Richard Crawford was found guilty of sexual abuse

Richard Crawford was found guilty of sexually abusing his girlfriends daugher for 5 years. He was convicted of 390 counts- with almost 100 of them have a five year mandatory sentence. The judge has allowed him to remain out on bond, because he's not sure if this guy fits in with PA's Meagan's Law- which would list him as a violent sexual offender.

Now, the judge has played games during the entire process, including allowing delays on the case, and questioning "how the laws read" on certain aspects. And, now with him still out on bail (since dec of last year in fact) there is a chance the the judge may decide to have the sentence all pushed together ( i know, I'm forgetting the word for it) rather than consecutively- which would mean that this predator could be free in as little as 5 years.

The DA will be sending me some documents in the morning, and I've been working on a post about this- with a little more background information on the case. The hope is to get enough attention to it that the judge gets off his liberal ass and sentences this predator, for the longest amount of time possible. The DA, who is as nice as you can imagine is really wanting public support to get this case settled- my post will have a little more information on what this child had to go through in order to have him brought to justice- which included wearing a wire and having Crawford admit what he did.


http://www.wjactv.com/news/11263819/detail.html?rss=john&psp=news
Bedford County District Attorney Bill Higgins said he is furious because Judge Daniel Howsare would not sentence a man already convicted of 390 counts of sexually assaulting a young girl.Richard Crawford molested his ex-girlfriend's daughter for five years, from the time she was 7-years-old until she was 12. Despite his conviction last December, the victim still does not have justice.Higgins said he blames the judge."Here's an opportunity to take a violent sex offender off the street and the judge doesn't take the opportunity to do that and lets him walk out of the courtroom," said Higgins.Howsare refused to comment about his decision, but Higgins said it's because Howsare isn't sure if Crawford is really a sexually violent predator. For the state, there's no question."The state offender association board has determined he is a sexually violent predator," said Higgins. "We just need the court to go along with that."Higgins asked the judge to at least put Crawford in jail until the sentencing, but the judge denied the request. He also wouldn't reschedule a new sentencing date until after he reviews the Megan's Law qualifications."I expressed my opinion in court," Higgins said. "I told him I was strongly objecting to the man walking out of the courtroom at liberty. It's very upsetting. Not only for me as a prosecutor, but for the victim. To look the victim in the eye and say we haven't been able to give justice for you yet."Higgins said he is very worried Crawford could run. There was a similar situation in 2001 where convicted sexual offender, David Chalfante, fled before his sentencing.There is a mandatory sentence of five years for each of the sexual abuse counts and with 390 of them, Higgins said Crawford will likely spend the rest of his life in jail.


Anyone that can post on this, please email me. There is no question this man is guilty- despite the fact that he is currently running around free.

Thanks,

~Lilo
Lost In Lima Ohio
www.lostinlimaohio.com
www.myspace.com/lilo_lostinlimaohio


Also, if you want to send this out to people who might be willing to make a few calls on behalf of this child the judges contact info is :


Honorable Judge Daniel L. Howsare
President Judge

Courtroom No. 1
Courthouse Annex
Juliana Street
Bedford PA 15522
Phone: (814) 623-4810
Fax: (814)623-3858

http://lostinlimaohio.blogspot.com/2007/03/judge-daniel-l-howsare.html

http://lostinlimaohio.googlepages.com/crawford.pdf

You don't have to hit a child to abuse them

This was written by member of Angels That Care in answer to what I wrote. Amber AlertS set wheels in motion



I know someone that tried to put out an Amber Alert on her 12 y/o daughter when in fact the 12 y/O was at the Grandparents house after being threatened and kicked out of the house by the mother the night before. Apparently the mother (MOM) was drunk, had blacked out and "forgot" where her child was. At this point Child Services were called and the other child that was 13 was also removed from the home.

This was an acquaintance I had met first moving here.....a neighbor of my friend and our kids went to school together. I watched this woman slowly deteriorate into drugs and alcohol. When she got caught driving drunk....she lost her license. My friend would call me every day telling me things about this woman and I would get so mad and tell her to call the police or report it. I called one time and they did go investigate but the complaint was not substantiated. However, the police and DCS kept a close eye.

One day...my daughter saw the 12 y/O and her mom in the principle's office. Passing in the hallway my daughter asked out of concern what was wrong and made a statement that she hoped her mother didn't drive. This led to many harassing phone calls from the mother saying my daughter was a liar and harassing her daughter at school.... which was not true; they were friends. One evening after taking my friends daughter home after one of my sons baseball games, this woman came out of her house so drunk screaming at me. I tried to talk to her but she insisted on calling me names and doing anything to goad me into getting mad. I told her she was drunk and to go in her house and go to bed........her daughters had come over to my friends house at this time. She started screaming at the top of her lungs that I was a fat b*tch and my daughter was nothing but a "nasty nigger half-breed piece of sh*t."

Please know that ALMOST all tact and moral integrity almost went out of the window.....I felt like a lioness at that very moment wanting to protect her cub....even though, THANK GOD my daughter she was talking about wasn't there at the time to hear those horrible words. I wanted to shred that woman to pieces! I kept my cool but she ran inside her house.....her mother had driven over at that point and I was literally yelling at her to stop enabling her daughter and to protect those kids! The police were called by MOM....I was crying to the officers that this woman had in fact been harassing me....she was a danger to herself, her kids and anyone else on the road. She frequently drove drunk and I was told she smoked crack. They told me it was hear-say but that they were familiar with her and were watching her.....

After that it wasn't a week when the kids were removed. The kids are thriving at their grandparents and I see them frequently as I take them to our church. MOM has been arrested for driving w/o a license...been in jail and has failed many urine tests. She for some reason has said she doesn't claim the youngest of her daughters but has weekly visits w/the oldest daughter.

It breaks my heart because I know that these kids have seen things they should never see.......many one-night stands and strange men in the house after a long night of partying by MOM , drugs, alcohol.....they were forced to make her drinks, clean up her puke and take care of her when she was incapcitated.

You don't have to hit a child to abuse them............

Used with permission

Megan’s Law-Should Sex Offenders Be Forced To Register?

Megan’s Law-Should Sex Offenders Be Forced To Register?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megan's_Law

National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence

Pre-conference sessions: March 15, 2007
Conference: March 16 - March 17, 2007

Location:
San Francisco Marriott
San Francisco, California, USA

The 4th Biennial National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence aims to advance the health care system’s response to domestic violence. The conference attracts the nation’s leading medical, public health and family violence experts from across the U.S. With increased international participation. Workshops and plenary sessions highlight the latest research and most innovative clinical responses to domestic violence, with a focus on the work being done by physicians, physician assistants, dentists, nurses, nurse midwives, mental and behavioral health providers, social workers, domestic violence experts, and others.
http://www.endabuse.org/health/conference/



Coaching Boys into Men


What you Can Do

The boys in your life need your time and energy. Your son, grandson, nephew, younger brother. The boys you teach, coach and mentor. All need you to help them grow into healthy young men.

Boys are swamped with influences outside of the home – from friends, the neighborhood, television, the Internet, music, the movies… everything they see around them. They hear all kinds of messages about what it means to “be a man” – that they have to be tough and in control. There are numerous conflicting and some harmful messages being given to boys about what constitutes “being a man” in a relationship.

Boys need your advice on how to behave toward girls. Boys are watching how you and other men relate to women to figure out their own stance towards girls. So teach boys early, and teach them often, that there is no place for violence in a relationship.
Here's How:

Teach Early. It’s never too soon to talk to a child about violence. Let him know how you think he should express his anger and frustration – and what is out of bounds. Talk with him about what it means to be fair, share and treat others with respect.

Be there. If it comes down to one thing you can do, this is it. Just being with boys is crucial. The time doesn’t have to be spent in activities. Boys will probably not say this directly -- but they want a male presence around them, even if few words are exchanged.

Listen. Hear what he has to say. Listen to how he and his friends talk about girls. Ask him if he’s ever seen abusive behavior in his friends. Is he worried about any of his friends who are being hurt in their relationships? Are any of his friends hurting anyone else?
Tell Him How. Teach him ways to express his anger without using violence. When he gets mad, tell him he can walk it out, talk it out, or take a time out. Let him know he can always come to you if he feels like things are getting out of hand. Try to give him examples of what you might say or do in situations that could turn violent.

Bring it up. A kid will never approach you and ask for guidance on how to treat women. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t need it. Try watching TV with him or listening to his music. If you see or hear things that depict violence against women, tell him what you think about it. Never hesitate to let him know you don’t approve of sports figures that demean women, or jokes, video games and song lyrics that do the same. And when it comes time for dating, be sure he knows that treating girls with respect is important.

Be a Role Model. Fathers, coaches and any man who spends time with boys or teens will have the greatest impact when they “walk the walk.” They will learn what respect means by observing how you treat other people. So make respect a permanent way of dealing with people – when you’re driving in traffic, talking with customer service reps, in restaurants with waiters, and with your family around the dinner table. He’s watching what you say and do and takes his cues from you, both good and bad. Be aware of how you express your anger. Let him know how you define a healthy relationship and always treat women and girls in a way that your son can admire.

Teach Often. Your job isn't done once you get the first talk out of the way. Help him work through problems in relationships as they arise. Let him know he can come back and talk to you again anytime. Use every opportunity to reinforce the message that violence has no place in a relationship.

Become a Founding Father. Show him how important the issue of violence against women and children is to you. Join thousands of men across the country who are taking a stand against violence. Become a Founding Father yourself. Go to founding-fathers.org to sign up. http://endabuse.org/programs/display.php3?DocID=9916&gclid=CLiW7PbB7YoCFSHVgAodAGCulQ
http://www.founding-fathers.org/