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

[Missizzy]

This looks like SO much fun and I want to believe that it truly was:

http://impactcenter.vpweb.com/Hug-a-Tree-Kiss-A-Fish.html

Our kids need more activities like this. I just happen to have a long history of working with kids at risk and recreational activities and there is an incredible amount of "fine print" paperwork that must be completed before any person, of any age, gets to work with the kids. I've worked with the Boys and Girls Club, Easter Seals, and Day treatment and medical specialty (DD and diabetes) camps.

The people who volunteer truly qualify as angels (but they usually have a blast!!) but first, they need to be carefully vetted. I wish the Children's Impact Center could give us some sort of overview on what type of vetting is used for their volunteers.

 

[gxm]

I realize that many people are upset at the parents being blamed, but here in the article the father is quoted saying that the child told them she was raped, and claims the mother reported it THREE DAYS later, but court records show it was the school that reported it. So, what gives? Why would the mother wait three days to report something like that (and maybe not even then, since court records say it was the school reporting it).

IIRC, the mother says she reported to the police when she found explicit cell phone images on her daughter's phone. The family claims that they gave the phone to police. (I'm recalling this from memory so I could be wrong.)

I think that after the last attack the penny finally dropped for a lot of people and information to LE was probably coming in rapid succession. JMHO of course.

I also think that the girl who went to the principal to report the cell phone pictures deserves a medal for courage and for just plain doing the right thing. I often think about her and hope that she is not being bullied for "snitching."

 

[jjenny]

According to NYT story, the father says they found the cellphone images, the 11 year old said she was raped, and the mother reported it 3 days later, whereas police records say that the school reported it. I agree that the little girl who reported it to the school certainly showed a lot of courage. Because if as alleged these were multiple rapes over months, this could have continued on and on if not reported, IMO.

 

[sfbaynancydrew]

The people who volunteer truly qualify as angels (but they usually have a blast!!) but first, they need to be carefully vetted.

I don't think they've given us any reason to believe that they aren't.

 

[epiphany]

Rape of girl, 11, tears apart Texas town as many insist on blaming the victim


Not everybody at the meeting blamed the little girl.

"She's 11 years old, it shouldn't have happened," said Oscar Carter, who has a family connection to a 16-year-old charged in the case. "That's a child. Somebody should have said what we are doing is wrong."

SNIPPED
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...own_as_many_insist_on_blaming_the_victim.html

 

[MorenoI]

Interview with the mother, sorry if already posted.

http://www.khou.com/news/cnn/Mother-of-Cleveland-rape-victim--119214889.html

They did fundraising for the family

http://www.khou.com/home/Family-of-...ape-holds-emergency-fundraiser-119155039.html

 

[mysteriew]

This looks like SO much fun and I want to believe that it truly was:

http://impactcenter.vpweb.com/Hug-a-Tree-Kiss-A-Fish.html

Our kids need more activities like this. I just happen to have a long history of working with kids at risk and recreational activities and there is an incredible amount of "fine print" paperwork that must be completed before any person, of any age, gets to work with the kids. I've worked with the Boys and Girls Club, Easter Seals, and Day treatment and medical specialty (DD and diabetes) camps.

The people who volunteer truly qualify as angels (but they usually have a blast!!) but first, they need to be carefully vetted. I wish the Children's Impact Center could give us some sort of overview on what type of vetting is used for their volunteers.

I wish I lived in an area where everyone was so carefully vetted. I live in a small town where there is little for the kids to do. A local church runs a type of game room, staffed by volunteer church members. Then there is sports. Coached by volunteers usually parents. Very little vetting is done. LOL they are lucky to get someone to volunteer for the spot. Then there is boy and girl scouts, and I guess maybe they do vet, but 4 h doesn't, again that is volunteers.

Of course most of those activities aren't geared for treatment activities, just for the usual teen activities.

 

[reen]

Interview with the mother, sorry if already posted.

http://www.khou.com/news/cnn/Mother-of-Cleveland-rape-victim--119214889.html

Oh no, the mom gave an interview after she was placed under a gag order?? Won't that hurt their case?

I hate how this is tearing this family and community completely apart. I hope the foster family is taking excellent care of this girl, and I hope she doesn't regret telling what happened due to all the fallout. So sad that she and her family are being ostracized for this.

 

[jjenny]

I also don't understand why the parents are giving interviews (father to NYT, mother to khou) considering the gag order was issued that should cover everyone associated with the case. The gag order was issued on the request of the prosecution on March 15, I believe.

"Investigators and prosecutors would not comment on how the assaults were organized and orchestrated. Assistant District Attorney Joe Warren won a gag order Tuesday that bars anyone associated with the case from talking to the news media."
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7475613.html

 

[tlcya]

the NYT article in which the father's statements were published came out on March 28 but the article is not clear on when the actual interview took place. The opening sentence in that paragraph seems vague in that it is worded "In his first interview, with The New York Times, the father of the girl, a 57-year-old carpenter named Juan, said he became aware of his daughter’s abuse in late November, . . ."

It is not very specific on when this interview was given, or whether it was by phone or he spoke in person to a staff writer or a freelance person who then submitted it later for publication.

If the parents are giving interviews after the gag order was issued I am sure they are being taken to task by the DA and the court.

As to the mother's interview it does appear she has gone outside the court's order. I wonder if she will suffer any consequences.

Does anyone have a copy of the actual order? I am wondering exactly who is barred from speaking (direct parties and their counsel? the prosecturor? Defense attorney's? Witnesses?)

Depending on how the gag order is worded, it may not apply to citizens in general. Since the State will be the plaintiff and not the victim or her family, they may not be barred from speaking. Not sure how that works with gag orders in criminal proceedings.

I sincerely hope these parents aren't getting themselves into trouble.

 

[jjenny]

I agree it's not clear when the father gave the interview to NYT. The gag order was issued Mar 15. The article is published Mar 28. How long does it take to prepare an article for publication? Regarding the gag order, I don't have a copy, but according to this article the gag order does include the parents of the parties involved.

"It also bars all potential "witnesses" from discussing the case, including parents, siblings, relatives, and foster parents of the parties involved."
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20043763-504083.html

 

[Missizzy]

Two things, totally from memory. I believe that it was a young male student who reported the cell phone pics at school. Not sure at all how that fits in with the other time line. And correct me, please, if I'm wrong.

And, IIRC, the child was placed in a specialized treatment home. The houseparents would still be referred to as "foster parents" but their level of expertise in dealing with a traumatized child would be much higher than a typical foster family. They'd also be working as a team with the trauma assessment therapists, etc. It's very clear that the judge is trying hard to keep a lid on things. I hope it works.

 

[Missizzy]

The victim's mother speaks out:

http://www.khou.com/news/local/Mom-...Our-family-has-been-torn-apart-119286984.html

Mom of Cleveland rape victim: Our family has been torn apart
April 6, 2011 (updated)

"....The girl’s mother said her family moved to Cleveland 15 years ago hoping to raise their children in a safer environment...."

and

"The girl's mother said she got threatening phone calls after the arrests started in February. “The last call that I got is like, b----. you ain't gonna live too long, or something like that," she said.

The mother, her husband and their four children moved out of their Cleveland home for safety reasons, but the mother said after the charges came, there was more bad news. Her daughter was placed in foster care. CPS said they took the girl out of the home because they felt her parents were neglectful.The mother was told, the couple needs to attend counseling before they have a chance of getting their daughter back...."

more at link


A very sad story, all around. But please let's keep in mind that because of confidentiality laws, we just cannot know the whole story. The girl's safety rests with a judge's decisions. I'm still really amazed that this woman would speak to the press with the gag order in effect. That seems a bit worrisome. As to the speaker phone and the supervised visits, that's protocol until a judge accepts a final plan for the child. It's difficult and cumbersome for everyone--the child, the parents, the siblings and the foster/treatment family but the state is erring on the side of caution, IMO. The mother might not think that she needs counseling but she hasn't attempted to raise a traumatized child in a hostile environment. She's going to need all the help she can garner for the next few decades.

I noticed another fact here. The family moved to town 15 years ago. There wouldn't be many in such a small town who don't know this child's age. She's grown up there, her entire life.

 

[gxm]

Two things, totally from memory. I believe that it was a young male student who reported the cell phone pics at school. Not sure at all how that fits in with the other time line. And correct me, please, if I'm wrong. (respectfully snipped)

I assumed it was a male student at first just because it seemed odd that a girl would receive such pictures on her cell phone but I've read recently that it was a girl. Not that it matters. Whether the child was a boy or a girl, they should be publicly commended. JMHO.

http://losangelescriminallegalblog....igation-in-clevelandtexas-gang-rape-case.html

From the above link:
The New York Times reports that a cell phone video prompted the investigation of the recent Cleveland, Texas gang rape case. An elementary school student reportedly alerted her teacher when she saw the video that included one of her 11-year-old classmates. The video led police to more evidence and to the roundup of 18 suspects. The suspects in this gang rape case range in age from middle schoolers to a 27-year-old man.

 

[Missizzy]

So, I'm not totally clear here. This man was released on bond after being arrested for the rape of the 11 year old and THEN raped and impregnated another young girl. Do I have that right?????


http://www.khou.com/news/local/Susp...-accused-of-raping-14-year-old-123654624.html

Suspect in sex assault of 11-year-old Cleveland girl now accused of raping 14-year-old
June 10, 2011

"One of 19 suspects accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl last year is now charged with assaulting a 14-year-old. Marcus Porchia was arrested by Cleveland police on Thursday. They said they believe he got the teenager pregnant...."


"...Porchia's already pleaded not guilty in the case involving the 11-year-old, which police said is unrelated to the latest case. Prosecutors say Porchia was one of 19 men who raped the 11-year-old in an abandoned trailer home in Cleveland in November of 2010...."

More at link (plus mug shot and comments)

 

[Belinda]

Yes, by all means, lets just keep letting them out to reoffend. What a great idea!

 

[MorenoI]

Wow, this is absolutely disgusting!!! Do you think this man has issues with young girls? What else is it going to take to put him behind bars for a reallllllllllllllyyyyyyyyy long time (forever)?!?

 

[wfgodot]

Off-topic a wee bit, but Cleveland, Texas, is in Liberty County, the same county where
the recent "mass burial of dismembered corpses" hoax took place.

This does not make me altogether hopeful about the quality of LE involved in this case.

 

[Missizzy]

For further clarification, there's Liberty County and a number of Libertys and Liberty Hills in Texas. I lived in one for 14 years. Very confusing. Cleveland, of Liberty County, is a small town 50 miles northeast of Houston. The Houston suburbs stretch out quite a ways, though, so it's not that far from a highly urban area.

Can anyone find verification that Porchia did indeed post bail?

 

[matou]

This absolutely disgusts me.