Manny Francis choked and burned 3 y.o.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

CM - I have nothing but the utmost admiration for you. Even if you sometimes feel like falling down into a deep weeping basket case, you have everything needed for what is going on.

You also illustrate to us how easily any one of us could find our self in a similar situation. It is not always the clueless airheads that get fooled.

Thank you for sharing with us.

[Corey's Mama]

So I met with the State's Attorney today. I was under the assumption that she would tell me what the plea she was thinking of offering, we'd discuss it, and that she would make sure I felt okay with the offer.
WRONG.
She had already struck a deal with Manny's lawyer and it's set to go down on Friday morning.
The deal is this...he pleads guilty to 1st degree aggraveted domestic assault on a minor and he gets sentenced 18 months to 9 nine years. Yup--that's right 18 MONTHS!
I was so upset. She said that I can come to the hearing on Friday and tell the judge that I do not agree with the plea deal. And then its up to the judge whether to allow the plea.
I just dont understand...I was told all along that I had some say in his sentence...
18 months for abusing a little boy. 18 months for all the pain and sorrow he has caused me and my family. Unreal. It's just absolutly unbelievable.
I havent decided yet whether I'll even go to the hearing on Friday.

[Tazzzz]

Wow, Thats pretty sad Corey's Mama, I am sorry to hear that, I am hoping for the max 9 years. Maybe you might make a difference by going to the hearing on Friday, your already to far into this , you might as well go. Don't get your hope up to high, so you get to pissed off if he gets a light sentence, save it till you get home.


Corey's Mama , the "1st degree aggraveted domestic assault" is a felony right??? That pretty much fucks him bad in allot of ways. Especially when he gets out on parole. So thats just bonus stuff.

[Kalehue]

So is the 18 months part definite or could he get up to 9 years?

[Corey's Mama]

Wow--April 14th was the last time I wrote a post. It has been way too long--I've been dragging my feet on writing this update and for that I feel like I should apologize to all the DD members who have been so supportive to me.
The last post I wrote was after finding out about the plea bargin--and I said I wasn't sure whether I would even attend the hearing on Friday--which was on April 17th 2009. I went back and forth on attending, I was very nervous about seeing Manny. But ultimatley I decided that there was no way I could not attend. I was told that I could speak during the hearing if I chose to--or I could write a victim impact statement that could be read by someone else during hearing. I felt like I really wanted to speak--but just in case I somehow became speechless I thought it would be a good idea to write the victim impact statement --But I ended up staring at a blank computer screen for an hour before I gave up--I just could not find the words. So I then decided not to speak.

April 17th 2009, at 8:30am there I sat in the courtroom my mother, Jad (my ex-boyfriend and the man who has raised Corey since he was 8 weeks), and the victims adovate. I was bummed that Det. Kinney could not come--he had been a huge support for me all along. It was almost 9:30am by the time they called Manny's case. They brought him in handcuffed and I watched him as his eyes scanned the courtroom to see who was there and as his eyes feel upon us--man if looks could kill! He said to his attorney "I didn't know SHE was gonna be here." I'm sure--actually I KNOW it was irritating for him to see Jad sitting next there next to me, especially since he thinks we are back together--which we are not. Gosh I could barely take care of myself and the kids--let alone put forth the effort to be in a relationship that need a lot of work. Jad helped out with the kids and was a support person for me. Yes he wanted to be in a relationship but he understood that I just couldn't do it.

Anyway, the judge and the attorneys began talking. The judge was Patricia Zimmerman. She was appauled to see what the plea bargin entailed--18 months to 7 years (in a previous post I said 18months to 9years). She asked if the mother of the victim was present and was informed that yes I was there. She said she wanted my input on how I felt about the plea...I started to speak and became tongue tied...I started crying. The state's attorney - Susan Harding jumped in and said "Obviously you can see my client is very emotional and she is not really in agreement with the plea but at the same time she is weary of going to trial. She doesn't want to put her herself, her child and her family through anymore...so she is very much on the fence." The judge looked back at me and I was still crying--she said "If you don't want this I will not allow it to go through." I watched Manny turn to look at me--with those eyes....and Susan Harding was watching me as well--remember she did not want to go to trial for fear of losing--so I was very much put on the spot. But I manged to compose myself and began talking.

I apologized for being so emotional---I said it was the first time since December 4th that I had seen my husband so that in itself was difficult. I talked about how I had been ready to go to trial but when I found out that it wasn't going to happen it was then that I realized just how badly I did not want to go to trial.
I went on to talk about how the crime had affected us. I said that yes Manny's been in jail which I'm sure is not a fun place to be-- but in my opinion jail's nothing--absolutley nothing compared to what I live with. I'm the one who was left behind to pick up the pieces and to fix all the damage that he inflicted on my son and I. Manny doesn't have to drive a 3 year old to trauma therapy every week...he's not the one up in the middle of the night w/ corey who's screaming because he's had another nightmare...he doesn't have to watch a 3 year old child struggle with the symptoms of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). I do. And I have to live with the guilt that because I didn't wake up I could not protect my baby...and I live with all the thoughts of how scared Corey must have been...I'm the one who had to take his bed out of his room because he refused to sleep in it because it reminded him of that fateful night...I'm the one who feels the pain of thinking my child hates me because I did not protect him...all of it and more I live with all of it and more every single day. My mind still to this day simply cannot grasp why this happen. All the unanswered questions that are running through my mind all the time. My son is okay physically, but emotionally he is not. He's just not the same little boy he was before this happened.
When I look at Manny now I see absolutley no remorse. So I guess my answer as to whether or not I will accept the plea bargin--is yes I'm alright with it. A trial is to much to bear--and I need closure so that I can move on with my life. And ultimatley it's not more jail time that he needs. Manny needs pyshcological treatment...and a lot of it.

That's pretty much what I said. It was hard...the whole time I was speaking I was looking at the judgeso I didn't get to see what Manny was doing--but my mother was watching him and she said that he was definitly listening and that he just stood there, looking down at the table. And after all was said and done I heard him said GUILTY. That was huge for me--I cryed even more right after he said it because to tell you the honest to God truth it's still hard for me to believe he did it.

The DNA found on the iron never ended up being tested to see if it was Corey's. And actually during the hearing all that was said was about the strangling..."...so on Dec. 3rd 2008 you knowingly and willfully strangled C.F......".

He plead guilty to 1 count of 1st Degree Aggravated Domestic Assault on a Minor...a felony...and was sentenced to 18 months to 7 years. They took 6 charges, 3 on me and 3 on Corey that held jail time of up to 20 years and dismissed 5 of the 6 charges in order for this plea bargin which only has him serving 18 months. But remember he violated his parole so he has to serve out the remainder that which goes until 2011 and then he will start his sentence of the 18 months. So all in all he got more than 18 months if you think about it--he went to jail Dec. 4th 2008 so he will be in jail for all of
2009, all of 2010, all of 2011, all of 2012 and then half of 2013.

Was justice served....no I don't believe it was. I think it's a sad case of the state's attorney wanting to get a guilty charge but not wanting to risk losing a trial. And me being too swamped in my emotions to fight for a trial...and being "bullied" into accepting the plea by a shady state's attorney. And Manny knowing exactly what he was doing by requesting a speedy trial.

In the end I actually found out that Susan Harding, this supposed "pit bull", only has 3% to 5% of her cases ever go to trial...all the rest she does pllea bargins. That's not a "pit bull" in my eyes....actually that's not much of anything at all in my eyes.

Sorry this was so long! But if you have any questions--or if I left something out, or anything at all, please feel free to ask me anything.

Oh and as for our divorce it will be final in June. I sent him the papers and he refused them and sent them back to me so I called his case manager and sent them again.

[Nell]

Wow. Thanks for the update! I am so glad to hear he will be in jail till 2013 at least.

[nurseronda]

Wow. Thanks for the update! I am so glad to hear he will be in jail till 2013 at least.

Don't believe that this guy will end up in prison for this long. I have seen prisoners sentenced to 7 years for rape and or abuse of a child or baby only to be out before a year is up, mostly because of good behavior. If the child had died then that is another story.

[Nell]

He plead guilty to 1 count of 1st Degree Aggravated Domestic Assault on a Minor...a felony...and was sentenced to 18 months to 7 years. They took 6 charges, 3 on me and 3 on Corey that held jail time of up to 20 years and dismissed 5 of the 6 charges in order for this plea bargin which only has him serving 18 months. But remember he violated his parole so he has to serve out the remainder that which goes until 2011 and then he will start his sentence of the 18 months. So all in all he got more than 18 months if you think about it--he went to jail Dec. 4th 2008 so he will be in jail for all of
2009, all of 2010, all of 2011, all of 2012 and then half of 2013.

I was basing that on Coreys Mamma saying this right here. Hopefully she is right.

[Alf]

Manny doesn't have to drive a 3 year old to trauma therapy every week

Corey's getting trauma therapy. Is his mama?

...he's not the one up in the middle of the night w/ corey who's screaming because he's had another nightmare...he doesn't have to watch a 3 year old child struggle with the symptoms of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).

I wish I could say, "PTSD symptoms suck", but I don't think quite that highly of them.

Thanks for coming back to let us know what's going on, A.

--Al

[Kalehue]

Wow. I'm so proud of you for reaching deep and finding the words so you could make a statement in court. It sounds like you did a great job. Hopefully, on some level, the experience will help in your healing process. Just hearing him say "GUILTY" and being able to articulate some of how this has affected you and Corey.

I'm hoping they will at least make him serve out 100% of the time for his parole violation, even if he manages to get out a little earlier from the new charges.

Thanks so much for the update. Hang in there! Hugs to you and Corey.

[Corey's Mama]

Corey's getting trauma therapy. Is his mama?

Yep I go to trauma therapy as well and at the same place Corey goes. It works out very well--Corey has his counselor and I have mine....they have worked it out so that we both go on the same days, at the same time. We've been going since January. Thanks for asking!

[Corey's Mama]

Don't believe that this guy will end up in prison for this long. I have seen prisoners sentenced to 7 years for rape and or abuse of a child or baby only to be out before a year is up, mostly because of good behavior. If the child had died then that is another story.

Hi nurseronda-
I don't believe we've met--I'm the mother of the child in this story...and it was my husband (ex-husband as of June 2009) who committed the crime....Nice to meet you.
Manny was on parole for another crime when he committed this crime so his parole was revoked --thus he has to serve out the remainder of his sentence for that crime--which goes until 2011. He was sentenced 18 months to 7 years for what he did to my son. They are not running his time concurrent--instead consecutive. This means that he will not begin to serve out the 18 months until 2011. The 7 years is how long he will be on probation/parole for. So what I was saying is that he will be in jail for all 0f 2009, all of 2010 and part of 2011--just for the parole violation and then he will been to start serving the 18 months. I can assure you that he will serve this long at the very least.
When he gets out of jail he'll be on probation/parole for 7 years. If he commits a crime while under supervision they'll put him back in jail. It depends on the crime as to how long he'd serve...for example-a driving violation he'd get like 30 days...another violent crime and he could be put back in jail to finish whatever's left of the 7 years...and then whatever the sentence was for the new crime wouldn't start until he had served out the full seven years.

[nurseronda]

Hi nurseronda-
I don't believe we've met--I'm the mother of the child in this story...and it was my husband (ex-husband as of June 2009) who committed the crime....Nice to meet you.
Manny was on parole for another crime when he committed this crime so his parole was revoked --thus he has to serve out the remainder of his sentence for that crime--which goes until 2011. He was sentenced 18 months to 7 years for what he did to my son. They are not running his time concurrent--instead consecutive. This means that he will not begin to serve out the 18 months until 2011. The 7 years is how long he will be on probation/parole for. So what I was saying is that he will be in jail for all 0f 2009, all of 2010 and part of 2011--just for the parole violation and then he will been to start serving the 18 months. I can assure you that he will serve this long at the very least.
When he gets out of jail he'll be on probation/parole for 7 years. If he commits a crime while under supervision they'll put him back in jail. It depends on the crime as to how long he'd serve...for example-a driving violation he'd get like 30 days...another violent crime and he could be put back in jail to finish whatever's left of the 7 years...and then whatever the sentence was for the new crime wouldn't start until he had served out the full seven years.

It is very nice to meet you also. I work with these type of kids so I was just giving you what those parents or parent gets...Most get out and the victims family or foster family is not even told. I also have to take the kids to see these abuser or abusers just because they have siblings still living in the home at times. I hope he does serve this amount of time at the very least. He needs to serve a lot more time than what he recieved, but that is my opinion.

I see first hand what damage the abuser or abusers can do to a helpless child. Most of the kids have Trach tubes to help them breathe and/or G-tubes so that they can get proper nutrition. Most can't walk or if they can have a very unsteady gait. Some will never be able to talk or walk ever again. Most have gone through so many surgeries that it seems like a normal part of life for them.

I am so glad that your child is able to face life with you at his side, he needs you now more than ever.

[Corey's Mama]

It is very nice to meet you also. I work with these type of kids so I was just giving you what those parents or parent gets...Most get out and the victims family or foster family is not even told. I also have to take the kids to see these abuser or abusers just because they have siblings still living in the home at times. I hope he does serve this amount of time at the very least. He needs to serve a lot more time than what he recieved, but that is my opinion.

I see first hand what damage the abuser or abusers can do to a helpless child. Most of the kids have Trach tubes to help them breathe and/or G-tubes so that they can get proper nutrition. Most can't walk or if they can have a very unsteady gait. Some will never be able to talk or walk ever again. Most have gone through so many surgeries that it seems like a normal part of life for them.

I am so glad that your child is able to face life with you at his side, he needs you now more than ever.

Gosh--when I read your post it reminded of lucky Corey and I are. The dectectives and the victims advocate always said how lucky I was that Manny didnt kill Corey...and that Corey didnt have serious results from the lack of air due to the strangulation.
And whenever I'd start to beat myself up because I didn't hear anything while it was happening...or because I didn't get up to check on Corey when Manny came back to bed after being gone for so long---they'd tell me that there was a reason why I didn't hear anything and why I didn't get up to check on Corey--if I had walked in on what was happening or even if I had gotten up to check on him who knows what Manny could have done to me or to both of us.

As for the jail time...I started out wanting to him locked up for life. Now that I realize that's not gonna happen I feel like Manny and ultimatley society would benefit much more from intense psychological treatment rather than more years in jail. He is sick and need help. And if he doesn't get help he'll probably end up hurting another child possibly killing them.

I feel so bad for those kids who have to see their abuser again. I cannot even imagine having to take Corey to see Manny....I am very lucky that Corey is not Mannys child and that Manny and I have no biological kids together.

God Bless you and the hard work you have to do.

[Alf]

Yep I go to trauma therapy as well and at the same place Corey goes. It works out very well--Corey has his counselor and I have mine....they have worked it out so that we both go on the same days, at the same time. We've been going since January. Thanks for asking!

Good. We saw evidence of your courage this evening; now we see your wisdom too. May God bless you and Corey.

--Al

[Corey's Mama]

So I want to ask you all a question. When the judge said that she wouldn't allow the plea to go through if I didn't want it too should I taken her up on her offer & said that I didnt agree with the plea? Because I was thinking all along that if I had done that that it meant we'd be going to trial....but I was thinking this morning that maybe there would have been some sort of counter offer/plea bargin that held more years & that maybe it didn't automatically mean there'd be a trial.

I bumped into the mother of one of my older son's friends. I hadnt seen her for a real long time so I was surprised when she brought up everything that happened to Corey. But that's how it goes when you live in a small town--word spreads like wild fire. Anyway, the last time we had talked she was having problems with her ex-husband and father of her 2 kids.. He was trying to get her back, drinking & doing stupid things. He picked up a DWI & was sentenced to rehab because the breathalyzer was inconclusive or something like that. Then a month later he got his second DWI & was sentenced 1 to 3 years all suspended & he was put on probation. One of his conditions was that he not drink & to go to the police station everyday to give a breathalyzer. One day he showed up for his breathalyzer & was drunk. His P.O. sent him to jail & he had to serve his minimum which was 1 year. He did & he just got out like a week ago. Actually he did his time at the same jail where Manny is. Point being is that this man had to serve 1 year for a DWI & Manny gets sentenced 18 months--a mere 6 months more-- for strangling a child. There is something seriously wrong with our justice system. Yes driving drunk is dangerous and wrong and can have horrific consequences. Luckily this man did not hurt anyone. But Manny, he strangles and burns a child causing mininal physical damage & massive emotional damage that could potentially last a lifetime. He could have killed Corey...or he could have caused brain damage from the lack of oxygen--thank God he didn't. I just don't understand our justice system---it's priorities are seriously out of whack.

Anyway my point to this post is that I feel like I caved in & just went w/ what the State's Attorney wanted as well as what Manny wanted. I am fearful of Manny's anger towards me & I don't know if he'll come to terms w/ what he did & take responsibility for it while he's locked up. I have no clue what's going through his mind--who knows he may have been in some sort of black out when he did it & actually not remember doing it at all---it sure seems as though he's convinced himself of his innocence. And I'd bet my life that he's telling everyone (everyone being the people in jail & his family members) that he just plead guilty to get the plea bargin---and a bargin it was.

I don't know if I would have done things differently had I not been in the room with the state's attorney whom I knew did not want a trial and Manny whom I could completely sense the anger and resentment he felt toward me. I spend too much time thinking about what's going to happen when he gets out...not in the sense of anything to do with he and I as a couple-those kind of thoughts are long gone thank God...but what I mean is that I think about if he still has as much anger in him as he does now---there's a good chance that he would seek me out to get his "revenge". In Manny's mind I should have been the loyal wife and been on "his" side regarlless of what he did to Corey. So yes, part of the reason I went along with the plea was to pacify him---but what would I have done if he wasn't right there---& if I knew he wouldnt be able to find out I wanted him to have more time. UUggghh....I feel like I didn't fight for my child. What would you have done?

[Mare]

Hi CM,

I most likely would have done exactly what you did. It is easier that way (even if in retrospect if feels like maybe you could have / should have done differently). You have to concentrate on getting Corey and yourself the help you need and not on retaliation towards Manny. Frankly at trial he might have been found not guilty and he would now be walking around free (reasonable doubt). In addition being a convincted felon will make his life hard when he gets out of jail.

If at all possible I would attend any parole hearing he may have to ensure he is not released before serving the maxim possible time.

M.

[Kalehue]

I think you need to quit second guessing yourself. I agree with Mare -- great advice IMO. If you had pushed to take this to trial and he ended up with LESS time or an acquittal, you'd really be kicking yourself. I think you made a good decision. I wish that he was serving more time for what he did, but I find I feel that way in most abuse cases. It rarely seems to be nearly enough time for the damage done. Especially so in your case because we're hearing firsthand how devastating this has all been.

Try your best to put this behind you and focus your energy on getting the help you and Corey need and making the future bright for yourself and your children. Manny Francis isn't worth any more of your energy.

[Tazzzz]

Yeah, don't beat yourself up about this Corey's Mama. You cant change whats already done and you have no idea how bad it would have been for you if you went to court. I am sure Manny's lawyer would have pointed the finger at you and said it was you who did it. You did the best you could , given the circumstances.

[MissKerosene]

I just wanted to say that this is the first time I have read this thread and all I can say is... Corey's Mama you are one strong and courageous woman! I hope that in time you and Corey will find peace and be able to fully enjoy your lives together and be free of the evil this man subjected you both too.

I also want to say that I think you did exactly what you needed to do at the time and it was the right thing as you spoke the truth and even if the sentance doesnt fit the crime you have done all you can and the perp will forever have to live with the guilt and stigma of what he did no matter where he is.

I don't post alot on forums,as much as I love DD, but you have forced me out of lurking with your strength and love for your wee son. All victims of crime and parents of children who are victims should take a lesson from your book, you are a wonderful loving mother who has done everything a mother with dignity and honor would do. Please stay around DD its wonderful to have you here!

I will keep Corey and you in my thoughts and I wish you both a wonderful,beautiful future!

[Corey's Mama]

Hi CM,

I most likely would have done exactly what you did. It is easier that way (even if in retrospect if feels like maybe you could have / should have done differently). You have to concentrate on getting Corey and yourself the help you need and not on retaliation towards Manny. Frankly at trial he might have been found not guilty and he would now be walking around free (reasonable doubt). In addition being a convincted felon will make his life hard when he gets out of jail.

If at all possible I would attend any parole hearing he may have to ensure he is not released before serving the maxim possible time.

M.

That is exactly why the state's attorney didn't want a trial. Bottomline is that besides Corey it was just Manny and I in the house. He says he didnt do..I say I didnt do it----and there's the reasonable doubt. And even though I can see this--to me, because I lived it, it feels like the evidence against him is overwhelming.
But yes, it certainly is easier this way. I mean I cannot imagine if he just had completely gotten away with this. Thanks for you advice.

[Corey's Mama]

Yeah, don't beat yourself up about this Corey's Mama. You cant change whats already done and you have no idea how bad it would have been for you if you went to court. I am sure Manny's lawyer would have pointed the finger at you and said it was you who did it. You did the best you could , given the circumstances.

Yep--pointing the finger at me was Manny's defense. I remember when I found that out...it felt like I had been kicked in the gut. So I really cant imagine going through a trial. Thanks for your advice.

[Corey's Mama]

I think you need to quit second guessing yourself. I agree with Mare -- great advice IMO. If you had pushed to take this to trial and he ended up with LESS time or an acquittal, you'd really be kicking yourself. I think you made a good decision. I wish that he was serving more time for what he did, but I find I feel that way in most abuse cases. It rarely seems to be nearly enough time for the damage done. Especially so in your case because we're hearing firsthand how devastating this has all been.

Try your best to put this behind you and focus your energy on getting the help you and Corey need and making the future bright for yourself and your children. Manny Francis isn't worth any more of your energy.

I certainly has been devastating. And you're so right about trying to put this behind me--all though it probably will never fully be behind me. It's has been almost 6 months since the crime occured--and almost a month since he plead guilty. There has not a day gone by that I haven't tortured myself with all the 'what if's and 'if only's. So it really is time that I start focusing on "life after Manny" and put it all to rest.
Thanks for the advice--really made me think.

[Corey's Mama]

I just wanted to say that this is the first time I have read this thread and all I can say is... Corey's Mama you are one strong and courageous woman! I hope that in time you and Corey will find peace and be able to fully enjoy your lives together and be free of the evil this man subjected you both too.

I also want to say that I think you did exactly what you needed to do at the time and it was the right thing as you spoke the truth and even if the sentance doesnt fit the crime you have done all you can and the perp will forever have to live with the guilt and stigma of what he did no matter where he is.

I don't post alot on forums,as much as I love DD, but you have forced me out of lurking with your strength and love for your wee son. All victims of crime and parents of children who are victims should take a lesson from your book, you are a wonderful loving mother who has done everything a mother with dignity and honor would do. Please stay around DD its wonderful to have you here!

I will keep Corey and you in my thoughts and I wish you both a wonderful,beautiful future!

Nice to meet you MK--you've come in at the bittersweet end--thanks for your kind words....and for posting;)

[Corey's Mama]

And thanks to all the rest of you who have been such a huge support. I hope you all realize how the support you gave me was like a breath of fresh air during a time when I was drowning.
I guess it's time to learn how to smile again.

[seductress]

And thanks to all the rest of you who have been such a huge support. I hope you all realize how the support you gave me was like a breath of fresh air during a time when I was drowning.
I guess it's time to learn how to smile again.

Please do smile.......... your smile can touch a million people and you never know it. Imagine how many people you have touched from DD

[thehesbomb]

UUggghh....I feel like I didn't fight for my child. What would you have done?

Please don't second guess yourself. You LEFT your husband when he hurt your son. You did fight for him, just by doing that. Every single day we see stories about women who stayed and let the violence against their child(ren) continue. You didn't. You took a stand, sought medical help and are doing your damnedest to make sure he heals from what has happened to him. Be proud of what you have done for Corey, for your older son and for yourself.

[Corey's Mama]

It has been over a year since I have updated you all on the case...
Alot has gone on. About a month after my last post here (so June 2009) I began corresponding with Manny via phone and letters...I never went to visiting even though he was only an hour away from me. People always ask me why I would have any contact with him after what he did and my answer is that I wanted to hear what he had to say with my own ears...I wanted answers...I wanted "closure"...and being truthful, I missed him.
We remained in constant contact from the middle of June '09 to the beginning of September '09. I blew close to $3,000 on phone calls and comminsary...mostly phone calls. And I never got any answers from him...He still denies everything.
My son is doing well. He is in therapy and is thriving. Amazing how resiliant children are. I wish I had a fraction of his resiliance. I attend intensive outpatient trauma therapy and as the days go by things do get easier...that's one of the benefits of time.
Manny will be out of jail very soon. Sometime in October of this year. One of the main things Ive had to work on in therapy is letting go of my feelings for Manny and I can honestly say that I have been 100 percent successfull in that area. It is bothersome to me that he is going to be walking the same streets as my children and I....and a year ago I couldnt have been sure that I would be able to just walk past him or call the police if he contacts me but today I surely can say that.
Anyway, just thought Id take a minute to stop in, give you a quick update, and let you know that I still think of you all. I know Ive said it alot before but once again thank you for the support you showed me...means the world. Hope everyone is well :)

[Alf]

I remain in awe of your strength and courage.

--Al