TTU: Episode 104 – One of Many with Melinda Prince Show

Notes

Episode Summary

Hello and welcome to Thru the Undertow. This week’s episode is

our One of Many series where we interview parents that are raising survivors.

Today’s guest is Melinda Prince. Please note: Episode was recorded in April (reference

to Sexual Assault Awareness Month). Also, Melinda was at home when we

interviewed so you might hear some background noise indicative of that.

Guest Bio

Melinda

Prince is a mom who’s family has been going through a difficult journey, and

who also began a Facebook support group for parents whose children were

sexually abused.

TW/CW

S*xual

Ab*se, R*pe, D*mestic Vi*lence, S*xual ass*alt, PTSD, fl*shback, verb*l ab*se,

phys*cal ab*se, r*pe k*t, sex off*nder, p*role bo*rd, vict*m imp*ct stat*ment

Timecode

points of interest:

01:07 –

Thank you, Melinda for joining us.

02:15 – Who

disclosed?

03:40 – How

long was abuse going on for?

04:09 – One

piece of the puzzle vs the whole picture

06:15 – Melinda’s

daughter’s relationship with her dad changed.

08:04 – Oh

that makes sense now.

08:39 –

Affects every kid differently.

08:51 – What

happened when Melinda’s daughter disclosed.

10:23 – Melinda

called her friend a Guardian Ad Litem

11:02 – Went

to the police to have daughter and son both give statements. Melinda was

allowed to be present.

12:40 –

Melinda’s daughter held her head in shame. Melinda’s son, an emotional eater,

would disclose some information then request a snack. It was very uncomfortable

for him.

13:40 – Case

was handed over to a separate county do to multiple assaults and bio-dad lived

in county case was referred to.

13:45 –

Melinda spoke with the criminal investigator to express concerns over the

justice system in smaller rural towns (like where she and ex resided). Criminal

investigator assured her that she would keep an eye on things. She was amazing.

15:11 – Dad

was released on his own recognizance. Melinda was concerned dad would take kids

and run.

16:20 –

Melinda got a call from the prosecutor’s office wanting more information. Melinda

had to take daughter and son for forensic interviews (she was not present for

these). She also had to take her daughter for a rape kit. Her daughter was 12.

18:10 – Dad

was arrested at that point.

19:01 –

Prosecutor called to tell Melinda that he wanted to offer dad a plea deal. **BACK

UP - The county doesn’t have a grand jury for felony crimes where charges were

officially filed. So in order to carry the case over to trial they had to have

a pre-trial hearing that would open daughter up to questioning. Daughter

agreed.

20:38 - Judge

overseeing the hearing was first day on the bench. He found there was enough

evidence to hold it over for a trial.

21:00 – **FORWARD

TO – The Prosecutor called to tell Melinda he wanted to offer dad a plea deal

of 120 DAYS in the sex offender assessment unit. Told her he was going to do it

whether Melinda agreed or not. The kids might not be good witnesses. Melinda

was adamantly against it because the prosecutor had to drop off the part of the

charges that said WITH A CHILD.

23:21 –

Melinda asked her lawyer friend if there was anything they could...