GDS Student Newspaper posts about the horrible incident

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If the older boys thought about masking, then they probably did not leave other forms of evidence. And since the assault was months ago, what evidence could there be?

At this point, Met Police needs to clarify whether the allegations are credible or not, separate from whether they found evidence. If the allegations are credible, then the Head, who did not technically lie, must be brought to task for not taking this seriously enough. He's making it seem like the assault did not happen at all.

There are roughly 80 boys in 7th and 8th grade combined. Even if faces were covered, it seems that hair color, race, articles of clothing, make of sneakers, etc. are things that could have been noted. If so, it would significantly narrow the pool of suspects.

I have deep compassion for the victim and family. At the same time, I also understand how the school could not take action with out more proof. Would you want you your child to be expelled based on an allegation? The movie Atonement comes to mind. It seems the parents are trying to rectify this. As a parent, I would want to do everything to protect my child. This kind of incident also makes you wonder if someone else had abused the kid (trusted adult) and this was a way to process it without implicating a real perpetrator.

I suggested this exact thing upthread. We have no way of knowing. Someone betrayed this kid but we have no way of knowing who it was.

By not seeking information about the incident from the school community, and doing a sham investigation for only their own legal protection, perhaps the HOS betrayed this kid more than anyone else.

What evidence do you have that it was a sham investigation?

What evidence do you have that it was a legitimate investigation? It appears that nothing was done. Not even a basic request for info. Was anybody interviewed besides the victim?

+1 MPD just filed some paperwork, the CPD just made sure the kid was safe at home, and the independent investigation was just meant for the school to legally cover themselves.

What actual investigation occurred? Nothing was done. At all.

A few questions.

1) Who is CPD? Do you mean CPS? If so, CPS does not investigate same age SA, that is for MPD to investigate. CPS's entire responsibility it to address abuse or neglect by parents or caregivers, with the latter including school staff. Their role here would be to determine whether there was an issue of the school failure to protect, or of the parents somehow being involved (e.g. parents are encouraging kid to make false allegations, or parents are the actual abuser and kid is deflecting).

2) How do you know what MPD, and the independent investigators did or didn't do?

3) If it's true that MPD and the independent investigators (the people who were ethically required to investigate) didn't investigate, then why are you blaming the school?

Agree, the CPS was not going to be helpful here. If MDP has no clear leads, they move on. Their resources are limited. The independent investigator works for the school, for the benefit of the school. They are just legal protection.

What I do blame is the school for not allowing the parents to ask the school community for information to help the case. This could have been done a long time ago. Curious why they would have blocked this?

Because they were prohibited from investigating both by guidelines for ethical conduct and by the direct request of the MPD.

Sounds wrong. Any other ideas?

So, you think they should have disregarded MPD's directions, or impeded their directions? Do you think they were wrong to report to MPD?

It is common in criminal investigations to ask the public or a community for information that may help the case.

You have your facts wrong if you think the MPD would not allow this. It was the school that refused to assist in this.

Right. MPD absolutely could have put out a request. But it would have been inappropriate for this school to do so.

Why would that be inappropriate? Would it be inappropriate if the parents went to the press/news to ask for assistance in the case?

I don't believe it would have been inappropriate for the parents to do so. I'm not sure it would have been a good decision, or in their child's best interest, but that was their decision to make.

There is a huge potential in these situations for a school's bias to impact the investigation, either intentionally covering something up to protect their reputation or a major donor, or overlooking issues in their own communities because they are too close to the situation. Because of that potential, the best practice is for someone other than the school to take the lead on the investigation. In this case that was MPD, and whoever referred the case to MPD (GDS or parents) did the right thing. Once it was referred to MPD, then they needed to rely on MPD to guidance. Interfering with the police investigation into any crime would be a problem, but in the case of child SA it's a huge problem, because child witnesses are susceptible to suggestion, even by well meaning interviewers. Look at the situation at Washington Hebrew if you want an example. Also, it could have tipped of people. Look at the situation at Beauvoir if you want an example of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If the older boys thought about masking, then they probably did not leave other forms of evidence. And since the assault was months ago, what evidence could there be?

At this point, Met Police needs to clarify whether the allegations are credible or not, separate from whether they found evidence. If the allegations are credible, then the Head, who did not technically lie, must be brought to task for not taking this seriously enough. He's making it seem like the assault did not happen at all.

There are roughly 80 boys in 7th and 8th grade combined. Even if faces were covered, it seems that hair color, race, articles of clothing, make of sneakers, etc. are things that could have been noted. If so, it would significantly narrow the pool of suspects.

I have deep compassion for the victim and family. At the same time, I also understand how the school could not take action with out more proof. Would you want you your child to be expelled based on an allegation? The movie Atonement comes to mind. It seems the parents are trying to rectify this. As a parent, I would want to do everything to protect my child. This kind of incident also makes you wonder if someone else had abused the kid (trusted adult) and this was a way to process it without implicating a real perpetrator.

I suggested this exact thing upthread. We have no way of knowing. Someone betrayed this kid but we have no way of knowing who it was.

By not seeking information about the incident from the school community, and doing a sham investigation for only their own legal protection, perhaps the HOS betrayed this kid more than anyone else.

What evidence do you have that it was a sham investigation?

What evidence do you have that it was a legitimate investigation? It appears that nothing was done. Not even a basic request for info. Was anybody interviewed besides the victim?

+1 MPD just filed some paperwork, the CPD just made sure the kid was safe at home, and the independent investigation was just meant for the school to legally cover themselves.

What actual investigation occurred? Nothing was done. At all.

A few questions.

1) Who is CPD? Do you mean CPS? If so, CPS does not investigate same age SA, that is for MPD to investigate. CPS's entire responsibility it to address abuse or neglect by parents or caregivers, with the latter including school staff. Their role here would be to determine whether there was an issue of the school failure to protect, or of the parents somehow being involved (e.g. parents are encouraging kid to make false allegations, or parents are the actual abuser and kid is deflecting).

2) How do you know what MPD, and the independent investigators did or didn't do?

3) If it's true that MPD and the independent investigators (the people who were ethically required to investigate) didn't investigate, then why are you blaming the school?

Agree, the CPS was not going to be helpful here. If MDP has no clear leads, they move on. Their resources are limited. The independent investigator works for the school, for the benefit of the school. They are just legal protection.

What I do blame is the school for not allowing the parents to ask the school community for information to help the case. This could have been done a long time ago. Curious why they would have blocked this?

Because they were prohibited from investigating both by guidelines for ethical conduct and by the direct request of the MPD.

Sounds wrong. Any other ideas?

So, you think they should have disregarded MPD's directions, or impeded their directions? Do you think they were wrong to report to MPD?

It is common in criminal investigations to ask the public or a community for information that may help the case.

You have your facts wrong if you think the MPD would not allow this. It was the school that refused to assist in this.

Right. MPD absolutely could have put out a request. But it would have been inappropriate for this school to do so.

Why would that be inappropriate? Would it be inappropriate if the parents went to the press/news to ask for assistance in the case?

I don't believe it would have been inappropriate for the parents to do so. I'm not sure it would have been a good decision, or in their child's best interest, but that was their decision to make.

There is a huge potential in these situations for a school's bias to impact the investigation, either intentionally covering something up to protect their reputation or a major donor, or overlooking issues in their own communities because they are too close to the situation. Because of that potential, the best practice is for someone other than the school to take the lead on the investigation. In this case that was MPD, and whoever referred the case to MPD (GDS or parents) did the right thing. Once it was referred to MPD, then they needed to rely on MPD to guidance. Interfering with the police investigation into any crime would be a problem, but in the case of child SA it's a huge problem, because child witnesses are susceptible to suggestion, even by well meaning interviewers. Look at the situation at Washington Hebrew if you want an example. Also, it could have tipped of people. Look at the situation at Beauvoir if you want an example of that.

+1. interrogating all the kids without evidence is literally how the McMartin preschool situation happened. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McMartin_preschool_trial

The better questions to ask are about how GDS is safeguarding children, what kind of background checks they do on staff, whether their is a healthy culture of dissent allowed at the school or if everyone is pressured to keep things quiet because “the admins are so wonderful!!”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If the older boys thought about masking, then they probably did not leave other forms of evidence. And since the assault was months ago, what evidence could there be?

At this point, Met Police needs to clarify whether the allegations are credible or not, separate from whether they found evidence. If the allegations are credible, then the Head, who did not technically lie, must be brought to task for not taking this seriously enough. He's making it seem like the assault did not happen at all.

There are roughly 80 boys in 7th and 8th grade combined. Even if faces were covered, it seems that hair color, race, articles of clothing, make of sneakers, etc. are things that could have been noted. If so, it would significantly narrow the pool of suspects.

I have deep compassion for the victim and family. At the same time, I also understand how the school could not take action with out more proof. Would you want you your child to be expelled based on an allegation? The movie Atonement comes to mind. It seems the parents are trying to rectify this. As a parent, I would want to do everything to protect my child. This kind of incident also makes you wonder if someone else had abused the kid (trusted adult) and this was a way to process it without implicating a real perpetrator.

I suggested this exact thing upthread. We have no way of knowing. Someone betrayed this kid but we have no way of knowing who it was.

By not seeking information about the incident from the school community, and doing a sham investigation for only their own legal protection, perhaps the HOS betrayed this kid more than anyone else.

What evidence do you have that it was a sham investigation?

What evidence do you have that it was a legitimate investigation? It appears that nothing was done. Not even a basic request for info. Was anybody interviewed besides the victim?

+1 MPD just filed some paperwork, the CPD just made sure the kid was safe at home, and the independent investigation was just meant for the school to legally cover themselves.

What actual investigation occurred? Nothing was done. At all.

Then blame the police department and CPS, they are the ones responsible for investigating crimes and child neglect/abuse.

Yes blame MPD and blame GDS for their security failures which resulted in the evidence collection problem where a bunch of inbreed kids figured out how to by pass whatever security they had in place. GDS's job is to keep the kids safe and educate them. It should not have been the kid's job to keep himself safe.

The evidence collection problem in a nutshell: the school was informed MONTHS after the alleged incident. No one has EVER said it is a child's job to keep himself safe. But no one is going to find evidence months later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If the older boys thought about masking, then they probably did not leave other forms of evidence. And since the assault was months ago, what evidence could there be?

At this point, Met Police needs to clarify whether the allegations are credible or not, separate from whether they found evidence. If the allegations are credible, then the Head, who did not technically lie, must be brought to task for not taking this seriously enough. He's making it seem like the assault did not happen at all.

There are roughly 80 boys in 7th and 8th grade combined. Even if faces were covered, it seems that hair color, race, articles of clothing, make of sneakers, etc. are things that could have been noted. If so, it would significantly narrow the pool of suspects.

I have deep compassion for the victim and family. At the same time, I also understand how the school could not take action with out more proof. Would you want you your child to be expelled based on an allegation? The movie Atonement comes to mind. It seems the parents are trying to rectify this. As a parent, I would want to do everything to protect my child. This kind of incident also makes you wonder if someone else had abused the kid (trusted adult) and this was a way to process it without implicating a real perpetrator.

I suggested this exact thing upthread. We have no way of knowing. Someone betrayed this kid but we have no way of knowing who it was.

By not seeking information about the incident from the school community, and doing a sham investigation for only their own legal protection, perhaps the HOS betrayed this kid more than anyone else.

What evidence do you have that it was a sham investigation?

What evidence do you have that it was a legitimate investigation? It appears that nothing was done. Not even a basic request for info. Was anybody interviewed besides the victim?

+1 MPD just filed some paperwork, the CPD just made sure the kid was safe at home, and the independent investigation was just meant for the school to legally cover themselves.

What actual investigation occurred? Nothing was done. At all.

Then blame the police department and CPS, they are the ones responsible for investigating crimes and child neglect/abuse.

Yes blame MPD and blame GDS for their security failures which resulted in the evidence collection problem where a bunch of inbreed kids figured out how to by pass whatever security they had in place. GDS's job is to keep the kids safe and educate them. It should not have been the kid's job to keep himself safe.

The evidence collection problem in a nutshell: the school was informed MONTHS after the alleged incident. No one has EVER said it is a child's job to keep himself safe. But no one is going to find evidence months later.

People need to take a step back and stop being reflexively defensive. Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and the Presidential inauguration all happened during those OMG "months!".

It was always going to be difficult to find evidence one way or the other but implying that there was a suspicious delay before the school was informed is wrong.

[Anonymous]

The best outcome now for the parents is that the community helps find the perpetrators and they are removed from the school and punished.

The best outcome for the school is that the kid is making it up and they convince everyone of that. No harm tuition and donor money.

What is the best outcome to other parents? Most likely its aligned with the school (they can believe their kid is safe, they don't have to find a new school, they get the benefits they are paying for wrt education and college placement).

If something really happened to this kid (and I believe it did, as the parent of a 12 year old boy and as someone who has worked in DC private schools where shady, criminal things were hushed up), you can see why they parents feel desperate. It's literally in everyone else's best interest for this to be made up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If the older boys thought about masking, then they probably did not leave other forms of evidence. And since the assault was months ago, what evidence could there be?

At this point, Met Police needs to clarify whether the allegations are credible or not, separate from whether they found evidence. If the allegations are credible, then the Head, who did not technically lie, must be brought to task for not taking this seriously enough. He's making it seem like the assault did not happen at all.

There are roughly 80 boys in 7th and 8th grade combined. Even if faces were covered, it seems that hair color, race, articles of clothing, make of sneakers, etc. are things that could have been noted. If so, it would significantly narrow the pool of suspects.

I have deep compassion for the victim and family. At the same time, I also understand how the school could not take action with out more proof. Would you want you your child to be expelled based on an allegation? The movie Atonement comes to mind. It seems the parents are trying to rectify this. As a parent, I would want to do everything to protect my child. This kind of incident also makes you wonder if someone else had abused the kid (trusted adult) and this was a way to process it without implicating a real perpetrator.

I suggested this exact thing upthread. We have no way of knowing. Someone betrayed this kid but we have no way of knowing who it was.

By not seeking information about the incident from the school community, and doing a sham investigation for only their own legal protection, perhaps the HOS betrayed this kid more than anyone else.

What evidence do you have that it was a sham investigation?

What evidence do you have that it was a legitimate investigation? It appears that nothing was done. Not even a basic request for info. Was anybody interviewed besides the victim?

+1 MPD just filed some paperwork, the CPD just made sure the kid was safe at home, and the independent investigation was just meant for the school to legally cover themselves.

What actual investigation occurred? Nothing was done. At all.

Then blame the police department and CPS, they are the ones responsible for investigating crimes and child neglect/abuse.

Yes blame MPD and blame GDS for their security failures which resulted in the evidence collection problem where a bunch of inbreed kids figured out how to by pass whatever security they had in place. GDS's job is to keep the kids safe and educate them. It should not have been the kid's job to keep himself safe.

The evidence collection problem in a nutshell: the school was informed MONTHS after the alleged incident. No one has EVER said it is a child's job to keep himself safe. But no one is going to find evidence months later.

People need to take a step back and stop being reflexively defensive. Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and the Presidential inauguration all happened during those OMG "months!".

It was always going to be difficult to find evidence one way or the other but implying that there was a suspicious delay before the school was informed is wrong.

Nobody is saying the delay is suspicious. We are saying that evidence is no longer available three months later. When anyone in any situation is SAed they do the rape kits immediately. Three months later? Utterly useless. And that's true for all forms of evidence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If the older boys thought about masking, then they probably did not leave other forms of evidence. And since the assault was months ago, what evidence could there be?

At this point, Met Police needs to clarify whether the allegations are credible or not, separate from whether they found evidence. If the allegations are credible, then the Head, who did not technically lie, must be brought to task for not taking this seriously enough. He's making it seem like the assault did not happen at all.

There are roughly 80 boys in 7th and 8th grade combined. Even if faces were covered, it seems that hair color, race, articles of clothing, make of sneakers, etc. are things that could have been noted. If so, it would significantly narrow the pool of suspects.

I have deep compassion for the victim and family. At the same time, I also understand how the school could not take action with out more proof. Would you want you your child to be expelled based on an allegation? The movie Atonement comes to mind. It seems the parents are trying to rectify this. As a parent, I would want to do everything to protect my child. This kind of incident also makes you wonder if someone else had abused the kid (trusted adult) and this was a way to process it without implicating a real perpetrator.

I suggested this exact thing upthread. We have no way of knowing. Someone betrayed this kid but we have no way of knowing who it was.

By not seeking information about the incident from the school community, and doing a sham investigation for only their own legal protection, perhaps the HOS betrayed this kid more than anyone else.

What evidence do you have that it was a sham investigation?

What evidence do you have that it was a legitimate investigation? It appears that nothing was done. Not even a basic request for info. Was anybody interviewed besides the victim?

+1 MPD just filed some paperwork, the CPD just made sure the kid was safe at home, and the independent investigation was just meant for the school to legally cover themselves.

What actual investigation occurred? Nothing was done. At all.

Then blame the police department and CPS, they are the ones responsible for investigating crimes and child neglect/abuse.

Yes blame MPD and blame GDS for their security failures which resulted in the evidence collection problem where a bunch of inbreed kids figured out how to by pass whatever security they had in place. GDS's job is to keep the kids safe and educate them. It should not have been the kid's job to keep himself safe.

The evidence collection problem in a nutshell: the school was informed MONTHS after the alleged incident. No one has EVER said it is a child's job to keep himself safe. But no one is going to find evidence months later.

Well, that’s just not true. They could have video months later. There could be all sorts of retrievable communications between the perpetrators, if there are any. They could have talked to any number of other people. The victim could have told any number of people any number of things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If the older boys thought about masking, then they probably did not leave other forms of evidence. And since the assault was months ago, what evidence could there be?

At this point, Met Police needs to clarify whether the allegations are credible or not, separate from whether they found evidence. If the allegations are credible, then the Head, who did not technically lie, must be brought to task for not taking this seriously enough. He's making it seem like the assault did not happen at all.

There are roughly 80 boys in 7th and 8th grade combined. Even if faces were covered, it seems that hair color, race, articles of clothing, make of sneakers, etc. are things that could have been noted. If so, it would significantly narrow the pool of suspects.

I have deep compassion for the victim and family. At the same time, I also understand how the school could not take action with out more proof. Would you want you your child to be expelled based on an allegation? The movie Atonement comes to mind. It seems the parents are trying to rectify this. As a parent, I would want to do everything to protect my child. This kind of incident also makes you wonder if someone else had abused the kid (trusted adult) and this was a way to process it without implicating a real perpetrator.

I suggested this exact thing upthread. We have no way of knowing. Someone betrayed this kid but we have no way of knowing who it was.

By not seeking information about the incident from the school community, and doing a sham investigation for only their own legal protection, perhaps the HOS betrayed this kid more than anyone else.

What evidence do you have that it was a sham investigation?

What evidence do you have that it was a legitimate investigation? It appears that nothing was done. Not even a basic request for info. Was anybody interviewed besides the victim?

+1 MPD just filed some paperwork, the CPD just made sure the kid was safe at home, and the independent investigation was just meant for the school to legally cover themselves.

What actual investigation occurred? Nothing was done. At all.

Then blame the police department and CPS, they are the ones responsible for investigating crimes and child neglect/abuse.

Yes blame MPD and blame GDS for their security failures which resulted in the evidence collection problem where a bunch of inbreed kids figured out how to by pass whatever security they had in place. GDS's job is to keep the kids safe and educate them. It should not have been the kid's job to keep himself safe.

The evidence collection problem in a nutshell: the school was informed MONTHS after the alleged incident. No one has EVER said it is a child's job to keep himself safe. But no one is going to find evidence months later.

Well, that’s just not true. They could have video months later. There could be all sorts of retrievable communications between the perpetrators, if there are any. They could have talked to any number of other people. The victim could have told any number of people any number of things.

Pretty much everything you said is wrong.

Who stores surveillance video for over 3 months? Almost nobody. There may have never been any to begin with.

There were no suspects identified. How would any communications be accessible by investigators? There wouldn’t be.

There would also be no evidence at the crime scene after that much time had passed.

The victim waited months to tell his own parents. He didn’t tell friends at school about this obviously.

The police officer who took the crime report had no obvious leads and just filed the paperwork. There was no actual investigation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why the hell would someone make this up?

How did the police not find enough evidence?

There are all kinds of weird pathologies under the sun, and psychological/family/group dynamics that can take a small thing and turn it into something else entirely. Read about the Washington Hebrew case on here for one example. And 11 year old kids are still really young and suggestible. With the caveat that I do not know this family or child at all, there are various emotional and mental health issues that can make 11 year olds act in unexpected ways.

On the flip side, for a story of how an institution actually abets sexual abuse of children by not believing them and inculcating a culture of silence and “positive thoughts only,” look up the LAMB abuse on here.

Not going to say much on the Washington Hebrew case but I am close to one of the victims and they stand by what happened. I am also close to someone on the court side of things who was present at the grand jury hearings. No one has ever been able to prove it didn’t happen- just that they didn’t have enough evidence to convict.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If the older boys thought about masking, then they probably did not leave other forms of evidence. And since the assault was months ago, what evidence could there be?

At this point, Met Police needs to clarify whether the allegations are credible or not, separate from whether they found evidence. If the allegations are credible, then the Head, who did not technically lie, must be brought to task for not taking this seriously enough. He's making it seem like the assault did not happen at all.

There are roughly 80 boys in 7th and 8th grade combined. Even if faces were covered, it seems that hair color, race, articles of clothing, make of sneakers, etc. are things that could have been noted. If so, it would significantly narrow the pool of suspects.

I have deep compassion for the victim and family. At the same time, I also understand how the school could not take action with out more proof. Would you want you your child to be expelled based on an allegation? The movie Atonement comes to mind. It seems the parents are trying to rectify this. As a parent, I would want to do everything to protect my child. This kind of incident also makes you wonder if someone else had abused the kid (trusted adult) and this was a way to process it without implicating a real perpetrator.

I suggested this exact thing upthread. We have no way of knowing. Someone betrayed this kid but we have no way of knowing who it was.

By not seeking information about the incident from the school community, and doing a sham investigation for only their own legal protection, perhaps the HOS betrayed this kid more than anyone else.

What evidence do you have that it was a sham investigation?

What evidence do you have that it was a legitimate investigation? It appears that nothing was done. Not even a basic request for info. Was anybody interviewed besides the victim?

+1 MPD just filed some paperwork, the CPD just made sure the kid was safe at home, and the independent investigation was just meant for the school to legally cover themselves.

What actual investigation occurred? Nothing was done. At all.

Then blame the police department and CPS, they are the ones responsible for investigating crimes and child neglect/abuse.

Yes blame MPD and blame GDS for their security failures which resulted in the evidence collection problem where a bunch of inbreed kids figured out how to by pass whatever security they had in place. GDS's job is to keep the kids safe and educate them. It should not have been the kid's job to keep himself safe.

The evidence collection problem in a nutshell: the school was informed MONTHS after the alleged incident. No one has EVER said it is a child's job to keep himself safe. But no one is going to find evidence months later.

Well, that’s just not true. They could have video months later. There could be all sorts of retrievable communications between the perpetrators, if there are any. They could have talked to any number of other people. The victim could have told any number of people any number of things.

Pretty much everything you said is wrong.

Who stores surveillance video for over 3 months? Almost nobody. There may have never been any to begin with.

There were no suspects identified. How would any communications be accessible by investigators? There wouldn’t be.

There would also be no evidence at the crime scene after that much time had passed.

The victim waited months to tell his own parents. He didn’t tell friends at school about this obviously.

The police officer who took the crime report had no obvious leads and just filed the paperwork. There was no actual investigation.

How do you know there was no “actual investigation.” Have you seen the police report or spoken to the detective?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why the hell would someone make this up?

How did the police not find enough evidence?

There are all kinds of weird pathologies under the sun, and psychological/family/group dynamics that can take a small thing and turn it into something else entirely. Read about the Washington Hebrew case on here for one example. And 11 year old kids are still really young and suggestible. With the caveat that I do not know this family or child at all, there are various emotional and mental health issues that can make 11 year olds act in unexpected ways.

On the flip side, for a story of how an institution actually abets sexual abuse of children by not believing them and inculcating a culture of silence and “positive thoughts only,” look up the LAMB abuse on here.

Not going to say much on the Washington Hebrew case but I am close to one of the victims and they stand by what happened. I am also close to someone on the court side of things who was present at the grand jury hearings. No one has ever been able to prove it didn’t happen- just that they didn’t have enough evidence to convict.

Whether or not the abuse happened in that case, there's no question that WH's poor handling of the situation led to a terrible outcome.

If you believe that there was abuse, then WH's mishandling of the situation led to the abuser going free.

If you believe that there wasn't abuse, then WH's mishandling led to a great deal of pain for the families, the accused, and the school.

Either way, I think the message from WH is to involve police immediately, and leave investigations to the professionals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why the hell would someone make this up?

How did the police not find enough evidence?

There are all kinds of weird pathologies under the sun, and psychological/family/group dynamics that can take a small thing and turn it into something else entirely. Read about the Washington Hebrew case on here for one example. And 11 year old kids are still really young and suggestible. With the caveat that I do not know this family or child at all, there are various emotional and mental health issues that can make 11 year olds act in unexpected ways.

On the flip side, for a story of how an institution actually abets sexual abuse of children by not believing them and inculcating a culture of silence and “positive thoughts only,” look up the LAMB abuse on here.

Not going to say much on the Washington Hebrew case but I am close to one of the victims and they stand by what happened. I am also close to someone on the court side of things who was present at the grand jury hearings. No one has ever been able to prove it didn’t happen- just that they didn’t have enough evidence to convict.

Whether or not the abuse happened in that case, there's no question that WH's poor handling of the situation led to a terrible outcome.

If you believe that there was abuse, then WH's mishandling of the situation led to the abuser going free.

If you believe that there wasn't abuse, then WH's mishandling led to a great deal of pain for the families, the accused, and the school.

Either way, I think the message from WH is to involve police immediately, and leave investigations to the professionals.

Which is exactly what GDS did in this situation.

[Anonymous]

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If the older boys thought about masking, then they probably did not leave other forms of evidence. And since the assault was months ago, what evidence could there be?

At this point, Met Police needs to clarify whether the allegations are credible or not, separate from whether they found evidence. If the allegations are credible, then the Head, who did not technically lie, must be brought to task for not taking this seriously enough. He's making it seem like the assault did not happen at all.

There are roughly 80 boys in 7th and 8th grade combined. Even if faces were covered, it seems that hair color, race, articles of clothing, make of sneakers, etc. are things that could have been noted. If so, it would significantly narrow the pool of suspects.

I have deep compassion for the victim and family. At the same time, I also understand how the school could not take action with out more proof. Would you want you your child to be expelled based on an allegation? The movie Atonement comes to mind. It seems the parents are trying to rectify this. As a parent, I would want to do everything to protect my child. This kind of incident also makes you wonder if someone else had abused the kid (trusted adult) and this was a way to process it without implicating a real perpetrator.

I suggested this exact thing upthread. We have no way of knowing. Someone betrayed this kid but we have no way of knowing who it was.

By not seeking information about the incident from the school community, and doing a sham investigation for only their own legal protection, perhaps the HOS betrayed this kid more than anyone else.

What evidence do you have that it was a sham investigation?

What evidence do you have that it was a legitimate investigation? It appears that nothing was done. Not even a basic request for info. Was anybody interviewed besides the victim?

+1 MPD just filed some paperwork, the CPD just made sure the kid was safe at home, and the independent investigation was just meant for the school to legally cover themselves.

What actual investigation occurred? Nothing was done. At all.

Then blame the police department and CPS, they are the ones responsible for investigating crimes and child neglect/abuse.

Yes blame MPD and blame GDS for their security failures which resulted in the evidence collection problem where a bunch of inbreed kids figured out how to by pass whatever security they had in place. GDS's job is to keep the kids safe and educate them. It should not have been the kid's job to keep himself safe.

The evidence collection problem in a nutshell: the school was informed MONTHS after the alleged incident. No one has EVER said it is a child's job to keep himself safe. But no one is going to find evidence months later.

People need to take a step back and stop being reflexively defensive. Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and the Presidential inauguration all happened during those OMG "months!".

It was always going to be difficult to find evidence one way or the other but implying that there was a suspicious delay before the school was informed is wrong.

Ummm if my child reported they were sexually assaulted at school I would be taking action that second.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If the older boys thought about masking, then they probably did not leave other forms of evidence. And since the assault was months ago, what evidence could there be?

At this point, Met Police needs to clarify whether the allegations are credible or not, separate from whether they found evidence. If the allegations are credible, then the Head, who did not technically lie, must be brought to task for not taking this seriously enough. He's making it seem like the assault did not happen at all.

There are roughly 80 boys in 7th and 8th grade combined. Even if faces were covered, it seems that hair color, race, articles of clothing, make of sneakers, etc. are things that could have been noted. If so, it would significantly narrow the pool of suspects.

I have deep compassion for the victim and family. At the same time, I also understand how the school could not take action with out more proof. Would you want you your child to be expelled based on an allegation? The movie Atonement comes to mind. It seems the parents are trying to rectify this. As a parent, I would want to do everything to protect my child. This kind of incident also makes you wonder if someone else had abused the kid (trusted adult) and this was a way to process it without implicating a real perpetrator.

I suggested this exact thing upthread. We have no way of knowing. Someone betrayed this kid but we have no way of knowing who it was.

By not seeking information about the incident from the school community, and doing a sham investigation for only their own legal protection, perhaps the HOS betrayed this kid more than anyone else.

What evidence do you have that it was a sham investigation?

What evidence do you have that it was a legitimate investigation? It appears that nothing was done. Not even a basic request for info. Was anybody interviewed besides the victim?

+1 MPD just filed some paperwork, the CPD just made sure the kid was safe at home, and the independent investigation was just meant for the school to legally cover themselves.

What actual investigation occurred? Nothing was done. At all.

Then blame the police department and CPS, they are the ones responsible for investigating crimes and child neglect/abuse.

Yes blame MPD and blame GDS for their security failures which resulted in the evidence collection problem where a bunch of inbreed kids figured out how to by pass whatever security they had in place. GDS's job is to keep the kids safe and educate them. It should not have been the kid's job to keep himself safe.

The evidence collection problem in a nutshell: the school was informed MONTHS after the alleged incident. No one has EVER said it is a child's job to keep himself safe. But no one is going to find evidence months later.

People need to take a step back and stop being reflexively defensive. Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and the Presidential inauguration all happened during those OMG "months!".

It was always going to be difficult to find evidence one way or the other but implying that there was a suspicious delay before the school was informed is wrong.

Ummm if my child reported they were sexually assaulted at school I would be taking action that second.

They found out after some time had passed and then they would have needed to be sure. It's not the type of accusation they can casually make.

This is complete speculation, but if something happened right before Thanksgiving and they didn't realize or understand until Winter Break, which was then followed by the Inauguration and Carter funeral, then there would have been a bunch of naturally occurring time delays. I would also guess that there were some informal communications before the formal allegation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why the hell would someone make this up?

How did the police not find enough evidence?

There are all kinds of weird pathologies under the sun, and psychological/family/group dynamics that can take a small thing and turn it into something else entirely. Read about the Washington Hebrew case on here for one example. And 11 year old kids are still really young and suggestible. With the caveat that I do not know this family or child at all, there are various emotional and mental health issues that can make 11 year olds act in unexpected ways.

On the flip side, for a story of how an institution actually abets sexual abuse of children by not believing them and inculcating a culture of silence and “positive thoughts only,” look up the LAMB abuse on here.

Not going to say much on the Washington Hebrew case but I am close to one of the victims and they stand by what happened. I am also close to someone on the court side of things who was present at the grand jury hearings. No one has ever been able to prove it didn’t happen- just that they didn’t have enough evidence to convict.

Whether or not the abuse happened in that case, there's no question that WH's poor handling of the situation led to a terrible outcome.

If you believe that there was abuse, then WH's mishandling of the situation led to the abuser going free.

If you believe that there wasn't abuse, then WH's mishandling led to a great deal of pain for the families, the accused, and the school.

Either way, I think the message from WH is to involve police immediately, and leave investigations to the professionals.

Which is exactly what GDS did in this situation.

Yes, that's why I wrote this. I think GDS did the right thing by letting MPD take the lead.