Letter from Damon's teacher
(Judge Alksne read this letter in which Damon said he felt "violated by the justice system" for being taken away from his mother just before she granted full custody to Damon's named abuser.  
And, like all the other evidence of abuse, completely ignored it. )

May 26, 2010

 
To Whom It May Concern

I am writing this letter in regards to a child in my 8th grade Social Studies Class, Damon Moelter.  Damon is an extremely intelligent, thoughtful and introspective student.  He is well liked and respected by his peers.

Damon has opened up to me about his past on two occasions.  On another occasion; last week, he opened up to the entire class about being separated from his mother.  From Damon, I know that there was abuse as regards his father.  I know that he was in hiding with his mother and older sibling for four years, at which time his mother brought him back to the courts in California.  I know that Damon wants to live with his mother.

At the beginning of this school year, Damon stated that he felt cared for and “ok” in the home of his guardian.  He no longer feels that way.  Damon has always stated that he loves his mother, trusts her, and feels happiest when he is with her.  He looks forward to court dates, hoping that justice will be served, and he will be at the least allowed unsupervised visitation, or at best to be allowed to live with his mother.

Last week as a class opener, I allowed the students to state one of the worst things that has ever happened to them, followed by a statement about how they are shown that they are loved.  No child had to comment to the first question at all, they could choose to share “just a bad thing…like breaking their arm, running into something.   Most students share things like “I broke my arm” “when my grandfather died” “when my hamster died”  “when my dad left for Iraq.” Etc.  Damon surprised me, and the class when he shared that the worst thing that ever happened was when he was taken from his mother.  He shared about living with her “on the run” and he shared about opportunities to fight what he feels is an injustice by the courts to not be allowed to spend more time with her.

Of course I do not know the whole story re: Damon’s case.  What I do know is that he is an honest, extremely intelligent and well adjusted child who loves his mother and feels violated by the justice system by the fact that his wishes regarding his life and environment  have not been given credence.  He feels violated, and while he once felt helpless, he now feels that by sharing his life, he will be able to make changes for his own life, and changes in the lives of other children.

Please feel free to contact me regarding Damon at any time.

Sincerely,                                                                                                                                               
Shawnee Wood                        



Shawnee Wood
8th Grade Social Studies
Twin PeaksMiddle School

"He who sees the truth, let him proclaim it, without asking who is for it or who is against it."
---Henry George 1881---