We brought up 2 special needs children for four years, because the dad was going in and out of prison and the step mom is sick and on drugs too. Finally the father got out and convinced us he had a home for the boyz and was clean etc etc..so we sent the boyz back, the father had them living in a forest in North Carolina and the 17 year old was arrested for trafficing cocaine now sits in Onslow County (Jacksonville NC) in jail awaiting 8 counts of trafficing....he is special needs and was following orders from the dad. The lawyer Andrew Wigmore will not tell us anything we are just thee Aunt and Uncle. The states attorney Kelly someone spoke to us once, and we don't know what to do. 16 years old in NC is an adult.
2006-11-09 15:06:33 · 8 answers · asked by angel 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
If he is special needs then there should be some consideration of mental competency. Special needs doesn't always mean that a child doesn't know right from wrong. If this child knew that the trafficing of drugs was wrong then why did he follow "orders", why didn't he seek help? If the child was not capable of understanding that his actions were wrong then his lawyer should be caplable of picking up on that fact and have his client declared unfit for trail by reason of mental incompetency. No matter how much you care for this child you need to let him be accountable for his actions if he is accountable, if not you should have never given him back.
2006-11-09 16:55:33 · answer #1 · answered by deputeesteph33 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is indeed a tragic situation.
I strongly suspect that a GOOD defense lawyer could present a defense which would put the bulk of the blame on the father - and perhaps get this kid the help he needs rather than prison time.
Good luck - since the lawyer will not tell you anything, you really can't be sure of what the defense will be. If you believe strongly that the father had total control over the boy due to his special needs, you may see if you can be a witness on the boy's behalf.
If the jury can be convinced that the father held complete control over this boy's actions, it can certainly work in the boy's favor.
2006-11-09 15:18:21 · answer #2 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's hard to say when you don't have custody. As long as the
father is around there's really isn't much you can do. If he was
to be in prison and they had no one else they can contact
then you would be the next of kin. That is missed up that
his father was having his son do his dirty job. His *** should
be back in prison as well. For your nephew there is no way
out of doing time, he did the crime now he has to do the time.
To bad, so sad. As for the 16 yr. old it's ashamed as well he
is considered an adult, cause her in California he would still
be a minor. But if you say he is an adult then he can make up
his own mined whom he wants to live with, and hopefully he'll
choose you and your husband. The only thing I can say is good
Luck with your nephews. The only thing you can do is visit him
in prison. And hopefully he doesn't get a lot of time in prison.
My sister was caught trafficking some marijuana across the
border and was given 2 yr., she out now but hopefully it's wasn't
enough to keep him in for a long time ,longer then 2 yrs.. Also
I sure hope the table turns on their father for using him, know
that he is ill.
2006-11-09 15:29:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he is considered an adult, than go visit him, and tell him to give his Lawyer permission to talk with you. That's a start. Than try to tell the Lawyer the kids whole circumstances-how he was probably working for the father, etc...If the Lawyer doesn't seem too interested, get another Lawyer. It's your only hope!!! Find people to testify for the boy-that he is slow, and how much the father did have control of him because he is so slow!!! Good luck, and he is so lucky to have you both care so much!!!
2006-11-09 15:15:00 · answer #4 · answered by sue d 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a hard one. If you have money for expert witnesses then this would be an easy case but if you're living paycheck to paycheck like most of us, this is a hard case. My suggestion is to get a psychological evaluation. A psychologist can present evidence to the judge that the child is not fit to stand trial and the charges should be dropped. If that does not work or if its not an option because of money or time restraints, then I suggest you contact any media outlet that will listen. Newscasters are always looking for human interest stories like this. It will, at least, call attention to your plight and gather public sympathy. Good luck and God bless.
2006-11-09 15:20:07 · answer #5 · answered by melissa p 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Contact the lawyer and tell him that it might help his case to have a mental evaluation done. Then you might contact a lawyer of your own to see what your rights are and to see if there are any federal organizations that might be able to step in. There are several organizations that deal with the rights of the disabled. Then contact DHS or the organization in your area that does foster care and adoptions and see what you can do to try to get custody of these boys. Then after you try these things, just tell yourself that you have done all you can and take peace in that.
2006-11-09 15:21:53 · answer #6 · answered by hillbilly_coon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he's really special needs, whatever that means, how could he even be smart enough to traffic cocaine. Cocaine is a horrible drug, it destroys lives, punishment is just. I've seen many people go down that road and than get into heroin from there. It's disgusting.
2006-11-09 15:18:01 · answer #7 · answered by jonjroberts 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Lock them up! If they are 16, facing 24, they'll be 40 when they get out.
2006-11-09 15:15:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋