Payback: Parents Sentenced to Prison "Cages"

Do you remember this story?  They Caged the Children at Night

It's been announced that Sharen and Michael Gravelle have each been sentenced to two years in prison for forcing some of their eleven adopted children to sleep in cages at night.  Their defense has been based on their belief that caging their children, at least those with "special needs" was for their own good.  It helped keep them safe. 

According to the front page Columbus Dispatch article by Thomas J. Sheeran, Associated Press, Sharen Gravelle "cried and told the judge before her sentencing that her problem derived in part from a child-welfare system indifferent to the destructive behavior of some of her children."

This case is disturbing on so many levels.  Sharen Gravelle seems to think the child-welfare system has let her down.  It seems to me that the "system" let those 11 adopted children down.  Thankfully they were all placed in foster care in the fall of 2005 and the Gravelle's have since lost custody. 

The former foster son who appeared in court yesterday said in a statement that he was thankful that his time with the Gravelles was behind him.

With his new foster parents, "I don't have to steal food.  I can use the bathroom whenever I want...never again will I have to sleep in a box."

Michael Gravelle seems to think "I do not deserve jail."

Two years is not enough if you ask me.  Since when do we cage children with "special needs"?  I'm surprised there is not more chatter out there amongst disability bloggers.  At least I have yet to see it.  To me this ranks right up there with the "Ashley Treatment".

~ Connie

You'll find links to articles covering this case here...

Comments

[Janet]

I agree with you, Connie - this seems to be more of the same abuse of children with disabilities at the hands of their parents. Society seems pretty reluctant to step in in these situations. We have let down the children.

[Georgia Whitney]

They got two years???? Most petty drug offenders get more than that.

I am normally opposed to capital punishment, but now I'm not so sure. At least stick 'em in jail for a good long time, preferably where they'll undoubtedly be regarded as pond scum by their fellow inmates. Make sure their cells are extremely small.

[Ruth]

"...Make sure their cells are extremely small."

And brightly colored.