GUILTY PA - Skyler Kauffman, 9, Souderton, 9 May 2011

[Gardenlady]

Omg, she didn't end up back in his apartment, it happened in the basement. She had been playing in the parking lot, which she should be perfectly safe to do.

If he made a lewd remark to those girls two weeks previously, in addition to locking them in, he should have been charged with something, I don't care how small. The mother did exactly the right thing when it happened, she called and made a report. She probably warned her daughter to never go in someone's apartment again, particularly that man's. Parking lots and common areas in apartment buildings are areas where the mother probably thought Skylar would be safe to play with friends - it's public, with people coming and going, she probably thought that this guy wouldn't dare do anything in public like this. We don't know what he did to lure Skylar down into that basement. But to point any fingers at the mom for this is outrageous. She did what she should have.

And for those who think she should have moved - it was two weeks from the incident. Do you know how long it takes to move? She also had the grandmother in the apartment, which makes it harder. And if you dint have the savings to make a deposit on a new place, you're stuck where you are! If there is no husband, and you are a single working parent, that makes it even harder. No extra money for a new place, no extra time to even get moved out. Sometimes you do the best you can, because it's all you can do.

You make a report to the police that some creeper locked your daughter in his apartment and made lewd remarks, you have every damn reason to expect something will be done. It wasnt in this case, and I think she has every right to scream WHY. :furious:

 

[Celt1997]

Just wanted to give everyone a quick report. All of the roads have been reopened, and the tape has come down. I'm guessing since they have a confession and the evidence, they don't need anything further from the scene outside. I believe they still had some detectives inside the complex, though.

The vigil last night was incredible. The number of people who showed up was far more than any heart could have hoped for. There was no parking available for blocks surrounding the complex, and 45 minutes after the vigil started, people were still showing up and walking several blocks to be there.

I'm a little shocked at some of the comments here. No one knows my community better than I do, since I live here. Certainly things can happen anywhere, and, given the prior incident there was "smoke" to prove there was a "fire." However, this is a town of 7000 people. Many leave their doors unlocked, still. And, yes, kids 8+ all ride their bikes, unsupervised from house to house.

I don't think its fair to say we're all bad parents because of this. Being a small community, most of us have roots here that go back 2, 3, and even more generations. Things like this happen, and it's tough to fathom what kind of guilt you may have if were to happen to your own child, but the number of people who showed up last night, just prove to me that there are FAR more great people around, than bad. I will arm my children with ways to keep themselves safe in certain situations, but I refuse to hover over their every move. Call me a bad parent, or whatever, but I will always stand by my take on the town in which I live.

FWIW the police around here (neighboring departments, as well) often get a lot of heat when stuff like this happens. It's just the nature of being a small town where things rarely happen. I don't know if it's because the PD's are inexperienced due to the infrequency of dealing with these things, or what, but I trust that they are doing their best.

 

[Trident]

Omg, she didn't end up back in his apartment, it happened in the basement. She had been playing in the parking lot, which she should be perfectly safe to do.

If he made a lewd remark to those girls two weeks previously, in addition to locking them in, he should have been charged with something, I don't care how small. The mother did exactly the right thing when it happened, she called and made a report. She probably warned her daughter to never go in someone's apartment again, particularly that man's. Parking lots and common areas in apartment buildings are areas where the mother probably thought Skylar would be safe to play with friends - it's public, with people coming and going, she probably thought that this guy wouldn't dare do anything in public like this. We don't know what he did to lure Skylar down into that basement. But to point any fingers at the mom for this is outrageous. She did what she should have.

And for those who think she should have moved - it was two weeks from the incident. Do you know how long it takes to move? She also had the grandmother in the apartment, which makes it harder. And if you dint have the savings to make a deposit on a new place, you're stuck where you are! If there is no husband, and you are a single working parent, that makes it even harder. No extra money for a new place, no extra time to even get moved out. Sometimes you do the best you can, because it's all you can do.

You make a report to the police that some creeper locked your daughter in his apartment and made lewd remarks, you have every damn reason to expect something will be done. It wasnt in this case, and I think she has every right to scream WHY. :furious:

BBM Most people cannot afford to simply break their lease on an apartment and move out. Most apartments require first and last month's rent, plus a security deposit to get in. Many people do NOT have the money, especially if they break their lease and move. If they do move they lose the money they put down, last month's rent, plus security deposit, and this could add up to a couple thousand, if not more, depending on the rent paid. I know all about renting in this area, been doing it for many years since I left the farm, and quite honestly I haven't found a "safe" area yet. I don't believe such a thing exists any more.

The children in the complex SHOULD have a reasonable expectation of playing UNmolested in the parking lot, especially in my complex, 'cause the windows look out over the parking lot and you can "watch" your child at play. I have noticed though that most of the children in my complex do NOT play out of doors here, their parents are very protective. Whenever there is any trouble in our building, we get on the PHONE to the RENTAL AGENTS who are in touch with the owners and voice our complaints. Neither the agents, nor the owners want TROUBLE. Of course everything is not always roses, we have our share of parents who open the door and shove the kids outside to annoy the neighbors, as well as roving bands of children, like someone pointed out, sometimes headed by a 7-year old in charge of 5 or more. They come around a lot, they've even used my bathroom a couple of times, not an uncommon occurance if you live on the ground floor. The only fault I can find, aside from LE brushing off the bathroom incident, is not notifying all the neighbors and asking them to keep an eye out for the child and the guy who allegedly locked the girls in.

Sometimes it really does take a village to raise our children, and apartment complexes should be no different, and neither should LE - it's their JOB to deal with crime - trying to lock 2 kids in your bathroom and referring to your "bird" is a crime in my book and I don't care WHO knew the perp. Well, congrates, you now know a murdering rapist.

My opinion only

 

[Trident]

Just wanted to give everyone a quick report. All of the roads have been reopened, and the tape has come down. I'm guessing since they have a confession and the evidence, they don't need anything further from the scene outside. I believe they still had some detectives inside the complex, though.

The vigil last night was incredible. The number of people who showed up was far more than any heart could have hoped for. There was no parking available for blocks surrounding the complex, and 45 minutes after the vigil started, people were still showing up and walking several blocks to be there.

I'm a little shocked at some of the comments here. No one knows my community better than I do, since I live here. Certainly things can happen anywhere, and, given the prior incident there was "smoke" to prove there was a "fire." However, this is a town of 7000 people. Many leave their doors unlocked, still. And, yes, kids 8+ all ride their bikes, unsupervised from house to house.

I don't think its fair to say we're all bad parents because of this. Being a small community, most of us have roots here that go back 2, 3, and even more generations. Things like this happen, and it's tough to fathom what kind of guilt you may have if were to happen to your own child, but the number of people who showed up last night, just prove to me that there are FAR more great people around, than bad. I will arm my children with ways to keep themselves safe in certain situations, but I refuse to hover over their every move. Call me a bad parent, or whatever, but I will always stand by my take on the town in which I live.

FWIW the police around here (neighboring departments, as well) often get a lot of heat when stuff like this happens. It's just the nature of being a small town where things rarely happen. I don't know if it's because the PD's are inexperienced due to the infrequency of dealing with these things, or what, but I trust that they are doing their best.

Thank you for the information in your post, I appreciate it. BUT, I cannot agree that anywhere is still a nice, safe little town. Drugs, , and mental illness are everywhere these days. We need to understand this and use a bit more vigilance and common sense. This world is no longer the world our ancestors, our parents, or we grew up in. It has changed, sad but true, for the worse, and as long as there is and drugs, I don't believe it will get any better - we will only get more molested and dead children.

My opinion only

 

[evelyn24]

I'm just stunned that she was left alone outside after the incident 2 weeks ago. Stunned. I'm sorry but this just seems like it was so preventable.

ETA: Really not trying to bash the parents here, but come on, what's wrong with this picture?

I with you on this. I don't get it at all.

 

[evelyn24]

“They did not believe my daughter because the cop knew [Troutman],” Gebhard told reporters.

Police said they thoroughly investigated that incident. (from Fox story above)


From WPVI. http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=8122162

What is interesting is Troutman quit the Telford Fire Dept (Telford is right next to Souderton) so he may have had occasion to interact with LE.....just my :twocents:

Well if that's the case some heads should roll.

 

[Rhyme & Reason]

Omg, she didn't end up back in his apartment, it happened in the basement. She had been playing in the parking lot, which she should be perfectly safe to do.

If he made a lewd remark to those girls two weeks previously, in addition to locking them in, he should have been charged with something, I don't care how small. The mother did exactly the right thing when it happened, she called and made a report. She probably warned her daughter to never go in someone's apartment again, particularly that man's. Parking lots and common areas in apartment buildings are areas where the mother probably thought Skylar would be safe to play with friends - it's public, with people coming and going, she probably thought that this guy wouldn't dare do anything in public like this. We don't know what he did to lure Skylar down into that basement. But to point any fingers at the mom for this is outrageous. She did what she should have.

And for those who think she should have moved - it was two weeks from the incident. Do you know how long it takes to move? She also had the grandmother in the apartment, which makes it harder. And if you dint have the savings to make a deposit on a new place, you're stuck where you are! If there is no husband, and you are a single working parent, that makes it even harder. No extra money for a new place, no extra time to even get moved out. Sometimes you do the best you can, because it's all you can do.

You make a report to the police that some creeper locked your daughter in his apartment and made lewd remarks, you have every damn reason to expect something will be done. It wasnt in this case, and I think she has every right to scream WHY. :furious:

Well I never, ever would have left my daughter alone outside after an incident like that. That's just me I guess. And yes, I'm 47 years old, I know what it costs to move. Certainly not more than my daughters life..

 

[Gardenlady]

Well I never, ever would have left my daughter alone outside after an incident like that. That's just me I guess. And yes, I'm 47 years old, I know what it costs to move. Certainly not more than my daughters life..

Uhm, if you have no money for a new place...how exactly are you supposed to move? And where? Out on the streets? Sure, that'd be safer.

Also, way to imply that others would put money above their child's life. Nice. The point wasn't that someone might not want to spend the money to move; the point was that many people simply don't HAVE the money to do so.

 

[Rhyme & Reason]

I give up

 

[Charlie09]

I give up

No, I'm with you - you beg, borrow, steal to get out of there, if the guy that locked your kid in his apt can still move after your friends know about the situation.

With a police report in hand, you explain to the new landlord why you must move in the dead of night if necessary, and you add the security onto the next few months rent. It's doable -

And you fight like hell over the broken lease and you get a pro-bono attorney involved if necessary.

But you don't turn a blind eye for one moment to the evil that is fixated on your kid.

I wonder about things like the management company being notified, why an adult wasn't at least in the front yard while the kids were playing. With that police report, even if not charged, there should have been extra patrols. It just seems like she was let down from every direction. Unintentionally of course, but let down none the less.

 

[Kenziema]

I am from Souderton. I did not know Skylar, but I do know her mother (went K-12 with her). There is no way Heather had the means to pack up and move after her daughter was lured by this monster 2 weeks ago. It's the POLICE'S fault for not charging him with SOMETHING. Souderton police aren't exactly known for their skill... they are used to doing things like handing out fines for skateboarding at the high school.

 

[Kenziema]

Souderton Garden's isn't exactly the Ritz. It's a low-income apartment building (I'm only putting that out there to show that it's obvious Heather didn't have unlimited financial funds).

Here's a link to our local paper:
http://www.thereporteronline.com/articles/2011/05/11/news/doc4dcabadb9680a522923915.txt

 

[Rhyme & Reason]

No, I'm with you - you beg, borrow, steal to get out of there, if the guy that locked your kid in his apt can still move after your friends know about the situation.

With a police report in hand, you explain to the new landlord why you must move in the dead of night if necessary, and you add the security onto the next few months rent. It's doable -

And you fight like hell over the broken lease and you get a pro-bono attorney involved if necessary.

But you don't turn a blind eye for one moment to the evil that is fixated on your kid.

I wonder about things like the management company being notified, why an adult wasn't at least in the front yard while the kids were playing. With that police report, even if not charged, there should have been extra patrols. It just seems like she was let down from every direction. Unintentionally of course, but let down none the less.

Exactly. Thank you. At the minimum, don't let child play alone outside until you can move or something done about the perv. Why is this so wrong of me to think?

 

[Rhyme & Reason]

I am from Souderton. I did not know Skylar, but I do know her mother (went K-12 with her). There is no way Heather had the means to pack up and move after her daughter was lured by this monster 2 weeks ago. It's the POLICE'S fault for not charging him with SOMETHING. Souderton police aren't exactly known for their skill... they are used to doing things like handing out fines for skateboarding at the high school.

I totally agree. I understand it's not easy to move, been there done that. I totally agree the police should have done something, arrested this guy for something. However, in the meantime, just don't let the daughter alone outside! Why am I the bad guy for having this opinion? Don't take eyes off daughter until something could be done about this guy?

 

[Kenziema]

I don't disagree with you at all. She should have been keeping a closer eye.

 

[Kenziema]

I don't recall seeing anything regarding her father. From what I've read she lived with her mom and maternal grandmother, but I could have missed it. Actually do we even know how long she was missing before her mom called 911? I don't think I heard that either.

Mom and Dad aren't married but they are engaged. Mom called 911 at 7:11.

 

[Celt1997]

I totally agree. I understand it's not easy to move, been there done that. I totally agree the police should have done something, arrested this guy for something. However, in the meantime, just don't let the daughter alone outside! Why am I the bad guy for having this opinion? Don't take eyes off daughter until something could be done about this guy?

I think it's because it seems like you're placing the blame on the Mother, above all else. In the end, while her decision may not have been the best, in light of the prior circumstances, there is truly 1, and only 1, person responsible for the sexual assault and murder of this child, and it is not her Mother.

 

[GypsyPrincess]

There isn't a bullet proof vest in the world, or anything else for that matter that will keep this man safe once he is behind bars. I hate to say it, but the fact that he will be tortured in prison, makes me feel better. I hope he suffers attacks from now until the day he dies. He is a disgusting, worthless and the worst is not good enough for him.

 

[Wondergirl]

That was a predator and was biding his time. I hope there are no other victims, but there may be.

You did not deserve to die, Skylar.

There are simply no words.

 

[JenniferTx]

Well if that's the case some heads should roll.

Wow that comment reminded me of something that happened to me once in college and I couldn't even believe what went down. I'll make a long story short. One night in my apartment I was asleep and my roomie screamed and said there was a shadow and some noise coming from outside the window. After turning the lights off we saw the peeping tom and called LE. Well we were scared to death and when the officier came to our door he had the peeping tom guy with him and they were friends!!!!! Nothing ever happened to the creep until about 3 months later he took it a step farther and raped a girl at the apartment pool. :banghead: