Posted in Children Seized by Social Workers
I have been following two important cases here in Ohio involving the Department of Children's Services. One, the "children in cages" case, reached the national media. Robert Surgenor, an expert on Ohio law concerning child neglect and abuse, speaks at the CHEO convention each year, and is considered an expert witness at trials. He has sent out updates on this case from the beginning of the time his organization, Family Defense Network, became involved. This is his most recent update on the case. To read all of the Gravelle updates from FDN, please click here.
From: Family Defense Network
Sent: Wednesday, March 29, 2006 5:45 PM
Subject: Note from a Gravelle friend
I have been in contact with numerous people who know the Gravelles personally. I have heard many stories about the love and affection Michael and Sharen showed their 11 adopted children. Below is a little note written by one of the Gravelles very close friends who observed first-hand how the Gravelles interacted with their children. I had quite a chuckle reading this note, thinking about some of the shenanigans I experienced with my own children, and how I dealt with those problems. I think you will agree that this is not abuse, even though this one incident portrayed it as such!
Robert R. Surgenor Sr.
Subject: Gravelle Discipline: The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
In today's world, the media will often take a grain of truth and manipulate it so that they have a sensational story that will sell papers. I will expand on these grains to let Americans know the truth about the Gravelles.
Media Story: One of the Gravelle children was sent to his cage and had to write the entire book of Deuteronomy.
The Truth: When one of the children misbehaved, he was asked to apologize or to go to his room and start copying the Book of Deuteronomy until he did apologize. He had a choice and he chose to go to his room and sit on his bed and start writing. The Book of Deutoronomy was selected was because that was the first book in his Bible since he had ripped out the Books of Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus.
Other options that the Gravelles could have chosen were:
1. Have him write a three page essay. This is one of Judge Cardwell's punishments when juveniles come before him in his court.
2. He could have written 100 times: 1. I will not smash an egg in my sister's face again, 2. I will not smash an egg in my sister's face again, 3. I will not smash an egg in my sister's face again, 4. I will not smash an egg in my sister's face again, etc.
His choice was to start copying the book of Deuteronomy. After writing less than one and one-half pages, he changed his choice and apologized to his sister.
Is this discipline/punishment, too strict and abusive? You decide and remember not to believe everything you hear or read in the media.
Gravelle Family Friend
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