Made-up story = Life in prison

On the word of a child who later changed her mind, Aleck Carpitcher might do life in prison.

In 1999, at age 43, he was sentenced to 38 years without parole. A Roanoke County judge spared Carpitcher the full 73 years the jury wanted him to serve for sexually abusing the 11-year-old daughter of his girlfriend.

I agree that children can be manipulative and liars BUT there are also many stepparents and YES parents who sexually abuse their children. My husband is a county prosecutor and it's heartbreaking to see the victims and the cases that can't be proven, especially when there have been several victims. A recent case, which was only identified because an 18 year old applied for welfare after the birth of her second child. Naturally she was asked the father of her first child. She didn't hesitate or gave a second thought to say her father. He actually plead guilty but in sentencing said that he was her father and therefore entitled to ....whatever (details not necessary)

I agree a balance is necessary...and I hope the witch hunt type thing is over. As a former therapist also I was alarmed when the whole oppressive memory thing came up, basically therapists trying to coax clients into thinking they might have been molested.

That being said, it happens much more than the average citizen realizes. Usually by a neighbor, boyfriend or trusted babysitter. And, actually, most guys plead guilty and have the luxury of a court appointed attorney. Naturally they received reduced sentences but also become labeled as sex offenders. I know the flip side is to criticize the prosecution for plea bargaining but it is hell to put a kid up on the stand and prove beyond a reasonable doubt the perp did it...BUT if HE DIDNT, he would NOT plead guilty. Plus he then gets labeled.

Just another perspective.

She said a social worker told her she could go back and live with her mother only if Carpitcher were convicted. "I tried very hard to get him convicted so that I could go back to live with my mom.

Sounds to me like a social worker needs to be indicted for suborning perjury.

Oh, I must have forgotten - the Clintonists have told us that committing perjury and suborning perjury are victimless crimes, never mind...

A recent case, which was only identified because an 18 year old applied for welfare after the birth of her second child. Naturally she was asked the father of her first child. She didn't hesitate or gave a second thought to say her father. He actually plead guilty but in sentencing said that he was her father and therefore entitled to ....whatever (details not necessary)

Good grief, I'll bet the burn-out rate in your husband's job as county prosecutor is high. Thanks for your balancing comments in post 5.

Sounds to me like a social worker needs to be indicted for suborning perjury.

Unfortunately, in most states they are immune to prosecution. This type of situation is a common occurrence, I have worked in the field of false accusations having dealt with it on a personal level. Our own children lied and said my husband and I were drunks, did drugs and beat them all the time which was a total fabrication. All I did was try to keep my stepdaughter (and my daughter) from going to her boyfriend's house where I found out they were allowed to smoke, do drugs and sleep together. The boyfriend's parents convinced them that if they could prove us unfit parents, they could come live with them (over my dead body). The state took my kids, repeatedly lied on court documents, and put us through total hell (parenting classes, drug and alcohol testing, family therapy, etc.). The girls recanted but they would not believe them. They placed my girls with my stepdaughter's grandmother who promptly let them go back over to the boyfriend's house and spend the weekend. My stepdaughter got pregnant shortly thereafter, the exact thing I was trying to prevent. When they were finally returned home, I sent my stepdaughter to live with her mother. My daughter was so out of control and violent when she was returned to me that I had to commit her to a treatment hospital and then the state hospital. After she was released she knocked me unconscious and hubby called the cops and she went back into state custody, they charged me with medical neglect even though I had insurance claims for $26,000 worth of care for her in the preceding 3 months. They charged my husband with child abuse for pulling her off of me and restraining her until he could get her out the front door and lock it as she was threatening to kill me and him. Again, the state lied through their teeth in court. My daughter "aged out" of the system at 18 and they basically threw her out on the streets with nothing.

I say let child abuse be investigated by law enforcement, and prosecute true abusers to the full extent of the law. Social Services should only take temporary custody until the trial. Only when the parents are proven guilty in a court of law should social services step in and take permanent custody.

Okay...here's the rest of the story Mom was institutionlized, the rest of the kids were outsourced (Mom became catatonic, verified) and this poor kid (who at this point was VERY seductive and sexually active) felt awful that she was the one to cause her mothers downfall and the splitup of the family.

As "Paul Harvey" says the "End of the Story" They got treatment in lieu of jail. My husband is defending him....I'm pissed as hell. I was was also working toward my certification towards an addiction license and had to spend some observing inpatient treatment programs. This was about the 4th week for these folks and one guy in particular REALLY impressed me. He was real, remorseful...accepted resonsiblility. And this guy REALLY was remorseful. Turns out to be the same guy. He doesn't know about the home connection...I know there is al long history of sexual abuse in their family...it is just so sad... I got out of the counseling field because of hearing these stories...obviously I miss it and want to help. Thanks for just letting me give an editorial RANT!

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