NEWS - The Silent Cry

He was 13 years old -- was no one aware, over the course of two years, that he seemed to have simply vanished? Until the boy's body was found, did anyone in law enforcement have any idea there was a child they should be looking for?

Born in 1995, Christian had lived with his mother until 2005, when the father received custody of both Christian and an older sister. They moved in with the father Riley Choate and step-mother Kimberly Kubina on a residential block in Merrillville, Indiana. Several other children lived in the house.

Christian was said to be in good health when he arrived, although, according to what family members told investigators, Christian said he missed his mother and wanted to live with her. The boy began to be punished almost immediately, and was regularly locked in a room in the basement. But when the family moved to a mobile home in a different part of Lake County things got markedly worse.

Christian was made to live inside a used metal dog cage. He allegedly was repeatedly struck and kicked by both his father and stepmother. When Christian tried to escape from the dog cage, his father reportedly secured it with seven locks. The keys were kept near the father's computer, where he was said to enjoy playing video games about racing while his son struggled in the cage.

Christian's sister, according to the affidavit, was ordered to take care of the boy. She was instructed to feed him, unlock the cage and take him to the bathroom, force him to do exercises, and physically punish him for failing to follow orders. Police believe that anyone from outside the house who ever asked about Christian was told that he was being home-schooled.

Sometimes Christian's hands were chained to the top of the cage; during one such occasion, according to the affidavit, he was crying, so his stepmother, as additional punishment, spray-painted his chained hands black. His health had started to deteriorate, and he had begun to soil himself, so he was kept naked except for a diaper. The only baths he was permitted were with ice-cold water, which made him scream.

According to police, his father had "punched him with full force several times in the front, side and back of his head" in April of 2009 because the boy was too ill to eat. When Christian was back in the cage he stopped breathing, police said, he was put into a garbage bag, covered with cement and hidden beneath the ground.

While other children in the family were outside playing, Christian allegedly was told to write his thoughts down. Christian's writings detail a very sad, depressed child who often wondered when someone, anyone, was going to come check on him and give him food or liquid.

One of the most saddening aspects of the case is that Christian was killed more than two years before his body was found in May, yet during all that time, according to police investigators, there is no indication that anyone was looking for him.

Investigation is ongoing. Father and step-mother have been charged. They have entered a plea of not guilty.

The above story is an exerpt from David Shaw on Sunday, 07/17/2011 - 11:35.

This story is originally credited to CNN.
This post is not related to the author's blog except to provide awareness of child abuse in general.

Mercy

© 2011 By: Joseph Huneault

Beyond all comfort of light,
lost in the sinful night.
Disturbing imageries of fear
creeps steadily near.

Childhood memories
of trauma and miseries,
floods my heart with distress,
a rancid taste of inner death.

Another haunting figure.
Another evil intrusion.
The stonemarble predator
was not an illusion.

Reasoning had drifted.
Denial had spawn.
Darkness would be lifted.
Once the deed was done.

Some images are clear.
Forever in my soul.
While others appear
to be faded and old.

Hatred must cease,
Right here and right now!
My pain, I release,
In God's Love, I bow.

With His love and His grace,
and His mercy and His faith.
I forgive and love the one
No matter what evil that was done.

 Forgiveness starts with me!



All contents on this site are Copyright C 2011 by http://unlimitedharmony.blogspot.com/. All rights reserved. No part of this website or the related files may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the site owner

Childhood Nightmare / 002

Picture from Childhood Nightmare

Franky is running as fast as his little legs will allow him to.

“Don’t come down here, Franky. Stay away from the basement,’ a familiar voice bellowed. But Franky didn’t listened.

 He descended the staircase at brake neck speed reaching the bottom of the poorly lit room. He realize that he wasn’t permitted in the basement. He didn’t know why but Mr. Netherby had instructed him to stay away from the basement.

“Now you done it,' another boy said sniveling in the darkness.

Franky heard a rumbling from above. When he looked up he stood in terror. The ceiling was descending. Franky’s only thought was to get away. But when he turn to climb the staircase, it was gone. There wasn’t a staircase to ascend. A dark solid brickwall had emerged. Franky turned around only to see that he was in a shrinking cubicle. He instinctively stretched out his arms to stop the incomming walls from collapsing on him. His head was now touching the ceiling forcing him to his knees. Franky was trapped and could no longer moved. He shut his eyes and felt a cold breeze upon his face.

The crypt-like room faded out of view and Franky found himself rushing through the constellations. A loud whining sound reverberated in his ear. It sounded like a racing car whizzing by him. His six-sense told him that he is about to collide with...

Franky had awakened shivering and crying. Another nightmare. His two wrist were chafed and blood-red. It hurt. He was in his bedroom but he could not remember how he got there. Now Franky saw that daylight was breaking. He went to his bedroom door and wedge a magazine at the bottom of the door. He reasoned that it would at the very least stop anyone from sneaking into his room. Maybe he would have time to escape through the window.

All contents on this site are copyright C 2011 by http://unlimitedharmony.blogspot.com/. All rights reserved. No part of this website or the related files may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the site owner

Childhood Trauma / No. 1

'Nightmares are also common among children with post-traumatic stress disorder, as are recollections of the traumatic event that occur during waking hours and intrude into the child’s thoughts. These children may tend to startle easily and be very vigilant...Some children also experience visual hallucinations both immediately following and long after the single-event trauma. After witnessing his mother’s murder, for example a child may see monsters lurking in corners that are understandably terrifying.’

The AACAP (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) is the leading national professional medical association dedicated to treating and improving the quality of life for children, adolescents, and families affected by these disorders.

 http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/publication_store/your_child_childhood_trauma_and_its_effects 

Early childhood traumas (events that happen before the age of six) can lead to long-term depression and anxiety, and many other psychological issues. Severe traumas can even change the brain’s chemistry itself! In addition to physical, sexual and verbal abuse, children are often made to feel worthless, unlovable, insecure, and even threatened. Degradation and neglect are also considered a chief threat to the children’s psyche. The lack of positive feedback can also be detrimental to a child's self-esteem.

It is the "repeated pattern" of abuse that causes lasting damage to a child. The occasional slap on the wrist probably won't cause permanent harm; but on the other hand, an ongoing pattern of corporeal punishment, or even the threat of punishment, certainly will.

The most important thing to remember is to provide the child with a safe and supportive environment. Praise and encouragement are indispensable to a child's sense of emotional well-being as well as safety and emotional security. Safe and trustworthy environment creates optimism. Pay attention to your child’s body language.

All contents on this site are copyright C 2011 by http://unlimitedharmony.blogspot.com/. All rights reserved. No part of this website or the related files may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the site owner