9 years later.

 

As soon as I turned 17 years old and became an adult I tried. I walked straight into the Buchanan county prosecutor's office on a mission. I spoke with the county prosecutor and informed him that I was a victim. I shared with him how I was sexually abused at the age of eight. I was there in his office trying to press charges against a sexual predator. I was informed that I was out of the statute of limitations for such a crime. I was not allowed to file assault charges against this man. The prosecutor then advised me what I could possibly do. If I could find or if I knew any other victims that were within the statute then they would prosecute. If I could somehow find one of his recent victims I would be allowed to be a character witness. Which would be almost the same as testifying against him.There were definitely other victims. Mostly all the victims that I had talked to were also out of the statute of limitations.Some of his victims were other family members.I finally located a female victim that was 15 years old. She was well within the statute of limitations. I knew her Dad. He was a co-worker of mine and shared her contact info with me. This girl had moved to the state of Ohio because she was so scared of this man. Her mother was also terrified of this predator. I spoke with her on the telephone. I let her know what I was attempting to do. To put this Man behind bars for a long long time. Its most recent victim was too scared to come back to St Joseph because of him. I let her know I understood and my thoughts and prayers are with her. I do not remember exactly how many other victims there were.I went back to the prosecutor and informed them of the 15 year old female victim. It did not matter. If the victim is not willing to file charges, there's nothing that can be done. I knew he was still out there somewhere. I was positive that he was still sexually assaulting children.I begged and pleaded with the prosecutors to please prosecute him.I knew there were medical records and police records from my assault. It did not matter that he was protected by the statute of limitations. Before I left the prosecutor's office I made it clear, if I find him,I'll be facing murder charges. My life continues on a path of self-destruction while also masking the pain with alcohol and drugs. If only something would have been done. I had not seen this man  personally since I was 8 years old. I was 18 or 19 years old. A friend of mine and I went fishing south of town. We decided to go to a creek that connects the Missouri River to mud lake. It was probably a six mile gravel road drive to get there. This fishing spot is very secluded and out of sight. We arrived at the bridge where we were going to fish. There was somebody already fishing off of the bridge.  I told my friend that we should go ask him if he's having any luck.There was also a little boy below the bridge on the bank. I don't remember exactly but I'm guessing he was anywhere from 7 to 10 years old. I approached the man on the bridge and asked him if they were having any luck?  He told me that he was not having any luck fishing. We continued to have a conversation about fishing. I remember letting him know that I usually have good luck here. I let him know we were going to go on the other side of the bridge to fish. Before we parted ways he asked me a question. "You don't remember me do you?" I told him " No, you don't seem familiar." 

He then said," I used to babysit you.” 

(To be continued)