My husband has been falsely accused of molesting a mentally challenged little girl when we lived in Ohio. This girl with cerebral palsy and a 69 IQ along with her brother and step-dad lived in our home for 2-1/2 years. Also living in our home was my husband, of course, me, and 4 of my own kids. They moved in because the step-dad could not handle the children. My husband being a disciplined black belt offered to help.
After 2years the girl went to my youngest daughter and told her that my husband molested her once, while she was sitting on his lap. My daughter had come in and told me about it, so I then immediately went to my husband with the girl and told him what she had said. He was so upset and asked why she would lie like that. I then told her to go upstairs and tell her dad. She did, but then made the story even bigger.
The girl was interviewed by authorities after the family had moved out of the home, and because of the wonderful attention she was getting decided to tell the same story. The authorities then came to our house and interviewed me, went to my girls’ school and interviewed them and called my husband in to the office and also talked to him. The dad of the girl even told them that the story she gave was impossible. We thought that this was the end of it. Everyone told them that there was no way that anything could of happened. Even the girls grandmother and aunt know this girl is not there, and that this could not have happened.
We moved to Las Vegas shortly after that, it was February of 2005 because like I said we thought there was nothing there. The reason we moved was because I have Multiple Sclerosis and am legally blind and knew I could the help I needed here. WE WERE NOT TOLD TO NOT MOVE OR GO ANYWHERE!
On October 18, 2005 at 11:30 at night the Las Vegas Metro came and arrested my husband to be extradited back to Ohio.. This is when the nightmare REALLY started. Here I am, not being able to drive and knowing no one am alone with my 2 kids and adult 22 year old son, who also cant drive. I can o longer get my desperately needed medication. My husband did everything for me and I am lost without him.
My husband has now been sitting in Stark County Jail since November 2005 awaiting trial on January 31 2006. Since we don't have the money for an attorney my husband id being represented by a public defender. The girl had a competency hearing on January 13 2006 to see whether she was competent and delusional. The girl, then 14 and now 16 is very delusional! She has been a cat, a vampire, a magician, and now an angel. I and my youngest daughter are getting subpoenaed to defend him, and am trying desperately to find the money to get there. The state wont pat our way and I have tried to get a loan, but to no avail. This is a definite case of being falsely accused. The prosecutors have no evidence of any wrong doing except for the girls word. I have a ton of witnesses, character witnesses and kids who have pent the night to say that my husband never did anything wrong. Besides she slept in the same room as my youngest daughter, who is now 13.
At the trial which lasted from Jan 31st to Feb 2nd, was an incredible injustice. The jury had no facts, the state had no evidence and the found my husband to be guilty on 1 count of rape and 5 counts of gross sexual imposition. Witnesses were not allowed to tell any facts, and important witnesses were not called. My husband who was the one on trial wasn't even allowed to speak! HE DID NOT DO ANYTHING WRONG! There is now going to be a pre sentencing hearing, and we want the minimal for him. But, the best thing would be for the truth to be known and for this to all end.
Marla Hudgins
http://www.innocentinmates.org

