WA - James Wamsley for rape of infant, Benton County, 2007

[SewingDeb]

Paddy and Filly,

I am so sorry you have been through this. I was not raped, but I was molested repeatedly when I was 6 years old by an 18 year old cousin who kindly offered to babysit for the six of us FOR FREE every Friday night so my parents could have a night out.

I was always very careful about who was allowed to babysit my children and would never allow a male to babysit, no matter how trustworthy they seem to be.

To be fair, women can also be abusers. Just for me, the lack of trust is directed toward any male who wants to spend time alone with children.

 

[SewingDeb]

I have to add that this cousin once threatened to "do it" to my baby sister if I didn't go along with it. I finally told my mother, with his mother sitting right there, and he never babysat for us again. It took all the six year old strength I had to get the words out. I was petrified.

 

[paddy01]

I have to add that this cousin once threatened to "do it" to my baby sister if I didn't go along with it. I finally told my mother, with his mother sitting right there, and he never babysat for us again. It took all the six year old strength I had to get the words out. I was petrified.

My abuser always threatened to kill my mother & all of us if I told anyone. I remember thinking at the age of 12, we'd be better off dead. So I told, that took off running. I wish I would have told somebody sooner. I have instilled in my children & grandchildren from the time they could walk and talk if someone is abusing tell someone, tell me, tell a teacher, tell a neighbor.

 

[SewingDeb]

Exactly paddy. I've told mine they should tell...especially if someone threatens them or their family. That they should let the grown-ups take care of it.

 

[MREG2]

Filly, Paddy, SewingDeb - Hugs to you all for what you have been through. I am so very sorry for your pain.

The only people that watch my children are my hubby's niece (who is 19 and acts older than me) and my MIL. One time I let one of my sisters watch my oldest who was 11 months at the time. She left my DD with her 15 yr old son while she went to pick up her other son. Hubby and I was so p*ssed. She didn't tell us that she needed to leave. If she had we would have left the carseat so she could take our DD with her. I've never let her watch any of my kids since then. I love my nephews but I don't trust them. Not even now some 4 yrs later.

 

[scarpetta]

The number of registered sex offenders in the U.S. right now is roughly the same population as the entire city of Las Vegas. These are only the people who were reported, went through the system, and were convicted. This number also does not account for the 93 sex offenders and 12 serial sexual offenders coming across the U.S. borders per day.

In an 88 month study, the Violent Crimes Institute in Atlanta, from January 1999 through April 2006, arrived at the conservative figure of 960,000 sexual crimes committed by illegal aliens. 35% were child molestations, 24% were rapes, 41% were sexual homicides and serial murders. The highest number of these offenders came from Mexico.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=50441

 

[SewingDeb]

Thank you MREG2. When people seem overprotective of their children it's because they know it doesn't always happen to someone else's child and they know that even family members have to be watched.

I would have been p*ssed too.

Scarpetta,

Those numbers are very frightening.

 

[scarpetta]

From the Colorado Bureau Of Investigation - Convicted Sex Offender Site


Sex Offender Characteristics

• Most offenders commit multiple crimes against multiple types of victims with whom they have varying types of relationships (adults, children, male, female, known and unknown). This behavior is known as "crossover."
• Sex offenders rarely commit just one type of offense. Many offenders have NO official criminal record or sex crime history of any kind.
• There is no such thing as a "typical" sex offender, however all tend to be manipulative, deceptive, and secretive. Sex offenders come from all backgrounds, ages, income levels, and professions.
• The majority of offenses (80-95&#37 are committed by someone the victim knows.
• Sexual deviancy often begins in adolescence.
• Sex offenders usually do not commit their crimes impulsively. They usually carefully plan their crimes.
• Approximately 4% of sexual assults are committed by women.

http://sor.state.co.us/index.cfm?SOR=home.youshouldknow

 

[scarpetta]

Behavioral Warning Signs That a Child Has Been Abused
Any one sign does not mean that the child was abused. Some of the behaviors below can show up during stressful times in a child's life, as well as when abuse occurs. If you see several of these signs in a child you know well, please begin to ask questions.

• Nightmares, trouble sleeping, fear of the dark, or other sleeping problems.
• Extreme fear of "monsters".
• Spacing out at odd times.
• Loss of appetite, or trouble eating or swallowing.
• Sudden mood swings: rage, fear, anger, or withdrawl.
• Fear of certain people or places. For example, a child may not want to be left alone with a baby-sitter, a friend, a relative, or some other child or adult; or a child who is usually talkative and cheery may become quiet and distant when around a certain person.
• Stomach illness all of the time with no identifiable reason.
• An older child behaving like a younger child, such as bed-wetting or thumb sucking.
• Sexual activities with toys or other children, such as simulating sex with dolls or asking other children/siblings to behave sexually.
• New words for private body parts.
• Refusing to talk about a "secret" he or she has with an adult or older child.
• Talking about a new older friend.
• Suddenly having money.
• Cutting or burning herself or himself as an adolescent.

http://sor.state.co.us/index.cfm?SOR=home.youshouldknow

 

[scarpetta]

http://sor.state.co.us/index.cfm?SOR=home.youshouldknow

Adult Behavior That May Signal Sexual Interest in Children
Remember: Children are most often molested by someone they know, or whom the parent knows. Do you know an adult or child who…

• Refuses to let a child set any of his or her own limits?
• Insists on hugging, touching, kissing, tickling, wrestling with or holding a child even when the child does not want this affection?
• Is overly interested in the sexuality of a particular child or teen (e.g., talks repeatedly about the child's developing body or interferes with normal teen dating)?
• Manages to get time alone or insists on time alone with a child without interruptions?
• Spends most of his/her spare time with children and has little interest in spending time with someone their own age?
• Regularly offers to babysit many different children for free or takes children on overnight outings alone?
• Buys children expensive gifts or gives them money for no apparent reason?
• Frequently walks in on children/teens in the bathroom?
• Allows children or teens to consistently get away with inappropriate behaviors?
• Talks again and again about the sexual activities of children or teens?
• Talks about sexual fantasies with children and is not clear about what's okay with children?
• Encourages silence and secrets in a child?
• Looks at child pornography?
• Asks adult partners to dress or act like a child or teen during sexual activity?
• Often has a "special" child friend, maybe a different one from year to year?
• Spends most spare time on activities involving children or teens, not adults?
• Makes fun of a child's body parts, calls a child sexual names such as "stud", "", or ""?

From: "Because There Is a Way to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse: Facts About Abuse and Those Who Might Commit It", Joan Tabachnick, Editor, Stop It Now!, Haydenville, MA, 1998.

 

[MREG2]

Thank you MREG2. When people seem overprotective of their children it's because they know it doesn't always happen to someone else's child and they know that even family members have to be watched.

I would have been p*ssed too.

Scarpetta,

Those numbers are very frightening.

You are so welcome!

You are exactly right. With the statistics they way they are it could very well happen to one of mine. It makes me sick to think about. And I will admit this only one time but I too sometimes watch my hubby. Deep down I know he would never harm his children but as their mommy it's my job to keep viligant watch.

 

[southcitymom]

She should blame herself. Like you said, she should have used her best judgement and not left her small babies with a teenage boy. Pervert or not, that does not seem wise.

We have had the teenage boy babysitting discussion before. I do not think it across-the-board unwise to allow a teenage boy to watch children. Depending on the boy and the children, it can be an excellent arrangement.

 

[paddy01]

Hi scarpetta, thank you so much for all the information, very interesting read. I plan on printing it up to give to friends and family. The part about registered sex offenders in U.S. is roughly the same population as entire city of Las Vegas, literally made my hair stand on end. Makes you wonder what's going on with our world.

 

[scarpetta]

James Wamsley Sent to Prison For Rape of Nine-Month Old Infant

http://investigation.discovery.com/blogs/criminal-report/mar5/mar5.html




"Those of you who followed my articles at Crime Library will no doubt remember the case of James Allen Wamsley, a 17-year-old resident of Benton County, Washington, who was arrested last year for first-degree rape of a child. Now, some nine months later, the case has finally come to an end…sort of.
On May 28, 2007, Tabitha McBean, a friend of the Wamsley family, accepted an offer by Wamsley to baby-sit her two children, a 3-year-old and a nine-month-old baby boy. Tabitha was grateful to have a break from her parental responsibilities but her relief turned to horror some nine hours later, when she returned home to discover blood in her infant's diaper. Concerned, Tabitha, along with Wamsley's mother, Teresa Moen, immediately transported the infant to Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, where it was discovered he had been the victim of a brutal sexual assault. The injuries proved to be so severe that the infant had to be transferred to a Spokane hospital for surgery.
"The child had been brought in, injuries to the child demonstrated that some sort of sexual assault had occurred," Richland Police Captain Mike Cobb said in a May 2007 interview with KNDU-TV. "This is probably one of the most disturbing type of events that ever occurs to a police officer or a family member. So it's nothing we ever want to hear, nothing we ever want to investigate, but unfortunately, all too often we have to."
As a result of the criminal investigation, police arrested Wamsley and charged him with first-degree child rape. The Washington Administration Code describes the crime as, "sexual intercourse with another who is less than twelve years old."
Wamsley was initially charged as a juvenile, however during a later appearance before Benton County Superior Court his case was moved to adult court and he was transferred to the Benton County Jail.
During his preliminary hearing Wamsley pled not guilty to the charges. However, he later accepted a deal with prosecutors and changed his plea to guilty. As a result, he was also found guilty of other aggravating factors, which included the vulnerability of the infant and the severity of the injuries the infant had sustained.
On Feb. 29, 2007, Wamsley appeared in Benton County Superior Court for his sentencing hearing. During the proceedings, both Tabitha and Teresa testified before Judge Robert Swisher.
"I trusted him like my brother and so did my kids," Tabitha said as she broke down in tears. "It hurts to see him go away but he has to pay. I'm never going to be the same and neither will my son."
When it came time for Teresa to testify, she said that her son needed to get help behind bars so that "things can get better for him," adding, "We all love him."
After listening to testimony from both sides, Swisher said the case was "the type you lose sleep over." He also described the victim as "the most vulnerable of humans." Swisher then looked directly at Wamsley and sentenced him to a minimum of 131/2 years behind bars, with an exceptional 162-month sentence. In other words, Wamsley will serve 131/2 years in prison, at which time he will appear before a state board, who will then decide to release him or to extend his sentence to life behind bars. Wamsley will be 31 years old when he appears before the board. Swisher also recommended Wamsley receive sexual offender treatment and he signed an order, which prohibits Wamsley from ever having contact with the victim.
Following Wamsley's sentencing, Tabitha told Tri-cityherald.com her son has recovered from his physical injuries but still suffers from emotional trauma. "He's very clingy and has nightmares," she said."

 

[mum33004]

Okay let me get this straight, this is going to prison for raping a baby, for 13 some odd years where he can "help" with his "problem" and that will make things all better. RIGHT?? WRONG!!!! The will get out of prison and continue to sexually abuse kids. There is NO FIXING these animals.

If it were up to me, I would terminate every single who ever hurt a child or an animal for that matter.

 

[southcitymom]

Hey Scarpetta,

Thanks for this update. This perp actually got a longer sentence than we suspected possible at the beginning of this thread.

This was a sad case that moved me greatly. I think the Judge was wise to refer him for rehabilitation. He was a 17-year-old boy with no past history of abuse or violence that I read of. Additionally, if he molested situationally (as opposed to being a geneuine pedophile), he has a better chance of being rehabilitated.

My continued prayers for these people.

 

[Truly]

Hey Scarpetta,

Thanks for this update. This perp actually got a longer sentence than we suspected possible at the beginning of this thread.

This was a sad case that moved me greatly. I think the Judge was wise to refer him for rehabilitation. He was a 17-year-old boy with no past history of abuse or violence that I read of. Additionally, if he molested situationally (as opposed to being a geneuine pedophile), he has a better chance of being rehabilitated.

My continued prayers for these people.

He raped a nine month old baby!!! What else does it take in your opinion to call him a genuine pedophile??? Rape a dozen babies? A hundred?

Why should we as a society allow him the option of ever having contact with another child ever again? Would you be ok if this guy raped your nine month old baby?

Do you think he should go to some comfy re-hab center and do some arts-and-crafts? What will it take, in your opinion, to stop men from raping children? Seriously, what exactly do you think re-hab will do to end the problem of men raping infants? It will do nothing.

I say cut off his dick and lock him up for life. No chance of parole. That might stop the next guy from raping the next infant. Re-hab and a slap on the wrist will only embolden more of these perverts to assault more kids. I am sick of this s**t. It has to be stopped.

Thirteen years is not enough. That baby will still be a child when this creep gets released.

 

[Truly]

I don't take it personally, Lurker! I respect your opinions and understand your frustrations. They are my own.

It's just different perceptions. I am very interested in understanding why we men do the terrible things that we do.

Whether we "get" it or not, we know that some people are sexually aroused by children. We also know that some people will sexually abuse children more situationally - because they have the opportunity and desire and don't care who gets hurt.

There are no "excuses" in harming other human beings, but we do it because we are selfish and flawed.

Speak for yourself. WE don't do these things. Now I see where you are coming from, southcityman. :sick:

 

[scarpetta]

Also from the Tri-City Herald link:
Moen, who said she drove McBean and her baby to the hospital after the incident, also worries about her son, who will be 31 years old before a state board considers giving him freedom.
She said her son is bipolar, and she wants him to get counseling and proper medication so he might someday have a normal life.
"He was a great wrestler, an avid skateboarder and loved riding bikes," she said.
Wamsley's attorney, Shelley Ajax, told Swisher the teen has been very remorseful and has asked for help.
"His history includes sexual abuse," Ajax said. "He's not telling the court that's why he did this. He's been confused and oftentimes emotional."
Swisher said although the standard range for the offense is 93 months to 123 months, he was imposing an exceptional 162-month sentence requested by Deputy Prosecutor Terry Bloor.
"The facts just warrant it," Swisher said.
Swisher also recommended sexual offender treatment for Wamsley and signed an order prohibiting him from having any contact with the victim for the rest of his life.

 

[scarpetta]

SCM,

The mother of the baby said that she trusted Wamsley like a brother, and so did her children.

Wamsley’s mother said that he is Bipolar, and he has experienced sexual abuse. She is hoping that he will get counseling and the proper medication he needs behind bars. This is so that he can have a normal life.

In order for the mom to know that her son is bipolar he would had to have been diagnosed by someone at some point. Her hope that he receives the proper medication implies that he was not receiving the proper medication during the time he committed this crime. I wonder if Wamsley’s mom ever shared her son’s diagnosis and history of sexual abuse with Ms. McBean.

This story is sad because James Wamsley created a victim. It is also sad because James Wamsley did not receive treatment for his condition. It is his mother’s hope that he will get all the help he needs behind bars in a prison. There seems to be a giant hole in this story and I know it is because we know nothing about their lives or circumstances, and so of course there are many pieces of information missing as is usually the case. But don’t you get a little bit of a sick feeling in your gut when you read the mom’s comment about her son getting all the help he needs in prison? He is a bipolar teenager, a teenager with a mental disorder and a history of sexual abuse in his past. It’s not that this story looks uncommon or is shocking necessarily, it’s just that it looks like something that was so preventable. Maybe how preventable it was, and yet wasn’t prevented is the shocking part. I don’t know.