09-24-2011, 12:35 AM
Background:
Since Jaycee Dugard and the two girls she bore by her male abductor were returned home in August 2009, her abductors were convicted (the man to 436 years and the woman to 36 years). Jaycee successfully sued the state of California for $20 million because her male abductor's parole officers (he was a previous sexual offender) never checked the back of the house where Jaycee and her daughters were living in a mini compound during her 18 years of captivity. There had been dozens of routine "home checks" and even a call by a neighbor notifying LE that there were children back there, but the responding officer failed to check it out. Jaycee and a co-author released a best selling account of her ordeal earlier this year.
Now, she is suing the Federal government. According to the complaint, which was filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco on Thursday, the fed bears responsibility because it did not properly supervise her abductor Phillip Garrido. They were responsible for Garrido from the day he was released in 1988 until the state assumed responsibility in 1999, the complaint alleges.
Jaycee plans to donate 100 percent of whatever money she recovers to the JAYC Foundation, Inc., a non-profit that provides support and services for the timely treatment of families recovering from abduction and the aftermath of traumatic experiences.
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Question:
It is admirable that Jaycee wants to help others and I understand the State of California awarding her $20 million for the terrible ordeal she and her family lived through as a result of failures by LE. I can see her being an advocate, raising awareness and making money for good causes by selling her story. But, I kinda think suing Federal Law Enforcement is counterproductive and too much, even though I understand the complaint. Is she taking it too far or should she take them (well us, the taxpayers) for all she can get? A little conflicted on this one.
Since Jaycee Dugard and the two girls she bore by her male abductor were returned home in August 2009, her abductors were convicted (the man to 436 years and the woman to 36 years). Jaycee successfully sued the state of California for $20 million because her male abductor's parole officers (he was a previous sexual offender) never checked the back of the house where Jaycee and her daughters were living in a mini compound during her 18 years of captivity. There had been dozens of routine "home checks" and even a call by a neighbor notifying LE that there were children back there, but the responding officer failed to check it out. Jaycee and a co-author released a best selling account of her ordeal earlier this year.
Now, she is suing the Federal government. According to the complaint, which was filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco on Thursday, the fed bears responsibility because it did not properly supervise her abductor Phillip Garrido. They were responsible for Garrido from the day he was released in 1988 until the state assumed responsibility in 1999, the complaint alleges.
Jaycee plans to donate 100 percent of whatever money she recovers to the JAYC Foundation, Inc., a non-profit that provides support and services for the timely treatment of families recovering from abduction and the aftermath of traumatic experiences.
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Question:
It is admirable that Jaycee wants to help others and I understand the State of California awarding her $20 million for the terrible ordeal she and her family lived through as a result of failures by LE. I can see her being an advocate, raising awareness and making money for good causes by selling her story. But, I kinda think suing Federal Law Enforcement is counterproductive and too much, even though I understand the complaint. Is she taking it too far or should she take them (well us, the taxpayers) for all she can get? A little conflicted on this one.
