Fairbanks Daily Newsminer, letters to the editor, Published Sept 4 1996

Sent Sept 3 1996

Abuse

To the editor:

Recently the concerned parents of Destiny Dawn Martin took their child to the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Emergency Room to check her bleeding gums. They also expressed concern over two small bruises on the child. Pointing out bruises would not appear to be an act of a person guilty of child abuse. One thing lead to another and the child was seized into state custody.

It was reported that two doctors said the bruises were not consistent with abuse, but this did not sway DFYS. Why?

The Reason might be that the case became personal to the caseworker. This statement was made by Alaska State Rep. Pete Kelly. A call to Gov. Knowles affirmed that they would not seek investigation, but the governor would stand by DFYS and the worker. Maybe Mr Knowles should decide to stand by the child?

DFYS' only goal must be for the benefit of children. All else must take a back seat. Personal conflicts, and politics should be irrelevant. To do any less is to forsake our best and brightest hope for our future. Our children

Should we let pettiness, and cruelty be the rule our children learn? I personally don't want to live in a petty and cruel world, where the only thing that matters is winning. Children learn what they live.

If Rep Pete Kelly's statement is correct what lessons may children learn from DFYS experience? Will it be a lesson of pettiness, you're right and that is all that matters. A lesson taught by those who are sworn to serve and protect.

Lack of investigation, DFYS actions as well as those of the parent, leaves me with a great fear that innocent families will be broken up and/or children may continue to be abused due to DFYS intolerance. The only thing should matter is "Was the child abused"?

Thanks

Charles Rollins Jr

North Pole

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