The Dirty Secret

This isn't a pleasant topic to write about, and one that few people know about or pay attention to. It's too uncomfortable.  I'm talking about sexual assaults against children.  It happens.  It happens right here in Larimer County where such thing aren't supposed to happen.  Evil does dwell among us.  In 2009, the Larimer County Sheriff's Office handled 42 complaints of sexual assaults against children.  Of these, 15 were either unfounded or exceptionally cleared.  This still leaves 27 bona fide cases.  27!  Keep in mind, this is only in the unincorporated part of the county.  Fort Collins, Loveland and the other municipalities also have many cases.

With the exception of such groups as the Larimer Child Advocacy Center, Realities for Children,      Department of Human Services, and the law enforcement agencies that have to deal with the problem, few people even know about it.  Even the newspapers don't seem to care.  They are still covering the stupid story of the Balloon Boy Dad and giving him more publicity.  Not one reporter covered the trial last week of the beast who sexually molested his adopted child.  Due to the tireless work of the law enforcement personnel and prosecutors, a conviction was obtained.

LCSO Investigator Kevin Maul worked the case.  At the conclusion of the trial, he wrote the following letter to the members of the Sheriff's Office who had assisted in the preparation of the case.  It moved me.  Hopefully it will also move and open the eyes of my readers.   

I have taken the liberty to change the names and agencies in order to protect the identity of the victim.

To all that helped on this case I want to express my great appreciation for all your help. Some of you probably don't remember this case, some of you will, but few have much of an understanding the full scope of what happened to our victim in this case.  In the 19 years that I have worked here this is one of worst sex assault on a child cases I have investigated in terms of duration and number of events.  Below is a quick summary.

In 1997, three year old Amanda Jones and her older brother, were placed in foster care with Jennifer Jones and Robert Jones in a home near South Bay-Horsetooth.  Amanda first disclosed within a few months to her biological parents, who still had visitation with her, that Robert was fondling her.  It was reported to Another County DHS who failed to investigate and Robert and Jennifer were told about Amanda's statements. Amanda was disciplined and taught a very stern and lasting lesson not to talk about such things again. In 2001 Amanda and her brother were adopted by the Joneses. Over the next ten years Amanda was subjected to digital penetration so forceful it caused her to bleed, she was forced to perform oral sex on Robert and eventually progressed to intercourse.  There were times Robert used hair gel as a lubricant to facilitate his assaults.  These events occurred 3-5 times a week for 10 years. She finally disclosed again on February 29, 2008 and Larimer County DHS, along with Deputies Wicker and Noe responded to the house. Amanda and her brother were removed from the home.  As the investigation progressed, the true nature of Robrt Jones became clear. He was first arrested for indecent exposure right here in Larimer County in 1960. For the next several years he was repeatedly arrested in Texas and California for various sex related offenses including indecent exposure and indecency with a minor.  In 1964 he attempted to lure a 14 year old girl into his car as he masturbated, she fled and Robert spent 2 years in a Texas Prison.  How he became a foster parent I will never know.

Robert Jones went to trial this week and was convicted on all counts. As I sat there at the prosecution table in the courtroom for the few minutes it took for the Jury to assemble and deliver their verdict, I began to do the math in my head of how many times this girl was assaulted. (I quickly realized it was probably over a 1000).  The Jury returned their verdict of Guilty and then came out to speak with DDA Erin McElroy and myself.

Each and every juror came to both of us individually and thanked us for our service to our community and thanked God we were there to do the jobs we do for Larimer County.

I want to extend those comments to each and everyone of you who helped on this case.  One juror mentioned that this was the worst week of his life, but the way the case and investigation was presented made their job much easier in the end.  This simply would not have been possible without the work that each and everyone of you did on this case.  Some of you had a bit part and other worked your butt off, but everyone's effort played a role in finally bringing justice to a now 16 year old girl who was terribly failed by the system at such a young age.  I thank you all for dedication, attention to detail and professionalism and I am certain Amanda would extend that same appreciation.

If I have left anyone out, I apologize. This case took so long to come to trial it has been hard to keep track of all who were involved.

Kevin

Kevin, let me add my expression of gratitude to you and Erin for your service.  I know that these type of cases leave scars on the case workers and investigators too.