MO - Six Mohler family members for child sex crimes, Bates City 2009 #2

[Texas Mist]

I do understand that some parents may not know that abuse is happening to their children but for the most part based on my experience those who have been inflicted with horrible incest abuse for long periods of time most assuredly believed the mother did know and did nothing but turn a blind eye to all the red flags that were falling everywhere at the time.

I know without a doubt my mother knew. I was their only child for 16 years. She had no other child to take her attention away from what was happening to her little girl. As a mother she had to see the terror in my eyes when the abuser entered the room. She had to see the many tears I cried and how hard I begged her not to leave me alone with him and to take me to town with her. She not only knew she facilitated him. She would always tell me "no you cant go, you know he doesn't like to be left alone" and she would drive away, simple as that.

I have been to so many victim advocacy group sessions and time and time again as we revealed our own personal pain we had suffered for so very long the subject always gets around to the mothers we had. While a few said they didn't think their mothers knew the vast majority felt they most certainly did and it is the mother's betrayal that they seem to struggle with even over the abusers actions.

My mother passed away over 22 years ago. At times at night, even now and I am 62 years old, when I lay in my bed I still ask my mother "WHY?" and like all the years before no answer ever comes. All I ever wanted was to have parents who loved me and would do anything to protect me. It was not to be but I never changed who I was inside no matter what was done to me from the age of 5 thru 15. They tried to break my spirit but even they could not undo what God had given me.

I cannot say that my parents didn't teach me anything because in the end they did. They gave me an indelible road map of what never ever to do to any child and because of that I can say without reservation that I have been a kind, respectful, loving and supportive mother to five wonderful children. They define who I am.... not the yesteryears of my life in my childhood.

I have traveled the journey just as these victims will have to follow their own path to healing. I have been so blessed in my life and I give thanks to God everyday. I have a very good life filled with warmth and love from not only our 5 children but our 12 grandchildren and the dearest husband anyone could hope for.

So while I can relate to their pain I would much rather relate to the countless many who have succeeded in becoming victim warriors who fought their past battles and won. I hope and pray that these victims in this case will cross that finish line one day, victorious.

imo

oceanblueeyes, you have my deepest empathies for what you've been thru...you are a true SURVIVOR!

(((hugs)))

 

[CHICANA]

GALs are called CASAs (Court Appointed Special Advocate)in Oregon. These advocates have standing in court and make reports to the court concerning the child in question. By definition their job is of impartial advocacy and dedication to the best interest of the child--not the agency, not the parents, etc.

I have a foster daughter who has one appointed to her very messy case. GALs and CASAs are well trained and highly supervised. Poor performers are most often removed. It is a volunteer position. I find it extremely difficult to believe that Mr. Schloss would have been permitted to slide on a comment like that.

Since Mr. Young is "bull-dogging" his case through (good for him, BTW), I would think that such a derisive comment would have been reported and examined immediately. The GAL would likely have been removed from the case in the event the words were truly spoken (or written in an email) as that would be a conflict of interest. Mr. Young seems like a bright man. I would think that if a statement like that were made, he'd have raised holy heck right away. I know I would.

If Mr. Young stands by his story that Mr. Schloss made that statement, I would hope an investigation would be made.

I disagree. I'll go back and find the statute, because believe me, I was shocked, but the GAL's 1st obligation/consideration is to the State.
The Gal's have private meeting with the judges before court, which IMO is unethical and when I had issues with my teen, he always did what the GAL wanted. Get this, my teen wanted to live with her aunt who had already raised 3 convicted felons (the social worker didn't like me, so she didn't do the proper background checks) all the GAL had to say to the judge so my daughter could stay there (after all the criminal records were revealed) was
"Well your honor, they do have extensive criminal records, but I think she'll be ok." I'm not kidding.
I wanted to get the transcripts,but they charge alot to get those in family court.

 

[Linda7NJ]

GALs are called CASAs (Court Appointed Special Advocate)in Oregon. These advocates have standing in court and make reports to the court concerning the child in question. By definition their job is of impartial advocacy and dedication to the best interest of the child--not the agency, not the parents, etc.

I have a foster daughter who has one appointed to her very messy case. GALs and CASAs are well trained and highly supervised. Poor performers are most often removed. It is a volunteer position. I find it extremely difficult to believe that Mr. Schloss would have been permitted to slide on a comment like that.

Since Mr. Young is "bull-dogging" his case through (good for him, BTW), I would think that such a derisive comment would have been reported and examined immediately. The GAL would likely have been removed from the case in the event the words were truly spoken (or written in an email) as that would be a conflict of interest. Mr. Young seems like a bright man. I would think that if a statement like that were made, he'd have raised holy heck right away. I know I would.

If Mr. Young stands by his story that Mr. Schloss made that statement, I would hope an investigation would be made.

Here GALS are actual attorneys and CASA workers are volunteers and trained by CASA anyone can be one.

 

[lbminnesota]

This is an excellent video from CNN -Martin Savage is in Bates City

http://www.wral.com/news/video/6429448/

 

[Texas Mist]

This is an excellent video from CNN -Martin Savage is in Bates City

http://www.wral.com/news/video/6429448/

that link is to Raleigh NC live news, lb.

 

[Texas Mist]

It's not right, but it happens all the time.You have to experience the family court system to believe how it actually works. Plus, there's little oversight. It's scary, but they really can do whatever they want.

unfortunately, I was involved in custody dispute & court investigator recommended joint custody with my abusive ex, who had only bothered to see our son ONE TIME during 5 months & that ONE TIME left him with the town to take care of him...he said he couldn't excercise visitation because he "was werkin'"...and my ex-inlaws accused me of child abuse -- but those azzholez NEVER ONCE bothered to try to see their g-son they so creatively claimed to be abused...the court investigator talked to me ONE TIME before he made his recommendation to the court -- and that ONE VISIT my baby was napping and he NEVER even asked to see him.

So yeah -- I'm aware of how the game can be played...sorry for my outburst but it still upsets me that my son could have been exposed to so many horrible things because ONE PERSON who "investigates" can decide on what happens to little babies!!

And FWIW, my ex gave up the fight for joint custody & was never involved in his son's life...except to inflict more mental pain & anguish. ugh.

 

[Missizzy]

Go to the link and you'll see the Mohler case (a photo) at the bottom of the page under the heading "Missouri Community Reeling". Click on that video. HTH.

I wondered if the "white house" described in the Probable Cause document is the garage to the right of the main house in Bates City. It is white.

 

[hopetohelp]

I haven't been able to glean any of this from the news - where are all of the women in this family? You know, the mothers, the aunts, the grandmothers. Were these guys married? Its almost like a family of men the way its portrayed. Surely there are some women around somewhere?

 

[Missizzy]

Chicana--I stand corrected. You are right, GALs and CASAs are different. I honestly did not know that. I've only worked within the California and Oregon children's agencies. I've also been very fortunate to work with very dedicated and objective CASAs who've made a huge difference for kids.

I'll be very interested to see how this man's story pans out. I hope to high heaven that his little boy was not a victim. I've lived the last 25 years of my life enmeshed in the system of child welfare, due to fact that 10 of our children are adopted. I was also trained by the North American Council on Adoptable Children as an advocate. It's a chess game and you learn to never let down your guard. My heart goes out to everyone who goes to battle against them. It's never pretty.

Concerning the women: That's the million dollar question, isn't it? We know that MM, David's wife, is shocked. That's all I've heard though. A distant cousin came to court. Why no wives or children or even friends? I wish the media would ask the same question and help us out.

 

[SuziQ]

The son of a sixth Mohler family member charged with child sex crimes says his father was not part of any of the incidents.

"Now the shock and horror I feel is my father, a man I love and respect, has been painted with this ugly accusation," Jeffrey Mohler, the son of Darrel Mohler, said.

Darrel Mohler, 72, is in a Florida jail, awaiting extradition to Missouri for charges filed in Lafayette County on child sex crimes.

More at link:
http://www.kctv5.com/news/21626649/detail.html

 

[Missizzy]

I would hazard a guess that JM does not know every detail of his father's life. After all, he would have been a child at the time of the alleged crimes. If my research yesterday was correct, I believe JM is a youth pastor at a Community of Christ Church which is linked to Graceland Ministries.

http://www.floridacrossroads.com/

The Youth Pastor also has three children. Two of those kids could be the ones in the car with Mr. Mohler when he was arrested. The media reported that he was with two of his teen-aged grandchildren and his 11 year old daughter when his car was stopped.

Darrel Mohler is trying very hard to distance himself from his Missouri relatives--often making inane comments IMO. However, if his son is indeed the same JM who is the Youth Pastor, wouldn't this show that this family has maintained some level of an involvement with the Community of Christ church family? Wouldn't it make sense that Darrel would have some contact or first hand knowledge of his relatives in Missouri who are very active in the same church...some being lay ministers?

At least two of the Mohler brothers (Darrel's nephews) who were arrested were affiliated with Graceland University, a Community of Christ "based" college, and at least one of their wives currently is employed there. I'm having a hard time believing that there's no connection.

While we're at it, I noted that Darrel's newest wife, GM, has parents who live in a up-scale community which holds their homeowner's association meeting in a Community of Christ facility. GM has a good bit of involvement with this association. This might be a stretch but the church seems to come up every time you turn around. IMO, these people are closer than they want us to think.

Please, please understand that I am making no negative statements about this particular church. I have to admit that I'm just learning about this church. There are not that many in my state. I just find it odd that everything seems to cycle back around to involvement with this specific denomination--and especially Graceland University.

 

[Texas Mist]

Another Female Victim Identified In Case

POSTED: 5:04 pm CST November 16, 2009
UPDATED: 5:17 pm CST November 16, 2009


<snip>

LEXINGTON, Mo. -- The Lafayette County prosecutor has added a new charges against five members of the Mohler family who have been accused of sex crimes against children.

This time, the prosecutor is accusing the men of abuse against another girl. This is the third victim listed in the charges against the men

...

Prosecutor Kellie Ritchie told KCTV5's Matt Stewart that they expect more charges to be filed against the Mohlers as investigators continue to finish their paperwork in the case and provide her with more evidence.

more here: http://www.kctv5.com/news/21632663/detail.html


ETA: watching JVM now & they're saying they expect the bonds to be increased tomorrow.

 

[Texas Mist]

wonder what made him decide this? I thought the son was trying to talk him into fighting extradition


OCALA, Fla. -- Darrel Mohler, the sixth member of the Mohler family accused in a Lafayette County child sex assault case, would like to request extradition back to Missouri, court sources say.

Mohler has been scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. Tuesday for his extradition hearing.


more here: http://www.kctv5.com/news/21631983/detail.html

 

[Blue_Dolphin308]

Theya re also expected to ask for a higher bail tomorow. As per Headline News

 

[Texas Mist]

I also heard a psychiatrist on JVM say this appears to be a culture of abuse, not an organized pedophile ring (paraphrasing)....he also said he thinks current charges are "the tip of the iceberg".

Well - IMO, it's more like organized situational abuse....kinda like a sick pedophile ring of relatives.

 

[Blue_Dolphin308]

I beleive that this will expand to other states, possibly kids that moved out of state that now come forward. I also beleive that it is an organized ring.

 

[Missizzy]

I just reread this article:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/14/mohler.family/index.html

and wanted to point out some of the "unvarnished" comments which people make about those who've just been arrested. Yes, it's possible that all of these men have been falsely accused and arrested but I'm believing the victims and that's JMO. Just to ponder:

"David was one of the kindest people I know in this town," the retired professor said. "I find it absolutely unbelievable. That's my honest opinion."

"They were in and out of our home quite a bit, and there was absolutely never any indication of abuse," he said.

"He was a good medic." His coworker described Roland Mohler as outgoing and said, "He blends in with everybody else."

"Lay ministers are volunteers who do not receive compensation, and none of the three served in leadership roles or worked with children. We have a very strict code of ethics when it comes to the safety of our youth," said the organization's spokeswoman.

 

[southcitymom]

I will be honest and say I still don't know what to think about all of this.

Regardless of what is eventually determined to be the truth, it is just so so sad!

 

[Texas Mist]

I will be honest and say I still don't know what to think about all of this.

Regardless of what is eventually determined to be the truth, it is just so so sad!

I can't remember a time when so many family members were accused of what these 6 are....can anyone else?

There's been groups of people, even the Mineola Swingers Club recently here in TX-- but that wasn't just family members.

I *do* believe this incestuous family sex crimes are all possible, tho apparently horrifically bizarre. And yes, very sad.

 

[Fairy1]

I just reread this article:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/11/14/mohler.family/index.html

and wanted to point out some of the "unvarnished" comments which people make about those who've just been arrested. Yes, it's possible that all of these men have been falsely accused and arrested but I'm believing the victims and that's JMO. Just to ponder:

"David was one of the kindest people I know in this town," the retired professor said. "I find it absolutely unbelievable. That's my honest opinion."

"They were in and out of our home quite a bit, and there was absolutely never any indication of abuse," he said.

"He was a good medic." His coworker described Roland Mohler as outgoing and said, "He blends in with everybody else."

"Lay ministers are volunteers who do not receive compensation, and none of the three served in leadership roles or worked with children. We have a very strict code of ethics when it comes to the safety of our youth," said the organization's spokeswoman.

I can see how the folks with whom these guys associated would be shocked - especially if the majority of the abuse was "in the family."

I said before, these guys don't go around with signs on their foreheads. In this case, I believe that they felt it was their own business - if the allegations are true. And I tend to believe it was a cultural, familial thing - not a child ring. My guess is, if any of the accused have pictures on their computers, it will be of their own family members. JMO.