possible triggers follow
For the last week, I've found it impossible to get a horrible case of child abuse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, out of my head. Even though Brandy Kangas and Scott Suggs left their kids locked in a room 24-7 and fed them through a gate, they got a suspended six-year sentence. According to Spotsylvania County Commonwealth's Attorney William Neely, an independent who has held the post since 1988, Virginia law gave him no other option but to ask for a suspended sentence because he didn't think he could prove the kids were physically harmed since they appeared well-nourished--and under Virginia law, you supposedly have to prove a child is physically harmed in order to win a child abuse conviction. Never mind they've had no contact with the outside world, and show signs of PTSD--especially around locked doors.
This is as craven an act by a prosecutor as I've ever seen. Fortunately, there's a chance to hold Neely to account. While gathering research for a petition demanding Neely's resignation, I found out that Neely has an opponent in this November's election--Travis Bird. He posted a response to Neely's explanation of his actions on his Facebook page.
At the end of the day, by placing blame on the laws as written, the impression that is left on our citizens and most certainly on those who would abuse children is that Virginia, and more specifically Spotsylvania, is soft on child abuse. Our job is not always easy and it does require tough decisions; however, I cannot and do not agree with the outcome of this case. As your Commonwealth's Attorney, I would be a zealous advocate for the enforcement of these laws and for any changes that need to be made to these laws.
Based on his Twitter feed, Bird is a Republican. But from what I've been able to dig up, Spotsylvania County is crimson-red. For those who don't know, it's halfway between Richmond and Washington, and completely surrounds the sapphire-blue city of Frdericksburg. It's gone Democratic in a presidential election exactly ONCE since 1948. In other words, it's not likely a Democrat will win here.
But if there is any area in which partisanship shouldn't matter, it's protecting children. Simply put, Neely's failure to ensure two monsters go to prison where they belong is a firing offense. The most meaningful way to protest this is to support the guy running against him.
4:23 PM PT: From Liberalscribe in the comments ... part of the legal definition of child abuse in Virginia is "neglects or refuses to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, emotional nurturing, or health care" or "fails to provide adequate supervision in relation to the child’s age and level of development." Translation--my hunch was right, this was a cop-out on Neely's part.