09-15-2005, 02:55 PM
|
#35 (permalink)
|
|
President Rick
Location: location location
|
More info and pics
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/4975043/detail.html
Quote:
Meanwhile, the Gravelles released a statement through their attorney, David Sherman, about the media coverage of their children.
It reads:
"Many of the statements made concerning this matter are inaccurate or exaggerated. Clearly, there is another side to this story. The Gravelles love and miss their children and are devastated and broken-hearted with worry since their children have been ripped away from them. Their motives and intentions were good. They would never harm a child. The children love their parents and want to come home. The children have been out of control and have caused serious harm to themselves and each other. In order to prevent further injury, Mr. Gravelle constructed enclosures around their twin bunk beds to provide a secure space to keep them safe while the parents were asleep at night. These have been characterized as cages, however, that was not their function. They have no lock, latch, or provision for them. There was no cruelty, excessive restraint or risk of harm. The children were free to leave their beds anytime they wanted. There is a simple buzzer on the door, solely as a safety precaution to wake the parents if the children got out of bed at night." --David Sherman, Attorney
New York Post
WEWS reported the Gravelles said the "enclosures" were installed under the auspices of a licensed social worker who felt that the enclosures would be helpful because of behavioral problems.
During a news conference, Huron County officials described how the kids tried to escape from the cages. "We found that the rabbit wire, the wire fencing, was pulled away from the interior of the frame of the cage and ripped. It takes a lot of determination to rip that wire. It's pretty tough. It was on both ends of the cage, then there were boards nailed over the ripped areas. It looks very much as if someone inside was trying to get out," Sheriff Dick Sutherland said.
A custody hearing will take place Oct. 27.
|
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/4972643/detail.html
Mother Accused Dad Of Abusing Kids Found In Cages
Wife Filed For Divorce In 2001
Quote:
UPDATED: 2:08 pm EDT September 14, 2005
CLARKSFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- The mother of the caged children in Huron County had previously accused her husband of abusing the children.
The information came out in divorce proceedings in 2001, NewsChannel5 reported.
Michael Gravelle, 56, and Sharen Gravelle, 57, are accused of caging their special needs children because they said they had to protect them from each other, NewsChannel5 reported.
Court documents showed that Sharen filed for divorce, claiming domestic abuse and child abuse. Michael maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. The couple reconciled before it was finalized.
Family Ties
NewsChannel5 spoke with the children's grandmother Wednesday. She said the family will do anything to get the kids back.
"The kids, we love them and we are trying to get them back home. Thank you," the grandmother said.
Charges
Lt. Randy Sommers with the sheriff's department was the first investigator in the house. He met Wednesday with prosecutors to decide what is next in the case.
No charges have been filed yet. By law, there is no time frame in which it has to be done.
The parents may face unlawful confinement and child endangerment charges.
Cages
Prosecutors said nine of the 11 adopted children, ages 1 to 15, were kept in cages at night with alarms that would sound if the kids tried to leave.
During a news conference, Huron County officials described how the kids tried to escape from the cages.
"We found that the rabbit wire, the wire fencing, was pulled away from the interior of the frame of the cage and ripped. It takes a lot of determination to rip that wire. It's pretty tough. It was on both ends of the cage, then there were boards nailed over the ripped areas. It looks very much as if someone inside was trying to get out," Sheriff Dick Sutherland said.
According to the search warrant, the cages were 2½ feet high and 3 feet long. It said the there was no room for the kids to stand up. The cages were built with 2-by-4 wooden planks and chicken wire.
The Gravelles haven't been to the home since the story came out. The kids are in foster homes.
One of the children said she has never slept in a bed so soft until now, NewsChannel5 reported.
|
__________________
This post is content. If you don't like it then you are not content. Or perhaps just incontinent.
This is not a link - Do not click here
I hate animated avatars.
|
|
|