PLEASE READ! CAN WE HELP MAMSHEL?!!!

by Valis 24 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse

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  Valis

  OK...I just got off the phone with mamashel and Jesika and there is currently trouble brewing for a 14 year old female relative of mamashel. Here's the post from another thread.

  Maybe you can help me with some advice about what my little sister in law is going through. Her mother (my mo-in-law) is a jw. Everyone thinks that she is the most wonderful witness in the world. LOL . My husband and I over the years have reported physical abuse to the elders and to the child protective services. She has been removed from her home several times, and placed with us. i dont mind at all, i love her like my own. But recently her mom married her biological father. He has spent the last 14 years in prison for murder. He gets out and she married him. Well needless to say, prison life didnt make him any nicer, if you know what i mean. When hubby's mom was with him years ago when hubby was young, he used to abuse him and his brother. Long story short, now he has been punching the 14 year old in her face and hitting her on a regular basis. My husband got into a fight with him several weeks ago, and he threatend to kill him, so we try to stay out of it. I called the school to let them know about the abuse, and they called child protective services because there were marks on her face. I am glad that they came and got her, but they are now talking about puting her back in the home, and i dont know what to do. I am really afraid that if they send her back he is going to hurt her very bad. Do you have any suggestions.

  mamashel

  I think we can help her by contacting the CPS agent by phone or email and expressing our concern that this child not go back to the home of the abuser and the JW mother who let it happen. I also thought we could contact the appropriate abuse hotlines for Columbus, Ohio to let them know their help is definitely needed.. I have provided a list below and I'm sure you can all find the right one. If you are interested in helping out with a phone call or email, please email mamashel at this address [email protected] for the name of the victim, the abusers, and the contact information for the CPS worker that is "handling" the case. I thought it best that she disseminate that information privately and not have names posted here. If you can help please do so soon in an effort to keep this young lady from further harm.

  Action Ohio Coalition For Battered Women
  P.O. Box 15673
  Columbus Ohio 43215
  Business Phone: 614-221-1255
  Toll Free:(800)934-9840

  Battered Women Survivors
  P.O. Box 247674
  Columbus, Ohio 43224

  CHOICES for Victims Domestic Violence
  P.O. Box 06157
  Columbus, Ohio 43206
  Business Phone: 614-258-6080
  Hotline: 614-224-4663

  Decision Center, Inc.
  P.O. Box 328943
  Columbus, Ohio 43232

  Ohio Domestic Violence Network
  Columbus Ohio 43214
  Business Phone: 614-784-0023

  Thanks ahead of time for your help and hopefully we can do some good here.

  Sincerely,

  District Overbeer

  Edited by - Valis on 2 October 2002 17:8:59
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  Trauma_Hound

  I highly suggest you write the governor of your state, make sure you send it registered mail, stating these facts, and that you will hold him personally responsible if any thing happens to her. Then CC the media on this.
• 

  Dia

  1-800-forachild

  Also, it's illegal to threaten someone. Call the police.

  Edited by - Dia on 2 October 2002 17:24:38
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  Xandria

  My husband and I have worked with cases of child abuse from physcial to sexual. First thing is to press charges against the father and mother for abuse along with retaining an attorney. Most importantly there needs to be physical evidence and eye witness accounts.. The type of attorney you will need deals in Family Law and Child Protection. Are you willing to take custody of the child ? If so, then I would fight for custody. ( if it is a safer enviroment for her, ie away from any contact with her mom and father, unless it is supervised by a case worker in visitations). Action in these areas need to take place as soon as possible.

  We are talking child endangerment here and the failure to protect a minor by the state. There is an history of abuse and it apparent has not changed for the better. She is not in a safe enviroment by being returned to this household.

  If you have any further questions contact me by phone. I will email it to you.

  Regards,

  Xandria
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  mamashel

  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

  Dia, one problem is I already called the police on the threat, and he was actually standing on my sidewalk outside of my house. They told me i needed a date of birth and or a social security #. Nice to know that we are protected so well huh. Here's the real kicker...... This idiot is still on paper (paroll) and his PO has been contacted by us and by child protective services. They are DECIDING if to press any charges against him. He has only been out for about 3 months.

  shelley
• 

  LyinEyes

  How awful ,I can only say, do what ever you can to protect this girl. What can I do to help ?

  I would move fast on this, before it is too late for this girl. Sad to say, this kind of thing is happening all over the place. I just heard a story about a father, breaking his 6 weeks old babies neck, the baby is in critical condition. You just can never know when someone will snap and the kids will be hurt. Not trying to scare ya, or in better words, telling this to just be telling it, it is happening everyday.

  Can you talk to the girl and give her some advice , as to not be alone with him, to stay away from him as much as possible until help can intervene? I mean anything to keep him away from her for help? Can she go visit some kin folks out of town maybe?
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  mamashel

  Xandria, thank you for the information. The only problem is the eye witness is her mother and she will not testify against him. She actually filed a restraining order against him, had him police escorted out of her her home and didnt show up for court, then 4 days later took him back. So all the charges were dropped. But i am still going to try. We are not aloud to have custody of her yet for her protection along with the protection of our children.

  mamashel
• 

  scootergirl

  edited to delete because after reading I know see that the child IS out of the home........and your concern is her returning.........

  Before this young girl is returned to her abusive home, she and her family have to go to Family Court. Who exactly is saying that they are thinking of returning her to her home? The school? The Social Worker? It all comes down to the Judge's decision. Do you know the Social Worker assigned to the case? If so (and if not, find out who), make an appointment and go speak with them. Find out when the court date is......Family Court is an open court.....anyone can attend. Ask the Social Worker to make provisions for you to address the Court and speak your concerns.

  Another thing you most definately want to do is get a hold of the Guardian et Litem office in your county. Guardien et Litem is a children's advocate program. They work for the best interest of the child. If she doesn't have one (Guardian et Litem) then DEMAND that she does. Talk w/the Guardian. When the court date approaches, the Guardian makes his/her recommendations to the court. Check out this link for Guardian et Litem.......

  http://www.nationalcasa.org/

  p.s., I have my Social Work degree and did my intern in the Child Protection Unit in our county. While I think that Valis' motives are sincere, I would have to disagree with his method of action. For anyone on this board to call with second hand knowledge, hear-say, would be ineffective. MAMASHEL is the one that needs to take action, her and her husband. And I would highly recommend NOT going to the media at this point. People need to learn to act and not react......all in due time.

  Edited by - scootergirl on 2 October 2002 23:35:32

  Edited by - scootergirl on 2 October 2002 23:48:55
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  footprints

  A 14 year old is able (with a little help) to call the battered womens shelter, or the police. No sane judge would make her go back to a home like that. Unfortunately not all Judges are sane. At least make sure she has money for a phone or a phone card.
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  scootergirl

  Sometimes it is difficult to make the call to a shelter ourselves when we are the abused, I do think that another important thing to do, Mamashel, is to help this young woman have a plan of escape. Actually this is very important to anyone in any sort of abusive relationships. Have a "plan"....help her figure out where she can go for safety if and when the abuse starts. This of course, if she is returned to the home.