An article in today's Detroit Free Press says that the girl's mother is asking a Family Court judge to remove her daughter from the school she is attending, because she is afraid the school and prosecutors are trying to influence the girl by coaching her. The article also reveals more about a hearing last week where even the prosecution's witness doubted the reliability of the communications from the girl:
[The Assistant Prosecutor Andrea] Dean sat red-faced during one hearing last week while an expert witness she had called, Dr. Sandra McClennen of Eastern Michigan University, voiced concerns about the prosecution's case, saying investigators ignored pleas to verify the claims with a second facilitator
...
Under questioning, McClennen said protocols call for abuse claims to be verified using a second facilitator who is unaware of the allegation. But after she explained the protocol to a social worker on the case, a West Bloomfield Police officer returned her call.
"The gist of it was, 'We don't want your services,' " McClennen testified.
The girl's father has been in jail since December 1st and the mother is free on bond with charges of neglect and witness tampering. This story is being reported by Free Press staff writers John Wisely and L.L. Brasier.
1 comment:
Why is the prosecutor's office continuing to go forward with the case? That is the million dollar question! There is no reliable evidence to support the allegations. In fact, the only evidence,including the prosecutor's own expert, contradicts the charges. The only plausible answer is that the prosecutor would have to admit the severe injustice that has been perpetrated against the family. More importantly, why aren't the Judges putting a stop to this nonsense. Everyone is afraid to take a stand, to be seen as weak or in essence, admitting to a grave mistake. The system is moving far too slowly to serve the best interests of these children and children in general. Not only is the father sitting in jail and the mother on a tether, but the kids remain in foster care - outside of their communities (regardless of the fact that there are families in the district willing to take them) and without any contact with their parents for about 2 months. Not only will this damage the family's reputation and emotional well-being but it will also destroy any financial stability they had prior to this nonsense. Someone has to speak out, speak now and speak loud. The prosecutorial power and the system is not working and needs to be reviewed and revised.
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