GUILTY DE - Dr. Earl Bradley for sex abuse, child *advertiser censored*, Lewes, 2009

[Salem]

Good for Delaware! 2.9 million bail - WOW! Unlike MA which would have only required $10,000. Go get him Delaware! I hope this freak gets life!

Salem

 

[jjenny]

How annoying that the first two allegations didn't even rate an investigation or search warrant. If this was alleged by two different families who didn't know each other, then why the heck wasn't it enough? This type of thing will never stop unless the good ole boy network doesn't stop. Taking children to a different building or basement and the secretaries didn't notice anything? Yeah, right. They should have been searching those locations for blood or other suspicious items and watching that pervert.

That is very strange. One would think they could have secured the search warrant based on the allegations-especially considering he was taking the children by himself somewhere else.
I don't understand why they weren't able to get a search warrant after the first two children came forward. Once they finally got a search warrant they say they have found the videos-but why did it take a third child coming forward for them to get a warrant?

 

[BrownRice]

This story actually made me gasp. Disgusting and pure evil.

 

[waltzingmatilda]

I feel physically ill that such a LOSER preyed on these children by using his trusted professional capacity to do such unspeakable acts. I hope they put him under the jail.

I have worked in 2 doctors offices, one office had 6 Drs. and the other had two drs., and usually the only place off limits for staff is the Drs. personal office and bathroom. One thing that was common in both offices is that the Dr is 'god' and staff members never question their decisions. There's usually a bevy of women staff members who are plum eager and giddy to please the 'god' Dr. and would be happy to give him all the attention he needs regardless of his looks or marital status. Yet this coward decides to pick on babies and children instead. What a waste of a human.

All MOO and not saying all Drs offices are like the ones I described above, only the 2 where I worked years ago.

The little victims are in my prayers. I hope they receive the counseling they will need.

I'm just sick over this.

 

[believe09]

A pediatrician is a stranger, essentially. In this world that we live in, your dependents should not be handed over to strangers until they can defend themselves. JMO.

I am not blaming the parents-physicians are viewed very differently...people are awed and intimidated. That is what has to end...again jmo.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Good for Delaware! 2.9 million bail - WOW! Unlike MA which would have only required $10,000. Go get him Delaware! I hope this freak gets life!

Salem

2.9 million dollars cash bail.

Wow I don't think I have ever heard of a CASH BAIL being set that high.

Good for Delaware

 

[not_my_kids]

No need to keep our children under constant surveillance, just don't allow them to leave our sight with a stranger.

And people called me crazy when I ran a background check on the pediatrician...

 

[southcitymom]

I find it very strange he was able to take the children somewhere else without any adult present. Didn't this doctor have nurse assistants and would they not notice he was taking little patients somewhere by himself? I would think that should have raised an alarm right then and there.

I'm with you jjenny....I mean, a teenager, sure....but infants and toddlers? I would think most parents would automatically stay with them if they were being taken somewhere. Still, lots of folks have "blind faith" in a doctor and if you were a first-time parent, maybe you wouldn't know it was weird for a doctor to take your child elsewhere for tests.

 

[Linda7NJ]

People look at me like I'm crazy because I won't allow mine to be alone in a room with a doctor, nurse or dentist! Had a pediatric dentist get all pissy with me because I flat out refused to allow my son to go back with him alone. I left and never went back...I found one that didn't mind

 

[stilettos]

Long drawn out torturous death to this pox on humanity.

My oldest s almost 27...never once did I leave her alone with anyone not family...and then only family I trusted. there is NO reason for a doctor/pediatrician to be alone with a baby/toddler. I did not even let my baby go to the nursery after delivery...or get her shots alone...though they fought that one.

 

[passionflower]

hang em high!!!

 

[Linda7NJ]

Long drawn out torturous death to this pox on humanity.

My oldest s almost 27...never once did I leave her alone with anyone not family...and then only family I trusted. there is NO reason for a doctor/pediatrician to be alone with a baby/toddler. I did not even let my baby go to the nursery after delivery...or get her shots alone...though they fought that one.

My kid just turned 12....I still go in. Besides he likes the company!

He's darn lucky he can finally go in the men's room alone!

 

[Missizzy]

I'm going out on a limb here and will probably anger many of you. I mean no disrespect, however. Everyone will read what I have to say and then respond by thinking, "Well, look what happened to Missizzy's kids" She was far too trusting." Before I make my point, let me make it clear that I never allowed my youngest eight to go into their rapist's home. I allowed the rapist to play in our back yard. The abuse occurred in our school, a back yard fort, and the rapist's pigeon coop and garage. He was fast. Very fast. There was testimony that fondling took place when I was 20 feet away or watching from the kitchen window!! Class was in session just feet away from the restroom in which my son was raped. My son was 7 and the rapist 13. The rapist did not have permission to be in that restroom but the fact was, he was.

That said, I don't agree with children never being left with others. None of my children ever went to day care as I've always worked out of the home, so I didn't have to deal with that. However, they have gone to camp, to school, to doctors, to therapy sessions, to specialists, etc. The older and higher functioning ones had active social lives and even traveled out of the country with other families.

I feel very strongly, that after children become school-aged, more energy should go into safe-proofing the child--social training, role playing dangerous situations, and improving constant feedback and communication. It is human nature for children to want to protect their parents from upsetting information so they hesitate in disclosing things to us.

I firmly believe that the only reason this toddler shared her pain with her parents is that she was too young to have that inhibition. Think about it for a minute. A two year old will tell you the puppy bit her finger. The six year old will not. Why? The two year old does not have the inhibition to conceal and desires instant comforting. The six year old will internalize the situation and process it in such a way that she will consider the bite as partly her fault (she was warned not to bother the dog while he ate, etc). She'll rationalize that she made a mistake and thus she and the dog might get into trouble. Only a vigilant parent will notice the bite and ask nonchalantly about it. It's a toss up as to whether you'll even get the truth. Any child sex abuse survivor can speak to this phenomenon.

We, as parents, don't want to hear scary things. It's reflected in our facial responses and the sound of our voice. Kids "read" our response and shut down or change the subject. Whether it's a dog bite, spilled juice, or a frightening touch by the doctor; kids aren't sure how to proceed in sharing and getting help.

If we've been able to train an entire generation of kids to sleep on their backs as infants and to endure the discomfort of car seats and seat belts, surely we can train them to be safe with strangers and "helpers". We just have to start very very young and integrate it into all of our other safety teaching--healthy sexuality, healthy eating, physical safety in the community ie. walking, skateboarding, biking, taking the bus.

It's just not sustainable or emotionally healthy IMO to raise children with a deep distrust of others. I think this will create a very imbalanced teen and young adult who will either be frightened of everything or go the other way, and participate in risk-taking behavior to shock their parents. Just food for thought.

Please know that I recognize just how deeply all those here on WS love their children and how we all strive to keep them safe. No one knows that more than me.

 

[southcitymom]

I couldn't agree with you more Missizzy! Hovering helicopter motherhood is, IMHO, as damaging as absent, checked-out motherhood. There's a balance that needs to be found, of course.

I feel very safe in the world. I feel like I am doing my job when my kids are able to function confidently in the world without me watching every single thing they do. We had a good discussion on this topic (free range children vs. children being kept always under watchful adult eyes) here: http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83795&highlight=free+range. I haven't re-visted that thread but I recall being in the minority.

 

[Filly]

Had a pediatric dentist get all pissy with me because I flat out refused to allow my son to go back with him alone. I left and never went back...I found one that didn't mind

Oh me too, Linda. The Dentist for kids is a big one where they don't want you to "project your own fear of the Dentist onto the child". I was like "I have no fear of the Dentist. Never have".

It took me alot of calling around to find a pediatric Dentist who would let a parent go in with the child.

I'm glad this freakaziod is locked up with that high bail.

 

[jjenny]

I couldn't agree with you more Missizzy! Hovering helicopter motherhood is, IMHO, as damaging as absent, checked-out motherhood. There's a balance that needs to be found, of course.

I feel very safe in the world. I feel like I am doing my job when my kids are able to function confidently in the world without me watching every single thing they do. We had a good discussion on this topic (free range children vs. children being kept always under watchful adult eyes) here: http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83795&highlight=free+range. I haven't re-visted that thread but I recall being in the minority.

In the link provided below, there were expert's opinion posted next to article about this doctor. The expert's opinion is the same as for most of us here-parent should stay with the child during the doctor's visit. So pardon me, I fail to see how someone who takes their child to the doctor and makes sure the child isn't alone with the doctor engages in some sort of "helicopter parenting."

"Experts: Stay with child
By Leah Hoenen

A child should never be out of a parent’s sight during visits to a doctor. That’s the advice of Kelly Phillips, a pediatric nurse practitioner working at the Pediatric Analysis Center in Milton. "

“There is no reason for a child to be alone with a pediatrician for any exam, especially in their private areas,” she said. Phillips said during such an exam, a nurse should always be present. She said she typically explains to children that it’s OK for her to conduct exams because their mothers or fathers are present."
http://www.capegazette.com/storiescurrent/200912/bradley18.html

 

[southcitymom]

In the link provided below, there were expert's opinion posted next to article about this doctor. The expert's opinion is the same as for most of us here-parent should stay with the child during the doctor's visit. So pardon me, I fail to see how someone who takes their child to the doctor and makes sure the child isn't alone with the doctor engages in some sort of "helicopter parenting."

"Experts: Stay with child
By Leah Hoenen

A child should never be out of a parent’s sight during visits to a doctor. That’s the advice of Kelly Phillips, a pediatric nurse practitioner working at the Pediatric Analysis Center in Milton. "

“There is no reason for a child to be alone with a pediatrician for any exam, especially in their private areas,” she said. Phillips said during such an exam, a nurse should always be present. She said she typically explains to children that it’s OK for her to conduct exams because their mothers or fathers are present."
http://www.capegazette.com/storiescurrent/200912/bradley18.html

I definitely think you should stay with a young child when you take them to the doctor - that's why I agreed with you when I responded to your earlier post. Like you, I found it a little odd that parents let this doctor take their young children and I was saddened by the results of their misplaced trust.

My discussion concerning helicopter parenting was in response to Misizzy's broader post concerning the benefits of allowing our children to grow up feeling safe in the world.

 

[Missizzy]

Maybe I should clarify. I never meant to imply that a parent should allow a doctor or nurse to take their baby or young child out of their sight while at an appointment. I, too, roomed in with my newborns and kept my newly adopted children close to me at all times. However, once children become school age, parents are often (IME) asked to leave the room for short periods of time, especially when children are possibly sexually active. It is totally appropriate to expect and/or to request that another professional ie. as nurse be present, though.

I've taken my children to literally hundreds of therapy appointments over the years (once a week per child X 8=LOTS of visits) and only rarely is a parent included in the therapy. Talk and play therapy, however, don't typically start until a child is 4-5 years old, though.

When I think about it, there's more than just therapy which separates a child from their parent. Special ed students as young as three are often on a bus alone with a driver or taken into separate testing rooms by specialists at school. Even the school nurse at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, closes the door when a child is in the room. In our county, children over 13 can see a school nurse for illness, STDs, pregnancy testing, etc. Parents are totally out of the loop. That's taken some getting used to, for sure.

Also, the many times my children were taken for disclosure interviews, following their abuse, parents were not allowed in the room. That was hard as we badly wanted to support our kids (and we could hear them sobbing) but we had to sit in the waiting room while they were video-taped. We were allowed to be present in the examination room for the physical exams and culposcopies but we were not allowed to touch or make eye contact with the child. I was rushed out of the room when I broke down in tears when a doctor told me that my little 7 year old girl's hymen was torn. We were not allowed to watch the tapes until the case came to trial when they were shown to the judge. We didn't even know all the things that the children had disclosed until they testified as we were ordered to not speak to them about it. I'm sorry to ramble but in my 35 years of parenting 18 children, I have been asked to step out of an office an number of times. We have a foster child now and she's seen frequently alone by many different professionals. It's kind of surprising how common it is.

I, too, cringed when I read that this nasty guy was taking the babies and toddlers to the basement. I'm sure that would have raised a red flag for all on WS. All I can imagine is that these must have been first time parents who honestly didn't know what to expect. Thank goodness these little ones complained and that this idiot was stupid enough to film the abuse. An irony that I see here is that these children will be interviewed, video-taped and examined without their parents present now that they've been abused. It seems cruel but it's the method chosen as best preserving untainted evidence for the court.

 

[not_my_kids]

I don't intend to hover over my kids forever. But, at the ages that this "doctor's" victims were, there was no need for these particular children to be unsupervised.

When my kids are with me, they are rarely out of my sight...however, my three year old goes to school half days. He is as well protected as I can make him, but the chance is still there that something can happen. My son is already used to the procedure, he comes in the door, and we talk, right then, while the whole day is fresh in his mind. At this point, that's the best I can do. I could homeschool, but I feel that it is important for my kids to have a life seperate from me and their dad. School is a big part of that. My 6 year old lives in a dual household situation. She spends a lot of time at home, and a lesser amount of time with her father's family. She wanted to live with her dad part time and us part time, but that is where I drew the line. I know she wants to know her father, but he isn't safe to be alone with a 6 year old (not a sexual issue, just a very immature man). So, instead, she lives with her aunt and uncle on that side and she is happy. On the days she isn't here, I speak to her no less than three times a day, when she gets up, when she gets home from school, right before bed. Is there a potential for abuse in this situation? Yes. But the precautions that can be taken, are taken.

I hover to a certain extent, and I likely always will. But someday they will be adults, and I won't be able to hover, even if I wanted to. Abuse happens to adults too, and I feel that it is important for them to have contact (supervised at this point) with enough people so that their internal radar is honed enough for them to understand that when they get that feeling about someone, it is normally dead on.
I think that, and a good level of self confidence, are going to do more to protect them in the long term than hovering will.
What I can't understand is very young kids being allowed alone with the doctor, or anyone for that matter. If they are too little to tell me about the course of what went on, they are too little to be alone in any situation.

That's me. I am not normal, not in parenting or anything else. But I do try to do what I feel is best. On this one, I am on the fence as to how much the parents can be blamed, as I still feel that all my kids are too young to be alone with a doctor, but that will change in time, the soonest with my oldest daughter. She is old enough and confident enough that I feel she would speak up the moment she feels uncomfortable and she would keep speaking until someone listened. At some point soon, I will have to rely on the skills I have taught her to keep her safe, in addition to my semi-hovering.

ETA: I left out half a thought, I in no way meant that I am on the fence regarding the doctor or his conduct...he is scum and someone should return him to his pond...with a gift of concrete boots.

 

[impatientredhead]

There are certainly situations where a child needs to be out of the care of their parent in the hands of a professional (doctor, therapist, etc..) but in this day and age any professional that is in a position of needing to be alone with a child will have built in safety precautions to insulate themselves from misunderstandings or unfounded accusations. Something like that can destroy a long earned professional career in a moment.

If there is cause for you to be out to the room there should be an assistant or some type of monitoring available.