Tennessee Youth Petitions Lawmakers on Behalf of Abused and Neglected Children

In 2004, Josh Osborne, age 15, was rescued by Lavergne, Tennessee police officers after following a tip that the boy was being held as a prisoner in his own home. Josh had been chained to his bed and denied food and water. When he was rescued by the police, Josh Osborne weighed only 49 pounds.

On Tuesday, September 30, 2008, Josh Osborne, now age 19, was forced to face one of his greatest fears. His abusive step-mother, Christy Osborne, received an early release from prison, after being sentenced to 6 years. She was not scheduled for release until 2010. Josh Osborne's father, James Osborne is expected to be released in 2011, after serving a 7 year sentence. Josh's concerns now are for the safety of his younger siblings.

Since the time of his rescue in 2004, Josh Osborne has been living with his Aunt Tammy. Not only is Josh gaining weight and regaining his health, but he is also championing the cause of other abused children. As he continues to recover from the physical and mental damage caused by parental neglect and abuse, Josh Osborne has been fighting for tougher laws for child abusers. He has appeared before Tennessee state lawmakers to plead for other children who are abused by their own caretakers, just as he has been. Josh Osborne uses his own life as a personal example of what so often happens to innocent children and points out how important it is for the laws to be changed by imposing tougher penalties upon child abusers.

Because of Josh Osborne's efforts and his personal bravery in telling his own story, Tennessee's Governor, Phil Bredesen, signed Josh Osborne's Law into effect in May, 2008. The Tennessee law makes starvation and dehydration criminal offenses against children. Prior to that time, there were no specific laws making it a crime, hence the short prison sentences for both his father and step-mother. Since much of Josh's abuse was not recalled quickly, the statute of limitations ran out before he could tell the specifics of his own abuse. Josh would like for the statute of limitations to be removed in order to give abused children time to recall these events and process them in a safe environment before testifying against their abusers.

Today Josh is thriving as he continues to live with his Aunt Tammy. Josh is also hoping to continue his crusade on behalf of other abused and neglected children. He is willing to tell his story and plead for the laws in this country to be changed so that other children will not suffer as he has and then have to live in fear because the laws are not strong enough to truly provide protection.

Josh Osborne is a wonderful example of a victim who has chosen to overcome his abuse. He stands tall and strong as he faces his abusers and continues to challenge the laws in order to provide better protection for abused and neglected children in the United States. He has already made a huge impact on the state of Tennessee.

Source:
Nashville's News Channel 5
http://www.newschannel5.com/global/story.asp?s=8401208