In January of 2009, I began to do some research in an effort to make sure I had all of the most up to date information about the children on my site. I am not able to find updates for some of the stories, if you see one that is not updated, it will most likely be that I couldn't find any recent information.

I do not feature stories of child abuse survivors without their permission and then I have them put their story into their own words and tell it exactly as they have written it. My reason for this is that I do not ever want someone to come to my site and see their story and be upset about it. When I say anyone, I mean victims of child abuse, I do not mean the people who are child abusers. If you see your story here and you are a child abuser, I guess you should consider yourself lucky because it means you have abused a child, maybe to death and you're still free to walk around. Hopefully, not for long though.

I do not pictures of children in their caskets, though I do put pictures of the casket as it is being carried. I do not put pictures of the people who murdered these children or who helped in the process of allowing the murder to take place.

I would like to caution those people who have come here and are survivors of abuse.  If you are easily triggered, please consider that the stories on my site tell the entire story of the abused children, at times the details are included and be very graphic in nature. If you don't feel that you could handle reading them, please do not go any further into this section of my site. You can return to the site index by clicking the button below. Is it NOT my intention to hurt anyone by telling the stories of abused children on my site. I only want to honor their memory. 

Our Mission - Lawyers for Children America is a lead child advocacy organization protecting the rights of children who are victims of abuse; abandonment and neglect by providing quality pro bono legal representation and collaborating for systematic change to improve the lives of children. Lawyers for Children America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Mary Ellen Wilson

Mary Ellen Wilson before her ordeal ended and after.

In September of 1874 a New York city charity worker, Mrs. Etta Angell Wheeler, heard about the abuse of a ten year old little girl name Mary Ellen Wilson.  Mary Ellen's father had died at war and her mother had placed her in temporary care of a baby sitter.

Mary Ellen's mother did not return for several months and was not providing any support for her.  Then one day she showed up drunk and newly married wanting to take Mary Ellen home.  The baby sitter could see that this new marriage had changed Mary Ellen's mother and didn't want to put Mary Ellen back with her so she told her that Mary Ellen had died. Later, she could no longer care for Mary Ellen so she took her to an orphanage claiming her mother had abandoned her.

Mary Ellen was later adopted by a man who had lost all of his own children to
illness.  He told his wife that Mary Ellen was his illegitimate daughter.  His wife agreed to accept Mary Ellen but hated her every day she knew her.

Mary Ellen was treated as though she were nothing more than a slave.  She was allowed to wear only one set of clothes and was rarely bathed.  Mary Ellen slept on a piece of rug under a window in the living room and was locked in a closet when her mother left the house. 

Mary Ellen had no toys to play with and was never allowed outside to play with the other children.  When a policeman who lived in her building found her locked in a closet in her home, he gave her some candy, which she had never tasted before.  Though he treated her well, the police man never did anything to save Mary Ellen from her abuser.

Sadly, many people knew of the abuse Mary Ellen was suffering, including the police officer who lived in the same building as she did, however, her suffering went on for years, until Etta Wheeler and Henry Bergh entered her life.

Etta Wheeler arrived at the house in September 1874 to find Mary Ellen covered in bruises and scars.  Mary Ellen  had a gash in her forehead made by the care taker, with a pair of scissors.  She made several return visits to check on Mary Ellen.  At this time there were no laws in affect to protect children so Etta Wheeler persuaded Henry Bergh, from the American Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals, to go court on Mary Ellen's behalf.

Mary Ellen's  "foster" mother, Mary Connolly, was convicted of assault and  battery and sentenced to a year of hard labor in the city penitentiary. Mary Ellen had this say in court:

After the trial, Mary Ellen eventually ended up living with Etta Wheeler's sister.  In 1888, at the age of 24, she was married to Lewis Schutt. She had two daughters who both grew up to be teachers.  Mary Ellen died October 30, 1956 at the age of 92.

In April 1875, the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was created, only eight months after Mary Ellen's ordeal.  Other states then began to form agencies for the protection of children.

Read the facts as told by Mary Ellen's decendents as well as Eric Shelman and  Stephan Lazortz, M.D:

It shows pictures of Mary Ellen, Etta Angell Wheeler, Henry Bergh, Lewis Schutt the man Mary Ellen married, Mary Ellen's children and several others. The book details Mary Ellen's life from birth to death and I found it to be one of the best books I have ever read.

To skip the rest of this page and go directly to the list of names of abused children, click below:

A Child's Silent Prayer

Some where in the distance 
a desperate child can be heard
though never does he chance
to speak aloud a single word

His cries fill the night 
from the pain they choose to send
silently he prays alone 
for this nightmare to come to an end

Curled up against the bed post 
he  hides his face in fear
as slowly down the hall 
angry footsteps are drawing near

He thinks:
"What could I have done 
to bring on all this pain
I didn't forget to clean my room, 
or walk the dog again

I only want to show my love
each day to mom and dad
Let them know how much I try
show them I don't like to be sad

I wish that they could see 
that all I need is love
So I am sending up a prayer
to God in heaven above

Please help them both to see
as you bless my mom and dad
That even though I am very small
I try very hard not to be bad

I might get stains on my new shirt
sometimes I might spill my cup 
But stains do come out in wash
and a little spill will mop right up

Even when they broke my arm
I kept up with every chore
I cleaned my plate at every meal
did all they asked and even more

I keep my bedroom nice and neat
on the floor this is not one toy
and everything is in it's place
I try to be a good little boy

Can't you let my parents see
that hitting me is just not right
that I love them very much
this I ask of you tonight

Tell them I need hugs and love
and that I like to give them to
Oh, please help, dear God above
that is what I need from you

Amen

Author: Sharon Schafer
© Copyright 2000
All rights reserved

America has a fundamental duty to protect the safety and well-being of its children. During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we renew our commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect, and we dedicate ourselves to creating a safe environment in which our children can grow and thrive. 

We have made important progress in protecting America's children, but too many still suffer from abuse and neglect. Recent reports indicate that nearly 900,000 children were found to be victims of abuse or neglect in 2002. Of these children, an estimated 1,400 died, 75 percent of whom were 4 years old or younger. 

These young girls and boys depend on adults to recognize the risk factors and warning signs of abuse and to take action to end it. This critical responsibility is shared by parents, teachers, coaches, religious leaders, government officials, and concerned citizens in every community. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 2004 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. I encourage all citizens to take an active role in creating a caring community and help protect America's children from abuse and neglect. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth. 

GEORGE W. BUSH 

My name is Sarah

I am but three My eyes are swollen
I cannot see

I must be stupid I must be bad
What else could have made My daddy so mad

I wish I were better I wish I weren't ugly
Then maybe my mommy Would still want to hug me

I cant do a wrong I cant speak at all
Or else im locked up All day long

When im awake im all alone The house is dark
My folks aren't home When my mommy does come home

I'll try and be nice So maybe ill just get
One whipping tonight

I just heard a car My daddy is back
From Charlie's bar

I hear him curse My name is called
I press myself Against the wall

I try to hide From his evil eyes
Im so afraid now I starting to cry

He finds me weeping Calls me ugly words
He says its my fault He suffers at work

He slaps and hits me And yells at me more
I finally get free And run to the door

He's already locked it And i start to bawl
He takes me and throws me Against the hard wall

I fall to the floor With my bones nearly broken
And my daddy continues With more bad words spoken

"Im sorry!", I scream But its now much too late
His face has been twisted Into a unimaginable shape

The hurt and the pain Again and again
O please God, have mercy O please let it end

And he finally stops And heads for the door
While I lay there motionless Brawled on the floor

My name is Sarah I am but three
Tonight my daddy Murdered me

Author: Unknown

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All I ask you to do Is pass this on!

IF YOU ARE AGAINST CHILD ABUSE...
PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THIS POEM AND PASS IT ON!

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