Comments on: Two Days and A Little Girl: An Investigator’s Story

By: admin

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:47:19 +0000

Bagger,
Thank you for your touching sentiments. I guess I have resolved that this was more divine intervention than anything I did. The timing of my getting this case when I did was set in motion by a power much higher than me. As to Jaycee Lee Dugard, people, neighbors, had to know something was amiss there. Too often we fail to use peripheral vision, yet gawk at roadside accidents as we move along and complain of the traffic jam.

By: Carpetbagger

Carpetbagger — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:43:23 +0000

Wow, Cher. What a story. As some of the others have already said, how lucky she was to have someone come to her door who wasn’t just a paper-pusher or clock-puncher, but who put two and two together and went the extra mile. If only Jaycee Lee Dugard had someone do that for her during those 18 years.

Thanks for shining a light into the darkness for 10 years. I know you still feel for those who are still there, but thanks to you, there are some who are not there any longer.

By: admin

admin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:17:41 +0000

WillOaksStudio,
Karen, I will never understand people like this. The world can be so dark. Can you imagine that poor girl? We just need to somehow raise awareness and be more proactive in protecting the innocents.

By: WillOaks Studio

WillOaks Studio — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:22:17 +0000

That was really a gut wrenching story, Cher. I’m so glad you could intervene, but the situation you broke up made me sick to my stomach. What the h___ is the matter with people? How could they?

By: admin

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:39:58 +0000

One of The Guys,
One of the ways I handled it was to leave the agency. The people for whom I worked were amazing and supportive. But the darkness became overwhelming. I burned out and left within the following year.

By: admin

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:37:36 +0000

VH,
You know, I was given an award from the agency for this “rescue.” It came at a surprise ceremony at Headquarters. I guess I should have felt happy, but I went home, put the award in my desk and sobbed. There are so many, many more children. I was at the right place, at the right time. That’s all.

By: admin

admin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:34:26 +0000

RE,
One child, one life at a time, seems too little to me. Sometimes I wish there were armies out there with enough radar to rid each of those who victimize children from our society.

By: One of The Guys

One of The Guys — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 09:52:04 +0000

Having my own children, I can barely read stories like this. How can people do these kinds of things!!? I understand that many people who abuse children, were abused as children themselves, but at some point we all must take responsibility for our own actions.

I don’t know how you did it, but thank god you did.

How did you keep it together, case after case?

By: VH

VH — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:40:08 +0000

That was a tough post to read. Thank God that he didn’t take off with that poor child. Nicely done, Cher, nicely done.

By: RE- The Iriginal BADGAL

RE- The Iriginal BADGAL — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:51:13 +0000

Good for you Cher. every child who is rescued is one that escapes the clutches of evil bastards like her father. trust me, I know.

By: admin

admin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:03:08 +0000

Dear Chris,
The reason I wrote this post was not for self-aggrandizement, but rather in the hope that people will pay more attention to the possible horrid plights of children around them. We all say that the system is overwhelmed, and it is. But I have known many people who have extended themselves to reach out. I have also known many who turn a blind eye. Perhaps by sharing stories, fewer people will turn away. Thanks so much for stopping by.

By: Chris J

Chris J — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:21:42 +0000

I’m glad this one had a better ending (happy doesn’t seem to apply here). The worst thing is that this kind of things happens to so many kids every single day, and no one is there, as you were there for “Jane.”

By: admin

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 19:14:51 +0000

Tina t,
I did this for ten years. It was mostly rewarding, but the dark side was very dark and hard to shake afterward. I don’t know how law enforcement does this day after day. I remember telling my boss that the girl looked so fragile and as beautiful as a porcelain doll, yet she endured the worst this world has: betrayal and abandonment by parents.

By: Tina t

Tina t — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:08:08 +0000

This is a chilling story. I will never understand how parents can do anything but protect their own children. The world holds so many potential dangers throughout life, and to think that home is anything other than a safe haven for a child breaks my heart. It is wonderful that the little girl was rescued from this situation, but what a terrible start to a young life.

I can’t imagine what it must be like to have a job where you see such horrors. I’m sure it is rewarding when the outcome is good, but it has to take a toll on your psyche to see the darkest side of human beings on a regular basis.

By: admin

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:28:12 +0000

bluzdude,
So often we think “the system” fails. This was just one experiences in which I saw several government agencies work in tandem for the safety of one child. Sometimes the system works beyond our expectations. I think of this child often….

By: admin

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:20:15 +0000

Judie,
I have been following your story, which is compelling in the way you show your firm commitment to always move forward. I will put a link to you on our Resource page in the hopes that through the sharing you provide, others will learn valuable lessons.

Judie’s site is Rogue Artists.

By: bluzdude

bluzdude — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:16:32 +0000

How lucky for the little girl that she had such a dogged advocate in her corner, whether she knew it or not.

By: Judie

Judie — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:19:02 +0000

I agree that difficult subjects sould be written of. That is why I am telling my story on my blog. It is not an easy subject to write about, but for my own well-being I am doing it. It may take me a couple more chapters to get to the meat of it, because I am choosing my words carefully.

By: admin

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 09:13:34 +0000

KAK,
Sometimes in order to raise awareness, difficult subjects should be written of. It is too easy for us to remain comfortable in our personal domains without peripheral vision. So if you are considering writing such a post, I would encourage you to do that. If we open eyes, perhaps hearts will be more open as well.

By: KAK

KAK — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 04:19:30 +0000

I would just hope that the rewards overpowered the saddness. Those of us that think we had it hard, I would hope realize that others had it much worse. Credit and respect to you Cher and all others who make their lives dealing with unpleasant matters that most of us do not want to even think about.

I have friends, husband and wife, both NY transit cops, they told me a story of a common occurance on the subways which made your heart stop, it is probabally worth writting up some time but I don’t know if people really want to hear tragedy in real life.