Mother Who Sexually Abused Daughter Receives 101-235 Year Prison Sentence
West Virginia Circuit Judge Swiftly Applies the Law to Sexual Abuse Perpetrator
As a result of this child's bravery, her mother, Jessica Morris, was sentenced to 101-235 years for the sexual abuse and sexual assault committed against her daughter, beginning when the child was only three years old.
When stories of child sexual abuse come to light, most of us have a strong desire to see the perpetrators of such horrific crimes against children swiftly brought to justice. Many times this does not happen. Children are sometimes accused of making up stories and their attempts to tell on their abusers are quickly discounted. However, this child's story was so consistent and compelling that it brought down the strong arm of West Virginia's state law.
Ohio County Circuit Judge James Mazzone sentenced Morris according to the following state guidelines:
1-5 years for conspiracy to commit sexual assault on a minor
15-35 years each for 3 counts of first degree sexual assault
10-20 years each for 4 counts of sexual abuse by a parent
5-15 years each for 3 counts of incest.
Judge Mazzone further ordered the terms to be served consecutively, making the sentence from 101 -235 years total. The sentence is in agreement with West Virginia law, as well as recommendations by both the Ohio County Prosecutor's Office and Ohio County's Adult Probation Officer.
Guardian ad litem for the child read a letter written by the victim to the judge in this case:
"Dear judge. I think what Jessica did was wrong. She should never have done it. I hope she gets 200 years of jail. Jack should get 200 years of jail. I hope that they get that much. Thank you for everything that you did. You are really a nice judge. I hope they get what they deserve. What Jack did was wrong too. I wish that stuff never happened. Thank you for everything you did."
In this case, it seems that the Judge heard the cry of this child's heart and applied the law of the state of West Virginia accordingly.
It is always hard to hear about abuse of this type being perpetrated against a child. Parents are supposed to love and protect their children, not abuse and misuse them. Sexual violation by a parent is so out of the norm that it is many times hard to believe. Perhaps that is why so many children fail to step forward and speak out against their own parents. Sexual abuse and assault by one's own parent, especially by one's own mother is probably one of the most appalling crimes against children.
Mothers are typically seen as protectors and nurturers, not monsters who abuse their own children. However, we know that many mothers and fathers do choose to misuse and abuse their children. Statistics tell us the sad story as newspapers and newscasters across the country report their daily news stories of child sexual abuse as well as other forms of abuses.
Wouldn't it be nice if all perpetrators of such crimes received the penalty imposed upon this mother? Perhaps then, sexual assaults against children in their own homes would decrease. If the penalties in every state were as imposing as the state of West Virginia, maybe, just maybe, we could actually stop childhood sexual abuse and incest.
Sources:
http://www.protect.org/
http://www.news-register.net/page/content.detail/id/518504.html
Published by Vicki Messer
In 1997 I began a personal journey of healing from years of childhood sexual abuse. For the better part of 10 years, I worked my way through the painful repressed memories of incest at the hands of several... View profile
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11 Comments
Post a CommentAbuse is a horrible crime, and many people are hurt along the way, also it seems that abuse does run in families or particular communities and it can be hard for someone who grows up being abused to know anything different, especially if no one ever stood in the gap for them as they were being abused.
Every person has a soul, and even these who committed these crimes, do need forgiveness, but forgiveness does not come easy, and forgiveness does not mean no consquenses,because if someone has no consquenses for their actions others will believe it is okay to commit the same type of crimes.
These people have been convicted so they do need to be in prison, and sadly many will not forgive because they forget that Christ died EVEN for sins such as this. These are the things that are very hard to forgive, but through Christ it is possible. It is not possible to forgive without we have some understanding of how Christ paid for our sins.
This whole family needs prayer. Because each one is
It is hard to understand how a mother could let that happen. But what if you thought that was the way it was? Her parents let it happen to her. I ask you to ask yourself where you were when Jessica was being abused. You may want to know where I was. I moved away and was not aware of this until it was too late. I did try to help her get away but she was too far gone the damage was already done. I have spent many hours beating myself up saying what if. Even today this monster Jack still has a hold on her. As she sits in prison she still writes to him. These are not the actions of a normal person. These are the actions of someone who has been so abused that they do not know what a normal relationship is. So before you condemn Jessica think about what she has endured and what brought her to where she is now. I have not signed my name for fear for my life and that of my family.
Jessica tried many times to get away from this demon. But as many mentally and physically abused women she could not. He threatened her life, her family's life and the life of anyone that helped her. This girl has been beaten down and needs help not prison. She didn't commit the acts she has been accused of but she allowed them to happen and that is just as bad and there is no excuse for that. What about all of the terrible things that were done to her? Is there anyone paying for that? NO. This was once a sweet beautiful child. Did she just one day turn in to a monster? That is not the way it happens. This girl has suffered years and years of abuse herself so the State Of WV gives her 101 to 235 years in prison. Where is the help for her? She too is the victim of Jack just as her children are. I understand the anger people feel towards her and I too feel that because I would die before I would let that happen to my children. It is hard to understand how a mother could le
Everyone is so quick to condemn Jessica. What happened to the children is terrible but what happened to Jessica is also a travesty. I cry and pray for the children and their recovery. I also cry and pray for Jessica. I have known her since birth and I know what kind of life she has had. At age 3 she took LSD that was left on the kitchen table. She did not receive any treatment because her parents knew they would be in trouble. She grew up with 2 drug addicted parents. There was drug traffic in and out of her home from birth. Her father was a sexual predator and I would not be surprised if he or his friends didn't abuse her. Her mother is a crack head and had men in and out of the home all of the time. Who knows what was done to her then. Her mother wouldn't have known because she was high all of the time. This man Jack is the real person that needs to be castrated with no anesthetic and then set lose in the worst prison available for life. He is condemned to Hell. Jessi
That "mother" deserves every 101-235 years of that jail time... God bless the child. :D
I will pray for that child, thanks for mentioning this.
Thank-you,Joy, for the encouraging article. What a remarkable child.
Cases like these I belive in death sentance. The child is marred for life.the life that child knew is gone forever. I know a life for a life, but quality is apparent too. At least the judge listened to the girl.Roberta Baxter
*sigh* We all know no one lives 200 years Carol, that isn't the point. The point is the counts for each crime perpetrated against this child will not be so easily overturned should they perpetrator try to get an appeal. And yes, the judge heard the the child. This sends a message to anyone who thinks it is okay to hurt a child like that.
whether she gets 60 years or 10,000 years what difference does it make how many years, this never made any sense to me, what is wrong with the conviction life without parole, meaning never seeing the outside again, nobody lives 200 years.