From Julie Carey at NBC Washington:
A
Bristow, Va., couple is charged with child abuse after their
badly-bruised 8-year-old son fled from their home in the middle of the
night and sought refuge at a stranger’s home about three blocks away.
Ron Kramer and his wife were watching television when they heard the doorbell ring at 12:45 a.m. Wednesday.
"I opened the door and I asked, 'Can I
help you, son?'" Kramer said. "He said, 'I'm lost.' I asked, ‘Where did
you come from?’ He said, 'I don't know.'"
As his wife made the boy a sandwich,
Kramer called 911. Police and the Kramers noticed many deep, dark
bruises on the boy's body.
Police took the boy with them to
continue their questioning, and then about 5:30 a.m., 41-year-old Amy
Sweeney called police to report that her son was missing. Police then
questioned Sweeney and her husband, 39-year-old Matthew Sweeney, and
charged both with felony child abuse.
A police spokesman said it appears the physical abuse had gone on for some time.
Kramer said it was troubling to learn of the allegations by police.
"It just floors me,” he said. “I have
three children of my own and they now have their own children. We’re
very aghast at the thought of someone treating a child like that."
The Sweeneys did not answer their
door today. The van in their driveway displays decals showing a family
of eight. There is also a "Choose LIfe" sticker and another promoting
home schooling.
Neighbors said the family moved into
the rental home about a year ago. They said Matthew Sweeney is active
duty in the Navy and Amy Sweeney home schools the children. The Sweeneys
rarely interacted with others on Ness Hollow Court, neighbors said, and
some were unaware the couple even had an 8-year-old boy. Other
neighbors told News4 the boy was adopted, originally from Russia.
The boy is now in the custody of
Child Protective Services. The younger Sweeney children are also in
protective custody for now, although police said none of them appeared
to have suffered the same kind of abuse as their brother.
As for Kramer, he's just glad the 8-year-old found his way to his doorstep.
"I was just glad the circumstances
provided for us to let him find us," he said. "He was an adorable young
man, and we wish him well wherever he is."I am so sad. :( I am sad for all of them. I hope and pray that this will not effect those who are ready to adopt in Russia. This family lives in the same area as the Peggy Hilt case. :(
I do not know the answer to what is wrong.... but I DO KNOW, that people need to understand what they are taking on in International Adoption.
And then, there is another KICK IN THE TEETH for those of us who educate our children at home. :(
If ANYBODY from RUSSIA IS READING THIS.... PLEASE KNOW, that Americans who adopt LOVE their children, and home schoolers LOVE their children and are successful and happy. The instance of abuse is very small.... It is sad that it happens at all. :(
I do not know the answer to what is wrong.... but I DO KNOW, that people need to understand what they are taking on in International Adoption.
And then, there is another KICK IN THE TEETH for those of us who educate our children at home. :(
If ANYBODY from RUSSIA IS READING THIS.... PLEASE KNOW, that Americans who adopt LOVE their children, and home schoolers LOVE their children and are successful and happy. The instance of abuse is very small.... It is sad that it happens at all. :(
3 comments:
Sad, sad, sad. I wonder if these folks are involved in that perverted child-beating cult promulgated by the Pearls?
God bless the boy, and even mom and dad.
So sad! I feel so sorry for little boys. He already had so much trauma in his life. I really hope it will not affect international adoptions.
When I read your post, I wanted to read more about this little boy, and came across this case.
This is not Russian adoption, but this is so scary. I dont' understand why people even have kids, if they do things like this....
http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/58544f09e5354d61a5c74ee3e9753713/WA--Longview-Child-Abuse-Trial
Post a Comment