TX - 21 arrests in gang rapes of 11yo girl, Cleveland, 2010

[Missizzy]

I have to say that I'm still extremely concerned about possible inappropriate or unsupervised contact the child had through the very organization which provided her with recreation--the Impact Center. I have a strong suspicion that some of the perps might have accessed her through that center.

I've read as much as I can about the Impact Center and some outings and events just seem to leap off the page as being a perfect set-up for an older person to prey on a child. The Impact Center has made a practice of mixing up various ages of children and adults in their projects ie. building their Halloween/Fall maze, their sporting events, and their movie nights. Without massive amounts of supervision, disaster can strike. That concerns me. JMO

 

[epiphany]

This article is so sad. At least it attempts to do some justice to the victim.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/us/29texas.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

3-Month Nightmare Emerges in Rape Inquiry

A year ago, the 11-year-old girl who the police say was the victim of repeated gang rapes in this East Texas town was an outgoing honor roll student, brimming with enthusiasm, who went on hikes and planted trees with a youth group here.

A TROUBLED HOME: The initial assaults occurred in the Rayford T. Ellis home, the affidavits say.

“She has always been a really bubbly child,” said Brenda Myers, director of the Community and Children’s Impact Center, who worked with her. “She always had a smile on her face...

Respectfully, BBM

IMO, it's about time that The NY Times did a follow-up story to their original article. The NY Times was widely criticized for their previously published story about this case. I, as were so many other readers of the NY Times, was outraged by it:

SNIPPED
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/29/new-york-times-new-story-texas-rape_n_842047.html

The Times caused a firestorm of controversy when it published a story about a horrific gang rape of an 11-year-old girl in Texas that critics said appeared to blame the victim for the assault. The paper's public editor sided with outraged readers, saying that the story "lacked balance."

 

[marlame]

Respectfully, BBM

IMO, it's about time that The NY Times did a follow-up story to their original article. The NY Times was widely criticized for their previously published story about this case. I, as were so many other readers of the NY Times, was outraged by it:

SNIPPED
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/29/new-york-times-new-story-texas-rape_n_842047.html

The Times caused a firestorm of controversy when it published a story about a horrific gang rape of an 11-year-old girl in Texas that critics said appeared to blame the victim for the assault. The paper's public editor sided with outraged readers, saying that the story "lacked balance."

Oh my, the earlier story sure did lack balance! The NYT mustn't have liked the petition being circulated...
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/wake-up-new-york-times-and-stop-victim-blaming/?z00m=19948900

This new article needed to be written! What happened to this little girl is pure unalderated evil. It is so horribly heartbreaking!

 

[sfbaynancydrew]

I am not saying this is the case here, but I can think of a number of odd reactions to a criminal case against a child which ultimately led to someone else as the perp, but where the parent didnt report or come clean for days. Jonathan Foster is also an example, also out of TX. His parents didnt come clean with police until Monday-IIRC, Jonathan disappeared on Friday. Turns out that mom, who had previously been under watch by DSS, didnt want anyone to know she left him home alone so she could go to work.

Also, since they're immigrants they may have had some immigration issues that left them scared enough to not want to involve law enforcement into their lives. It sounds as though the mother was already working under the table for an illegal gambling outfit and I'm sure she didn't want to jeopardize her only source of income...the poor woman was pretty much the only source of providing food and shelter for that large family. The daily burden and stressors she faced along with her health issues must have been so overwhelming.

 

[jjenny]

I realize these parents appear to have a lot of problems, but it's alleged the rapes of this 11 year old took place on multiple occasions and by multiple men (according to the article on at least six occasions, from Sept. 15 to Dec. 3.), and according to the father the girl told them she was raped in late November, yet police records show that the school reported it in December, so let's just say, I am not surprised this child was put in foster care.

 

[Salem]

I realize these parents appear to have a lot of problems, but it's alleged the rapes of this 11 year old took place on multiple occasions and by multiple men (according to the article on at least six occasions, from Sept. 15 to Dec. 3.), and according to the father the girl told them she was raped in late November, yet police records show that the school reported it in December, so let's just say, I am not surprised this child was put in foster care.

Okay - and this is the last post that will blame the parents. There are numerous reasons why the parents may not have responded right away. There is nothing to tell us that what the parents say about reporting the rape is untrue. It could be that LE very conveniently decided not to log the complaint. I don't know and neither do you.

The bottom line is - this child could have been homeless and without parents and it would not make what happened to her right. Not on any of the 6 occasions. It would have been wrong. And these young men were all old enough to know that. Everyone of them was old enough to know that raping a child is WRONG. They are to blame. They are the only ones to blame.

The bigger question is what in the world would induce a young man to act in this manner? Not only does it show a lack of respect for morality, it shows a lack of respect for their own personal mental, emotional, and physical well-being. How on earth could 19 young men, all grouped up together, think this was okay? Think it was fun? Think it was appropriate? Where the HELL WERE THEIR PARENTS???????


Salem

 

[tlcya]

thank you Salem.

Given the tone and tenor of some of the comments being made by the perps' supporters, it is entirely possible that the girl's mother did indeed try to report a problem to the police. Perhaps it was not considered a priority because of who this family is or their status (rather low it would seem) in the community or who the perps' families are and that some enjoy a bit higher status or name recognition in the community. Perhaps the parents were afraid to push for action because they are immigrants. and in these times, with the backlash about illegals in this country, who knows what fears they may have been facing if they did report something had happened as they claim they did.

Regardless, this child was 11, tall for her age, wearing makeup, I don't care, I can tell you those boys and men knew that she was not old enough. Their own defense attorney was quoted as saying they knew.

 

[jjenny]

I fail to see how questioning the parents behavior in any way indicates that I think what happened to child was right. The child at 11 clearly can not legally consent to sex. Some years ago the age of consent in TX was 14, it was changed to 17 (mostly because of FLDS moving into TX) but this child is way below the age of consent. Even if these men/boys thought she was 15-16, it'd still make her below the current age of consent. So clearly I am in no way suggesting that what happened is right.

 

[tlcya]

The articles I have read all quote officials as saying the child was placed in foster care for her own safety due to threats of possible harm from the community. I have not seen it reported anywhere that she was removed because of suspected wrongdoing or neglect by her parents. I think that was the concern with your post, but I cannot speak for anyone else. What I took from your post was an inference that the parents were not performing as fit parents therefor this tragedy happened to their child and it was no wonder she was removed from them.

If that was not the intended interpretation of your post I sincerely apologize.

 

[jjenny]

If the child was placed in foster care solely due to threats, why must the family undergo family therapy sessions to regain custody (per NYT article)?

 

[tlcya]

perhaps so the family will be equiped to deal with her psychological needs after undergoing the stress of gang rape, public humilation and trial.

 

[jjenny]

perhaps so the family will be equiped to deal with her psychological needs after undergoing the stress of gang rape, public humilation and trial.

I agree the child is likely going to have a lot of psychological needs, but CPS is supposed to have pretty specific rules under which they can remove and keep the children. I will add that I do feel bad for the parents, as they appear to be overwhelmed with their medical and job related problems (per NYT article).

 

[Salem]

I fail to see how questioning the parents behavior in any way indicates that I think what happened to child was right. The child at 11 clearly can not legally consent to sex. Some years ago the age of consent in TX was 14, it was changed to 17 (mostly because of FLDS moving into TX) but this child is way below the age of consent. Even if these men/boys thought she was 15-16, it'd still make her below the current age of consent. So clearly I am in no way suggesting that what happened is right.

Questioning the parents and implying they were not doing their job, revictimizes the parents and the child. This must just be horrendeous for them. The community has ostracized them, blaming the child instead of the the perps. According to the recently published New York Times article, the father saw the pictures on his phone. Can you imagine? From the reports, this was a happy child who did well in school - so the parents must have been doing something right. And then what? Some perp thought it would be okay to rape her. Who knows what they did to the child psychologically but it is evident from the media reports the child began having problems at school and at home. FOR 3 MONTHS.

For 3 months, these perps victimized this child and her whole family. Then they threatened the lives of the child and the family while the community talked about what an awful little girl she is.

We are not doing that here. WS is a victim friendly forum and we consider the family of a victim to be victims also, unless LE has said otherwise. The reasons for CPS's actions could be many but the actions have no bearing on the crime under discussion. Nor do the actions of the parents.

If you can not connect it to the crime, than it is off topic.

Hope that helps,

Salem

 

[Missizzy]

I would like to quietly raise my hand and state that my eight children were repeatedly abused right under my nose, while in their own yard and while visiting next door. They were also raped in their school bathroom and at a local park's bathroom while my husband and I sat 50 ft. away. On my watch.....on my watch.

I happen to think that I'm a darned good parent and about as vigilant as one can get. My children's behavior also changed as they were being victimized and we got them help but they didn't disclose. We fully believed that other issues must be going on. Sexual abuse and rape just didn't occur to us. Pedophiles and rapists are very good at their crime.

My point is that children are raped in good homes and homeless shelters, in dark trailers and in million dollar homes. They are raped in schools, on buses, at camp, and in church. The focus must remain on the child and the crime committed against her.

Trust me, her parents are dying a thousand deaths and will be until their last breath. Their child was hurt on their watch. Not many things in life can be so painful. My prayers go out to them tonight.

 

[Missizzy]

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/local/110404-cleveland-gang-rape

Cleveland Gang Rape Suspects in Court

"Bond has been revoked for one of the suspects in the alleged gang rape of an 11-year-old girl. Timothy Daray Ellis did not appear at the Liberty County Courthouse where he was scheduled for a docket call.

Six other co-defendants were in court Monday morning. Rayford Tyrone Ellis was arraigned and charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14. Ellis entered a not guilty plea. Devo Shaun Green was also arraigned. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child....."

more at link

 

[Missizzy]

Just a reminder as to which young man Timothy Daray Ellis is:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7443301.html

"...Only one of the first four arrested - Timothy Daray Ellis, 19 - was a Cleveland student. He attends the district's dropout recovery program...."

His older brother, I assume:

"...Rayford Tyrone Ellis Jr., 19, who has a pending manslaughter charge for the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old..."

Rayford, Jr. was also a football player for Cleveland as a Senior in the 09-10 season:

http://www.maxpreps.com/athletes/BkXO5dnayEK4WkcbC45IqA/football-fall-09/profile-rayford-ellis.htm

 

[Missizzy]

Can we revisit this for a minute? So much of the follow-up NY Times article rankles me. Why are we shown a photo of the child's home? Why don't they just go and hang out a flag so everyone can drive by and take a look. If I was a relative or friend or teacher of this child, I'd be incensed. And, as many have commented, the article "sneaks" in the issue of the girl's ethnicity and her parents' immigrant status. Why? Even though I want to know more about the perps, I'm not quite certain that I even agree with the inclusion of criminal history about the arrested men's family members. FWIW, that is one troubled house. I don't know if it's relevant but a man with the same name as the head of the house is listed as an owner of a local franchised garage. Sounds like there have been complaints about that too. And the family of the accused had the audacity to make even a single negative statement about the child???? They really need to take a close look at their own children and worry about what they are doing, IMO. I guess it's a bit too late for that now.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/us/29texas.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2&ref=todayspaper

"...The girl was taken to a blue house with white trim and a heart-shaped welcome sign — a house with a troubled history. The head of the household, Rayford T. Ellis, has a long criminal record and is a registered sex offender; one of his sons, Authur Ellis, 27, was arrested this year on murder charges. Neither man is charged in this case.

The police say a younger son, Rayford T. Ellis Jr., 19, an iron worker known as Mookie, shot and killed a teenager at the same house in August 2008. The younger Rayford Ellis was awaiting trial on manslaughter charges when he was arrested in early February on charges that he had raped the girl. (He has fathered at least five children with four young women, according to paternity suits.)

It is unclear from the affidavits if the younger Mr. Ellis was there the night of Nov. 28. But the girl said that a cousin, Timothy D. Ellis, 19, was there, and ordered her to strip, telling her that he would “have some girls beat her up” and would not drive her home if she refused, the affidavits said...."

more at link


I guess I glossed over some of this. So, the head of the household is a RSO, the son, Authur (sp?) has been arrested for murder, the son Rayford Jr. has been arrested for manslaughter (of a person at the house) and now rape AND has father five different children AND he's only 19, and the cousin Timothy has also been arrested for rape. Timothy is the one who didn't show up in court today.

My Lord. Something is very very wrong here.

Also, on the first page of this article is a comment by Ms. Meyers of the Impact Center, describing the victim:

"....an outgoing honor roll student, brimming with enthusiasm, who went on hikes and planted trees with a youth group here. “She has always been a really bubbly child,” said Brenda Myers, director of the Community and Children’s Impact Center, who worked with her. “She always had a smile on her face.”

But in October, just after starting sixth grade, the girl became withdrawn, Ms. Myers said, and in November, she stopped attending the center’s meetings...."

If you go back and look at the calendar for the Impact Center, many events occurred just prior to November. Lots of community kids and teens helped with the yearly haunted maze....a very contentious issue in town it seems. I cannot get over my concern that this little girl was preyed on by some older teens who were encouraged to get involved with children's activities. If Rayford, Jr. was already the father of 5 children by the age of 19, I cannot imagine that he would be an appropriate person to be working with young teens. I'm truly hoping for the Impact Center's sake that he was not included in those tree-planting events and hikes.

 

[jjenny]

Maybe I am missing something, but so far I have seen nothing to suggest that any of these men/boys accused of rape were even attending this impact center at the same time this girl was there.
It's a small city and there are plenty of other places she could have met them unsupervised.

 

[Missizzy]

I'm worried about things like this. Maybe, I'm just too much of a worrier:

http://impactcenter.vpweb.com/ (a statement from Ms. Meyers)

http://impactcenter.vpweb.com/Mr---Miss-Sweetheart-Pageant.html

http://impactcenter.vpweb.com/Maze-of-Madness.html

"... We offer $100.00 to the group who does the scariest room theme in the maze and $200.00 to the business who wins. The public does the voting. We have top notch security and monitors in each room and have monitors through out the maze. Your safety is our first concern.

Last year under the direction of many adults, parents, police officers DE, & some Sheriff's Dept volunteers we were able to let the adults as well as the children feel like kids again. We are providing more opportunities in the community for the youth to have some fun and be productive at the same time.

Not all our children can be football players, cheerleaders and straight-A students. Even though we do have a lot of them participating in this event. Most of the children I talk to are looking for something to do that will keep them out of trouble. This event provides a positive environment for about 3 months. You will watch children from every walk of life team up together and work as a team. It's created by the youth, worked by the youth and funds raised for the youth...."

more at link



I am admittedly anti-haunted house/gruesomeness. That's just me. But I still have to wonder about the appropriateness of all these photos and the mix of ages. And why oh why would a children's center display a photo of a man throwing the satanic hand sign (cornuto)? This is most definitely NOT the ASL sign for "I love you". How I wish it was. No, the man is holding the middle two fingers down with his thumb. I seriously doubt that it's a "Hook 'em Horns" for UT, either. That looks a bit different. This man is not looking, to me, like a positive role model.

Being that I don't feel that I can be objective enough, can someone else take a look, please.

 

[Missizzy]

jjenny--ITA. I have no idea. I just keep reading that this center promotes itself as the only recreational facility in town for youth. Might not be a thing wrong. You have no idea how I hope there's nothing wrong. I'm just always bothered by children's organizations which have big, and kind-hearted plans, but which somehow circumvent some of the rules.

I wish that children's centers could welcome all helpers but we have sure learned that that doesn't always work out so great.