Only Two Year Sentence for Sex With Student

Amy Beck was a teacher. She was also the wife of a police officer and mother of three. Now she will also be registered sex offender. Amy Beck admitted to having a six month affair with a fourteen year old former student. Authorities had no idea the affair had happened, but Beck went to police and told them everything. Her lawyer says she admitted to the affair because it was "the right thing to do". She was given just two years in prison, in which she will probably serve less than one, and three years of probation. Now, this seems like a slap on the wrist for having sex with a child. If she were a man, and the child were female, would it have gone differently? Was the fact that she was married to a police officer a factor? Or that she came forward with the information voluntarily and acted remorseful? It just makes one wonder why an adult who raped a child will serve less than a year behind bars. It would be interesting to hear what the young boys parents think about this, or the victim himself. Whether he was a willing participant was not disclosed, but it doesn't make the situation right regardless.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37022190/ns/us_news/

Gardner may have tried to assault others

John Albert Gardner III, who has plead guilty in the rape and murders of both Chelsea King and Amber Dubois may have attempted to assault others, including an eleven year old girl. Gardner was a registered sex offender before King and Dubois became his victims and served only 5 years, even though he was found to be violent and was recommended to serve his entire sentence. What will it take for the courts to put this man away-FOREVER? He would've never had the opportunity to kill Dubois or King, and now those families and communities suffer. Other women, who were in the same area as King are convinced that they encountered Gardner, as well as a little girl who was walking home from school. This is a predator, who was out looking for a victim, for his next conquest. Who is in charge of keeping track of these sex offenders, because it doesn't seem like anyone knows where they are, and what they are doing in their spare time. Chelsea King and Amber Dubois may still be alive today, if Gardner was serving the time he was sentenced to, or if a parole agent knew what he was up to.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36791230/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

Fifteen Year Old Sells Herself, Seven Year Old Sister

By now, most of us have heard this story. In New Jersey, a fifteen year old girl not only slept with men for money, but then sold her little sister to others for sexual acts. The fifteen year old girl went to a party in a well known apartment complex and brought her seven year old sister along. The apartments where the crime took place are considered dangerous and police are hired as security. There were grown men as well as teenage boys involved in the assault which started out as touching and proceeded to a rape. The girl was eventually returned home and her sister is being held in a detention facility. The question is why? Is money really the only motivation this fifteen year old girl had in offering up herself, as well as her sister? How does someone allow these terrible things to happen to someone they love, someone who is as innocent and vulnerable as a seven year old? Is this girl pure evil, or was she threatened? What drives one to com mitt such a sick and twisted act of violence? All individuals at this party are responsible. Every single one who participated in the acts, or watched as they occurred. If you do nothing to stop the assault, you are just as guilty of destroying a life.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world/new-jersey-teen-sold-7-year-old-sister-for-sex-party_100342354.html

Sex Offender Island

On Inside Edition last night, they reported on a place called McNeil Island, also known as Sex Offender Island, which is located in Washington state. The only way to get to this island, which is in fact filled with violent sexual predators, is by ferry. The island houses over 200 sex offenders who have already served their prison sentences, but have been deemed too dangerous to enter back into society. They are sent here indefinitely to live out their life. Only six people have ever been released. These individuals can take computer classes, and are offered therapy, though it is not mandatory. What is interesting, is that some of these individuals feel that they have served their time and that their rights are being violated by keeping them here. Some will say that they are "cured", but a minute later will not give a guarantee that they will not re offend. Do we feel that these predators can be cured? Given therapy and rehabilitation, can we trust these people back in our neighborhoods? Sex Offender Island does not have armed guards, but has razor wire fencing surrounding it. The cost to house these people is more than six figures, but our safety is worth that, right? Is this the solution, to house these predators far away from society where they cannot hurt anyone? And how do we know if therapy works?

http://www.insideedition.com/news/4260/sex-offender-island.aspx
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002463421_sexoffender01m.html

Young Deaf Boys Let Down by Church Leaders

Most of time, when you hear about a priest, or church official committing a sex crime, it stays silent for years, until an adult comes forward with the news. In this case, a young man repeatedly told others about the abuse he had been subjected to by a priest, only to have it ignored. Steven Geier, now 59 and living in Madison, WI tells of how as a teenager, and even later as an adult he told other priests of the abuse he had endured. Being deaf, Geier, along with others used sign language and gestures to report the abuse. Father Murphy could have hundreds of victims. Between 15 and 20 affidavits were collected, only to have the "higher ups" ignore the severity of what was going on and continue to pass it along to others. Neither the Archbishop or the district attorney were of any help. Father Murphy was thought to be "too valuable" and continued working with deaf children for the next 24 years.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36063186/ns/us_news-the_new_york_times/

Child Predator Laws Should be Funded and Enforced

Amber Dubois went missing over a year ago. The 14 year old was on her way to school when she disappeared. About a week after Chelsea King was killed, Amber's remains were found. The same man who has been charged in King's rape and murder is now a suspect in Amber's disappearance. Although John Albert Gardner III has not been charged yet, he is the only suspect authorities have named. During a memorial service in which Chelsea King's family participated, Maurice Dubois, Amber's father asked the audience to help protect our children. These young girls may still be alive today if we could enforce child predator laws. Earlier this week in the state of California, "Chelsea's Law" was to be introduced. It would call for GPS monitoring of all repeat sex offenders. Some argue this violates the rights of those who it will affect....well, the violated the rights of their victims and their families when they chose to committ a crime. Our right to feel safe in our own neighborhood has been violated too. Let's start listening to the victims and the family members who have lost their child to these predators. They are the ones fighting to keep the rest of us safe.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36070806/ns/us_news-life/

When does Alcala Pay For His Crimes?

Rodney James Alcala has a long history. In 1972, he was convicted of kidnapping, raping and beating a little girl, who was just eight years old. He served two years. In 1979, he was arrested for raping and beating a fifteen year old. He was found guilty last week on five counts of murder(four women and a girl). That eight year old and that 15 year old are now grown women. They, along with the murder victims family members are testifying against him in the penalty phase of his trial. Acting as his own lawyer, this sick monster gets to cross examine these women. He gets another chance to traumatize them! At 66 years old, he could be facing the death penalty. When will he finally serve his time? This is a man who has been CONVICTED. Let him rot in jail, or meet his fate while there. As much as the testimony of these women may help the sentencing, five counts of murder should be good enough to be put away. The last sentence of this story might make your skin crawl.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-alcala3-2010mar03,0,1211732.story