'Caged Kids' Case Parents Want Kids Back

AP ^ | July 12, 2007 | M.R. KROPKO

[xtinct]

NORWALK, Ohio -- A couple facing a two-year prison sentence for forcing some of their 11 adopted special-needs children to sleep in cages hope to get the children back.

Michael and Sharen Gravelle were sentenced in February on four felony child endangering charges and seven misdemeanors. The couple are free on bond pending appeal.

"We still have an inside shot at getting our children back, which was our goal and we still stand by that," Michael Gravelle said Wednesday in the couple's first public comments since they were sentenced.

The Gravelles' children, who ranged in age from 1 to 14, suffered from problems such as fetal alcohol syndrome and a disorder that involves eating nonfood items.

Authorities removed them in September 2005 from their home in Wakeman, about 60 miles west of Cleveland. The children were placed in foster care in fall 2005.

Sharen Gravelle said she thinks often about the children who the couple said they took in because no one else wanted to do so. "I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye," she said.

The chance of the couple getting the children back appears remote. About three weeks ago, the Ohio Supreme Court refused to consider an appeal of the custody case that put the children into foster care.

[xtinct]

A shot of the parents... eeeks !!! what a nightmare for those poor children. Those people should get a stiffer punishment than 2 years.

Michael and Sharen Gravelle answer questions during a news-conference, Wednesday, July 11, 2007, in Norwalk, Ohio. Facing a two-year prison sentence and out of money to fund their appeal, the Gravelles, convicted of child endangering for making some of their adopted children sleep in cages, are looking for public help in financing their legal battle. Although the Gravelles drew worldwide scorn for their treatment of their 11 special-needs children, they're hopeful they will receive support in fighting what they say is an unfair conviction. (Tony Dejak/AP Photo)

[goldstategop]

The children are NOT their personal property. If they can't take care of acutely disabled kids in a humane and loving manner, they're not fit to be parents. PERIOD.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[VeritatisSplendor]

They may not be nearly as bad as they are portrayed. They took in children with significant cognitive and behavior problems. The children were well-nourished, physically healthy, achieving in school and behaving fairly well, especially given their history.

It seems to me that they took in more than they could handle, but I have known of parents of one or two disabled children who resorted to confining them in bed (crib tent) or locking them in their rooms to keep the child safe and to let themselves get some sleep before dealing with the next day.

Mrs VS

[netmilsmom]

I would like to see what they are calling cages before I pass judgement on these people.

My neighbor has a daughter with Angelman’s Syndrome. The child doesn’t sleep, just dozes. She would be a danger to herself if allowed to sleep unrestrained.

The husband enclosed her bed with bars. Yes, it looks like a cage. However, having her wander the house at night would be a disaster and strapping her down is cruel.

Maybe I’m wrong in their case.

[ukie55]

If the government could provide reliable (non-sexually abusive) care for the kids so the parents could sleep at night, then there wouldn’t be a need for *cages*. But what’s a person to do with kids like that?

Cages SOUND horrible but don’t mental and other hospitals also restrain people who are a danger to themselves and others if not closely watched 24/7?

This is a lose/lose situation.

[lepton]

I dunno. It soulds LIKE cases which are genuinely abusive, but I have no doubt that it could be done in a humane manner. If I slept in a cage, I’d only notice when I got in and when I got up in the morning. ...otherwise it’s like camping. Despite the circus, it’s a really, really subjective thing.

[rimtop56]

Yes, my understanding is that the children were thriving. Of course a photo of the “caged” beds looked bad, but as other people have stated, the foster parents had to keep them restrained at night.

Re: the photo, there is a bright light in their eyes. Anyone looks bad with that kind of set-up.