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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    4

    Default Assault on a Child

    My question involves child abuse or neglect in the State of: Texas


    I have a neighbor with a 10 y/o son who was attacked for walking on another neighbors lawn. This happened 01-2006.

    The mother took pictures of bruises and marks on childs neck , police were called but nothing done (harris county,houston) they were afraid to press charges due to fear of retaliation.

    The person who attacked the child was a 55 y/o man.

    Can charges be brought AGAINST HIM or can anyone file on behalf of the child other than the parents or can CPS be brought in?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    20

    Default Re: Assault on Child

    Why are you asking this now almost 3 years later?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Assault on Child

    because the person has now moved away and the child is afraid he will return I believe the staute is 10 yrs. And he needs counseling and the guy who did this should be held acountable

  4. #4

    Default Re: Assault on Child

    The child can't be any MORE afaid of the guy returning then he was of living NEXT to the guy all this time. If the parents weren't willing to press charges at the time, with this dangerous guy living next to their kid, police (and more importantly prosecutors) are going to be very DISinterested in trying to go over this again - especially now that the guy has moved OUT of the area.

    All sorts of problems trying to pursue this now; not only are witness memories going to be 3 years old (and they'd have to FIND and interview those witnesses), but depending on what exact charge MIGHT apply, the SOL could be problematic (which you can't know until you know the charge), AND possible issues with extradition (even if all other aspects fall into place, depending on how FAR out of the area the guy moved, they may not be willing or able to make him return).

    Of course there's always a possibility, so if there's concern, you can always ASK police if they'd be willing to open the case again.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Assault on Child

    they have pictures of injuries and police reports however he was and is a typical disturbed person wants to intimindate the family women and children. just asking if case can be open or filed not asking for personal opinions

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    2,031

    Default Re: Assault on Child

    Quote Quoting hx3
    View Post
    they have pictures of injuries and police reports however he was and is a typical disturbed person wants to intimindate the family women and children. just asking if case can be open or filed not asking for personal opinions
    And who are you in this situation???

  7. #7

    Default Re: Assault on Child

    Quote Quoting hx3
    View Post
    just asking if case can be open or filed
    Anything CAN - but only the police can say they WILL. What did they say when you asked them?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Assault on a Child

    i just moved into area and am in medical field my son is friends with other child he has issues still from attack i believe that person should have some responsibility in this

  9. #9

    Default Re: Assault on a Child

    If police had enough slam dunk evidence to bring charges without participation from the victim and the victim's parents, they could have (and likely would have) done so. Without such cooperation, such cases crash and burn. The family can attempt to get police re-open the case if the suspect has left the area and they now feel safer doing so, but if police didn't get their own documentation of evidence at the time (including their OWN photographs), the case will be dead in the water again. Asking the case to be reopened is something the parents of the child need to do AFTER they have consulted with some neutral professional and come to the conclusion that doing so is in the best interest of their child. Pursuing the case means making the child recall, re-live, and re-tell the story...not only to police, but in open court, on the stand, face to face with the perp. Very careful consideration of the PERCEIVED pros and cons to the CHILD need to take precidence. I'm not saying the guy should "get away with it" or that justice should fall to the wayside, only that there is potential for a lot MORE damage to befall this child emotionally, and that any such pursuit needs to happen hand in hand with the assistance from a trained professional who can provide appropriate care and oversight on behalf of the child before and during any such process.

    Remember too that regardless of what happens to a perpetrator, victims still have the same issues, fears, anxieties, and all the myriad of problems associated with any type of victimization, particularly when victimized at a young age. Even a slam dunk conviction doesn't have the effect of improving coping skills, boosting self image, treating depression, or negating PTSD. If there are issues still impacting the child, they need to be addressed separate and apart from whatever does or doesn't happen with the criminal case against the perp. The victim's family can contact their local domestic violence shelter, CPS office, victim advocate at their local law enforcement agency, or social worker at their local hospital or the child's school for a referral to such services in their community.

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