Michigan Pedophile Teacher Case Reminds Us: Words Matter

Amy Huber Eagan, teacher and wife of a school board member, wanted the judge to know, “After he was arrested he started counseling…”

Seven years later.  Only after he was caught.

Sandi Lee, another teacher, said, “Neal is the only one who was totally honest about what happened, he was the better man by refusing to go to trial and drag X’s name through the mud.”

These letters elicited a response from the judge at sentencing, “I am appalled and ashamed that the community could rally around, in this case, you.”

The backlash is still being felt.  The garage of the victim’s family home was set on fire in an act of vandalism. The case is unsolved more than a month later.  Area parents, upon reading these letters, started a campaign to have the teachers fired.  It failed Monday night after the board voted 4 -2 to keep them.  Parents have threatened to leave the district for neighboring schools.  A recall of one board member has already begun.

An August Detroit News article brought this story to the forefront.  The ridiculous piece suggests homophobia and not the protection of innocent children is to blame for the arrest of Erickson.

More words to add fuel to the fire.  Of all the words that HAVE been written, I’ve yet to see the school’s apology to the family.  Lost on all of them are the mandated reporter laws that apply in Michigan.  Did any of these people know before hand?  And if they did, can we really trust them to turn in one of their own? Given the continued support for an admitted pedophile, I’d start looking into private school.

Links:
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130803/METRO06/308020127

http://www.ogemawherald.com/stories/Recall-language-again-filed-against-Eagan,97761

http://sunrisenew.static2.adqic.com/uploads/files/e6c82f1505.pdf

http://www.ogemawherald.com/stories/Erickson%20sentenced%20to%2015%2030%20years%20in%20prison,97478