn was your own kid.
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
Lucille Ball
Luck to me is something else. Hard work - and realizing what is opportunity and what isn't.
Luck to me is something else. Hard work - and realizing what is opportunity and what isn't.
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
Tryon Edwards
People never improve unless they look to some standard or example higher or better than themselves.
People never improve unless they look to some standard or example higher or better than themselves.
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
Anonymous
To reach a great height a person needs to have great depth.
To reach a great height a person needs to have great depth.
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Shweet tatersalad
- Posts: 1061
- Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2005 11:52 am
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
This truly strange indeed.
I am all for fighting for our children.But this all seems too be a little out there,but the intent is well understood.Just seems too me if this person wanted too help this little girl,shouldn't she be surfing the net for helpful site and links too make progress on?
I am sure there are forums out there and support site that can and will lead too better help.
We are not that prepared too answer some of the issues for her.
Ans understand this,I really about this issue but I get a funny vibe here.
I hope too god that if this is a true story that something gets done.
Perhaps a e-mail too Oprah or Maury or some one my be in order.
I am all for fighting for our children.But this all seems too be a little out there,but the intent is well understood.Just seems too me if this person wanted too help this little girl,shouldn't she be surfing the net for helpful site and links too make progress on?
I am sure there are forums out there and support site that can and will lead too better help.
We are not that prepared too answer some of the issues for her.
Ans understand this,I really about this issue but I get a funny vibe here.
I hope too god that if this is a true story that something gets done.
Perhaps a e-mail too Oprah or Maury or some one my be in order.
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
You need to ignore this one, gang. The original post was well over a year
ago and, when bumped, says nothing about the original content. Just
gibberish. You're wasting your time.
ago and, when bumped, says nothing about the original content. Just
gibberish. You're wasting your time.
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
I am know threatened with jail for trying to protect her
I still believe there are people out there who stand up for what is right and I hope I will find you .
These people still have katelynn and last time they found out someone was trying to get katelynn away from her father they placed her in foster care for about two months.
I have exhausted traditional avenues, this in no way diminishes that a child is at risk. My intent is to recieve justice for this little girl and I feel fairly safe in saying that is a worthy thing to do.
I am confident you to can see this. All I want is that the focus stay on this abused little girl and getting her safe and that is all!
I had hoped that maybe smarter heads would prevail and maybe have an idea I could not think of , since it is my belief Americans basically love children. I want this child to have justice and not be abused any longer and I don't think anyone can say that is an unreasonable demand nor selfish.
Utlitmately the only question is to assure this child's safety and that is all.My hope again is to have little katelynn and her brother recieve justice and what I can to help them to the best of my ability as I know you all are concerned about the children or you would not have replied.But this time we all have a chance before this child is added to a list to not let her name be added to statistics of children abused
I am hoping for justice! I am hoping that these officials are wrong that this little girl and her brother aren't nobodies that nobody would care about!
She fears for her daughters safety, sanity and security. Cries that she should be able to save her child after all she's the parent. Everywhere she turns she hits a wall of indifference, What to do to help? C-Activist
Again if I knew what to do I would do it! See a law is only as good as those who would enforce it .
But see I am strong to I do not have all the knowledge and maybe someone would have a suggestion I had not thought of.
This is the first time I've seen this. I know from experience that there are always two sides to every story. She has quotes from all sorts of people who seemed stumped yet this is their job. Child Services has no money to help her? Strange. Did she ask them for money or help?
Me reading between the lines, I can only conclude that, if this is true, she is surfing to buy a ticket on the underground railroad.
I agree with Val. We need to stay away from this one. Far, far away.
I still believe there are people out there who stand up for what is right and I hope I will find you .
These people still have katelynn and last time they found out someone was trying to get katelynn away from her father they placed her in foster care for about two months.
I have exhausted traditional avenues, this in no way diminishes that a child is at risk. My intent is to recieve justice for this little girl and I feel fairly safe in saying that is a worthy thing to do.
I am confident you to can see this. All I want is that the focus stay on this abused little girl and getting her safe and that is all!
I had hoped that maybe smarter heads would prevail and maybe have an idea I could not think of , since it is my belief Americans basically love children. I want this child to have justice and not be abused any longer and I don't think anyone can say that is an unreasonable demand nor selfish.
Utlitmately the only question is to assure this child's safety and that is all.My hope again is to have little katelynn and her brother recieve justice and what I can to help them to the best of my ability as I know you all are concerned about the children or you would not have replied.But this time we all have a chance before this child is added to a list to not let her name be added to statistics of children abused
I am hoping for justice! I am hoping that these officials are wrong that this little girl and her brother aren't nobodies that nobody would care about!
She fears for her daughters safety, sanity and security. Cries that she should be able to save her child after all she's the parent. Everywhere she turns she hits a wall of indifference, What to do to help? C-Activist
Again if I knew what to do I would do it! See a law is only as good as those who would enforce it .
But see I am strong to I do not have all the knowledge and maybe someone would have a suggestion I had not thought of.
This is the first time I've seen this. I know from experience that there are always two sides to every story. She has quotes from all sorts of people who seemed stumped yet this is their job.
Child Services has no money to help her? Strange. Did she ask them for money or help?Me reading between the lines, I can only conclude that, if this is true, she is surfing to buy a ticket on the underground railroad.
I agree with Val. We need to stay away from this one. Far, far away.
When choosing between two evils, I always like to take the one I've never tried before.
Mae West
Mae West
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
Clipper;510341 wrote: I'll give this lady the benefit of the doubt as to whether she's posting gibberish and instead just offer up a hope that everything works out for her and the child.:-6
**No offense intended towards you valerie!!:D
And none taken, dear man.
I was referring to her posts #'s 24, 26, 27, and 28. There were no
"updates" of any kind, so I think this is just
As such, I'll make my exit from the thread, no need to give her any
more grist for her mill!!
**No offense intended towards you valerie!!:D
And none taken, dear man.
I was referring to her posts #'s 24, 26, 27, and 28. There were no
"updates" of any kind, so I think this is just
As such, I'll make my exit from the thread, no need to give her any
more grist for her mill!!
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
First let me say that it took me a little while to find the password. I will under no circumstances put anyone's personal information on the internet let alone a childs when the web is very well documented with how full of child predators it is. This is not the first time I've said this. I cannot image that any of you would recommend that.
IF you are concerned please give me some idea what form that concern is taking ie what kind of suggestions? It would be remiss of me and irresponsible not to ask for a way to verify you being who you say you are and having a safe way to contact you if you are wanting to give some imput. I have never ask for money nor is my thread sexual graphic nor threatening nor anything of this nature. I use a rdlght so it is not for the attention because I assure some of the attention is not pleasant and therefore not something anyone would enjoy.
As for the quotes they are little katelynn's brother and he does this in the hope that little katelynn will not be forgotten. I wish that things could be tied up in a pretty christmas package with a pretty red bow but life is not like that. It is not uncommon for situations invovling child abuse to go on for years. It was/is my hope to prevent this ongoing abuse. If you think reading is hard, it really blows to live it!
This is true as it is true for 1000's of women across America right now. I would like to tell you I am 1 of a kind but unfortuanately that is not true. That is why I put reference links so you could read some of whats going on.
Whether you believe or not is your choice of course. But if you don't just don't reply on the thread and it will go away.
I am doing the best I can being a regular person and that is all I can do and that will just have to be good enough for me.
note :Valerie thank you.
IF you are concerned please give me some idea what form that concern is taking ie what kind of suggestions? It would be remiss of me and irresponsible not to ask for a way to verify you being who you say you are and having a safe way to contact you if you are wanting to give some imput. I have never ask for money nor is my thread sexual graphic nor threatening nor anything of this nature. I use a rdlght so it is not for the attention because I assure some of the attention is not pleasant and therefore not something anyone would enjoy.
As for the quotes they are little katelynn's brother and he does this in the hope that little katelynn will not be forgotten. I wish that things could be tied up in a pretty christmas package with a pretty red bow but life is not like that. It is not uncommon for situations invovling child abuse to go on for years. It was/is my hope to prevent this ongoing abuse. If you think reading is hard, it really blows to live it!
This is true as it is true for 1000's of women across America right now. I would like to tell you I am 1 of a kind but unfortuanately that is not true. That is why I put reference links so you could read some of whats going on.
Whether you believe or not is your choice of course. But if you don't just don't reply on the thread and it will go away.
I am doing the best I can being a regular person and that is all I can do and that will just have to be good enough for me.
note :Valerie thank you.
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
I meant thank you Clipper.
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
I have tried emailing the talk s how host and they have either ignored me, or said that they couldn't work katelynn's story into thier show. Valere, are you saying that if a child has been abused for year's that it should be ignored. I hope I am misunderstanding you. Because these children who have been abused there whole life have always been ignored by people. SO valerie, if you want to ignore this child's cry for help, than that is your choice, but not mine.
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Ciao, Bella!
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Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
If DCF/CPS can't/won't help you, take your story to the newspapers. Not the tv stations, the papers. It will get out better that way. Be prepared though, to be put under a microscope. After all, if you can get a columnist to help you, they will be putting their reputation, and possibly their career, on the line.
Now then, as someone who's uncle was a DCF worker in Florida for many years, I can offer this. Keep a log of EVERYTHING. Slow down, articulate yourself, and present yourself as someone with cohesive and clear thoughts. In other words, remove the emotion from your statements, posts, letters, etc.
I know it sounds silly, and may very well be hard to do so, but in the long run, it will go a lot further than hysterics and drama. Good luck.
Now then, as someone who's uncle was a DCF worker in Florida for many years, I can offer this. Keep a log of EVERYTHING. Slow down, articulate yourself, and present yourself as someone with cohesive and clear thoughts. In other words, remove the emotion from your statements, posts, letters, etc.
I know it sounds silly, and may very well be hard to do so, but in the long run, it will go a lot further than hysterics and drama. Good luck.
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
Unknown Author
People know you for what you've done, not for what you plan to do.
People know you for what you've done, not for what you plan to do.
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
Og Mandingo
Treasure the love you receive above all. It will survive long after your gold and good health have vanished.
Treasure the love you receive above all. It will survive long after your gold and good health have vanished.
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
Author unknown
The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places.
The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places.
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
Mother’s File International Complaint Against United States, violation human rights of abused
www.StopFamilyViolence.org
MOTHERS FILE INTERNATIONAL COMPLAINT AGAINST UNITED STATES Mother's day complaint claims United States courts violate human rights of abused women and children. NEW YORK, On May 11, just before Mother's Day weekend, ten mothers, one victimized child, now an adult, leading national and state organizations filed a complaint against the United States with the Inter American Commission on Human Rights. The case claims that U.S. courts, by frequently awarding child custody to abusers and child molesters, has failed to protect the life, liberties, security and other human rights of abused mothers and their children. "For more than 30 years U.S. judges have given custody or unsupervised visitation of children to abusers and molesters putting the children directly at risk," says Dianne Post, an international attorney who authored the petition. "These horrendous human rights violations have been brought to the attention of family court systems, and state and federal governments, to no avail. We turn now to international courts to protect the rights and safety of US children." The complaint details several cases with ..ed medical evidence of child sexual abuse, yet in each instance the abusing father was given full custody of the children he abused. Several of the mothers were jailed by the courts because of their persistent efforts to protect their children from abuse, several were ordered not to speak of the abuse and not to report abuse to authorities. Every mother was denied contact with her child for some period of time though none was ever proven to have harmed them. "My life was completely shattered apart on that day and my childhood was destroyed," said Jeff Hoverson, the adult child petitioner, about the day a family court judge ordered sheriff deputies to deliver him into the custody of his abuser. "It was as if I was just kidnapped. I was torn from everything I knew....I was made into a possession rather than a child." Hoverson endured years of trauma and fear living in his father's home before escaping and returning to his mother at age 17. He is haunted by years of feeling helpless to prevent his father's night-time visits to his sisters' bedrooms. "The cases in this petition represent the proverbial tip of the iceberg," says Irene Weiser, executive director of the online organization Stop Family Violence. "We are contacted by an average of three protective mothers each week who have lost custody to child abusing fathers. This is a nationwide crisis of enormous proportion." "The lives of thousands of children and mothers have been irreparably harmed by family courts across our nation," says Joyanna Silberg, Ph.D., executive vice-president of The Leadership Council on Child Abuse and Interpersonal Violence, another national organizations supporting the petition. "The years of trauma and psychological abuse because of the courts' failings result in lasting emotional damage to the children they are supposed to protect." Studies of gender bias in the courts, conducted in the 1980's and 90's, found disturbing trends of courts minimizing or excusing men's violence against women, and favoring the abusers. In 1990 the United States Congress passed a resolution recommending the prohibition of giving joint or sole custody to abusers. Seventeen years later, the practice continues unabated. Ten years ago today, leading national organizations were joined by members of Congress in a protest in Washington D.C. to again raise awareness about the problems in family courts. Today, petitioners say, the problem is systemic and widespread in family law courts across the nation. The petition seeks a finding from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights that the U.S. has violated the Declaration of the Rights and Responsibilities of Man and the Charter of the Organization of American States and a statement of the steps that the U.S. must take to comply with its human rights obligations in regards to battered women and children in child custody cases. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights was created in 1959 and is expressly authorized to examine allegations of human rights violations by members of the Organization of American States, which include the United States. It also carries out on-site visits to observe the general human rights situations in all 35 member states of the Organization of American States and to investigate specific allegations of violations of Inter-American human rights treaties. Its charge is to promote the observance and the defense of human rights in the Americas. Dianne Post, a 1980 graduate of the University of Wisconsin law school, has worked on issues of gender based violence since 1976. In addition to private practice and legal aid, she has taught legal classes and been a consultant working or living in Russia, Cambodia, Hungary and some dozen other countries. She is currently in Vladivostok, Russia. In addition to The Leadership Council on Child Abuse and Interpersonal Violence, other national organizations supporting the international lawsuit include: National Organization for Women and the NOW Foundation, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Justice For Children, National Family Court Watch Project, Legal Momentum, Family Violence Prevention Fund, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence Report, Sidran Traumatic Stress Institute, and the National Center on Sexual and Domestic Violence. The petition is supported by many state organizations as well. In December 2005, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a petition against the United States with the Inter American Commission on Human Rights for their failure to protect Jessica Gonzales' three children from their abusive father, who murdered them. Their petition, the first of its kind, asserted that domestic violence victims have the right to be protected by the state from the violent acts of their abusers.
For additional information, contact: Irene Weiser, Stop Family Violence iw@stopfamilyviolence.org 607-539-6856 The petition and supporting ..action is available on the Stop Family Violence website on: www.StopFamilyViolence.org
www.StopFamilyViolence.org
MOTHERS FILE INTERNATIONAL COMPLAINT AGAINST UNITED STATES Mother's day complaint claims United States courts violate human rights of abused women and children. NEW YORK, On May 11, just before Mother's Day weekend, ten mothers, one victimized child, now an adult, leading national and state organizations filed a complaint against the United States with the Inter American Commission on Human Rights. The case claims that U.S. courts, by frequently awarding child custody to abusers and child molesters, has failed to protect the life, liberties, security and other human rights of abused mothers and their children. "For more than 30 years U.S. judges have given custody or unsupervised visitation of children to abusers and molesters putting the children directly at risk," says Dianne Post, an international attorney who authored the petition. "These horrendous human rights violations have been brought to the attention of family court systems, and state and federal governments, to no avail. We turn now to international courts to protect the rights and safety of US children." The complaint details several cases with ..ed medical evidence of child sexual abuse, yet in each instance the abusing father was given full custody of the children he abused. Several of the mothers were jailed by the courts because of their persistent efforts to protect their children from abuse, several were ordered not to speak of the abuse and not to report abuse to authorities. Every mother was denied contact with her child for some period of time though none was ever proven to have harmed them. "My life was completely shattered apart on that day and my childhood was destroyed," said Jeff Hoverson, the adult child petitioner, about the day a family court judge ordered sheriff deputies to deliver him into the custody of his abuser. "It was as if I was just kidnapped. I was torn from everything I knew....I was made into a possession rather than a child." Hoverson endured years of trauma and fear living in his father's home before escaping and returning to his mother at age 17. He is haunted by years of feeling helpless to prevent his father's night-time visits to his sisters' bedrooms. "The cases in this petition represent the proverbial tip of the iceberg," says Irene Weiser, executive director of the online organization Stop Family Violence. "We are contacted by an average of three protective mothers each week who have lost custody to child abusing fathers. This is a nationwide crisis of enormous proportion." "The lives of thousands of children and mothers have been irreparably harmed by family courts across our nation," says Joyanna Silberg, Ph.D., executive vice-president of The Leadership Council on Child Abuse and Interpersonal Violence, another national organizations supporting the petition. "The years of trauma and psychological abuse because of the courts' failings result in lasting emotional damage to the children they are supposed to protect." Studies of gender bias in the courts, conducted in the 1980's and 90's, found disturbing trends of courts minimizing or excusing men's violence against women, and favoring the abusers. In 1990 the United States Congress passed a resolution recommending the prohibition of giving joint or sole custody to abusers. Seventeen years later, the practice continues unabated. Ten years ago today, leading national organizations were joined by members of Congress in a protest in Washington D.C. to again raise awareness about the problems in family courts. Today, petitioners say, the problem is systemic and widespread in family law courts across the nation. The petition seeks a finding from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights that the U.S. has violated the Declaration of the Rights and Responsibilities of Man and the Charter of the Organization of American States and a statement of the steps that the U.S. must take to comply with its human rights obligations in regards to battered women and children in child custody cases. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights was created in 1959 and is expressly authorized to examine allegations of human rights violations by members of the Organization of American States, which include the United States. It also carries out on-site visits to observe the general human rights situations in all 35 member states of the Organization of American States and to investigate specific allegations of violations of Inter-American human rights treaties. Its charge is to promote the observance and the defense of human rights in the Americas. Dianne Post, a 1980 graduate of the University of Wisconsin law school, has worked on issues of gender based violence since 1976. In addition to private practice and legal aid, she has taught legal classes and been a consultant working or living in Russia, Cambodia, Hungary and some dozen other countries. She is currently in Vladivostok, Russia. In addition to The Leadership Council on Child Abuse and Interpersonal Violence, other national organizations supporting the international lawsuit include: National Organization for Women and the NOW Foundation, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Justice For Children, National Family Court Watch Project, Legal Momentum, Family Violence Prevention Fund, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence Report, Sidran Traumatic Stress Institute, and the National Center on Sexual and Domestic Violence. The petition is supported by many state organizations as well. In December 2005, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a petition against the United States with the Inter American Commission on Human Rights for their failure to protect Jessica Gonzales' three children from their abusive father, who murdered them. Their petition, the first of its kind, asserted that domestic violence victims have the right to be protected by the state from the violent acts of their abusers.
For additional information, contact: Irene Weiser, Stop Family Violence iw@stopfamilyviolence.org 607-539-6856 The petition and supporting ..action is available on the Stop Family Violence website on: www.StopFamilyViolence.org
Indiana's Shame Teardrops for Katelynn
Ive always thought Indiana should be ashamed of itself but the tears are too little too late.
They would do well by trying to be a little more Wisconsinish.
We all would.
They would do well by trying to be a little more Wisconsinish.
We all would.
I AM AWESOME MAN