Found Safe TN - SLP, 14, Madisonville, Monroe County, 13 Jan 2019 #4 *ARRESTS*

[mtnlites]

I doubt anything will happen in terms of Georgia. I’m thinking about all the stuff that was missed in other states with the Turpin kids when at least one of them was in public school. Nothing happened with any of that.

Or with the Hart children. Things weren't even missed with them, yet nothing happened. Just a report.

 

[Quill]

I've learned recently that mandatory reporting laws are only as good as the training on how the law in each respective state is suppose to work. I'm thinking of little Lucas Hernandez, age 5 that was a victim at home, and at school when the reports didn't get outside of the school.

I'm so sorry this child didn't have family structure to take care and protect her.

School says it did what it should for Lucas Hernandez. Experts disagree

That was my point earlier, though. In many cases the law doesn't cover what happens "next" after the teacher reports it to their superior. You would think that means that there is a chain of accountability there that is ongoing, but I am not so sure. Granted, my situation occurred in the earliest days of mandated reporting being brand new; it was right on the heels of the Lisa Steinberg tragedy. But as I read through the post with several states' laws, I honestly did not see anything that differentiated them from the law that in place back then. Is it poor training then or is it a loophole in the law that allows for the chain to be broken?

 

[Seattle1]

That was my point earlier, though. In many cases the law doesn't cover what happens "next" after the teacher reports it to their superior. You would think that means that there is a chain of accountability there that is ongoing, but I am not so sure. Granted, my situation occurred in the earliest days of mandated reporting being brand new; it was right on the heels of the Lisa Steinberg tragedy. But as I read through the post with several states' laws, I honestly did not see anything that differentiated them from the law that in place back then. Is it poor training then or is it a loophole in the law that allows for the chain to be broken?

Whether it's inadequate training or loophole in the law, I'm afraid of the resultant effect: children will not come forward (or stop reporting after nothing happened), and no legal consequences for the perp. By age 14, I'm sorry SP thought her only chance for safety was to confide in an internet stranger. MOO

 

[jellybean96]

Just checking in - did SP biological dad ever come back after getting verified? There was a post a few days saying he would be coming here.

 

[jellybean96]

Just throwing my two cents in -

But I think there is 0% chance BTR is a good Samaritan. He lied to the police. He hid SP from his mom. He kept the tape for himself. I also think it is suspicious that he 'bonded' with SP so quickly while talking to her online. Most thrity-somethings aren't interested in getting to know or chatting with someone so much younger online that she would have time to build trust in him.

 

[girlhasnoname]

I've learned recently that mandatory reporting laws are only as good as the training on how the law in each respective state is suppose to work. I'm thinking of little Lucas Hernandez, age 5 that was a victim at home, and at school when the reports didn't get outside of the school.

I'm so sorry this child didn't have family structure to take care and protect her.

School says it did what it should for Lucas Hernandez. Experts disagree

Lucas's sweet smile despite all the pain he endured still makes me very emotional.

 

[Ragnarok]

Asked my kid sister who teaches in a NJ middle school.

Administrator/counselor fill out a form that would go to Division of Youth and Family Services. Sister never had an incident so she does not know what happens after DYFS investigates.

 

[Jim_M]

Whether it's inadequate training or loophole in the law, I'm afraid of the resultant effect: children will not come forward (or stop reporting after nothing happened), and no legal consequences for the perp. By age 14, I'm sorry SP thought her only chance for safety was to confide in an internet stranger. MOO

In that case, and IMO only, there needs to be something created from this case. Whether a push to standardize all states to enact the same laws, or a major push at the local level. Mandatory Reporting should start with family. Then friends. Then even neighbors. But, actually, that should really be basic human decency. IMO anyway.

Enlisting any number of our precious survivors, especially those that can handle the spotlight, might help us prevent any further SLP's from happening. At least in a better world.

 

[MsBetsy]

Asked my kid sister who teaches in a NJ middle school.

Administrator/counselor fill out a form that would go to Division of Youth and Family Services. Sister never had an incident so she does not know what happens after DYFS investigates.

Or, as a teacher, you can just call the hotline. CPS has to respond within 24 hours. The first thing they do is go to the home and interview the parents and the child.
Sometimes they will come to the school and interview the child seperately. By law they are obligated to make contact within 24 hours. Imo

 

[MsBetsy]

Whether it's inadequate training or loophole in the law, I'm afraid of the resultant effect: children will not come forward (or stop reporting after nothing happened), and no legal consequences for the perp. By age 14, I'm sorry SP thought her only chance for safety was to confide in an internet stranger. MOO

Well, a big problem from what I have experienced is that the child is reluctant to report any abuse, especially if they are already in "the system."
As soon as they get a visit from a social worker, many parents take out their anger on the child. This can result in further abuse of the child.
When a caseworker comes to the house, the child may deny the allegations. If they don't find any evidence of abuse right away, they really can't do anything to remove the child until there is an extensive investigation. If after that, they have no evidence, the child can be left to endure a terrible home situation. Imo

 

[Jim_M]

Just throwing my two cents in -

But I think there is 0% chance BTR is a good Samaritan. He lied to the police. He hid SP from his mom. He kept the tape for himself. I also think it is suspicious that he 'bonded' with SP so quickly while talking to her online. Most thirty-somethings aren't interested in getting to know or chatting with someone so much younger online that she would have time to build trust in him.

Reading that CC

(and I hope it's okay not to link it here; it's found on Page One (1) in the beginning of the thread)

and almost feeling SLP's level of despair? Somehow he discarded any empathy for her emotional weakness, and really coerced poor SLP. Her refusals were her last remaining defenses for all that she endured.

That just kills me.

He had the very evidence he promised SLP would be her salvation. He lied, like the evil predator, he turned out to be. IMO, and sorry, not sorry. This pick-any-word person, a Thirty One (31) year old male, completely let SLP down. She had to have realized, that he was 'just like her dad'. Ugh, and we all know, HE was no dad.

I like to think she will be able to pick herself back up. Rise to her full potential. She will need tons of help, and support. I really hope she can join our other survivors, on a path to her new life. She will be banishing the old life.

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Imo as a adopted child. RP is her dad my dad is not a peeve but if he were even just called constantly “adoptive dad” it would be a slap in the face. He’s my dad. The other guy who’s genes i share is bio dad. If there was a adoption this peeve sadly is her dad. I can’t call him step dad he’s dad he raised he’s scum yes but still dad. Bio dad is just that bio dad. Imo

Wasn't bio dad supposed to come on here? Did I miss it?

 

[SassynOz]

Sometimes even moving from one county to another within the state causes issues. That’s what’s happening here in Kansas a lot .

Lucas Ugh ... he’s what brought me here. We are coming on the year anniversary. Never forgotten baby boy.

 

[Seattle1]

Well, a big problem from what I have experienced is that the child is reluctant to report any abuse, especially if they are already in "the system."
As soon as they get a visit from a social worker, many parents take out their anger on the child. This can result in further abuse of the child.
When a caseworker comes to the house, the child may deny the allegations. If they don't find any evidence of abuse right away, they really can't do anything to remove the child until there is an extensive investigation. If after that, they have no evidence, the child can be left to endure a terrible home situation. Imo

Thanks for sharing, confirming my fears. Having no experience here, it's long been my fear. I imagine the older child "knows better" than to report their abuse. Sad.

 

[Jim_M]

Just checking in - did SP biological dad ever come back after getting verified? There was a post a few days saying he would be coming here.

I do not believe we missed that. One of the staff will notify the thread, when the process is complete. That is a part of WS policies.

Patience young Obi-Wan. Well, not that you are Obi-Wan. Just using a well known quote. Uhm Star Wars. Ok, I'll stop now with OT stuff All MOO MHO JMO

 

[TruthIsStranger]

delete

There is no chain of command. YOU, alone, must report it, as a teacher, not your principal. That way the ball doesn't get dropped. You can tell them what you're going to do, but you have to do it. At our training we heard about a case where the teacher told a counselor, a principal, and possibly other employees, but they all went to jail for not reporting when the little girl was eventually killed. I think the teacher assumed the principal would report it but he didn't.

 

[castilloisno1]

There is no chain of command. YOU, alone, must report it, as a teacher, not your principal. That way the ball doesn't get dropped. You can tell them what you're going to do, but you have to do it. At our training we heard about a case where the teacher told a counselor, a principal, and possibly other employees, but they all went to jail for not reporting when the little girl was eventually killed. I think the teacher assumed the principal would report it but he didn't.

Plus, put it all in writing.

 

[Quill]

There is no chain of command. YOU, alone, must report it, as a teacher, not your principal. That way the ball doesn't get dropped. You can tell them what you're going to do, but you have to do it. At our training we heard about a case where the teacher told a counselor, a principal, and possibly other employees, but they all went to jail for not reporting when the little girl was eventually killed. I think the teacher assumed the principal would report it but he didn't.

Sorry, but that is just not how most of the state laws are written. It is how most people's perception of mandated reporting is but it is not how it truly is. Most administrators want to at least have a heads up before LE or CPS is called. As a young teacher, if I had called CPS without consulting my principal I would have lost my job.

If a teacher reports abuse to a principal and the principal fails to further the report, the teacher is not responsible, the way most state laws are written. Under the law, the teacher is responsible for notifying the superior and it goes from there. Again, I understand the perception but then there is reality.

 

[Forpsy]

That was my point earlier, though. In many cases the law doesn't cover what happens "next" after the teacher reports it to their superior. You would think that means that there is a chain of accountability there that is ongoing, but I am not so sure. Granted, my situation occurred in the earliest days of mandated reporting being brand new; it was right on the heels of the Lisa Steinberg tragedy. But as I read through the post with several states' laws, I honestly did not see anything that differentiated them from the law that in place back then. Is it poor training then or is it a loophole in the law that allows for the chain to be broken?

IMO, the mandated reporting is done swiftly and professionally. The follow through sucks IMO.

 

[Quill]

IMO, the mandated reporting is done swiftly and professionally. The follow through sucks IMO.

Agreed.