Private Message

Consider this an engraved invitation to leave my children alone. I've already enrolled them in a school where you do not hold a position, and where your parents and a handful of under-socialized bullies do not override the Constitution and the laws of the land. You are probably not mature enough to understand how lucky you are that my daughter was returned alive the day you abandoned her in unfamiliar territory, despite my prior pleadings that you teach in a more responsible manner. You are a dangerous, irresponsible person, and I will never treat you as if you had a positive role to play anywhere. It is quite clear to me that you do not. 

Stop discussing my children with the unlucky children whose parents still allow them contact with you. Stop attempting to create bullying dynamics where they would otherwise not exist. When a child does not attend your school, that child's parents should not have to entertain concerns about bullying from your students. Your attempts to subject my children to physical and mental abuse by inciting your students to abusive behaviors has not gone unnoticed. What any student does after school is none of your business. The friendships enjoyed by any student are also none of your business.  If you refuse to leave my family alone, and continue courses of action that are harassment against my children, I will take action.

  

Terri Horman's New Welcome Sign

Terri Horman is finally divorced. Rather than mediate an agreement with her ex-husband, Kaine Horman, for shared custody or visitation of their five year old daughter, she avoided court as much as possible over the past three and a half years during which they have been separated, and refused to testify or explain her failed polygraphs in the ongoing missing persons case of her former stepson, Kyron Horman. Kyron disappeared from his school in Portland, Oregon, in 2010, when he was seven, and Terri is the last person reported to have seen him. Rather than assist in the effort to find Kyron, Terri and her parents, Carol and Larry Moulton, who live in Roseburg, Oregon, have opted to stay as far away from any helpful actions as possible.

Now that the divorce is finally final....sort of......custody and visitation still need to be worked out, there is one completely unusual feature in all of this: in addition to never actively seeking out the company of most other people, Terri Horman has never actively sought out the company of her daughter since she and Kaine split. While she failed two polygraphs and her versions (note the plural) of events changed at least half a dozen times concerning the day Kyron disappeared, she has not been charged with any crime; therefore, the restraining order Kaine took out against her should have simply expired, and not been renewed. In almost every domestic violence case involving a restraining or a protective order, (95% of domestic violence victims are women) the victim will be required to fight vigorously for the order, which, if granted, will last for a month or so, during which she will be required to exchange custody of her children with the respondent despite the order. After that, the order will finally expire, if the respondent does not re-offend. Why didn't matters proceed this way in the Horman case? Terri certainly has had the right, from the beginning, to fight the restrictions on seeing her daughter, even if Kaine did not want to see Terri. In a worst case scenario, a court appointed neutral party could have been appointed to assist in the custody exchanges or visitations. Most attorneys recommend this to respondents in Terri Horman's position; why didn't Terri's attorney insist upon it? What could be so terribly all-encompassing to Terri that she would forgo contact with her own daughter? And why would Terri decline any custodial time with her daughter during the child's formative years? Is her daughter no longer welcome in her life?

Speaking of "welcome", Terri Horman and her parents have erected a new sign at their home. During the month of November, Kyron's mother held a vigil in Roseburg, only to find that Terri's mother called the police, because she did not want anyone gathering near or in front of her home carrying signs bearing Kyron's picture. There was no wrongdoing in being close to the Moultons' home, and no one was sanctioned, but there is now a "No Trespassing" sign in front of the house. How incredibly welcoming. It is obviously directed to anyone involved in Kyron's missing persons case; one of his natural parents was the target. But to whom else is it directed? Anyone involved in the effort to find Kyron? Kyron's other parent? If so, how could visitation possibly take place? Extended visits, should Terri ever fight for them and get them, generally take place at the noncustodial parent's residence. Can Kaine even take her there without being accused of trespassing? As Kyron's father, the words, "Terri, where's Kyron?" are more than likely to leave his lips every time he sees her, until she clears up those failed polygraphs and multiple conflicting stories.

Suppose Terri's daughter, herself, wants to know what happened to Kyron? She is, after all, Kyron's sister. The Moultons seem to think that she will never wonder about Kyron. As an only child, Terri apparently doesn't understand the love siblings have for one another. It only makes sense that Kyron's sister will ask about him, one day; and try to find him. Does the "No Trespassing" sign apply to her presence, as well?

A Huge Thankyou To The Horatio Alger Association

My daughter just got a scholarship from the Horatio Alger Association. The association, named after Horatio Alger, who wrote many novels about people going from "rags to riches", was established in 1947 for students who aspire to attain college education but whose families cannot afford it. My daughter has always been precocious, creative, and a brilliant student. I have always been very proud of her, and have always had high expectations of her. Whether she knows it or not, she has always exceeded my expectations. Unfortunately, a family law court judge in West Virginia used yours truly and children as an example of how a divorced mom can be forced to pay for the privelege of escaping domestic violence, and expressed, not only disdain for me while in court, but rage at my daughter for answering a policeman's questions after a domestic violence incident. The judge was determined to do all she could to make sure that there would never be enough money for my daughter to attend college, and denied us everything from child support to justice. The hardships that followed certainly took their toll on our family, but I always insisted that my children learn, think, and do their very best in school. My daughter will graduate from high school this year as the valedictorian of her class, despite the opinions of anyone who did not like us because we lacked a white picket fence, cable TV, and lots of stupid video games.

A huge "Thankyou" from a grateful mom, Horatio Alger Association! You gave my daughter an opportunity she never would have had, otherwise. I met some of the others in the honors program at the college she has chosen, and am very impressed with the school and with it's students. She is overjoyed to go to college this fall, and I am very happy for her!

Thankyou, also, for believing in my daughter's talent and ability. She has always exceeded my expectations, but it is very encouraging to know that others can see the wondeful things about her that I see. Today, and for the rest of my life, I am a very proud mom!