Marcus' Story Be advised, this is heart wrenching.
Posted by Adrienne Morgan (Member # 1046) on :
How many stories like this will it take to make it absolutly manditory for fequent and unannounced visits from authorities? And those that WERE supposed to visit should share the punishment...it's abhorent!! A
Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
I don't even know how to express my anger right now. They are VERY lucky I am not on the jury, or the judge who decides their fate.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
So, these two were providing a foster home for the sole purpose of personal gain?
They should get the maximum penalty and the child care authorities should be penalized as well.
Posted by John Deaton (Member # 925) on :
Ive heard bad stories about kids being treated badly and such, but this takes the prize. The prosecutor could hardly talk about it when asked how he died. They apparently wrapped him up in a blanket with his arms behind him, and then wrapped him with packaging tape until only his head was sticking out. They then turned on a fan and shut the door on the 5x7 closet. I read about this a few days ago, and its been on my mind every since then. This little fella was special, but never had a chance. If you get a chance, read all of the links on there that have to do with his story. Its simply awful. Its a good thing I aint a cop up there. I would have lost my job quickly if I ran into these two. One good thing, they will be doing long prison times, and its well known that most inmates dont like this type of people. Their punishment is coming soon and then some.
Posted by Adrienne Morgan (Member # 1046) on :
Remember the old Hank Williams Jr song...tie em to a cypress stump an let the alligators, bugs an snakes get em'? A Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
John,
I'm a firm believer in rending the same horrible judgement used on perpetrators as they used on their victims.
Does this make us as bad as them? I say no....to me, it would simply mean following through with a decision that the perpetrators exacted upon themselves.
***********
Horrible story....however, my father-in-law (fil) is lucky enough to have lived to tell his stories of living as an abused child entrusted in the care of an older farm couple as one of 10 state ward foster children.
One of 6 siblings growing up in Massachusettes, his mother went bonkers when he was a small kid....I think she tried to drown one of the littler siblings (aka Yandrea Yates?).
He believes today it was a case of post partum depression....anyway, she went to the mental institution and his father couldn't handle the thought of taking care of 6 kids by himself - so he flew the coup.
My FIL and his youngest brother went to "the farm" while the other siblings were scattered about amongst various relatives.
The boys on the farm were raised by these two nutball farmers.....both devout Catholics.
The wife, made them line up in front of her and say their prayers every nite - - in the nude.
She never sexually abused them....but this was odd just the same don't you think?
The old man was a terror. Him and the other boys were regularly beaten for any excuse. He had a walking cane and beat the $hyt out of them all with great enjoyment. The old lady did the same.
The old man used to get enjoyment out of pulling out his "cat-o-nine-tails" (whip with several leather strips on the end) and whipping the pizz out of them.
Getting dishes and pans busted over his head was not uncommon.
They were forced to do all the farm work for the couple...milking the cows, doing all the chores, garden detail, etc.
My FIL had to protect his younger brother from the other older boys....so he learned to fight like Mike Tyson.
His father remarried....and visited him and his brother twice while they were at the farm. He'd drive up in a brand new car wearing a nice suit of clothes with his new wife...spend about a half hour and leave - - - without his sons.
My FIL wore dungarees that were two big, cinched up at the waist with a rope like Jethro Bodene.
As he grew in age towards his 18th birthday....the old man finally died. My FIL laughed...it was one of his happiest days.
The old lady decided to beat his brother one day...but now my FIL was bigger. He grabbed her by the collar and told her he was going into the navy...he'd be leaving...and if he heard of her ever touching his brother again, he'd come back and take care of her.
He was so naive, that he believed the old lady when she said that he was supposed to send his navy check back to the farm. "Government rules" she said. He did this for several months till a navy buddy asked him why he sent his money home all the time. His buddy said she was full of "shyt" and was just shaking him down....so he quit sending it back.
He went into the navy with a chip on his shoulder, got into many fights in the ports and decided that he needed to change. Which he did.
He got married, had two kids (my wife and b-in-law) and never laid an abusive hand on either. His experience turned him against that type of treatment of others.
He is the best guy you'd ever meet....a real perfectionist who is morally solid, a hard worker, and treats others with the utmost respect.
Worked at General Motors in skilled trades and has been a great FIL, great father, husband, and neighbor.
He never took a day off from work sick when he wasn't sick...got awards for superior attendance, and worked hard every day he was there. He grew up with a rope around his waist for a belt and didn't have a pot to pee in....so he figured he was blessed with such good employment that he was happy to give his employer an honest days work.
The same cannot be said for the outcome of the other boys at the foster care farm. The abuse can affect people in different ways.
All the kids except my FIL, his brother, and two others ended up with lives that were full of sorrow: One became a murderer, another a bank robber, another a homosexual (who my FIL later found out had sexually abused his younger brother at the farm) who killed himself, one was rumored to be the illegitimate offspring of Old Man Joe Kennedy's love interest, shuffled away and disavowed to save the family embarrassment (he looked just like him)...and became a drug addict...and I can't remember the fate of the others - but it wasn't good.
He freely talks about his experience...I think it's good for him. But he often says he had no "childhood." Yet, I look at a few pictures that he had taken of him "on the farm" and he was always smiling...I envy him for such a positive outlook given his circumstances.
Psychologically, it's interesting the effects such a childhood has: Some turn adversity into a positive life, while others are cast into a downward spiral...luckily, my FIL always had a hopeful, positive attitude. I'm not so sure I would have ended like him should it have occured to me.
He's now 71 years old....works out at the gym 3 days a week..just like he's done for his entire adult life, and walks the others with his wife...if you need him, he's there for ya.
Sorry to ramble here...but John's post got me thinking about child abuse in general...and I too have no sympathy for the abusers....they are the scum of the earth. I know personally, that if anybody ever touched one of my kids, no law on the books could come close to the judgement I would meate out.
Those people should suffer greatly.
[ August 31, 2006, 09:52 AM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
Posted by Jonathan Androsky (Member # 2806) on :
Ok, just WTF is wrong with people? For the love of .... I don't even know what to say that's suitable for public consumption.
Stuff like this goes on and folks wonder why I'm cynical . I just don't get the world sometimes.
Posted by Dana Blair (Member # 951) on :
quote:Originally posted by Adrienne Morgan: Remember the old Hank Williams Jr song...tie em to a cypress stump an let the alligators, bugs an snakes get em'? A
That was Charlie Daniels "Simple Man".
Posted by Dusty Campbell (Member # 4601) on :
As angry and sad as that story makes me, two wrongs won't make it right. I'm sure their consciences are punishing them plenty.
Hopefully they'll do something good with their lives and try to make up for what they've done.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Their consciences are punishing them? It's just a hunch, but I don't think someone who would beat and stick a kid in chimney and torch them has a conscience.
The only way they can make up for what they've done is to kill themselves...but that's just me... Edit: and I know that may appear exteme to some.
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Edit: and I know that may appear exteme to some. 