I hope you all remember the situation we had with Dakota. In short, he came forward to tell us he had been molested at the babysitters. People who were supposed to be my best friends. This started back in May of last year. The court system is ridiculous. Delays upon delays, mainly coming from the defense side of course.
December 17th there was a final case review hearing. At this, the defendant is offered a plea bargain. Well lo and behold the scumbag took the plea bargain. Here are the details of his punishment.
Minimum 6 years in prison. He has to complete a program while in prison. I guess it's there form of 'rehabilitation'. If he doesn't complete the program, his sentence goes up to 15 years.
Upon release from jail, he will have one year of level 4 home confinement. He will have to wear an ankle monitor. He can be out of his home for 2 hours a day within a set boundary.
After that one year he will have 31 years probation! No contact with any minor under the age of 18.
As the social worker told me, the probation officers are no joke. This low life will not have an easy life once he is released. Constant monitoring, adhering to rules, etc.
If he tries to contact Dakota either by himself or through another person, we are to call the state police immediately.
When I got the news I immediately told Dakota. I told him, you will not have to testify in court. I also told him how proud I am of him. For coming forward and telling me and also for agreeing to see this through to the end. I told him, think of the other kids you have saved from the same abuse, you are my hero!
I had to get a little aggressive with the prosecutor's office. I had not heard anything about the hearing in December and the social worker was not returning ANY of my calls. So earlier this week I asked to speak to the prosecutor handling this case. I was put through to his secretary. I explained the situation and she was very angry that no one had contacted me nor returned any of my calls. She was able to tell me the guy took the plea bargain but could not access the records. She told me she would have to put me through to the social worker but if that woman did not call me back, I should call the secretary back the following day. Within 20 minutes of leaving a message, the social worker called me back. She had excuses, she wasn't at work on the day of the hearing. I said, well what about the messages I have left you asking for an update? Total silence on her end.
I am just glad I can close the chapter on this event. I think the probation officers will be the least of his worries once he is released. He will have this mama bear constantly watching his every move. And don't get me started on his enabling family who told everyone I made this whole story up!
Dakota is doing much better mentally. The psychologist who has been helping him is just awesome! I will ask her opinion about continued counseling, maybe on a less frequent basis.
In my opinion, child molesters cannot be rehabilitated! This was his second offense. He is now a tier 3 sex offender, meaning high risk! I don't know what the answer is, but we must do something to protect our children better.