A MOTHER’S COURAGE
I would like to acknowledge and praise the mother of three children for reporting her suspicions that a male babysitter was sexually abusing her children. Too often, family members and friends hesitate to act on their “gut” feelings, allowing more children to suffer long-term trauma and potentially devastating consequences for their futures.
As a result of her courage, a 25-year-old man was charged with four felonies, including the manufacture of child sexual abuse images, felonious sexual assault, violation of privacy, and endangering the welfare of a child, according to the Concord Police Department on Jan. 7.
Also in the news is the case of a physician and pediatric neurologist who, as of Jan. 2, 2026, received an emergency suspension of his medical license for incidents of child sexual assault.
I am particularly angered by the actions of the pediatric neurologist, as he is fully aware of the long-term neurological harm caused by child sexual abuse, as described by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk. This knowledge makes his alleged actions especially egregious.
Once again, I am advocating for all child sexual assault cases to be classified as high-level felonies, not only those involving the internet. Far too many sexual predator cases are reduced to misdemeanors through plea agreements. This injustice must be corrected through the enactment of new laws that account for the child’s trauma symptoms and the grooming tactics used by sexual predators.
Bravo to the mother for reporting her suspicions to the police and thereby, protected her children and potentially many others.