Events This Week Bring Several Crimes Against Children Back into the Headlines

Several events in the news this week reminded us of the horrific tragedy of crimes that are perpetrated against children. From all parts of the country, we received updates on cases that received national attention when they first occurred.

Here is the rundown:
John Couey, the man convicted of kidnapping, raping, and burying (while still alive) nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford in Florida, died in jail of natural causes this week. He was on death row, but now will never face the punishment that the state saw fit to give him.

A report was released stating that there was what appeared to the outline of a child in the fetal position on the trunk liner of the car driven by Casey Anthony. Ms. Anthony has been charged with the murder of her two-year-old daughter, Caylee. The police believe that Caylee was in her mother’s car for some period of time after being killed.

Elizabeth Smart testified this week against her abductor, Brian David Mitchell. The hearings were being done to determine Mitchell’s competency to stand trial. Smart recalled terrifying details of being raped several times a day and being bound to a tree with chains. I am sure all of us remember her abduction at age fourteen and her amazing return home after nine months.

Finally, Phillip Garrido, the man accused of kidnapping Jaycee Lee Dugard and holding her hostage for nearly two decades, sent a letter to a local television station stating that his victim’s rights had been violated. In this odd communication, Garrido said that Dugard was being denied her free speech and that she never received the attorney she requested during questioning.

All of these cases remind that we need to be vigilant concerning the most innocent members of our society. Just thinking about a child going through an experience like any of the girls mentioned above had to endure is enough for me to be a constant advocate for these kids and the members of law enforcement who do so much to protect them.