Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Dear Dad: The One With the Mom on the Edge and the Dad Who Should Be in Hell



Dear Dad,
I will try to keep this brief, but I feel I'm on the edge of breaking and will end up ranting. I have two children ages 13 and 9. Their biological father hasn't seen them since the end of July. Now this is because an investigation was opened regarding him and my nine-year-old who was interviewed by the police and the state police and the Child Safety Center and numerous other people.

Here it is months later and he hasn't spent one night in jail. The only punishment he is getting is losing contact with the girls. This is the ultimate punishment, but I don't feel it's enough. "Lack of penetration" deemed this case unnecessary for certain people to step in that could actually process this properly. I've spent the last several weeks attempting to contact the police and other people involved in the investigation. However it seems like I'm getting the runaround.

Monday morning their biological father texted me. He had the audacity to ask if he could have the girls this weekend. This is not happening. I've already been advised that my thirteen-year-old is old enough to stand in front of a judge and say she's had enough of him, and considering the circumstances that my nine-year-old could do the same. I just feel very frustrated. My nine-year-old is terrified that someone somewhere will try to force her to go back to her biological father's house.

I'm not really sure if I'm asking for advice. What I am really wanting is to get this out there. People need to talk with their children. Trust their children. And protect them from those that do them harm - even if it's another parent!

***

Dear 'Edge',

I've been trying to wrap my brain around the situation you are describing, and I think part of why I haven't run a column in a few weeks is how disturbed I am by your question.

I'm confused. There is enough evidence where he can't see your children, but due to "lack of penetration" he has not been prosecuted? Where do you live? Have your children gone through forensic testimony (which is fucking horrible, but sometimes necessary) in order to prosecute? If you have a nine-year-old child and a thirteen-year-old child who can corroborate a report of sexual abuse, what is going on with your local law enforcement?

I do have to say that in any investigation, including those involving SVU, they take TIME. These investigations take an impossible amount of time where the piece of shit perps walk around, even near their victims before ANYTHING is done. I promise you, 'Edge', they do get dealt with and justice does prevail and I'm hoping that is what is going on in your situation. I know three months feels like an eternity, but in legal terms, it isn't that long (I'll bet you will hear something around Christmas time/the turn of the year).

I appreciate your question and hope enough people read it to reach anyone who may be in your situation because your desire to spread the message of listening to and protecting your children is ESSENTIAL.

You need to trust your gut and listen to your children and under NO circumstances allow that piece of shit anywhere near your kids.

But that is not enough. I don't know why your local DCF, SVU, and any other law enforcement department is failing you, but they ARE FAILING YOU!

Please immediately contact this organization:

National Sexual Assault Hotline, from RAINN.org
800.656.HOPE (4673)

If I were you, I would start making daily phone calls to my local department of children and family services, local school system, my local police station, and local media outlets (on the condition of complete anonymity - very important, you don't want to bring unneeded attention to your children who are already going through a lot).

I would make these calls in concert with putting everything in writing and sending time/date marked emails, as well as sending correspondence to your state's attorney general, as well as the contacts I've listed above via certified/return receipt requested letters. Make note of any and every contact he makes and create a diary of events as described by your children! I would wake up the next day and do it again. And again. And again. And again - until SOMEONE listens!

Above all else, 'Edge', you need to follow your gut and protect your children. Don't let that bastard near them. If he puts up a stink, call the police and show them your history after following my advice on the above.

Praying for you and and your children and sending good thoughts and energy. Please keep us updated!

***

What does everyone else think? Any other advice for this mom (and hopefully that echoes my initial reaction to this post which was not fit for printing)?

If you are in this situation, follow this link
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photo: flickr/Ben Seidelman