|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
A Case of Abuse...
Chapter 3
by
Robert Betts
(Age: 61)
copyright 09-21-2001
Age Rating: 18 to 127
|
 |
| |
"They what !" Sam asked.
"They're taking the children," sobbed Sherry.
"But, they can't do that!"
"They have a court order."
"But what idiot would..."
"Oh Sam, I'm afraid. What is going to happen? They just can't do this to us!"
"Mommy, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" asked Jill.
Sherry bent to pick Jill up and smiled through tears, "It's O.K. hon. Everything is going to be O.K."
Jill, looking unconvinced, wrapped her arms around her Mom and cried softly into Sherry's neck. Sam laid a hand softly on Tim's shoulder.
* * *
When they went inside a young lady and a policeman were waiting in the living room. The officer was standing near the entryway with his arms crossed loosely while the woman fidgeted with a notebook.
"Tim, take your sister to your room and see if she can beat you at the new video game I brought last week," Sam said. As they scurried off he introduced himself, “Hi, I'm Mr. Dunning. How may I help you?"
"Mr. Dunning, pleased to meet you. My name is Andrea Whiting. I think it is best to just come right to the point. I have a Court Order here which empowers me to take the children for some questions and examinations."
"You didn't get all the answers you needed when you questioned the children this afternoon."
She smiled nervously, "Well some yes but we have some other ones."
"Wait... you said examination, what kind of examination?"
"A doctor will examine the children for any... well abuse."
Seething at the implication of an examination Sam sneered, "You mean you can just walk into my house and demand that I turn my children over to you so you can… examine them!"
The officer straightened and coughed lightly.
"In cases like this, we have that authority. Please Mr. Dunning, let's just get this done so that we can bring them back as soon as possible, O.K.?"
Sam tapped his fingertips on the wall next to him, a nervous habit when thinking. "I want to talk with the children before you take them."
"I'm afraid I can't allow that," stated the officer as he took a step forward.
Sam looked at Sherry, tears were streaming but she couldn't speak.
"Please call them in here," said Ms. Whiting.
Sam tapped for a while then sighed, "Tim, Jill, come here please; and bring your coats."
When they came into the living room, the officer stepped over close to them.
Sam looked at Tim and said, "Tim, be strong, brave and take care of your sister."
|
Help Us Stop Plagiarism -
Nearly all works at PnP are original. However a few people choose to plagiarize.
To check, choose a phrase from the work, then either drag and drop to the search box or copy and paste.
click on search and works at Google will be shown which match. Just to be sure, please do this before
you recommend or rate the work highly...
|
 |
|
|
|
Select a Random Book
|
|
|
Comments on this Article/Poem:
Click on the commenter's name to see their Author's Page
12-14-2001 Robert Betts
Ahhh now I understand... A loving parent is best and it is up to the state to determine who is loving... and of course everyone needs to be investigated to determine that.
|
12-13-2001 Paulette Weaver
sometimes, the love a child has for their parents, outshadows the evil that may persist...
love is a strong, powerful emotion.
Paulette
|
11-24-2001 Mary -BrytEyz- Ball
Altho it's disturbing to have to go thru this as an innocent parent... I feel it's a neccessary evil to protect all the children out there who ARE suffering. Where I live, there has to be better proof than just an allegation before children are taken for any examinations!!! Also, the questions that investigators use are NOT LEADING so as to plant any ideas into children's heads. They'd NEVER ask, "Has mommy or daddy touched you down there?"!!! Well, I'm off to read the next one.
|
09-30-2001 Beverley McInnis
Bob, hands down...a loving parent is better equipped to deal with a child, however, not all stories end with innocence of the parent. Too many children have been destroyed to honour the parents rights. There are ways and then there are ways to protect children - times are changing and the system is improving. Unfortunately not all parents have the right to have children .... and even those who appear to be great, aren't. How can one tell the difference unless an investigation ensues?
|
09-26-2001 Robert Betts
Interesting.... Bev has hit the nail on the head of what this series is all about... Guilty?? Innocent?? I hope some can see that in reality, that is not the point at all of this series. All things come with a cost; nothing is free. Are we, will we continue to be willing to pay the enormous cost of totally destroying individuals in the persuit of protecting children? Are we in fact, abusing the children (and parents) with our "protections" far worse than any loving parent ever would?
Who do you think is better equipped to protect a child, a loving parent or the State?
Food for thought...
|
09-26-2001 Beverley McInnis
Robert, if you are interested check the laws in your state...because in Canada, you can be charged for false allegations. If the allegations are done with the intention of maliciousness. There are ways to discover who places the calls even if the name isn't left...it requires detective work and coordiation (but I've been involved in this...) Plus, when calls are made repeatedly without evidence, it sends a warning flag to the social worker.
In this case, we know the parents are innocent as you have informed us of this, Bob. Still, I leave everyone with this thought....what if the parents weren't innocent.
Wouldn't you want the children protected?
|
09-25-2001 Eric Carrillo
Hello, that is a very interesting story, and a little frustrating to know that things can some times be unfair. I look forward to reading the next chapter.
|
09-22-2001 Robert Betts
No you can't sue, You can only sue when you know the identity of the person... the 800 numbers protect those identities.
|
09-21-2001 Natalie Amaral
I agree with Robert--it's just maddening to think that social workers can waltz in and intrude on people's lives like this without need.
|
09-21-2001 Beverley McInnis
Very intense.
|
|
Visitor
Reads: 375
Total Reads: 597
Comments: 10
Author's Page
Email the Author
Add a Comment
Favorite of:
|
|
Welcome !
