"Comfort Dog" for victims and witnesses in court named after Teghan
Last month, the Johnston County District Attorneys office met its new service dog, Teghan, a goldendoodle who will soon offer victims and witnesses calm and comfort as an emotional support dog. The countys district attorney, Susan Doyle, said children in particular may rely on the dog as they recount the details of abuse or other crimes.
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There are organizations that donate trained service dogs to courthouses, Ford said, but waiting lists for those can take up to two years. Instead, the Johnston business community covered the costs. The pup was purchased from Knight GoldenDoodles in Clayton. Money for Teghans training and care has been taken care of by local businesses, including vet care and grooming.
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Teghan is named after the victim of one of the most horrific crimes ever committed in Johnston County. In 2010, 4-year-old Teghan Skiba was tortured for days and eventually killed by Jonathan Richardson, the ex-boyfriend of her mother. A jury sentenced Richardson to death in 2014. Doyle said her office received the blessing of Skibas grandparents to name the dog and feels theyve found the tribute theyve searched for for years.
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For children that come into the judicial system, it can be a struggle to get them to talk about what happened to them, Ford said. Teghan will assist in dealing with these incredibly stressful cases from the very first moment they come in contact with the judicial system. Dealing with our office will be associated with Teghan.
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/johnston-county/article160203594.html
No mention of Teghan's mother, Helen Reyes, or father. By the time Tehan's case went to trial mom had already moved on, gotten married and had a new baby daughter. AFAIK the DA never followed through on the warrant for child endangerment. Jonathan Richardson, the man who viciously tortured, raped and mutilated Teghan before finally beating her to death, is on death row at Central Prison.
During the trial Reyes testified about times when she let him babysit and found injuries on Teghan when she came home - but decided to leave her precious baby with this monster for an extended period. When Richardson tried to break up with Reyes she responded by writing a long love letter to him, trying to get him to change his mind.
Anyway, I hope Teghan the comfort dog will provide some love and support to other little victims of abuse.