Friends, it hasn't been fun here in Oswego, IL lately...
This has weighed on my mind all day... I may as well share it with you folks and perhaps it'll lighten my mental load a little...

Yesterday, we found out that our daughter Holly was a victim of "sexual assult" a couple of weeks go; it happened while I was already attending school, but before her school began. That puts the incident some time in late August... Holly was afraid she'd get into trouble if "she told her parents," but she did share it with her bestest friend, who kept the secret for a while, but it began to keep her awake at night. So, she told her folks, who in turn told my wife Barbara; Barbara called me at school yesterday, and I came home early to deal with the incident.

Apparently, the attacker is a pretty strong dude and a little bit older than Holly; he saw her on her bicycle in our front yard, grabbed her by the jacket and pulled her alongside of our house, then reached inside her clothing and groped her breasts and her crotch. She was able to escape his grip and run into the garage. Coincidentally, he was walking past the house again yesterday afternoon; when Holly saw him, she dropped her bicycle and dashed into the garage, shut the door, and ran inside the house. Barbara happened to be discussing he situation on the telephone at the time.

So, I got home, heard Holly's story first-hand, then called the sheriff. The officer came over, listened, and we all had to write statements independently of one another; Holly's friend, Emily, had her dad bring her over to our house to tell her story and submit a statement, as well.

Apparently, the sheriff's department knows who the perp is, and wheels have begun to turn. We got a phone message from the investigating detective already this afternoon, and have to talk with him in the morning...

For those who don't know, our "little" daughter Holly is a "mentally challeneged" adoptee; she was 5 weeks old when we received her on Christmas Eve, 1986 as a foster child. (We are licensed foster parents for the state.) When her bio-parents' rights were terminated, we adopted her.

Frankly, I'm glad the sheriff got to the perp before I could... [img]http://www.v6power.net/vb/images/smilies/******-o.gif[/img]

Much love and

Ponyboy...how awful!!! I can only imagine the pain and rage you must be feeling right now! I'm a daddy myself, and the thing you just described has long been one of my worst nightmares.

I hope they nail the creep! And I hope-hope-hope that your little Holly isn't scarred by this. She's really lucky to have a dad like you right now.

i posted to you on your other thread.

awww ponyboy. i wish i could do something besides just offer friendship and support. this makes me to sad, mad frustrated that this guy wasn't behind bars to begin with!

ponyboy - How very sad and awful. Prayers and best wishes for your family.

Ponyboy - How very sad and awful. Prayers and best wishes for (((Holly))) and your family.

I pray, the S.O.B. gets "life"!!!

Ponyboy, I just ache to hear this and I too hope that you will be able to help Holly get past the fear that this must have caused her.

my thoughts and prayers will be with you, your wife and Holly throught this painful time.

(((Ponyboy)))

(((((Ponyboy))))) Please keep us updated! I'm so sorry this happened to your daughter. Many hugs and support.

This is AWFUL, Pony. I'm so sorry this happened.

How is Holly doing now? Is she O.K.? Poor kid.

Hugs ~ Sly

I know how you must feel. Our home music teacher was a paedophile. 20 years ago, he had a go at my son. It was only verbal thank God. That was when I first found out. I sacked him immediately. Told everyone I could. Then 3 years later, completely inadvertently, he had a go at my second son, again verbal, and with rude magazines etc. I had not seen him for years, but unknown to me, he had been allowed to take a party of boys walking. I nearly exploded. A few years after that, he was sent to prison for 3 years, and two years after he came out (which brings us up to present day) he has been sent back to prison for another two years. I hope he has a rotten time there. I am so sorry for you, and your wife and daughter. I hope the wicked evil person gets whats coming to him
with love.
M.