This isn't actually related to the classic Twilight Zone episode "The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street." Rather, it's about real monsters that might very well live on your own Maple Street.
I've read other blogs, like Lost in Lima Ohio and Interested-Participant among others, that cover criminals, including child molesters.
Those sites serve a purpose by bringing attention to the criminals and monsters that live in someone's neighborhood. And, while the reports can be unpleasant, it's important to know about them.
But when the monster shows up nearby, you're not prepared for it. At least I wasn't.
First, let me make it clear that I don't know any of the people involved. It's just that a story about a teacher molesting children is something that you don't think happens in your area. But in Columbus this week, police arrested 61-year-old Richard Ogleby Smith. He's a former teacher and public defender.
The charges involve actions that police say occurred last July involving the Columbus Boys Choir on a camping trip.
Now, a local TV station, WTVM, is reporting that Smith may have been molesting boys for 40 years.
40 years!
If the charges are true, that means for 40 years a monster has been running loose on Maple Street. Okay, Coventry Drive in Columbus, but you get the idea.
Child molestation is a shocking crime. 40 years of child molestation is beyond shocking. How that could go on is unfathomable to me. It may be that the accusations are false. But I understand the local media are contacting many former Boys Choir members. And I know some former Boys Choir members.
None have indicated anything went on, but I haven't asked.
But, I have grandchildren. And now I've got to talk with their parents and make sure they know they can come to us if something were to ever happen.
The biggest problem kids need to face is what to ask for Christmas, and not wondering if they are safe around a teacher.
Resources:
Georgia Sex Offender Search Page
Alabama Sex Offender Search Page
You brought up a good point Basil and I appreciate your usage of the term monster and here's why:
ReplyDeleteMy son is as friendly as a speckled pup. And while in one way its a good thing, it been a cause for concern as he has despite all the standard "stranger danger" warnings from me, my ex, my GF, and the school continued to talk to strangers that were nice to him. Fortunately they've all been nice people (or Jehovah's Witnesses) so far. Now for the record my kid is naive to a fault. I know he's going to eventually trade his bike for a piece of gum.
My solution: Monsters are real.
Kids believe in monsters. And everytime you read or see stories in the news someone is calling this pedophile or that pedophile a monster.
My solution was to sit my son down and ask him if monsters were real and when said yes I told him he was right. Then I proceeded to tell him that we had hunted down all of the monsters except for the ones that looked like people and thats why strangers are dangerous, because they might actually be a monster.
And the best part is.... It worked.
Pedophiles have given up human morals and sunk to a level of evil that is not comprehendible to most people. And maybe the best way to help protect our kids is to call them as we see them and let our kids know their tactics.
It may seem odd, but its a lot more honest and useful than the Tooth Fairy and may save a few lives.
That's right basil and thanks for blogging about this topic. Most people want to sweep it under the rug and pretend it's not there.
ReplyDeleteLook 'em up in Maryland
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dpscs.state.md.us/onlineservs/sor/
First, thanks for the mention. More importantly, I'm sorry to hear about the situation there. Sadly, it's not all that uncommon for molesters to go without getting caught for long long periods. Unlike the rapist that grabs a woman off the street, molesters usually (but not always) groom their victims into silence. The "grooming" can sometimes take years of befriending the child, and winning their love and trust, and then slowly using it to manipulate them, until the children are so brainwashed about it, they honestly feel that they can not tell.
ReplyDeleteHaving "the conversation" with children is never easy, but it is important and necessary. Remember that despite the fact that we refer to them as monsters- even after we've talked to our children, the monsters are likely to use phrases like "special friends" "secret game" and so on. And, the worst part is that you have a 79% chance that "the stranger" is actually someone they know.
I hope all is well with yours, and that the closest you ever come to this is reading about it in the paper. Like you said, the only thing a child should have to worry about is what to get for Christmas.