I know I have been out of this forum for a few months due to computer issues and office moving and I lost the link, finally found it and wanted to give an update. I am not sure if any of you may remember my story about my daughter (I publish back in April maybe May I believe), she was 10 years of age at the time and was abuse by her teacher and we were having behaviour issues.
Well we went to preliminary Juvenile Court back on May so my daughter could testify, which she was very willing to do and was very upset when he plead guilty and took away her right to tell her story. After, he plead guilty on Circuit Court, his sentencing day was On October 2. My brave daughter was told that she was entitled to testify during sentencing, due to the Victims Impact Statements, told us that she wanted to go and testify; tell the judge how much he hurt her. My husband was really upset that she wanted to do this, but I told him this was her right and she need it to do this, to somehow give some closure to this nightmare and that we could not take it away from her, so he very reluctant agreed.
Sentencing day came and my brave, strong and 11 years old daughter sat on the witness chair and told the judge that nobody could tell how much he had hurt her, he broke her heart and trust and deserved to go to jail for what he had done to her and her family. [b]And for the first time since this nightmare started, 7 long months ago, she cried[/b]. Came down from the stand and broke down in my arms right there in the courtroom.
We had a very big support sytem, everybody who had had something to do with the case was there. The detective, the SW from CPS, the SW from SVU, the principal of her school (whom she disclosed) and us. I felt so proud that my baby was strong enough to do this for her. The defense lawyer, tried to make it look like, OK you had a great summer, you went to Florida and had fun, you and your friends have done many fun things during the summer, you really have a normal life, so you really are not as traumatized as your parents are making it sound. The judge did not like that. Our case was the last one of the day, we sat there for 25 cases, and the judge sentenced everybody to the minimum within the guidlines. So I really was not expecting anything but the minimum which was between 1 to 3 years.
The judge gave him 10 years with 5 years suspended, [b]he will spend the next 5 years in jail.[/b] :) He was handcuffed and taken to the back cells crying. I visibly saw my daughter take the biggest breath, look at me and give me the biggest smile I have seeing in a long time, she was relieved the nightmare is over, now we can start healing. Even the prosecutor told us that he was very surprise when the judge went above and beyond the guidelines, since he is known as the "guidelines judge". The prosecutor looked at me daughter and told her that he was very proud for having met such a brave young lady and that he really believed she was the one who made the difference, "you should be very happy".
Now I can really say that we are going to be OK, my daughter and family will be moving forward and start healing, the road is long and I know that there will be lots of bumps along the road, but at end it will all be good. I hope that with time and God's help, my daughter will be able to forgive even if never forget. That is one thing that needs to happen before the healing can come completely, her soul needs to forgive to be at peace with herself, but it will not happen for a few years, for now just give thanks to God that the worst of it all is past us.
When we came out of the courtroom they actually rushed us out of there, and explained that the was a reporter from the local newspaper sitting in the courtroom to write an article on this case. Well I found the article while perusing the internet. It gave me the chills just reading it and knowing how accurate and satisfacotry is to see it in black and white. I will show it to my daughter, to show her that she was heard loud and clear and not just by the judge but by a total stranger as well and to again let her know how proud we are of her. I have the article and wanted for you to see it but I am not allowed to put the link here, sorry.
I pray that many more case will have the good outcome that ours had. I give thanks that CPS, the detective and everybody else involved have gone out of their way to get to the outcome we had. And to God for showing us that there is always something good at the end, this nightmare is far from over, my daughter's life has been changed from what should have been, but she has and will continue to come out stronger and knowing that sometimes there is justice and above all that we love her, support and believe on her.
Please hang tigh, all of you out there that see CSA as the end of the world, please don't life is tough and not everything is perfect but with God's help things will be better.
Thank you for keep to the end of this long post, but I had a lot to say since I have been gone for so long.
