Nightmare News

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"alone with the news" by Seattlest Flickr Pool Contributor ChrisB in SEA.

No one on Seattlest has yet touched this story about a 14-year-old girl from Carnation, Wash., whose parents starved her and severely restricted her water intake for over three years. That's because it's one of those horrifying, haunting stories that allows no room for snark; even platitudes like "horrifying" and "haunting" seem emptier than usual, because they don't even begin to touch what it must have been like for this girl to be so abused. It must have been a living nightmare.

That is the only way we've been able to process it amidst all the fussy, big picture news about the recession and the upcoming elections: as an ugly nightmare of a story that persistently edges its way into our thoughts when we let down our guard. It's the kind of story that snaps into focus right when you're trying to go to sleep, the kind of story that fades in your memory for a few hours only to punch you in the gut. It's the kind of story you don't really want to talk about, but feel compelled to talk about with someone--anyone--just to affirm with each other that this is not at all acceptable in the world you want to live in.

The story shouldn't really be on the periphery of the community's discussion. According to the U.S. Dep't of Health and Human Services, there were 905,000 U.S. cases of substantiated child abuse in 2006. CPS investigated reports on 3.6 million kids. Those numbers represent only what is reported and substantiated.

What do you do with a story like this one? How do you digest it? Do you even try? We're really asking.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Katelyn on October 16, 2008 12:30 PM

Comments [rss]

bonitajustice

You don't digest it--you can't. But what you can do is remind yourself to keep an eye on the kids you see and know, even just around your neighborhood.

And, for pete's sake, call 911 when you hear someone screaming next door!

schaz

The part of the story that eats at me is when they mention that CPS investigated in 2005, recommended counseling, then closed the case. All I can think of is that poor child seeing the possibility of being rescued, only to be abandoned by the system for another three years.

JadeEJF

I think the best way to use it (maybe not the only way) is as an excellent reminder to appreciate your children, a good excuse to give them an extra hug, and a reason to keep trying to be a good parent.