Replies to '10/17 Sexual Predators?'

OH, YES! This is so true and it's often a consideration law enforcement is faced with. I have been a detective on the receiving end of cases like this and it requires diligent investigation. In the past year I have dealt with about 35 sexual assault complaints. Most of them are initiated by mandated reporters to the child protection agency. Only 3 of those cases stemmed from a report by one of the child's parents against the other. In one of those cases the investigation went on for about a year. During that time the father was denied any visitation with his 4 year old daughter. The father was cooperative, despite the council of his attorney, and waived his rights and provided a statement. He also agreed to a polygraph test. The mother and step father had been trying to take the girl out of the country and the father refused to give permission. It was strongly believed that the reason for the complaint, which was "touching her vagina," was for the mother to get sole custody and be able to go and do whatever they wanted to do. The controlling personality of the step-father and his over involvement with the investigation raised doubts about the validity of the complaint. The 4 yr. old did not disclose to a professional interviewer but weeks later reportedly disclosed to a therapist. The brevity of the disclosure made it appear that the child may have been coached. The daycare providers, who spent more time with the 4 yr. old than any of the parents, all stated they never suspected any abuse and said she was always excited to go with her father but was defiant towards her mother and step-father. The lie detector test indicated he did not tell the truth. When he was questioned further he repeated what he had said from the beginning, that he put cream on her because she was itchy and red.  I believed him and sensed that he didn't molest his daughter.There wasn't any tangible evidence of abuse and the testimony of the daycare providers was in direct opposition to what the mother and step-father were saying. I spoke to the prosecutor and told him about. the case and it was determined that there wasn't sufficient evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that a crime had been committed so a warrant was not approved. This case in another investigators hands could have easily gone the other way. Meanwhile the father has had to pay for his attorney, lost visitation rights, and his daughter has probably been turned against him by the mother and step-father. He is now fighting in court to get visitation restored. This is going to be a long battle and the father got the short stick but it could have been even worse.