-
lbell 03/22/2011 10:41:00 AM
Yeah-shes smarter than you and your jealous. The gene for intelligence is carried on the female side. When woman who lack intelligence are near a woman who is intelligent,they feel threatened-and they should. Males of all species overwhelmingly prefer smart woman for their mates.There is a name for this syndrome and a long history-Its called witch hunting. In the past the stupid woman of the village got together and accuse those women who had attracted the attention of their sad and sorry mate.Now these woman mostly work for the state. Times change -people dont.
-
Jennifer 02/12/2009 3:02:00 AM
This is my life! I know what happened to me and my brother. Total strangers who support my abusive father misrepresent the facts to try to disprove that 2 children were telling the truth about being abused. We are adults now. We will not be silenced any longer! Every single independent doctor, pediatrician, therapist, even the priest concluded that we were abused by our father. Only the family court workers & reunification therapist were not sure. They testified that our father beat up our mother in front of us, strangled us and threatened to kill us, but that behavior was not necessarily abuse but rather merely "physically harsh." I can�t believe how many creeps have come out of their filth to try to discredit us. They don�t know anything but are self proclaimed experts. Read the evidence: americanchildrenunderground.blogspot.com. ~Jennifer
-
Alex 01/27/2009 9:35:00 AM
This is all really very simple and easy. You want to read an article where someone has done their homework? Please read here < http://glennsacks.com/blog/?p=3265 >
' nuff said.
-
Yiannis 01/01/2009 7:57:00 AM
I too found this story very interesting, not so much from the perspective of the human drama, but from the legal angle. The human drama is all too common and, without access to all the facts, it's impossible for an outsider to distinguish the clear truth at the edges from the murky muddle in the middle. The thing that strikes me is the insistence of the Hennepin County prosecutor that the mother appear in person before the charges are dropped. Granted that in this case there appeared to be a real jurisdictional basis for the exercise of authority on the part of Hennepin County, and the mother does not appear to deny that she acted intentionally to violate the court's authority. Still it strikes me that the interests of the children in such cases are not likely to be furthered when prosecutors take extreme or inflexible positions against parents abroad. Such positions just naturally smell xenophobic. Did Ms. Collins have any family ties to the Netherlands?
You should be aware that there are even worse cases of mismanagement or outright fraud by prosecutors at the county level in the United States. In a case involving a Greek child, the American mother falsely claimed that her child was missing and abducted. In fact the county prosecutor still appears to be claiming this, even though the mother lived next door to her child in Greece for nearly three years! The child's father was finally exonerated of all charges by a Greek court last year. Still the county prosecutor does not appear to have relented, even though he previously admitted to having no jurisdiction to prosecute the matter! The case materials can be found here:
http://www.ncmec.eu/case.php?Id=1
If any of you think that you could help resolve this matter in light of the child's best interests, I invite you to contact the father directly, or write to:
secretariat@ncmec.eu
Thank you.
-
10/17/2008 9:44:00 PM
Holly is to be commended for the wonderful children she has nurtured into adulthood. I have been "talking" with Jennifer for at least a year. She is the most precious young lady, who gives all the credit for her own life having turned out so well, to her mother.
Mark Collins is a criminal! Why has this man not been charged with assault, attempted murder, felony abuse of a child, or something for the crimes he committed in abusing his children and wife?
What is more important?
The loving care that Holly Collins has given to Jennifer, Zachary and their siblings, or the desire of a criminal to have a relationship with the children he abused?
How can Mark Collins be allowed by a court of law to file for custody of "Chip"? Chip does not know Mark Collins from a hole in the wall; furthermore, he does not want to know Mark Collins.
Holly was not given much of a choice when left with the decision to allow Mark Collins to continue to abuse their children, or flee to another country that would be more fair!
When will the DA file child abuse charges against Mark Collins?
This is ludicrous and should not exist in the United States. This Judge and GAL need to be disbarred! They have worked in collusion in order to allow Mark Collins to have unsupervised contact with his children, knowing that he was abusing the children and had repeatedly abused Holly!
This is an outrage and I am incensed that the United States is now less safe for children than the Netherlands!
"Chip" should never have to see Mark Collins. He is not a little boy and has a voice that must be heard, even if from his home in the Netherlands.
This is a shame on the United States and needs to be rectified. The DA wants "fairness"? Then charge Mark Collins with the crimes he has committed!
-
Mary 08/29/2008 2:14:00 PM
As a child who is a product of a violent childhood, who witnessed and was a victim of that violence, I must speak. Only in the past few years is this crime getting the attention it has always deserved. I can attest to the lengths taken to hide this crime, and how the perpetrator was supported by his "friends" in the police department, and the legal system in those dark days. As children we had no voice and I have not seen that that has changed much. I can say this unequivically, as an adult and a care giver for the past 42 years, every single time I witness the result of this crime in my work, or in my private life, I am reminded and relive every dark moment that I lived as a child. I have been involved in the fight against Domestic Violence for my entire adult life, and actively in my community for twenty years, but only five years ago spoke out about my own history for thwe first time publicly. I am 61 years old now and i am as passionate about this now as ever. No one can know the pain and suffering these people endure. This family has my respect and admiration, we obviously have a very long way to go before this crime is truly considered as such, and the victims treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. When is the question going to stop being "Why does she stay?" and become "Why does he do that?"
-
Jennifer 08/24/2008 2:52:00 PM
I just learned that �Just the Facts� is Beth Imm, from Zimmerman Minnesota! Beth is married to Jeff Imm, the father of my 15 year old brother. Beth Imm has nothing to do with this case! She doesn�t know my mother! She doesn�t know my brother! She has never met us! Jeff doesn�t want anything to do with his son! Could it be that Beth is afraid that her husband Jeff will cheat on her again? It is not my mother�s fault that he lied to both of them. Is it that my mother is so pretty? Or is Beth worried that her husband will have to pay child support for the child he had with another woman? Jeff Imm is a clear example of a Dead Beat dad!
Beth Imm has tried to discredit the therapists who tried to protect us as children. Fred Emilianowicz was a full time social worker who was also a part time family therapist helping families in crisis. Surely he has credentials for determining child abuse. He also sent us to see Dr. Reimer who also confirmed that the abuse and Dr Newberger is a highly reknown expert in child abuse! Although Dr. Newberger personally saw us 4 times, we were seen numerous times by his colleagues. �Whenever a child is brought to the Children's emergency room with unexplained bruises, lacerations, fractures, or other injuries, the case is referred to the hospital's child protection team, which includes a social worker, a pediatrician, a lawyer, and a nurse. One of the oldest such teams in the country, it was founded by Newberger, who remains its medical director.�
The problem with the Imm�s is that they spread lies and people believe them. My mother has been asked �Why would they lie about events which could be so easily proved or disproved?� See� that is the whole problem! No one checks their lies. Beth Imm attacks Dr. Newberger stating that �In all these cases the children were removed from their mother�s care because of an initial diagnosis by Newberger and his team. In all these cases the separation extended into years.� What are you on about? Lousise Woodword wasn�t a mother at all. She was the English au pair who killed a baby! Dr. Newberger testified for the State of Massachusetts and that Nanny was found Guilty! The 3 month old Diaz baby had a minimum of 6 broken bones when she appeared in the emergency room. Even though it was later found that the child had a rare disease where a copper deficiency probably contributed to fragile bones, isn�t it better to air on the side of reason? What about the hundreds/thousands of other cases where Dr. Newberger has saved children�s lives?
Beth Imm blatantly lies that we were seen over 32 times in the emergency room in one year. This is totally false! It wouldn�t even be that many times in my whole life! Where are the medical records? How many times were we at the hospital because my father beat us? If a man beats his children and the mother brings the children to the hospital, it doesn�t mean that she is the one with psychological issues.
Beth Imm states that the �most troubling pieces of evidence� is an x-ray from my brothers fractured skull. Yes my brother was in an accident in Salem NH in May 1986 when we were visiting my father�s parents. There was an x-ray and ct scan which confirmed that there were NO broken bones!!! Over a year later� in July 1987 my father beat my brother so severely that he caused extensive swelling of the head and a skull fracture. Look at the medical records. That is 100% proof that the Beth & Jeff Imm are lying!
Despite all of the experts involved, Beth Imm suddenly feels that as a housewife she is qualified to critique our drawings that we did in therapy, and of course she is lying again! She has referred to drawings when my brother was 11 years old and now claiming that they were done when the child was 6. They have the dates written right on them.
Beth has made several posts all over the internet spreading vicious lies about my mother. She has attacked my mother for raising 10 children on her own and not receiving any child support at all. Isn�t there something wrong with this approach? Instead of attacking how a mother financially provides for her children, go after the fathers who are not contributing at all for their children. They obviously have the money, evident by a comment that Beth Imm has posted herself in 2005: �Hi All! I'm a New Member from Old Money!!! � my name is Majestic Wingnut, beth imm, and I look forward to smoozing with all the other 'Wingnuts' in the mpls area. I'm also thinking of attending an event and am looking for appropriate escorts� As I don't usually associate with 'other' people, except of course those few coming from REALLY old money� Thank you oh so much darlings! Majestic Wingnut� Is this woman crazy? (� she�s married! What is she doing looking for a date on the internet?)
Beth Imm has even gone so far to contact my abusive father. What is wrong with this woman? My father testified that he broke my mother�s nose 3 times!!!! He also testified that he dislocated my mother�s shoulder in front of us children! HIS OWN WORDS!!!! Now this woman states that he would never say that. We have the court transcripts!
In one of Beth�s comments (# 34) Beth poses as a battered woman�s advocate where she states �As an advocate for battered women I can tell you the most difficult challenge is that courts (and others) do not believe the mother or children. It is the responsibility of all women�s organizations to guard against the rare cases in which the accusations are false, because sadly they do exist.� How can she get away with this? What organization does she claim to work for? She has posted on the internet several times she was a secretary and now is a stay at home mom.
Beth also has a 20 year old daughter from a different father. Beth Imm fails to mention that in 1994 she married Jeff Imm so that she could move with him to England for his job and get her 6 year old daughter, Bianca away from her biological father. They moved to England just a few weeks after we left Minnesota
I can�t stand it anymore! This woman has to stop spreading blatant lies about our family. Even though my mother can not publically defend herself until the trial is over, I will not let Beth and Jeff Imm get away with publicly humiliating my mother with their lies.
Another country gave my mother asylum! YES ASYLUM!!! Beth Imm claims that we only have refugee status. We have the records! We have Dutch passports! We have proved it over and over again to the American authorities. The Netherlands would not risk an international incident with the United States of America for one small battered woman if they were not 100% positive that this woman was in severe danger!
-
Just the Facts 08/23/2008 8:27:00 PM
It is our responsibility, and in fact our purpose, to speak loudly for the thousands of women, children and even men who suffer at the hands of those who physically, sexually, emotionally and verbally abuse them. It�s the true victim�s voices that go unheard. Tragically, we rarely have the means to provide basic support let alone perform the detailed investigation required to get the truth out. Sometimes, though, we do.
In the response above Holly/her supporter, doesn�t refute the evidence I have put forth by citing any definitive documents. I have cited each of my sources from information that is available for anyone thoroughly investigating this story. My documents are from the FINFING OF FACT and the final order of the court. The defense Holly has presented was included in the hearings, but contained inconsistent and contradictory statements and evidence.
In this City Pages article the reporter referred to Fred Emilianowicz as a family therapist who interviewed the children, when in fact he was at that time a part-time social worker. The court also found the pictures the children made in Mr. Emilianowicz presents very troubling (see City Pages slide show). These concerns centered round the developmental level for a 6 & 8 yr old in key areas such as grammar, spelling, punctuation, terminology, comprehension and handwriting abilities.
Hospital records revealed Dr. Newberger had seen Holly and the children on only 4 occasions. He, and all his staff including Emilianowicz, refused to meet with any other party. Newberger intentionally neglected to inform the court of contradicting evidence that Holly herself was the subject of a report to Children�s Services by colleagues in the emergency room concerning her excessive number of visits, when he in fact had received an additional written notice immediately prior to his statement.
The Massachusetts�s Appellate court has overturned a lower court�s ruling in at least 3 other cases of allegations of abuse by Children�s Hospital when Dr. Newberger was head of the unit. The Louise Woodward trial, the Inez Diaz trial and one other identified as only the Baby Iris trail, her records are sealed. In all these cases the children were removed from their mother�s care because of an initial diagnosis by Newberger and his team. In all these cases the separation extended into years. These family�s lives remain tragically scarred to this day. (www.portia.org/chapter03/expert.html)
One of Holly�s most troubling �pieces of evidence� is an x-ray she has of her son�s skull showing trauma. This x-ray is in fact from a separate lawsuit Holly (and other parents) filed against an amusement park in Lake Canobie, NH because of an accident involving a children�s ride. The parents (rightly so) won their case.
Holly�s and her supporter�s responses consist of emotionally charged opinions and inflammatory statements, this being one of the most significant traits of a manipulative and deceptive personality.
The post above appears to be a diversion from and distortion of the facts as it doesn�t pertain to this case.
Here are the actual sources, readily available in a simple Google search, where its Holly�s own story that is the 1st to mention the 3rd child�s name. I could not locate one source of this information previous to this post.
July 7th, 2008 Jennifer�s blog www.americanchildrenunderground.blogspot.com
July 7th, 2008 Women�s E News www.womensenews.org/article.cfm?aid=3662
July 7th, 2008 Mirabile Dictu www.alterwords.wordpress.com/2008/07/07/why-do-abused-women-stay/
July 9th, 2008 Women�s Space www.womensspace.org/phpBB2/2008/07/09/in-support-of-holly-ann-collins-battered-american-woman-granted-asylum-in-the-netherlands-because-the-us-wouldnt-protect-her/
July 16th, 2008 Not Your Typical Granny www.notagranny.blogspot.com/
Unfortunately, the obviously tragic events of this child�s life will most likely become more tragic due to the sensitive details provided by Holly/her supporter above.
-
Jennifer 08/21/2008 6:00:00 PM
Hi, this is Jennifer.
I would like to come in contact with 3 people who have been critical of my mother in these comments: Rio's mom, Just the facts & Jes.
Since you three claim to have personal knowledge of the case regarding ME I would like to know what hard evidence you have.
See there are somethings that you didn't count on:
I grew up!
I remember the abuse from my father!
My mom was such a great mom to us!
If you have something to say to me, please write to me on my website.
If you are such a coward to hide identify then it is obvious to everyone that you are just full of....
Please leave my family alone.
Thank you
Jennifer
-
Elizabeth 08/21/2008 8:03:00 AM
Interesting how some make this a discussion on women's supposed pathologies- and omit discussion of human rights- and children's rights. Could it be there aren't any- in real life ? Do we pathologize and blame the victims of genocide ? Well- some did -didn't they.
-
The True Facts 08/21/2008 5:07:00 AM
It is obvious that �Just the facts� has a personal interest in this case, but his/her version of the facts are so far away from the truth.
The dwindling number of comments on the blog was because Jennifer was on vacation for 3 weeks.
I agree with you that it is really a shame that the 15 year old boy missed out on having a relationship with his father. Holly tried everything to get Jeffrey Imm involved with his son. Unfortunately Jeff did not want to be in his son�s life at the time. In fact he took information from Holly�s custody case with her abusive ex husband and tried to have the baby taken away from Holly and put up for adoption. Please note that Holly was given sole custody of the infant by Judge Porter, the same judge who was restricting her visitation with the 2 older children. Surely if Holly had MSbP the baby would be in severe danger. I wonder what is wrong with Jeff Imm that he lost custody to an �MSbP� mother and was only allowed supervised visitation with the baby.
14 years later when Holly and the children were discovered, Christopher tracked down his father to Zimmerman Minnesota. It has been over 18 months and Jeff Imm has still not gone to visit his son, even though he was in Germany for his work. Surely if this was a concerned parent, he would rush over to Holland to see his son, especially if he was in the area for work anyway. Holly has never claimed that Jeff Imm abused her. In fact she has publically stated that he was a good guy, but there are those of us who clearly feel that he took advantage of this vulnerable woman.
Holly has not released any information about the minor children. Holly and Jeff had an agreement to keep their son out of the media. Unfortunately someone from Jeff Imm�s family released the name of the boy. It is understandable that the grandparents, Paul & Karen Imm and the extended Imm family are saddened that they did not have a chance to get to know their grandson. That was Jeff�s choice.
Now that Jeff and Beth have had a child together, perhaps he realizes what he is missing. Unfortunately he still hasn�t made an effort to go visit his son.
Holly is hoping that when her trial is over and the truth is exposed, Jeff, Beth and the whole Imm family will realize that she is a very good mother who was doing what was best for all of her children.
-
jennifer 08/16/2008 12:29:00 AM
I am finally heard!
I would like to thank Beth Walton for printing the child's side of the story.
Family court shouldn't be about the husband or the wife. It should be about kids - kids like me!
My dad beat my mom. Many people think "that is her problem" but it was my problem too because I witnessed it! My father testified that he dislocated my mothers shoulder and broke my mother's nose 3 times. He also admitted (under oath) that he did it in front of us kids. The judge found that he was an abuser. Isn't that enough?
Not only did we witness this Wife Beater in progress, we were victimized by him as well! He fractured my brother's skull. How can anyone ignore that?
Rosa Parks defied the law and wouldn't stand up on the bus. We applaud her today. Holly Ann Collins wouldn't stand for her children being abused. She should go down in history books as being a courageous Battered Woman who challenged the system. She was the first American to receive asylum in Europe and is going to be the catalyst for initiating change in our severely damaged family court system.
Thank you for giving me a voice.
Jennifer
-
Christine, PhD 08/15/2008 8:26:00 PM
Dear Ron
In the ideal world you are right. But the point is that we can not consider domestic violence as an extreme form of a quarrel between partners like most of us have every now en then. It is something completely different, a criminal act, and should be treated like that.
To forgive and forget is not that easy, because victims still remember every time they were beaded up, even after 10 or 20 years. It would feel the same for you, if you were for instance beaded up in the street by a stranger. And not one time, but perhaps even twenty times or more. Therefore, most victims are afraid of their ex-partner the rest of their lives. And that is not strange or hysteric behaviour, but totally normal.
Moreover, we know from recent Dutch search, that as many victims are at risk for violence after a violent relationship as during the relationship, because the aggression disorder in the batterer doen�t change by a divorce. Especially if the batterer is looking for revenge for instance because of a divorce or if the victim turned to the police for help, the victim can be at risk for many years.
Best,
Stichting Zijweg
www.stichtingzijweg.nl
info@stichtingzijweg.nl
-
Demand Justice for Battered Wo 08/15/2008 7:22:00 PM
Has Holly Collins paved the way for other battered women to find safety?
A case has recently emerged where another American Battered Woman has received Refugee Status in Costa Rica.
The Case of Chere Lyn Tomayko
Chere fled to Costa Rica in 1996 with her daughters, one of whom she had with her former boyfriend, Roger Cyprian. She did so in order to escape an abusive relationship with the father of the child. However, her actions were in violation of a Texas court order that granted joint custody of the child to Cyprian and Chere and determined that her residence would be in Texas. Later enter the FBI and a grand jury indictment for child abduction. Chere was arrested last year by Interpol and has spent the last 10 months in the El Buen Pastor prison for women. The U.S. has fought for extradition, but the Costa Rican government has decided to grant Chere refugee status and has released her. She can now continue her life with her Costa Rican husband and four children (two of which were born here in Costa Rica through her marriage with Javier Montero).
Costa Rica enjoys a very cozy relationship with the U.S., in general. Now there is talk that Costa Rica's action may disrupt that relationship. Oscar Arias, Costa Rica's president, has praised the action of the Costa Rican justice system in granting Chere asylum and releasing her. He says that he is proud that his country took this action in order to protect human rights in spite of U.S. pressure to extradite Chere. I grew up in an abusive home. I know the fear. It has shaped me in many ways. Cyprian says there was no violence, but admits to being a "control freak." Maybe he is truthful (I doubt it), but control freaks by their very nature do violence to those who they attempt to control. Chere Lyn deserves the right to control her own destiny. She came to Costa Rica trying to do that. I don't blame her. I came here for that reason as well. She is trying to have a peaceful life. She apparently came to the right place. I too applaud Costa Rica's decision in this case. It took guts. It was a decision that was not taken lightly as the courts debated for some time and were under intense media scrutiny throughout the process. This was simply a decision made, in the face of political and legal pressure from the largest most powerful country in the world, to protect the right of a mother and her child to be free from abuse. It was the right decision.
-
Ron 08/15/2008 1:11:00 PM
Well I wonder how all this could happen - so much termoil, so much animosity, with two children and other Gray children on the side. I've seen such things before and I can't understand why people can't learn to live together w/o anger. I hope that time has healed the wounds of the past and everyone concerned can move on.
-
Christine 08/14/2008 11:11:00 PM
Thank you for writing this article. Clearly, more attention for the consequences of domestic violence on the long run is needed. The society, but even family judges, think that the problems finished after the violent relationship is finished, but victims know that a great deal of the problems even start at that moment. Especially if the court rewards the batterer with custody over the children. This happens even if the batterer is sentenced for the domestic violence, not only in de US, but also in the Netherlands. Sometimes because of a false claim of PAS, sometimes because the judge thinks that is is better for the child to keep contact with the father, no matter what had happened (or can happen?), although research shows that this is not truth. We know that in some cases the child is obliged to visit the father in jail, while he is sentenced for murdering the mother. Although I am proud that in the case of Holly and her children, unfortunately I do not believe that in general the situation for battered women is better in The Netherlands than in the US. So please let�s cooperate world wide, to fight for the rights of battered women and children everywhere.
Stichting Zijweg (foundation for battered women and their children in The Netherlands)
www.stichtingzijweg.nl
info@stichtingzijweg.nl
-
the true facts 08/14/2008 11:01:00 PM
Lady, you're nuts! (Probably Mark's mother!)
I have seen the court documents. You have twisted the truth that it isn't even worth addressing your comments.
Only the judge found MSBP which he later withdrew in another court order.
ALL of the psychiatric professionals (including the court appointed psychologist) have concluded that Holly suffers from Post Traumatic Stress. That in itself says so much.
Mark Collins beat Holly Collins!
Even though he claims it was an accident (he supposedly did it in his sleep) Mark Collins admitted during his testimony that he broke Holly�s nose 3 times!
No way you can sugar coat that! Everyone agrees that this woman was battered!
That is enough for the general public to know that he should never have received custody of the children!
The children are old enough now to speak for themselves. Listen to them!
-
Just the Facts 08/14/2008 6:00:00 PM
Response to The REAL Facts, 8/12/08
Holly defense in this case rests on documented proof and credibility.
�The REAL Facts�:
�The judgment stated that Holly MAY suffer from a personality disorder, including MSbP, yet the judge admitted that he wasn�t sure which personality disorder she should have. All of the treating professionals confirmed that Holly suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome not MSbP. That is indisputable! Domestic Violence as well!!! The judge found it without doubt! The appellate court upheld it! Mark Collins is a wife beater! With just those facts alone, how in the world could he gain custody of the children?
FINDING OF FACTS, file #DC-159283, Page 2 states not �MAY suffer from� but explicitly MSP. No mention of PTSS.
�The court also finds that Respondent (Holly) suffers from a personality disorder. This type of emotional difficulty is extremely resistant to treatment and requires years of long-term psychotherapy. The personality disorder Respondent suffers from includes Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSP); a disorder where a parent invents induces or exaggerated medical symptoms in a child. MSP is a recognized form of child abuse. The Hennepin County Department of Court Services conducted an extensive custody evaluation that included 33 collateral contacts. The Department of Court Services recommended legal and physical custody be changed to Petitioner (Mark Collins)�.
�The result of this form of abuse may be death�of concern in this case is the fact that Zachary has continued presentation of suicidal behavior as described by Respondent (Holly), ONLY OCCURING WHILE IN RESPONDENTS CARE�furthermore, Respondent (Holly) has subjected the children to extensive testing by 3 (separate) allergists�Respondent (Holly) has also taken the children to a number of pediatricians and therapists. Based on the foregoing, the court finds that the minor children are at great physical and emotional risk if they remain in the custody of the Respondent. Their safety and long-term emotional development is best protected by being in the custody of Petitioner (Mark Collins).
FINDING OF FACT, file #DC-159283, Page 3
�The court finds that domestic abuse has occurred between the parties. Petitioner (Mark Collins) testified Respondent (Holly) received a black eye, sore shoulder and possibly broken nose when wrestling previous to alleged spousal abuse.�
In any domestic abuse case any admission of physical contact is deemed domestic abuse, as it should be. Given the severity of consequences of Holly�s mental health diagnosis, Mark was awarded custody; even when the court found domestic abuse. Her claims of abuse were upheld by the appellate court yet the appellate court still agreed the children�s well-being was better protected in the father�s care; otherwise it would have reversed the lower court�s order and given custody back to Holly.
The REAL Facts:
�If one manipulates the signs of MSbP, as the last commenter did, any battered woman may be falsely accused.�
My statements come directly from the American Psychiatric Association�s DSM and contain symptoms and characteristic that the court appropriately applied to Holly and this case. This is one of the collateral contacts used by the Department of Court Services.
The REAL Facts:
�I am curious as to the identity of the last writer. You claim to have personal knowledge about this case, so come forward.� Why hide behind a pseudonym?�
99% of my comments have less to do with my �personal knowledge� or opinion, but come directly from verifiable and official sources. I have pointed out exactly what those sources are. 99% of Holly�s and her supporters don�t offer specifics of where theirs come from. Hiding behind pseudonyms cuts both ways.
The REAL Facts:
�How do you know what happened in the Netherlands? Those records are sealed. Holly has asylum! Holly has asylum! She has provided copies of her status to the City Pages for liability purposes.�
She has not provided these documents to the County Attorney, the State Department, or Mark Thompson, the FBI investigator originally and still assigned to this case, warrant #94-055-053.
�NRC Next News, AMSTERDAM, 05/04/08 - It has now emerged that an American family was given asylum in the Netherlands in 1996. The justice ministry is investigating how this could have happened, newspaper NRC Handelsblad reported Friday. A spokesman of the Ministry of Justice says that it does not exist that an American got asylum here asylum. He finds this incredible, he said �I run a check and I know that it is not possible. A lawyer, specializing in international removal matter, says that the judge probably thought that she was Bosnian. That is the case as it becomes clear from the correspondence. On that warm June day in 1994, Holly Collins paints their hair black and rubs them with dark cr�. Now they look differently than the description that the police force was given. Holly Collins: pale brown hair; blue eyes. She is 1 meter 63 and weighs then 57 kilos.�
http://www.nrcnext.nl/projecten/covers/article1517075.ece/Amerikaan_en_asielzoeker_dat_gaat_samen
The REAL Facts:
�One can see that this mother is trying to keep all of her minor children out of the media, as a good mother should. Only the two grown children, who are demanding justice for the abuse they suffered, have approached the media.
It� amazing The Real Facts can make this statement. In just this article Holly herself states she has many children, including a reference to three children, not just Jennifer and Zachary. �She still has five minor children, and the three she fled with could be considered witnesses in the case.� And also �Years after her arrival she gave birth to more children of her own. Today, she is a mother of 10�.
The first media to report this story was a Dutch newspaper, then another newspaper, then on Dutch television. It is Holly who appears in all of these news stories in which her other children are mentioned. There are also 5 separate YouTube videos which contain many pictures of Holly�s family with the other children. In addition there are too many blogs to list in this post.
http://www.nrcnext.nl/projecten/covers/article1517075.ece/Amerikaan_en_asielzoeker_dat_gaat_samen
http://www.nisnews.nl/public/050408_2.htm
http://www.geenstijl.nl/mt/archieven/2008/04/jaap_hogewoning_aangenaam.htm
The REAL Facts:
�Why do you print the name of a minor child? The father of the 3rd child didn�t want contact with the boy. The court records clearly demonstrate Holly�s attempts to have this man in her child�s life. He had his chance. It is too bad if he changed his mind during the 14 years this family was in hiding. Where is the father now? Has he seen his son? What are his feelings towards Holly?�
Holly herself named her 3rd child back in the spring of 1994 in dozens of letters to her �Family, Friends and Advocates�! I quote, �Zachary and Jennifer have been my reason for living, and when they were taken away, God bless me with another little angel, Christopher�Hopefully Christopher�s father has confidence that I am doing what is best�.
The statement, �He had his chance. It is too bad...� speaks directly to Holly�s inability to take any responsibility (another characteristic of MSP). As far as where the father is now and if he has seen his son, does he know where his son is? Holly may be the only one who knows.
The REAL Facts:
�I don�t believe that I have read anywhere that Holly has made any comments about the district attorney.�
This article itself states �the Minneapolis District Attorney refuses to drop the charges, and has threatened to try to put Holly in jail and deny her any contact with her now adult children the minute she sets foot on U.S. soil� also, ��Deputy County District Attorney Pat Diamond, who will oversee the proceedings if and when Holly returns�.
If any reader would like additional actual quotations from news sources for more examples, please post. There is an extraordinary amount of research to sift through.
From Jennifer�s Blog on June 4th 2008
�My mother�s attorney, Alan Rosenfeld (asked us) to keep things quiet while he was in negotiations with the Hennepin County district attorney, Liz Cutter.� And ��attorney Rosenfeld would take responsibility for her and present her for arraignment the very next day at 1:30, Liz Cutter said flatly no.�
July 16th 3008
Can you believe it?
StopFamilyViolence.ORG wrote:
"Yesterday, we launched an email campaign � sending messages to HENNIPEN COUNTY FREEMAN, MN Attorney General Swanson, and Gov Pawlenty urging them to drop the charges against Holly. In the first 12 hours since launch, over 3000 messages have been sent."
The REAL Facts:
Shame on you for siding with a batterer!
I have not sided with the batterer, though I cannot side with Holly.
-
Just the Facts 08/14/2008 5:12:00 PM
Response to The REAL Facts, 8/12/08
Holly defense in this case rests on documented proof and credibility.
�The REAL Facts�:
�The judgment stated that Holly MAY suffer from a personality disorder, including MSbP, yet the judge admitted that he wasn�t sure which personality disorder she should have. All of the treating professionals confirmed that Holly suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome not MSbP. That is indisputable! Domestic Violence as well!!! The judge found it without doubt! The appellate court upheld it! Mark Collins is a wife beater! With just those facts alone, how in the world could he gain custody of the children?
FINDING OF FACTS, file #DC-159283, Page 2 states not �MAY suffer from� but explicitly MSP. No mention of PTSS.
�The court also finds that Respondent (Holly) suffers from a personality disorder. This type of emotional difficulty is extremely resistant to treatment and requires years of long-term psychotherapy. The personality disorder Respondent suffers from includes Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSP); a disorder where a parent invents induces or exaggerated medical symptoms in a child. MSP is a recognized form of child abuse. The Hennepin County Department of Court Services conducted an extensive custody evaluation that included 33 collateral contacts. The Department of Court Services recommended legal and physical custody be changed to Petitioner (Mark Collins)�.
�The result of this form of abuse may be death�of concern in this case is the fact that Zachary has continued presentation of suicidal behavior as described by Respondent (Holly), ONLY OCCURING WHILE IN RESPONDENTS CARE�furthermore, Respondent (Holly) has subjected the children to extensive testing by 3 (separate) allergists�Respondent (Holly) has also taken the children to a number of pediatricians and therapists. Based on the foregoing, the court finds that the minor children are at great physical and emotional risk if they remain in the custody of the Respondent. Their safety and long-term emotional development is best protected by being in the custody of Petitioner (Mark Collins).
FINDING OF FACT, file #DC-159283, Page 3
�The court finds that domestic abuse has occurred between the parties. Petitioner (Mark Collins) testified Respondent (Holly) received a black eye, sore shoulder and possibly broken nose when wrestling previous to alleged spousal abuse.�
In any domestic abuse case any admission of physical contact is deemed domestic abuse, as it should be. Given the severity of consequences of Holly�s mental health diagnosis, Mark was awarded custody; even when the court found domestic abuse. Her claims of abuse were upheld by the appellate court yet the appellate court still agreed the children�s well-being was better protected in the father�s care; otherwise it would have reversed the lower court�s order and given custody back to Holly.
The REAL Facts:
�If one manipulates the signs of MSbP, as the last commenter did, any battered woman may be falsely accused.�
My statements come directly from the American Psychiatric Association�s DSM and contain symptoms and characteristic that the court appropriately applied to Holly and this case. This is one of the collateral contacts used by the Department of Court Services.
The REAL Facts:
�I am curious as to the identity of the last writer. You claim to have personal knowledge about this case, so come forward.� Why hide behind a pseudonym?�
99% of my comments have less to do with my �personal knowledge� or opinion, but come directly from verifiable and official sources. I have pointed out exactly what those sources are. 99% of Holly�s and her supporters don�t offer specifics of where theirs come from. Hiding behind pseudonyms cuts both ways.
The REAL Facts:
�How do you know what happened in the Netherlands? Those records are sealed. Holly has asylum! Holly has asylum! She has provided copies of her status to the City Pages for liability purposes.�
She has not provided these documents to the County Attorney, the State Department, or Mark Thompson, the FBI investigator originally and still assigned to this case, warrant #94-055-053.
�NRC Next News, AMSTERDAM, 05/04/08 - It has now emerged that an American family was given asylum in the Netherlands in 1996. The justice ministry is investigating how this could have happened, newspaper NRC Handelsblad reported Friday. A spokesman of the Ministry of Justice says that it does not exist that an American got asylum here asylum. He finds this incredible, he said �I run a check and I know that it is not possible. A lawyer, specializing in international removal matter, says that the judge probably thought that she was Bosnian. That is the case as it becomes clear from the correspondence. On that warm June day in 1994, Holly Collins paints their hair black and rubs them with dark cr�. Now they look differently than the description that the police force was given. Holly Collins: pale brown hair; blue eyes. She is 1 meter 63 and weighs then 57 kilos.�
http://www.nrcnext.nl/projecten/covers/article1517075.ece/Amerikaan_en_asielzoeker_dat_gaat_samen
The REAL Facts:
�One can see that this mother is trying to keep all of her minor children out of the media, as a good mother should. Only the two grown children, who are demanding justice for the abuse they suffered, have approached the media.
It� amazing The Real Facts can make this statement. In just this article Holly herself states she has many children, including a reference to three children, not just Jennifer and Zachary. �She still has five minor children, and the three she fled with could be considered witnesses in the case.� And also �Years after her arrival she gave birth to more children of her own. Today, she is a mother of 10�.
The first media to report this story was a Dutch newspaper, then another newspaper, then on Dutch television. It is Holly who appears in all of these news stories in which her other children are mentioned. There are also 5 separate YouTube videos which contain many pictures of Holly�s family with the other children. In addition there are too many blogs to list in this post.
http://www.nrcnext.nl/projecten/covers/article1517075.ece/Amerikaan_en_asielzoeker_dat_gaat_samen
http://www.nisnews.nl/public/050408_2.htm
http://www.geenstijl.nl/mt/archieven/2008/04/jaap_hogewoning_aangenaam.htm
The REAL Facts:
�Why do you print the name of a minor child? The father of the 3rd child didn�t want contact with the boy. The court records clearly demonstrate Holly�s attempts to have this man in her child�s life. He had his chance. It is too bad if he changed his mind during the 14 years this family was in hiding. Where is the father now? Has he seen his son? What are his feelings towards Holly?�
Holly herself named her 3rd child back in the spring of 1994 in dozens of letters to her �Family, Friends and Advocates�! I quote, �Zachary and Jennifer have been my reason for living, and when they were taken away, God bless me with another little angel, Christopher�Hopefully Christopher�s father has confidence that I am doing what is best�.
The statement, �He had his chance. It is too bad...� speaks directly to Holly�s inability to take any responsibility (another characteristic of MSP). As far as where the father is now and if he has seen his son, does he know where his son is? Holly may be the only one who knows.
The REAL Facts:
�I don�t believe that I have read anywhere that Holly has made any comments about the district attorney.�
This article itself states �the Minneapolis District Attorney refuses to drop the charges, and has threatened to try to put Holly in jail and deny her any contact with her now adult children the minute she sets foot on U.S. soil� also, ��Deputy County District Attorney Pat Diamond, who will oversee the proceedings if and when Holly returns�.
If any reader would like additional actual quotations from news sources for more examples, please post. There is an extraordinary amount of research to sift through.
From Jennifer�s Blog on June 4th 2008
�My mother�s attorney, Alan Rosenfeld (asked us) to keep things quiet while he was in negotiations with the Hennepin County district attorney, Liz Cutter.� And ��attorney Rosenfeld would take responsibility for her and present her for arraignment the very next day at 1:30, Liz Cutter said flatly no.�
July 16th 3008
Can you believe it?
StopFamilyViolence.ORG wrote:
"Yesterday, we launched an email campaign � sending messages to HENNIPEN COUNTY FREEMAN, MN Attorney General Swanson, and Gov Pawlenty urging them to drop the charges against Holly. In the first 12 hours since launch, over 3000 messages have been sent."
The REAL Facts:
Shame on you for siding with a batterer!
I have not sided with the batterer, though given the documented facts, I cannot side with Holly.
-
Hope 08/13/2008 7:45:00 PM
Jennifer,
I am so proud of you for taking a stand as you have been doing for the at least the past year. Ignore those too ignorant to read the skull fractures, broken bones, and abuse you and your siblings suffered.
People need to remember that although this was some 14 years ago, this continues to happen in our courts today.
When Jen recently tried to contact her father, hoping against hope that just maybe he would want to hear from her after 14 years, he was rude, crude, and hung up on her!
Any man or woman would be proud to have children who have gone through so much and still comleted college, and continue to advocate for their safe return to the USA.
The father is violent and did not care if he hurt his wife or children. That is not a real man, anyone can beat up on a woman and small frightened children! Some man needs to take him out behind the barn and give him a good talkin' to!
The courts did not give Holly any help or hope. After being told she would have to move out or be charged with failure to protect, the children were then given to the abuser! How crazy is this?
Bless you Holly!
-
Dara Carlin, M.A. 08/13/2008 7:00:00 AM
What's happened to Holly and her children is one of the worst cases of injustice I've ever heard of because there were SO MANY injustices AND the cover-up continues to this day! An AMERICAN asking for asylum?! Just think about that for a moment - and then it was granted?! The Netherlands did the right thing by this mom and children, yet the United States continues a self-righteous and vindictive pursuit of a mom who takes care of children and war orphans? This is absolutely beyond sick!!!
Diamond's comment that Mark Collins is a victim is insult to injury and an example of a truly corrupt system if we're supposed to feel sorry for Mark's "time, energy and faith" he put into the court system - that's NOTHING as compared to Holly's placing her life and the very lives of her beloved children into the hands of that same court system that FAILED (and continues to fail) her and her kids! In light of all the confirmed evidence against him, Mr. Collins should have spent the past 14 years IN JAIL for abusing his children and the mother of his children! Last I heard, the use of violence against women and children was classified as A CRIME and is a fundamental Human Rights violation so how Mr. Collins has avoided arrest and incarceration simply baffles me because even in this article, the citations about his use of violence against Holly, Zach and Jennifer is repetitiously and freely spoken about!
Sadly, Holly's story is not much different then the thousands of other mothers who've fled abusive marriages in this country and who've been ensnared by a court system that was designed to protect the weak and innocent that instead ensures "equity and impartiality" to criminals who claim fatherhood as immunity for their crimes. There is a difference between being a father and being a dad and a good dad does not terrorize, traumatize or otherwise hurt the children or the mother of his children! (Good dads also know they are so and never attempt to prove themselves in such a manner - if anything, they encourage other men to be the best dads they can be and live by example.) Mr. Collins is a father but he is surely no dad.
Thank you for writing and publishing this article. I hope it serves as a springboard for outrage, inspiration and ultimately change. God bless and keep safe Holly, Zach and Jennifer; God forgive Mark and the people in the system that have contributed and continue to contribute to the abuse of women and children.
-
The REAL FACTS 08/13/2008 6:00:00 AM
Congratulations to Beth Walton for getting at the real issue. �In plain sight!� That says it all. You captured the essence of the true story. The court found that Mark Collins, beat Holly Collins and then awarded custody of her minor children to her batterer.
It is a disgrace that the judge didn�t understand the dynamics of domestic violence. This woman�s fears were justified. Did the judge assume that she should feel safe after the divorce was finalized, despite her children having to go alone with her abuser? Statistics demonstrate that abusers are even more dangerous when his victim tries to leave. The judge misread the distress this battered woman was in. The judgment stated that Holly MAY suffer from a personality disorder, including MSbP, yet the judge admitted that he wasn�t sure which personality disorder she should have. All of the treating professionals confirmed that Holly suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome not MSbP. It is typical that the courts assume that something else must be wrong with this woman for being so afraid of her batterer, even though she�d been divorced for 2 years. The broken bones had healed by then. What was wrong with her? Who is the crazy one here? Broken bones?!!!! That is indisputable! Domestic Violence as well!!! The judge found it without doubt! The appellate court upheld it! Mark Collins is a wife beater! With just those facts alone, how in the world could he gain custody of the children?
Munchausen�s is a rare syndrome when a parent inflicts symptoms of an undiagnosed illness on a child. Unfortunately many batterers have now used this opportunity to conform the characteristics of this very rare disorder to detract attention from his abuse to his wife and children. If one manipulates the signs of MSbP, as the last commenter did, any battered woman may be falsely accused. If Holly was ill, then her newborn son would be at greater risk than her two older children and yet she was given sole custody of the infant.
I am curious as to the identity of the last writer. You claim to have personal knowledge about this case, so come forward. Why hide behind a pseudonym? Do you have any idea what you are talking about? How do you know what happened in the Netherlands? Those records are sealed. Holly has asylum! She has provided copies of her status to the City Pages for liability purposes. You make so many false comments that it isn�t even worth disputing. Read the articles closely, this reporter researched this story thoroughly!
One can see that this mother is trying to keep all of her minor children out of the media, as a good mother should. Only the two grown children, who are demanding justice for the abuse they suffered, have approached the media.
Why do you print the name of a minor child? The father of the 3rd child didn�t want contact with the boy. The court records clearly demonstrate Holly�s attempts to have this man in her child�s life. He had his chance. It is too bad if he changed his mind during the 14 years this family was in hiding. Where is the father now? Has he seen his son? What are his feelings towards Holly?
I don�t believe that I have read anywhere that Holly has made any comments about the district attorney. Holly is safe in the Netherlands. She doesn�t have to return to the United States. The Netherlands has confirmed that they will uphold this family�s asylum. It is courageous that this woman is willing to turn herself in and is willing to stand trial and have the evidence exposed.
A (self proclaimed) advocate for battered women would never attack a battered woman as the last writer did. The judge found in his order that Holly was battered by Mark Collins.
Shame on you for siding with a batterer!
The REAL Facts
Minneapolis
-
Just the Facts 08/12/2008 7:33:00 PM
I agree many people here are way off base. Holly�s and her supporters� comments are based entirely on Holly�s version of events and their own opinions. They ignore, or are ignorant of, documented facts from the trial and sworn affidavits which can be verified. Their comments do not rebut the (�assumption�) I have posted above and it will be telling if they do so now. In fact the dwindling number of comments on Jennifer�s and other blogs are an indication that her story is completely falling apart.
To Lucy, the readers will see your credibility was lost in your 1st paragraph and this entire case is based on credibility.
�The only Munchausen's experts involved said emphatically that she did NOT have it. It was "suggested" by a court services psychologist who testified at trial that she didn't have expertise in this area and that she had never had a Munchausen's client�MSBP has also been discredited as a theory�NO ONE involved in the case EVER said she had Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy�assuming MSBP is an actual condition, (which is open to debate)... Battered women are traumatized by the abuse they experience, and not surprisingly, act like trauma victims. They can be fearful, anxious, sometimes seen as manipulative (although I don't agree that's what's going on), and easily upset. Ample evidence exists of the abuse of Holly by her ex-husband, and there is also plenty of evidence of her children's illnesses and their abuse by their father�My personal belief is that no one wants to believe it. They'd rather believe she's lying or exaggerating�.
Munchausen is NOT a discredited theory open to debate. From the American Psychiatric Association�s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM); �Munchausen syndrome as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), which is the standard reference book for recognized mental illnesses in the United States�(description). It is behavior that one person deliberately perpetrates on another. For MBP to be confirmed, there must be proof, through direct or circumstantial evidence (usually strong circumstantial evidence), that the suspected perpetrator has deliberately exaggerated and/or fabricated and/or induced a problem (physical and/or psychological-behavioral-mental health) regarding another person�.
Symptoms and characteristic:
1. Problem appears to originate only in association with suspected perpetrator�s presence.
2. Problem disappears or begins to improve when suspected victim is separated from suspected perpetrator.
3. Problem resumes after suspected perpetrator is told suspected victim has recovered, is improving.
4. MBP perpetrators are usually mothers.
MBP perpetrators usually present initially as "normal", "good" caretakers.
MBP perpetrators are usually accomplished liars, deceivers, and manipulators; they are extremely believable, convincing, and superb in their ability to give seemingly plausible reasons for their behavior.
MBP perpetrators may have a history of symptom/illness falsification with regard to themselves.
MBP perpetrators use their victims as objects in trying to satisfy internal needs through the attention they receive from having a child with "problems". These needs are much more important to them than the needs of their victims. External gain may also be present.
MBP perpetrators may have a history of symptom/illness falsification with regard to themselves.
MBP perpetrator-victim dynamics usually initially appear good - even excellent.
MBP perpetrators may seek attention from a variety of people - professionals and non-professionals.
MBP perpetrators may have a "dramatic flair" or be involved in dramatic events.
Again, transcripts from the trial;
�The court also finds that Respondent (Holly) suffers from a personality disorder. This type of emotional difficulty is extremely resistant to treatment and requires years of long-term psychotherapy. The personality disorder Respondent suffers from includes Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSP); a disorder where a parent invents, induces or exaggerated medical symptoms in a child. MSP is a recognized form of child abuse.
Notably, these are some of the exact characteristics of someone diagnosed with Munchausen; along with an insatiable need for attention and falsely presenting herself as a victim numerous times. There are some indications Holly has said she has a fatal cancer, yet no one who claims to �know her well� has mentioned this. Doing so would most likely speak to lenience from the court. This would most likely appear in the headlines. Holly has also stated that Amnesty International has come to her defense in seeking asylum which can easily be verified by US officials but has not. It is a fact that she has been granted a residents permit, quite different from asylum. The first news story reported the judge believed her to be from Bosnia, due to her dying her and her children�s hair black and artificially tanned.
Holly and Jennifer say they sent over 600 emails to Congress and Federal and State Senators. Holly claims US Congressman, Steny Hoyer, has asked her to speak in front of congress, which is blatantly false which anyone can verify by calling (202) 225-3121, the switchboard for Congress. She has appeared in numerous Dutch television news as well as Fox news, now City Pages, many blogs and other media, all giving Holly�s version as fact with no collaborating evidence from our State Dept, Steny Hoyer or any other government agency.
From Lucy�s comments;
�A couple of comments about Christopher's father. He was completely disinterested in his son. Holly had to beg him to see him. I don't know where writers get the idea that she interfered with his visitation, but she tried in vain to get him to show some interest.�
Frankly, it�s ridiculous that Lucy, and most likely others, cannot see how disappearing for 14 years is not �interfering� with a father�s right to visitation. What is so obvious to someone who is objectively looking at Holly�s case is that 1st she claims abuse by her ex-husband (again not until the marriage failed), then her claims of her children�s abuse, then claims of life-long abuse of her and her sister by their Mother, then abuse by her ex-husband�s current wife and now claims of being once again victimized by this child�s father e.g. begging and trying in vain to �get him to show some interest. Holly has conveniently not provided any information on this son (with the one exception of your hearsay comments) compared with the �ample evidence� of every other aspect of her life. She has also left out any details regarding her other 7 children, 3 of whom she astonishingly claims to have adopted. Does no one care what will happen to these children? Holly has cried that the district attorney will not allow her to have contact with her children. Perhaps when all details are known, she will be treated for what she is; a mentally unstable, manipulative and dangerous woman who is truly not fit to mother any child.
�Holly made a desperate decision because she obviously felt she was in a desperate situation. Minnesota, like every other state in the country, provides a defense to her actions if she felt it necessary to protect herself or her children. Ultimately, if she returns, a court will decide if she has a valid defense. But until we enact badly needed family court reform many abused women and children will be caught in this terrible dilemma�.
Holly�s most likely did, and still does, honestly feel desperate, but that in and of itself is not proof of her allegations. A different interpretation is Holly cannot recognize the truth from delusion and is incapable of even acknowledging the trail of broken lives her deliberate and malicious choices have caused. As an advocate for battered women I can tell you the most difficult challenge is that courts (and others) do not believe the mother or children. It is the responsibility of all women�s organizations to guard against the rare cases in which the accusations are false, because sadly they do exist.
�Ultimately, if she returns, a court will decide if she has a valid defense. Thanks to Beth Walton for doing this important story�
When not if she returns, I among others, look for to a thorough investigation and the trial. Hopeful Beth Walton will also attend.
-
Just the Facts 08/12/2008 7:30:00 PM
I agree many people here are way off base. Holly�s and her supporters� comments are based entirely on Holly�s version of events and their own opinions. They ignore, or are ignorant of, documented facts from the trial and sworn affidavits which can be verified. Their comments do not rebut the (�assumption�) I have posted above and it will be telling if they do so now. In fact the dwindling number of comments on Jennifer�s and other blogs are an indication that her story is completely falling apart.
To Lucy, the readers will see your credibility was lost in your 1st paragraph and this entire case is based on credibility.
�The only Munchausen's experts involved said emphatically that she did NOT have it. It was "suggested" by a court services psychologist who testified at trial that she didn't have expertise in this area and that she had never had a Munchausen's client�MSBP has also been discredited as a theory�NO ONE involved in the case EVER said she had Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy�assuming MSBP is an actual condition, (which is open to debate)... Battered women are traumatized by the abuse they experience, and not surprisingly, act like trauma victims. They can be fearful, anxious, sometimes seen as manipulative (although I don't agree that's what's going on), and easily upset. Ample evidence exists of the abuse of Holly by her ex-husband, and there is also plenty of evidence of her children's illnesses and their abuse by their father�My personal belief is that no one wants to believe it. They'd rather believe she's lying or exaggerating�.
Munchausen is NOT a discredited theory open to debate. From the American Psychiatric Association�s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM); �Munchausen syndrome as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), which is the standard reference book for recognized mental illnesses in the United States�(description). It is behavior that one person deliberately perpetrates on another. For MBP to be confirmed, there must be proof, through direct or circumstantial evidence (usually strong circumstantial evidence), that the suspected perpetrator has deliberately exaggerated and/or fabricated and/or induced a problem (physical and/or psychological-behavioral-mental health) regarding another person�.
Symptoms and characteristic:
1. Problem appears to originate only in association with suspected perpetrator�s presence.
2. Problem disappears or begins to improve when suspected victim is separated from suspected perpetrator.
3. Problem resumes after suspected perpetrator is told suspected victim has recovered, is improving.
4. MBP perpetrators are usually mothers.
MBP perpetrators usually present initially as "normal", "good" caretakers.
MBP perpetrators are usually accomplished liars, deceivers, and manipulators; they are extremely believable, convincing, and superb in their ability to give seemingly plausible reasons for their behavior.
MBP perpetrators may have a history of symptom/illness falsification with regard to themselves.
MBP perpetrators use their victims as objects in trying to satisfy internal needs through the attention they receive from having a child with "problems". These needs are much more important to them than the needs of their victims. External gain may also be present.
MBP perpetrators may have a history of symptom/illness falsification with regard to themselves.
MBP perpetrator-victim dynamics usually initially appear good - even excellent.
MBP perpetrators may seek attention from a variety of people - professionals and non-professionals.
MBP perpetrators may have a "dramatic flair" or be involved in dramatic events.
Again, transcripts from the trial;
�The court also finds that Respondent (Holly) suffers from a personality disorder. This type of emotional difficulty is extremely resistant to treatment and requires years of long-term psychotherapy. The personality disorder Respondent suffers from includes Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSP); a disorder where a parent invents, induces or exaggerated medical symptoms in a child. MSP is a recognized form of child abuse.
Notably, these are some of the exact characteristics of someone diagnosed with Munchausen; along with an insatiable need for attention and falsely presenting herself as a victim numerous times. There are some indications Holly has said she has a fatal cancer, yet no one who claims to �know her well� has mentioned this. Doing so would most likely speak to lenience from the court. This would most likely appear in the headlines. Holly has also stated that Amnesty International has come to her defense in seeking asylum which can easily be verified by US officials but has not. It is a fact that she has been granted a residents permit, quite different from asylum. The first news story reported the judge believed her to be from Bosnia, due to her dying her and her children�s hair black and artificially tanned.
Holly and Jennifer say they sent over 600 emails to Congress and Federal and State Senators. Holly claims US Congressman, Steny Hoyer, has asked her to speak in front of congress, which is blatantly false which anyone can verify by calling (202) 225-3121, the switchboard for Congress. She has appeared in numerous Dutch television news as well as Fox news, now City Pages, many blogs and other media, all giving Holly�s version as fact with no collaborating evidence from our State Dept, Steny Hoyer or any other government agency.
From Lucy�s comments;
�A couple of comments about Christopher's father. He was completely disinterested in his son. Holly had to beg him to see him. I don't know where writers get the idea that she interfered with his visitation, but she tried in vain to get him to show some interest.�
Frankly, it�s ridiculous that Lucy, and most likely others, cannot see how disappearing for 14 years is not �interfering� with a father�s right to visitation. What is so obvious to someone who is objectively looking at Holly�s case is that 1st she claims abuse by her ex-husband (again not until the marriage failed), then her claims of her children�s abuse, then claims of life-long abuse of her and her sister by their Mother, then abuse by her ex-husband�s current wife and now claims of being once again victimized by this child�s father e.g. begging and trying in vain to �get him to show some interest. Holly has conveniently not provided any information on this son (with the one exception of your hearsay comments) compared with the �ample evidence� of every other aspect of her life. She has also left out any details regarding her other 7 children, 3 of whom she astonishingly claims to have adopted. Does no one care what will happen to these children? Holly has cried that the district attorney will not allow her to have contact with her children. Perhaps when all details are known, she will be treated for what she is; a mentally unstable, manipulative and dangerous woman who is truly not fit to mother any child.
�Holly made a desperate decision because she obviously felt she was in a desperate situation. Minnesota, like every other state in the country, provides a defense to her actions if she felt it necessary to protect herself or her children. Ultimately, if she returns, a court will decide if she has a valid defense. But until we enact badly needed family court reform many abused women and children will be caught in this terrible dilemma�.
Holly�s most likely did, and still does, honestly feel desperate, but that in and of itself is not proof of her allegations. A different interpretation is Holly cannot recognize the truth from delusion and is incapable of even acknowledging the trail of broken lives her deliberate and malicious choices have caused. As an advocate for battered women I can tell you the most difficult challenge is that courts (and others) do not believe the mother or children. It is the responsibility of all women�s organizations to guard against the rare cases in which the accusations are false, because sadly they do exist.
�Ultimately, if she returns, a court will decide if she has a valid defense. Thanks to Beth Walton for doing this important story�
When not if she returns, I among others, look for to a thorough investigation and the trial. Hopeful Beth Walton will also attend.
-
E. Lee 08/09/2008 1:42:00 PM
I am a mother falsely accused of PAS.
Here is a picture of my "PAS": I raise my children while battling a serious illness that can be life threatening. I am the primary caretaker, and only one who gets them to medical appointments and church. Under my care, my children thrive. Everyday I fear for my life because my ex will snap without warning, he goes after my children to punish me and does everything he can so I cannot work--and thus am trapped. Eventually, I run away from my home with the children.The children and I loose everything--we are destitute and homeless. While I am struggling to find shelter (no subisidized housing is available), struggling to find food and struggling to find a lawyer my ex is buying expensive cars for himself, going on trips and moving his new teenage girlfriend into our home. My children are sleeping on the streets and my ex is moving his girlfriend into our home. The girlfriend boxing up my children's belongings to make room for her own stuff. My children are hungry and my ex is eating the food in our fridge, and feeding someone else. I am scrounging for transfers on the ground to be able to afford bus fare. Getting big 44 oz drinks from gas stations because it lasts all day for the children. And in one shelter, sleeping on the floor behind a cardboard divider. Strangers helped us by donating food, shelter and clothing. The court says I am unstable because I am homeless. Unstable because it is difficult to work without an address, and children to look after.
With the onset of my ex filing for custody, I suddenly become mentally ill and develop PAS. No doctor has ever diagnosed me--it was the lawyer for my ex and biased members of Hennepin County Family Court who claim I have PAS. The evidence: I am afraid, My children are afraid and acting out. Going to court to defend myself and keep the children safe is also evidence--I am just trying to keep the kids from the father is what the lawyer says. It's beyond belief how abusers get so much sympathy! Worse, the judge claims to help homeless families in her own church while she slaps real homeless families in the face in her court every day.
PAS is not a valid, recognized disorder. PAS is not in the DSM-IV. Dr. Richard Gardner, the mastermind of PAS, had one theory discredited and pulled from use. He was also known to work as a paid court witness. Dr. Gardener believes that children sexually seduce adults and that incest is not bad--it's the cultural perception which makes a child fear sex. Dr. Gardner believed in "threat therapy" to reunite children with fathers who were alleged to be abusive; at least one child committed suicide after enduring threat therapy. Dr. Garnder was against the mandated reporting of sexual abuse. Dr. Gardner believes the cure for PAS is removing the mother (fathers don't develop PAS) from the lives of the children or using the threat of taking contact away with her children to get the mother to cooperate. Dr. Gardner later committed suicide by cutting himself up. PAS has never been oficially credited nor recognized as a medical sydrome.
There are very few options for abused women to move into stable lives. Legal services are very limited--especially for those who cannot pay. There is a housing crisis with almost no subsidized housing available. Shelters are full and turn women and children away. And now courts give rights to the abusers while ignoring the victims. Many victims are denied their rights and due process in court.
I was actually told by family court not to talk about abuse. Once I made a mistake and accidentally cried. I was told that I am hysterical and unreasonable. I am afraid to speak. Afraid anything I will say will cause me to loose my children. When I am calm, I am told i have no emotion--and labeled with a new disorder. I am told it is wrong to be afraid and angry towards my ex. I am told it is better to try to reason with him. Better to give him more time with the children. Better to give him another chance. My children are being hurt and there is nothing I can do. CPS actually told me that you can hit a child and they won't intervene. If you hit a child and don't leave marks or cause serious injury then technically it's not child abuse. Then again, if you dare speak the truth you will be forced to "substantiate" your claims. If you cannot prove what you say then there is a good chance you will loose your children, and be acused of alienation or mental illness. The standards for proving abuse seem much higher than proving rape or murder. In truth, the victim is on trial. All her medical records can and will be taken. Her abuser will read and attack personal, and sensitive information. Her character comes under siege. If she is poor, she is viewed as unfit, nevermind the circumstances. All the while the children suffer. And the abuser is emboldened to strike again.
How can this be justice?
In 1996 a leading task force of the APA published a widely disseminated and relied-upon report: Titled "Violence and the Family," written by the American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Violence and the Family, and published by the American Psychological Association, it is based on a comprehensive review of the literature and research on violence in the family.
The Report states, among other things:
"When children reject their abusive fathers, it is common for the batterer and others to blame the mother for alienating the children. They often do not understand the legitimate fears of the child. Although there are no data to support the phenomenon called parental alienation syndrome, in which mothers are blamed for interfering with their children's attachment to their fathers, the term is still used by some evaluators and courts to discount children's fears in hostile and psychologically abusive situations."
(page 40)
"THE TRUTH ABOUT PARENTAL ALIENATION SYNDROME AND THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION". Statement by Professor Joan S. Meier, Esq. (November 9, 2005). Compiled by Trish Wilson, 2005. Trish Wilson offers alot of articles and resources on her site,
http://members.aol.com/asherah/meier1.html
"WORLD reviewed histories on 13 PAS cases�in California, Texas, New York, North Carolina, Georgia, Utah, and other states. These cases had something in common: documentation. In all 13 cases, court records show the mother had already been found a fit parent, and was in most cases already the primary custodial parent. In all 13, court-appointed psychologists ignored children's testimony of sexual abuse, and in some cases, medical findings of abuse, and even previous sex-offender violations. And in all 13 cases, court-appointed mediators concluded that the mothers had inculcated PAS in their children and recommended Dr. Gardner's standard prescription: to strip custody from the mother and place the child with the father for 'deprogramming.'" "Little girls lost?: Embraced in family courts across the country, a controversial "syndrome" may be placing abused children at risk" by Lynn Vincent. WORLD Magazine (2-08-2003). http://www.worldmag.com/articles/6825
Stop Family Violence: Parental Alienation Articles Page
http://www.stopfamilyviolence.org/ocean/host.php?folder=63
Richard Gardner Complete Autopsy- Suicide
http://cincinnatipas.com/dr-richardgardnerautopsy.html
-
Riosmom 08/08/2008 10:31:00 PM
If Holly's first husband was so abusive, why did she stay with him and have a second child by him?
I understand the dynamics of men/women in abusive situations and how hard it is to get out. The facts surrounding Holly's case don't support her claims of years of abuse by her first husband. And the fact that Holly brought abuse charges against her own mother and stepfather, unsubstantiated, unproven and years later and only after Holly realized her mother would not support her lies and false allegations, also destroy her credibility.
This is such a disservice to her kids, the men whose children she bore and the battered women's movement as a whole.
Holly is a criminal and should be treated as such. She needs to face up to what she has done and accept responsibilty for it.
BYW - could the reason she wants to come back now have anything to do with the kid's trust funds, which they will soon be old enough to collect on?
As in most instances, to get to the root of the story, follow the money.
For all the women posting here to support women in abusive situations; gather your facts first. This woman is playing you like she has so many others and is a disgrace to the cause of battered women everywhere.
-
lucy 08/08/2008 4:59:00 AM
Most of the people commenting on this story are making lots of assumptions, most of them way off base. I knew Holly and knew quite a bit about her case as it unfolded. NO ONE involved in the case EVER said she had Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy. The only Munchausen's experts involved said emphatically that she did NOT have it. It was "suggested" by a court services psychologist who testified at trial that she didn't have expertise in this area and that she had never had a Munchausen's client. This exemplifies one of the many problems with our current family court system: custody evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and other reports that come into the courtroom are loaded with innuendo, assumption, untested theory and guesswork. Judges are making decisions based on this, treating opinion as fact.
The individual who posted a comment regarding witnessing a "full-blown Munchausen's incident" is mistaken. Visitation supervisors are not qualified to diagnose people with psychiatric conditions (assuming MSBP is an actual condition, which is open to debate). Again, this demonstrates how the conjecture of an individual who works for the court turns speculation into fact and poisons the well for other people providing service to the family.
Nor did Holly "hide" her pregnancy. Other visitation supervisors and others involved with her case knew perfectly well she was pregnant because they could see it. She didn't advertise it, but she wasn't required to.
Ample evidence exists of the abuse of Holly by her ex-husband, and there is also plenty of evidence of her children's illnesses and their abuse by their father. The court acknowledged Holly's victimization, but as often happens, would not or could not understand the connection between abuse of a mother and abuse of the children. My personal belief is that no one wants to believe it. They'd rather believe she's lying or exaggerating.
A couple of comments about Christopher's father. He was completely disinterested in his son. Holly had to beg him to see him. I don't know where writers get the idea that she interfered with his visitation, but she tried in vain to get him to show some interest. He was planning a move out of the country when Holly left, and showed no interest in a relationship with his son. He may or may not have changed his mind since then, but people should understand that he ignored this boy when they were both in Minnesota.
Holly doesn't have to be perfect in order to be a good mother. Battered women are traumatized by the abuse they experience, and not surprisingly, act like trauma victims. They can be fearful, anxious, sometimes seen as manipulative (although I don't agree that's what's going on), and easily upset. Doesn't make them bad mothers. It's a perfectly natural response to having been abused. The focus should be on the people who have created that situation, not on the victims.
Holly made a desperate decision because she obviously felt she was in a desperate situation. Minnesota, like every other state in the country, provides a defense to her actions if she felt it necessary to protect herself or her children. Ultimately, if she returns, a court will decide if she has a valid defense. But until we enact badly needed family court reform many abused women and children will be caught in this terrible dilemma.
Thanks to Beth Walton for doing this important story.
-
JES 08/07/2008 8:33:00 PM
Bottom line - no one should abuse anyone else - regardless of gender, age, race, etc.
What has gone on is a mother felt so backed into a corner - either by the court system or by her own damaged and erratic neuroses - that she felt she had to flee, illegally taking her two children by an alleged abuser - as well as taking a third child by another man (Baby Christopher) and running away to another country. All the while, being funded by a yet unidentified individual (knowing that Holly' family has money...and historically, this is where she has gotten her funds to live).
Now, after many years of living, what she and her children say was a "good life" in another country...only now do they attempt to manipulate the situation to fit what their needs are to reenter the USA to "come home". I seem to have read in the article that they enjoy living abroad, and if you have looked at their UTube propaganda looking for sympathy for them and their "hero" Mother Holly - they seemed to have a good life of travel, vacations, site seeing and don't appear to be living a life on welfare.
I guess my feelings are that if what happened in the United States was so bad that you had to flee the country, making a new life for yourself and enjoying it there. Combined with the fact that your new "home" county will not allow extradition to the USA for you to be held accountable for your crime (and let's all face it - crimes were broken and for that ANYONE should be held accountable) - then I say...enjoy your new life somewhere else.
You have "made your bed" now it is time that you sleep in it...regardless of whether it doesn't seem to fit your wants. As I stated in my earlier posting within comments, Holly seems to cherry pick what she wants to do, whom she will listen to and what she thinks is best, regardless of what Dr.'s, attorneys, or court officials say - Holly manipulates stories, situations and history to create a vision that is: Holly is correct, if you don't see that - then you too are an enemy and against me.
I sadly see that these children have been - for lack of a better word - brainwashed into thinking that Holly and her actions are above reproach. That she is truly a "hero" to them and she is just this sweet, innocent and altruistic woman who thinks only of her children and their well being...over her own. What my professional interaction with Holly would say is that she has an intense personality disorder, she has "issues" that instead of dealing with those things, she has projected her past onto her children and their interactions with others. She has created, or at the very least, escalated the fear that they lived in, she coached and trained them to be her voice in situations where there was no need for that, and she has now allowed this current position of them being in a foreign country and wanting to "come home" but they can't have what they want - so the cycle continues where...Holly knows best, she is continuing to be abused and "unheard" and presenting her as a real Saint...sadly that is not the case. Holly is a woman who needs help...Holly is a woman who requires years of therapy and treatment...Holly is a criminal who has taken children away from a parent and other family members who were robbed of time with them. Holly selfishly did what Holly wanted to do...and now after more than a decade of living what they state was a "good life" - Holly needs to answer for her actions.
Holly is neither a Hero or a demon...Holly is a woman who made choices that she now has to account for. I only hope that the drama can be set aside and the real and FULL truth can come out. This cycle of pain, blame and shame has to stop...for everyone involved!
-
Lady Portia 08/07/2008 4:50:00 PM
MSBP has also been discredited as a theory.
It reminds me of the old witch hunts of medieval times.
Get the witch and make some theory stick- in order to take over the lives of children and control them in as many ways as possible.
Also, it is clear that all that is allowed to happen is ANTI- LOVE.
The boys at the top want control of all the children and are removing it quite quickly now, because law is supporting the violence and punishing the loving parent and children.
We need to wake up and take back our own power- stay out of secret family courts- known as Kangaroo Courts to those who know what really happens in there re- massive corruption and soul destruction of human beings, who end up with Legal Abuse Syndrome, ETC.
-
Lady Portia 08/07/2008 4:41:00 PM
PAS is only a theory made up by Richard Gardiner- self confessed paedophile, who committed suicide when the net began to close in after he had destroyed many families in secret family courts in USA and worldwide.
PAS is not a recognised psychiatric dis- order- but a theory based on Gardners own unresolved mother issues.
Gardner and Underwager see no wrong in abusing children, hence too many men have escaped justice.
Now, truth finds a way through this family and others brave enough to speak out despite the gagging orders imposed by the court old boys club- who really do not want the public to know what is allowed to happen to children and abused parents- both male and female- but mostly females.
-
Rio'sMom 08/07/2008 12:01:00 AM
Putting all the hyperbole and he said/she said aside, let's look at this objectively of what is known of the two main adults here.
The mother: gets pregnant and marries at a very young age. Stays in a supposedly abusive situation for years. Defies court orders to allow the father visitation rights. Becomes pregnant again by a second man. Denies visitation rights of that second man to his son. Clinical personnel of a hospital suspect and initiate an investigation of Manchausen Syndrome by Proxy, which they find and diagnose. No less than 33 court affiliated professionals find enough evidence of actual abuse by the mother to overturn the first custody ruling and grant custody to the father of the first two children. Sole custody of the third child is also granted to his father (not covered in the story). She abducts the older two and takes all three of them out of the country to become fugitives. Overseas, she lives off welfare while having more children by birth, adoption and fostering.
The father (of the first two kids): gets a girl pregnant and marries at too young an age. Separates and divorces the mother while attempting to maintain a relationship with his kids. He matures, remarries and has kids with his new wife along with holding down a steady job that provides a home and stability for his new family. Has to fight Holly at every turn just to see his kids. Becomes more alarmed and saddened as Holly poisons the children's minds with lies, stories and innuendo. Spends considerable time, money and effort to clear his name and gain custody of the kids before they are permanently scarred by the actions and behaviors of a clearly unstable woman.
The saddest part of all of this is, as usual, what has happened to the kids during it all. They will be forever scarred by their mother's selfish and criminal acts.
Almost equally sad is that for every one of these women who abuse the system with false claims of abuse by the man in their life, there are hundreds who truly are being abused, but are under a cloud of suspicion as to the validity of their claims because of women like Holly Collins. Shame on her.
Her kids are not doing fine, all of them are messed up emotionally and psychologically from having spent the last 14 years under her brainwashing control. The third child is especially messed up, and seeing how as he hasn't seen his father in 14 years, the total blame for that goes to his mother Holly Collins.
How sad that for most every job we do, there is some training, schooling, certification or pass/fail test required. Yet for the most important job in the world, parenting, we allow anyone of any age to embark on this monumental task without so much as a basic question such as, "Do you have the skills necessary for this job?". Too sad.
-
Catherine Mills BA, HdipEd, 08/06/2008 11:44:00 PM
Many readers will ask- what on Earth is this person on about??
Of course the Government wants to stop violence!!!!!!!!
Does it really??
No, that is propaganda.
Violent men and women are rewarded by the system in secret courts not open to the public.
Secret courts are supposed to keep the childs identity secret.!!
That is not what is being kept secret at all.
Rather- it is the corruption of the state agents, lawyers, judges etc that is kept hidden.
Domestic Violence Why Is It Still Allowed.???
I have been asking myself this same question for more than 12 years now, due to my own experience of it.
Having done my thesis on the subject I honestly believed I knew it all.
How could any woman allow this?? I used to ask myself.
No, it will never happen to me.!!! But it did.
All the words in those books were useless in the real world.
All the advise was futile because those who wrote on this subject had never been inside a secret Gestapo family court in their lives.
If they had, they were gagged from speaking out anyway.
I have remained quiet for those 12 years until my children were 18 and free from gagging orders etc.
Now, it is time to speak out the truth as to :
Why it happens, ??
Why it is even rewarded in the court system,??
Why is it allowed to continue??
Why it will never end with the law as it is now,??
Domestic violence goes back thousands of year when women were first enslaved by the Changos about 5,000 years ago.
The institution of marriage was later created to make sure the women were financially dependent on men.
Women and children became possessions of men.
Men were considered the more powerful and bit by bit women were demonised by the church as it gathered power over all people.
Violent men are really weak in themselves and only know how to get their own way through violence.
Men have been conditioned for thousands of years to take and take from women at will.
Women were equally conditioned to give and give without question, always putting themselves last in the family.
Today, we are at a stage in evolution where both are realizing that there is a new way to wards equality.
Not the equality used in the propaganda machine either, where women are being taught that they have equal opportunity so why are they still complaining??
This new equality recognizes women as the nurturers and men as equal helpers who feed their partners on all levels and encourage them to fulfill their full potential.
Inside each man and each woman is a God and a Goddess.We are now balancing both inside each of us and in society too.
Women should come first as a strong woman is then able to look after all the family.
Putting children first is not the answer in my thinking.
The mother must be strong in herself before giving birth and must be well looked after following the birth.
There are now men who suffer violence in relationships too. No wonder.!!!
Women see that to get to the top violence is often used.
Also, violent men are rewarded by our system so some women feel, well if he can do it so can I.
When I say violent men are rewarded I mean that when an abused woman comes forward for help from the system, many agencies become involved and she is led into a false sense of security.
Whatever self esteem she had when she left her abuser is soon knocked out of her by those who claim to protect her and the children.
The latest word from court experts is that Womens Aid is a feminist group led by Germaine Greer and ALL women there, put women up to making these accusations.
That is a big generalization to make and a dangerous one.
Social workers use a woman's vulnerability against her.
Suddenly she finds herself more abused by their use of reverse psychology and mental torture that Hitler would be proud of.
For me it was different as I recognized the game plan and abuse quickly but for others with no qualifications, what chance do they stand.
As it is all done in secret and we are not allowed by law to utter a word under threat of prison and our children being returned to the abuser or put into care for someone else to abuse them more, we stay quiet. This suits the system perfectly.
For myself I certainly did not make it all up or follow instructions from woman's aid or anyone else either.
Why would I leave the home I paid for and go homeless for 12 years to stay safe and keep children safe.
Hardly something one does for fun???
So , the court orders assessments etc, and almost all men guilty of violence are rewarded with contact to children.
Now, I ask you?? What message is that to send out to the abused mother and children??
To the abuser it says...wow....I still have control here.!!!!
The Judge is allowing me to get away with this and I can persecute her and the children every time at contact.
I give you an example from my own case. My ex did not want contact but his lawyer advised him to ask for it as he would look better in the eyes of the Judge for the case of violence.
So on contact, his words were."SEE I TOLD YOU, YOU CAN NEVER ESCAPE, THE LAW IS ALWAYS ON MY SIDE"
So, there it is, it is not actual quality time with children they seek but permanent control and the system gives it to them as a present for their wrong doing.
So little Johnny is dragged by the hair if so ordered by the Judge to have contact with a violent father.
This child learns to quickly identify that this violence is rewarded and is thus confused.
He remembers his Mum promised to keep them all safe and suddenly he is being handed over to an abuser.
Then the blackmail begins.
If Johnny says" I do not want to go with violent parent,"then his mum will be locked up in prison for not forcing him into violence.
If he still refuses, chances are he will be put into care where Social Services will make sure he has contact with violent father.
"Mum can walk the streets"as my Judge said to me.
The law must be obeyed.
Now, here is the confusing part.
If a mother stays in a violent relationship the Social Services will say she is allowing her children to be emotionally abused and take the children into care unless she leaves the abuser.
Then she decides to leave and the Social Services still take the children claiming she is unable to protect them herself as the ex might come to her new home and abuse them.
This is a no win situation. There is no escape as the law now stands.
So every week or so Johnny goes into the energy field of violence and carries it home like an unseen plague, where he begins to abuse his Mum and siblings first and then society.
Little by little the next generation of violence begins all over again and the woman asks herself- why did I bother going for help???.
She then tells other women not to come forward to be completely crucified by a system that proclaims to protect her and others.
I know of pedophiles and child abusers who still get contact.
Supervised at first, but then money comes into play and as in my case I ended up having to supervise contact myself.
So, the message is clear. NO ESCAPE.!!!!!!!
Thus it is clear that violence full stop is just propaganda.!!
Putting safe rooms in homes creates a prison within a prison.
Abused people should be allowed a new life in a new place.
Plus plenty of support and help to empower themselves so it does not happen again.
Mothers must empower their children to be strong inside on all levels.
Girls must see that they are not second class.
This is difficult as the legal profession is still extremely "old boys club"and full of pomp and many men are deluded into thinking they are above the rest of us.
Why is it allowed to continue then you ask??
One of the main reasons is the secrecy of the courts and the truth remaining hidden.
Also, violence creates vast wealth for the system.Peace does not.
Those who come forward are strong people and the system dislikes this trait and does everything to break that spirit.
For myself, I was told I was too powerful for a woman. So, what does that tell you.??
Men and women are used against each other in the system which makes billions from their misery.
Lawyers drag the cases out for all it is worth.
Rarely do they advise properly and treat many of us like dirt.
Psychologists and psychiatrists make huge sums of money for writing a pile of rubbish, or worse still, as in my case, a report was written up based on 5 minutes with psychiatrist, because he had all the information from my ex.
I know,!! the mind boggles.
I sat there in court not knowing who they were talking about.
I was labeled an alcoholic, a witch, a cult member etc.I mean, I pinched myself to see if it was all real and it was.
When I began making notes in order to correct these discrepancies I was ordered to put my pen down and stay quiet or go to jail for 3 months.
No, my lawyer did not speak up for me either.
He was only interested in the money he had received and was quite happy to hang me out to dry.
Also, in line for wealth are care homes and foster parents receiving �400 per week per child.
Many of the care homes are owned by ex social workers in fact.
As long as violence is rewarded because it creates vast wealth for the old patriarchal system then nothing will change.
Why would they want to change.????
There are some very gentle and peace loving men in society now and they should be honored and respected accordingly, as they feed and support women on all levels and help them nurture the next generation into peace.
These are the real strong men not macho fools.!!!!
Abusers should have to earn their right to contact.
Children should not be forced into it or bribed by social workers either, because then children feel they have been tricked into a situation where their own natural instinct said danger.
As long as we allow the people we gave power to with our votes, to continue to use OUR money in the manner above, then domestic violence will continue to increase like it is at the moment and women will become just as violent too.
Simply because that is the real agenda of our government.!!!!
The only thing that matters to the old system is power and money and control.
The only people that are listened to are dead people!!! Too late then.!!!
I hope that by shedding a new light on this situation, we, as a society will see how we are paying our Government with our tax money to actually condone violence because it is more profitable.
Catherine Mills BA, HdipEd, CTG,TTG
-
Eve 08/06/2008 11:09:00 PM
There is so much hatred between divorced parents with children all around us,in all countries,on all continents,in every street,in every town,millions of slaughter houses. Vast mijority of relationships simply don't work and never will! Children's lives are permanently scarred not by single-parenthood but by the hatred they grow up in forever stuck between two warring sides that ruin every festivity,every anniversary,blight everything that means life.It is a fact that fathers who apply for custody are not peaceful men who treat women as fellow humans.Most are manipulative selfish liars,charming for the outside world and monstrous towards their families. My gentle,calm male freinds say they could never part their young children from their mothers and despite being cheated on by their wives,they left the children with them and just want good contact.Many male academics,lawyers...have campagned against violent misogynists obtaining and fighting for custody,dozens of them.You cannot put a gun to children's head to visit a parent they do not want to visit.Children have their own minds and feelings.The dad from this story sounds sickening.
As relationships do not work (maybe 5% do,if that many),people should start having children on their own. Sperm banks,sperm donation,surrogate mothers should replace this real hell on Earth that is destroying human race and children, and their parents,should finally start living in peace and having control over their own lives. Millions of acrimonious divorces prove that one must not place his/her whole life in the hands of a stranger who requires very conditional love.
-
Just the Facts 08/06/2008 6:37:00 PM
A response to comments made on various blogs by supporters of Holly Ann.
NOTE: Holly's made previous threats to family members that she'd make a �media circus� if Mark ever obtained custody. Currently, Holly is writing a book from which she plans to live off of the profits.
I know Holly Ann very well. She is very nice and kind. She puts every person before herself.
The fathers of her other children are both estranged. Have their children been denied knowing their fathers, grandparents and extended families? Will all of these children come back to the US? Who will support all of these children if Holly is found guilty, and worse yet, mentally unstable?
I have seen the records. It is terrible. It is much documented that Holly Ann was abused� Her sister testified that she was also abused.
There are NO documents filed before she separated from Mark. Please indicate the date her sister testified in the custody trial documents and police reports, or anything other than Holly�s statements), filed from a life of abuse.
The following is from the MN courts Finding of Fact in the custody trial (File number DC-159283), sworn depositions and affidavits. At the end of the custody trial the State had conducted an extensive custody evaluation that included 33 collateral contacts.
They grew up in foster homes because of abuse from their mother and step father.
Please provide proof (where and when) she �grew up� in foster homes.
From a sworn affidavit of Holly�s Grandmother, Mary Therien, unless Holly�s now claiming her grandmother also abused files;
Paragraph 2; Holly stated that she was abused as a child. I have never seen Holly abused in any way by either Eleanor (her mother) or Thomas Gallagher (her step-father) and I took care of Holly for 8 years. In fact for those 8 years Eleanor and her children lived in my downstairs apartment.
Paragraph 62 and 63; When Holly and her children arrived at Eleanor�s in Aug. 1991 {during the custody hearing}, there was hugs and kisses and tears and laughter. It was all so good for everyone to be together again, Eleanor, Tom, Michelle {Holly�s sister}, me and even my cousin Ivana, from Russia.
Holly�s mother�s; Note her allegations of being abused by her mother didn�t happen until 1991�.
��.we {Eleanor and Tom} have raised 9 children. Our children have ADAMENTLY stated, in depositions and affidavits that Holly was NEVER abused by us and nor have we abused our grandchildren.
We as a family know of no instance where Mark Collins had abused either Holly or the children and we saw Holly, Mark and the children on a daily basis during the time of her reports of alleged abuse. Holly�s allegations of abuse surfaced only after she had separated from Mark.
Holly refused to comply with Minnesota Court visitation orders allowing the children to visit with their father. Holly subsequently alleged to the court that Mark had physically abused and sexually assaulted both her and her son, Zachary. Over time Holly�s accounts of abuse escalated to include bizarre, horrifying, unnatural and criminal acts.�
�I too became involved in litigation with my daughter in Nov. 1991 after I confronted her about my concerns regarding the severity of her children�s health issue.�
Holly has never been in trouble with the law. Her legal battles began with the family court when her husband fractured her little boy�s skull.
The x-ray she is using to �prove� her son was abused is actually from a lawsuit she filed against a small city, Canobie Lack Park in NH, when he was hurt at a playground. Holly has sued Northwest Airlines, an automobile insurance company, a groomer for improperly cutting her dog�s hair, a previous land (see below), her mother (who was exonerated) and others.
The family priest and the children�s pediatrician made the first child protection reports. The director of the Boston Children�s Hospital Child Abuse Trauma Department stated that these children were abused by their father.
There is no testimony of any priest in court documents. Dr. Eli H Newberger, M.D. was Director of the Family Development Program, not Director of the Child Abuse Trauma Department at Boston Children�s Hospital. He never served in any official capacity in this case. In his statement he deliberately neglected to mention Holly had been previously reported to Child Protective Services by his own colleagues in Dec. 1991. He not only had access to this information, but was personally informed on June 3rd, 1992. From Barbara Burr, M.D., staff psychiatrist, regarding Holly�s excessive visits to the emergency room in 1991;
It was the feelings of all (Team Doctors) that social services and therapy are were necessary to provide care of the children.
In several Massachusetts�s Court cases in which Dr. Newberger has testified certain similarities exist. In each case the Appellate Court reversed the lower court�s decision based on the inappropriate and inadmissibility Of Dr. Newberger�s testimony.
Child protection told Holly to take the children and leave the abusive man or she could face charges of �failure to protect.�
There is no supporting evidence Child Protection made this recommendation in any court files.
From Beth Walton, reporter, written in the comments section of City Pages newspaper, July 31st 2008,
�Information about PAS is available within the reporter's notebook connected to this story. Holly Collins was never diagnosed with this, nor was she with MSbP. �
From the Finding of Fact in the custody trial:
�The court also finds that Respondent (Holly) suffers from a personality disorder. This type of emotional difficulty is extremely resistant to treatment and requires years of long-term psychotherapy. The personality disorder Respondent suffers from includes Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSP); a disorder where a parent invents, induces or exaggerated medical symptoms in a child. MSP is a recognized form of child abuse. The parent may genuinely believe in the child�s illness but is unable to separate it from their own emotional needs and unconscious goals. The physical consequences of MSP may include; i) undergoing painful tests; ii) receiving unnecessary treatments; iii) being subject to frequent hospitalization...
Of concern in this case is the fact that Zachary has continued presentation of suicidal behavior as described by (Holly), only occurring while in Respondent�s care. Furthermore, (Holly) has subjected the children to extensive allergy tests by three separate allergists. According to MN court-appointed officials closely monitoring visitation with (Mark) �Jennifer no longer suffers from cyanosis attacks {blueness or lividness of the skin caused by deficiency of oxygen�Webster�s Dictionary). The children are relaxed with (Mark) during visitation, holding hands, sitting on his lap and resting and leaning on him�.
Based on the foregoing the court finds that the minor children are at great physical and emotional risk if the remain with the Respondent. Their safety and long-term emotional development appear best protected by being in the custody of Petitioner.�
According to a professional investigator of Holly�s personality profile, her past relationships;
Holly appears intelligent, sweet and an all American girl; charismatic yet paranoid, a hypochondriac and a pathological liar. Uses hysterical features when confronted or threatened. She is extremely manipulative and deceptive.
Rob Owens (involved with Holly in 1991-92) said �that Holly would have Zeke (Zachary) chant �I am worthless� and he was subject of the wrath she had for men.
From Bob Conners {Holly�s landlord from the fall of 1991 to Dec. of 1992. He saw Zachary walking in a circle for long periods of time chanting �For the love of God, for the love of body� while Holly would just sit and watch him. Holly had sued Bob on various accounts for $2200 which the court found for Bob.
-
Heidi 08/05/2008 7:19:00 PM
This is not an article about Mothers having more rights than Fathers or Fathers being believed over Mothers. This is not an article about child support or what "normally" happens and who is "normally" believed. This is a true story about a family from Minnesota that was extremely abnormal in the level to which they were failed by our courts. Period. I know them. I saw this. It happened. A child can't "fake" a fractured skull...or the other injuries not even mentioned in this article. There are great Fathers that deserve full custody. There are great judges and guardians that do everything they can to put children's safety and best interest first. This case, unfortunately, was the opposite. In this case, it was a perfect storm of poor judgement by the courts and its officers to a level that was criminal. It is not now and never has been a case of Mothers vs. Fathers. It is about the children. It is about children being hurt when the courts fail and a parent having no alternatives left to protect their child from further harm. Skewing it to a case of man vs. woman is grossly unfair to the true victims in this case: The children. Quit reading between the lines to fit your own agenda and read the words written...they are powerful.
-
Gretchen 08/05/2008 2:08:00 AM
Hi Tom,
I was thinking about maybe paying for his college? Would that be to selfish do you think? Would maybe some assistance with feeding, clothing, and housing the kids be too selfish? Could you also explain how asking that a court order, for less than the recommended amount, be enforced is gaming the system? I guess I need some lessons there as well.
-
Dear Jeff 08/03/2008 10:32:00 PM
Dear Jeff. Duh!!!! Most men are not abusers but most who divorce lose their kids. Can we start here? Free your mind and and the truth will follow.
-
Les Jobst 08/03/2008 6:29:00 PM
When a father is driven by a system to take desperate measures to protect his rights and his children - the authorities take off the gloves and call �Game ON�! The system stops at nothing to further minimize and extract the father from the lives of his children. On the flip side, if a Mother takes essentially the same action as the Father did in this story http://abcnews.go.com/US/Story?id=5471756&page=2 - the authorities will only put their �Game Face� on and call their effort good enough! How pathetic is that?
A Mother commit�s an international criminal act involving her children and she openly taunts society by celebrating annually her �Gotcha Day� to show off what she has been able to get away with for over fourteen years. What does the media do - it raises her up as if she is a Hero! A Father commit�s a criminal act involving his children - what does the media do? The media jumps in to demonize the man and depict him as a threat in an effort to elevate the on going manhunt to bring him in like a dog! Something is wrong with this picture!
The real fact that should be dealt with here is that �Sole Physical Custody� is child abuse!! The Liberal�s have been able to elevate this attitude and abuse on our children for one reason only - they personally �PROFIT� from it!!!!!! This should be the focus of the media and the authorities not the aftermath of what the �Divorce Industry� leaves society to deal with.
"Anyone who sees a father's positive role in a child's life as a threat, certainly has a agenda and children are not on it! Children deserve having equal access to both parents!"
http://www.myspace.com/daddywhathashappenedtous
-
Les Jobst 08/03/2008 5:57:00 PM
When a father is driven by a system to take desperate measures to protect his rights and his children - the authorities take off the gloves and call �Game ON�! The system stops at nothing to further minimize and extract the father from the lives of his children. On the flip side, if a Mother takes essentially the same action as the Father did in this story http://abcnews.go.com/US/Story?id=5471756&page=2 - the authorities will only put their �Game Face� on and call their effort good enough! How pathetic is that?
A Mother commit�s an international criminal act involving her children and she openly taunts society by celebrating annually her �Gotcha Day� to show off what she has been able to get away with for over fourteen years. What does the media do - it raises her up as if she is a Hero! A Father commit�s a criminal act involving his children - what does the media do? The media jumps in to demonize the man and depict him as a threat in an effort to elevate the on going manhunt to bring him in like a dog! Something is wrong with this picture!
The real fact that should be dealt with here is that �Sole Physical Custody� is child abuse!! The Liberal�s have been able to elevate this attitude and abuse on our children for one reason only - they personally �PROFIT� from it!!!!!! This should be the focus of the media and the authorities not the aftermath of what the �Divorce Industry� leaves society to deal with.
"Anyone who sees a father's positive role in a child's life as a threat, certainly has a agenda and children are not on it! Children deserve having equal access to both parents!"
http://www.myspace.com/daddywhathashappenedtous
-
charlie 08/03/2008 1:47:00 AM
Even the simplest academic research search will tell you that women abuse children more than men, and there is a great deal of evidence that women are abusing men at about the same rate that men are abusing women. I think Jeff has been reading the feminist and domestic abuse industry propaganda without checking it out. Of course I agree that women should not abuse men and children, and men should not abuse women and children. And when did you stop beating your wife?
-
Jeff Shaw 08/02/2008 11:39:00 PM
Dear Men the World Over,
Don't beat the woman you're with. Don't beat your kids. Without taking a stance on the particular facts of this case, can we start by agreeing on this? Thanks!
Sincerely,
Jeff
-
charlie 08/02/2008 10:09:00 AM
I guess then using the author's argument, the 90% of men who lose custody of their children following divorce or separation should then brainwash the children, claim abuse, and leave the country.
If this were a man in the situation outlined, there would be no support for his position. Women's groups seem to be in support of the courts, except when there is a one-in-a-million ruling against a woman.
-
Lee 08/02/2008 6:54:00 AM
I think it's disgusting that the City Pages tries to make this lady a hero. It's about time a court requires actual evidence to take action on domestic violence. If a man did what Holly did he would be hunted down, jailed and given a lifetime of un-payable debt. Shame on you and the system. A Presumption of joint physical custody would have prevented all of this.
-
JES 08/01/2008 9:41:00 PM
I read your story with some amazement...and also with some shock. You see I had personal interaction with this family many years ago in a professional setting...and for years had wondered what had come of Holly and her children.
What I found in this article was a biased, one sided representation of what occurred in this family - and presented Holly as abused, "damaged" and needing to be a hero when no one could for herself and her children. While I was not in the home of Holly and Mark while they were married - I can speak to their MANY visitation visits when Mark had custody of Jennifer and Zachary.
I did numerous visitations for Holly and her children and legally documented many of their interactions. I was even the supervisor for the first visit where Holly brought baby Christopher to meet his older two siblings...but until she brought in the baby, no one had known she was expecting...and the baby was not on the court order to be part of the visitations. What I viewed over time was a woman who presented herself as a victim, someone who was not being heard, and abused. What I witnessed was a woman who tried at every occassion to manipulate and break the visitation rules, who felt "above" such stipulations, and I also witnessed and documented a full blown Munchausen incident with Jennifer that Holly created.
I don't know what has gone on in Holly's home as she grew up nor do I know what went on in her home with Mark. What I do know is that with my advanced degree/education and years of experience working with children, parents and families is that Holly is a highly narcissitic individual who has the education and background to manipulate situations and individuals to make herself appear to be victimized and traumatized...when in fact, the truth of what has and is going on is a bit more complex than she presents.
I also know that Holly is a criminal for her actions - and is wanted by the FBI and has to answer for her actions eventually. I do find it interesting that no where in your article to you address who or how her underground and international travel was financed. I also don't see where you address that Holly took her third child with her on these travels - and how the father of baby Christopher dealt with never knowing where his son was or whether he was alive...but no wait, Holly doesn't need to address that as she knows best.
While I think this is a compelling story with multiple layers of pathology, pain and areas for individuals to learn about family dynamics and healing - I also see where there are HUGE holes where one side has been told...but there are SO MANY MORE points of view to truly tell the full truth of the matter.
-
K. 08/01/2008 9:29:00 PM
Jesus, you two men (Chris and Tom) sure are entitled. The main thing here is not the woman's struggle--it's the struggle by her FOR her children. It's about the fact that they didn't want to see their father, wanted nothing to do with him, but the courts refused to acknowledge their opinions because it's easier to consider a female "hysterical" than it is to think a man could possibly be beating his children when he's saying's he's not. There's a lot of double-standards in this world (such as the slapping debate, OR the fact that any woman who isn't constantly happy and in perfect health is obviously a nutcase), and they're all bad, but going around and acting like women "have it all" and "oh no the poor menz!" is absolutely ridiculous and ignorant.
You're ignoring the main ideas in the article just because you think, as men�as the �father�--you're "entitled" to your kids. If the children don't want the father in their life he should not be entitled to them. Whether they're adults or not, their opinions should matter and if they feel threatened or unhappy with their father they shouldn't have to be in his presence. Same goes for the mother. A child should not have to be forced to be around someone they claim is beating them, and whether some "experts" think their claims are true or false shouldn't have any sway. It doesn't matter what gender the person is. Nothing matters except the emotional and physical wellbeing of the people who're in the middle of the battle--the children. If the children in this story loved their dad and wanted to be with him, they wouldn't have gone to such lengths to get him out of their life, no matter what claims their mother made about how horrible he is. It's really as easy as that. There had to be SOMETHING wrong in their relationship with him if they couldn't stand being around him to such an extensive point.
This is a story about the struggle of the wellbeing of two children, not the battle between a man and woman over which was most hurt or victimized by all of this. So don't get your proverbial panties in a bunch just because you feel bad for the father. Whether he was beating the children or not isn't really the question here--it's the fact that they didn't feel safe around him and didn't want him in their lives. I find it ridiculous that you instantly side with the father even though there were signs that he was a violent person just because it's easier for you, as well, to just assume to mother was a crazy woman who was just out to hurt the man who'd originally hurt her.
-
Chris 08/01/2008 8:10:00 PM
Try this exercise: On the street, you see a woman slap a man. What do you think? What do you do? Most people I ask this question tell me "Ohh, he's in trouble!", or "I wonder what he did wrong?". Now, switch genders. How many of you immediately say, "I would call the cops!", "What a jerk".
That dear readers is discrimination, and that is how the custody system works.
To the reporter:
Would you care to do a story on how biased the Child Custody system is? I would glad to be interviewed.
-
Tom 08/01/2008 12:00:00 AM
I see that "Sick" is not able to refute any of my statements. I'm sorry if the truth hurts, that must be why you run from it and the reporter refuses to write it.
-
Sick of letting men get away w 07/31/2008 11:35:00 PM
Poor Tom. Feeling all oppressed by us women. Take a hike you MRA.
-
Beth Walton 07/31/2008 10:02:00 PM
My apologies for not being specific, information about P.A.S. is in the blog post about Jennifer Collins.
-
Tom 07/31/2008 9:36:00 PM
Beth,
In response, to your two comments.
First, Where? The related links listed are: "Details:
EXPANDED WEB CONTENT:See the artwork Jennifer and Zachary Collins did while in therapy, including two complete stories drawn by Zachary and referenced in this feature. Also read an interview with Jennifer Collins, where she talks about a future in advocating for abused children." Would it be possible to bury the truth any more, if the link really exists? This is yellow journalism at its worst.
Second, your story contains the quote "However, under the law in Minnesota, the presumed appropriate sentence would be probation, says Deputy County District Attorney Pat Diamond, who will oversee the proceedings if and when Holly returns." This hardly sounds like enforcement anywhere comparable to child support enforcement where fathers are routinely jailed. Why don't you cover the story of the hundreds of army reservists who are activated, but their child support is based on their much higher civilian pay and they therefore are unable to make the payments, and after serving 19 months in Iraq, they are jailed upon returning to the US for nonpayment of child support?
-
Tom 07/31/2008 9:24:00 PM
Gretchen,
Unfortunately, your open admission of embezzling of money meant for your children with the statement "I'm missing about $15,000" is all too common. Under the perversity of Minnesota law, of the hundreds of millions of dollars spent in Minnesota on "child support enforcement", not one dime is spent ensuring the money is spent on the children and not spent on the mother's own selfish wants. The next time you read about a single mother who leaves her children unattended while she goes to gamble at a casino, just remember it is entirely legal for the mother to use child support money to do that gambling. Gretchen, in good conscience I cannot tell you how to manipulate the system for your own gain, because you obviously view it as your money and not your children's.
-
Gretchen 07/31/2008 8:57:00 PM
Tom,
Could you tell me how to get the authorities to do something about unpaid child support? I'm missing about $15,000 worth that I'd love for someone to pay attention to.
-
Beth Walton 07/31/2008 8:49:00 PM
Tom,
Information about PAS is available within the reporter's notebook connected to this story. Holly Collins was never diagnosed with this, nor was she with MSbP.
I don't think she "got away" with kidnapping. As you saw, there are active federal and county charges against her.
-
Tom 07/31/2008 8:32:00 PM
Also, look at the number of fathers who are thrown in jail when they are unable to pay child support. Yet a mother is allowed to kidnap children for over a decade, deny the children the opportunity to know their father, and the system goes out of its way to say they won't prosecute. The justification for jailing fathers who are unable to pay child support is that they are violating a court order. There is also court ordered visitation that mothers are free to violate with no ramifications. Never has there been a clearer case of selective prosecution based on gender. But the reporter isn't concerned because it is an injustice that affects the other gender.
-
Tom 07/31/2008 8:27:00 PM
This is the most biased piece of reporting I have ever seen. The psycological term is called Parental Alienation, but the reporter refuses to mention it because it would detract from her agenda. I cannot say what is true and what isn't in this story, but it is obvious that the reporter wasn't either and instead she was only interested in furthering her own belief that men have no rights when it comes to children. Why didn't the reporter state how the children fared after the one to two years the father had custody? Was it becuase the answer undermined the reporters agenda? Why wasn't more examination given to the allegations the wife made against her own mother? Was this because the mother had a history of false allegations when ever she had a disagreement with someone? And most importantly, how could the reporter ignore the entire subject of parental alienation and the volumes of research about the damaging effects it has on children? Was it because the reporter only cares about women's causes at the expense of children's welfare?
-
Amy 07/31/2008 8:22:00 PM
Way to go Holly!!! As a mom I admire her bravery & commitment to her children! Thank god for women like her who put their children's safety ABOVE ALL!! Because of her amazing & selfless actions the cycle of abuse will end at her wonderful kids! I hope everything goes well for her in the trial. CITY PAGES: you should keep the twin cities updated as to the trial ETC. so we can show our support!
-
Heidi 07/30/2008 6:47:00 PM
I am the daughter of Terry Dunham. I know and love Holly and her children. What happened to them was a travesty. I saw the bruises on these children and on Holly. It is time Hennepin County did the right thing and admitted their mistakes in this case. Mark Collins is not a victim. He is a criminal. He has been for decades.
