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January 25, 2007

It has been over two weeks since the boyfriend of my niece’s mother nearly ran me over with his car in front of my niece. It was the first time in over two year’s that I attempted to visit my 4 year-old niece or have any contact with her or the mother.
On Sunday January 7, 2007 Ashley Terjelian, the mother, demanded that the visit between Larkin Forney and their daughter would be at the Burger King on Shelburne Road in South Burlington, or there would be no visit. (This would have been the first visit in over a month.) I decided to go to Burger King because I am VERY concerned about my niece and wanted to see her and make sure that she is ok. Upon seeing me, Ashley immediately terminated the visit that my brother had with his daughter—a court ordered visit. This little girl is in danger. There is no reason for Ashley to have reacted the way she did other than she does not like me having concerns about or contact with my niece because she is trying to hide something that is happening to/around my niece that is abusive. Shouldn’t everyone have concerns about others—about how they are doing—especially a child? And certainly having concerns about the care and treatment of a child should not cause for that child’s “caretaker” to want to harm or kill you.
Because of what happened on Sunday January 7, 2007, I am fearful of the prolonged and escalating violence of Ashley Terjelian and what might happen if swift, appropriate intervention is not taken. I am concerned about the physical appearance of Ashley (Ashley had dark brown circles around her eyes and has lost a large amount of weight --over 70 lbs in less than two months—according to her). I am concerned about the appearance of my niece (who has lost the sparkle in her eyes-- is pale, sullen and withdrawn.) I actually had not thought about it until now, but I never described to David Elin (from DCF—Dept. of Children and Families)— how my niece looked and I’m only just realizing that as I write this. I described to him how the mother looked and her rapid weight loss but I was never asked how “Molly” appeared.
For the majority of this violent incident, I was paying close attention to Ashley because her behavior was irrational, violent and out of control. In the few moments I had with my niece (upon first entering BK), as she sat ready to eat with her father, I kneeled down to her level, looked into her eyes and said “Hi “Molly”. Do you remember me? Do you remember Aunt Kim?” and she looked me in the eyes, thought for a second and then her eyes lit up and she shook her head up and down and may have very softly spoken “yeah”. Ashley said sternly, “Let’s go, “Molly”!” “Molly” requested numerous times that she wanted to stay, and that she wanted to eat and play with her friends. Ashley ignored her. Ashley ignored my repeated question as to why she won’t let me see my niece---or why she won’t let my niece see me---just as she ignored the same question on March 10, 2005.
Why the situation this child is in has not IMMEDIATELY been investigated thoroughly is beyond me. I also do not understand why someone is not and has not been appointed to watch over this child’s safety and welfare. “Molly’s” well-being and safety is clearly not the mother’s priority. My brother has brought forth his concerns (and evidence to support the concerns he has) about the behavior exhibited by the mother (and others brought into his daughter’s life by choice of the mother) and concerns he has regarding his daughter’s behavior and other situations that have occurred surrounding this little girl. And yet he has been repeatedly ignored by the family court, Judge Crawford, and DCF---those agencies, or persons in positions of power which are supposed to help ensure the safety of a child. Ashley has not shown up to the last two family court hearings and my brother has only had 35 visits (1hr per week) out of over 60 that he should have had with his daughter by now. He has expressed his desire to have visits where Paul Terjelian (Ashley’s lying abusive father) is not present, and his requests have been ignored. In December 2006, Larkin was attempting to visit with his daughter and Paul was the only one present (which is a condition against the understanding the court had with Ashley—someone else is supposed to be present during the visits, besides Paul.) When Ashley lost custody of her daughter during the first year of her life, temporary custody was given to her parents, Lisa and Paul Terjelian, Lisa and Paul are liars. Paul is an abuser. He kicked his 5 ? month pregnant daughter (Ashley) in the stomach. He also smashed Ashley’s head into a door while she was pregnant with my niece. Ashley has requested that her father “get his gun and shoot (her) in the head.” Shortly after not completing anger counseling and not participating in family counseling ordered by the court (due to “Paul being unable to attend.”), therefore not meeting the requirements of the court, custody of this baby girl was given back to her mother. !!!!
Everyone I have spoken with about this agrees that my defenseless 4-year old niece needs to be taken out of the “care” of this mother and away from these people (the Terjelians). Ashley needs a lot of help. Her long-term violent behavior clearly shows that she needs help and that the violence is escalating. I saw it in her eyes when she came within an inch of my face and screamed at me. She is filled with rage and anger and has no control over her behavior. She is aggressive, threatening and violent toward others, including her own family members such as her sister, brother and father (this is documented in the several affidavits written by police over the years). In high school, she caused for another student to transfer schools because the student was that much afraid of her. And Ashley is not a small female—even with this recent weight loss. Ashley has instilled fear in her sister and I’m sure her brother. Ashley was trying to hurt and/or frighten me, but I am frightened for my niece.
When Ashley was yelling and screaming wildly in my face in the parking lot to “get away from my f#$%ing car!”, my niece was looking frightened and stepped back away from her mother. I asked Ashley, “Ash--Ashley, do---do you think this type of behavior is appropriate around a child?” “I don’t care!” she screamed . “Get away from my car before you make me have to hurt you!”
Where is the justice for my niece? Where is the justice for my family? Where is the justice for my brother who has been trapped in the criminal “justice” system for many years—a person who has survived and (in my opinion) thrived in spite of many traumatic experiences. Some of the traumatic experiences he has had to live through are: 1) being hit by a car giving him a traumatic brain injury at the age of 8. 2) severe mistreatment (if not outright abuse by peers and authorities as he grew up with no help or treatment for behaviors and deficits that were caused by the head injury) 3) a nearly successful suicide attempt via gasoline which resulted in my parent’s house burning.
[The mounting problems in his life, including being led to believe (by Paul Terjelian) that his daughter had been aborted, and being “in trouble” with the law because he slept with an underage female (who lied to my brother about her age) eventually led him to make that desperate decision that nearly ended his life.] My brother is a caring and compassionate person, who is concerned about helping others and helping our society to become more just and less violent.

For a time leading up to his suicide attempt, my brother would have been described by the “authorities” as violent and out-of-control—and yet help was never given to turn the situation around.
My brother turned his life around through his own will and actions—not due to any punishment he was given.
Now, my brother is watching as the level of violence, aggression, and out-of-control behavior of his daughter’s mother continues to escalate with no intervention from authorities. He wants his daughter in safe care, and he wants Ashley to get help. However, until Ashley gets help, she is in no condition to “care” or even be around a child. She said it herself--she doesn’t care about her violent behavior around her daughter. She said it in a violent outburst in front of her daughter on March 10, 2005 and she said she it again, in another outburst of violence that escalated to the point of someone (me) almost being intentionally run over by a car driven by Ashley’s violent boyfriend, Robert Meek

DCF defines child abuse as: “Abused or neglected child is a child whose physical health, psychological growth and development or welfare is harmed or is at substantial risk of harm by the acts or omissions of his or her parent or other person responsible for the child’s welfare. Also, a child who is sexually abused or at substantial risk of sexual abuse by any person (33 VSA &4912 (2)).
(www.dcf.state.vt.us/fsd/policy/50.html)
My niece is an abused child and is at risk of harm. I understand that DCF has policies. But these policies allow for many children to continue to be abused because they “don’t meet the criteria” for an investigation. Our system is one that is set up that takes action after a tragedy has occurred and after years of abuse have damaged the child.
As far as signs and symptoms are concerned---they describe behavior in older children, and do not address the behavior or concerns about a young child. They intervene AFTER abuse has been allowed to continue for SEVERAL years.
I am a full time artist and part-time after school art teacher. I am not a certified teacher, therefore I am not required by law to report any suspected child abuse or neglect. However, I would like to think that if a child came to me and trusted to tell me about some type of abuse that is occurring to them or someone they know, that I could report this to the appropriate authorities (the police? DCF?) and trust that it would be investigated appropriately and accurately. And if abuse was present that the child would be removed from the abusive situation or the persons causing the abusive situation would receive long-term, intense treatment until they had changed their abusive behavior. Unfortunately, I do not have faith in the system we have set up to help our children or persons like my brother, who needed help after he was injured at the age of eight.
Anyone who suspects child abuse should be listened to--especially a respected and responsible relative who had been a healthy presence in the child’s life for a period of time and then was inexplicably kicked out of the child’s life. (One sign that abuse is occurring is that the child (my niece) is kept isolated from extended family.)
I have been asked by Colchester Police (March 10, 2005) and South Burlington Police and DCF what I did to cause this violent behavior in Ashley—what I did to cause Ashley to kick me out of my niece’s life. What “I did” was to be concerned about the mother’s behavior around her daughter and ask my niece how she is doing.
Imagine how you would react in the situation my brother is in. How would you have reacted when Paul tried to instigate a fight with you by physically confining and pushing you while you tried to visit with your daughter? How would you react as you watch the mother of your daughter (and the mother’s boyfriend) behave in a violent, aggressive manner that almost hurt or killed someone you love? How would you react when nothing is done by police authority about the behavior that could have resulted in your sister’s injury or death? How would you react knowing that something bad is happening to your 4 year old daughter and yet, the law---the police and other authority figures such as judges and probation officers--- look at you and punish you as if you are the bad guy? How would you react as the bad decisions by authorities, continue to subject your daughter to abuse? How would you have reacted on January 2, 2007 when Judge Crawford said that he does not want to make a decision about the child, without the mother in court (for the second time in a row), because he does not want to “place the child in danger”---insinuating that you (the father) would provide a dangerous situation for your child---while you know that the mother is providing a dangerous and abusive environment?
My brother has remained in control of his behavior in spite of all this. Larkin Forney has gained control over his behavior and turned his life around. He has been focused and doing excellent in school and “filing” the appropriate forms with the courts and agencies to alert them that his daughter is being abused and is in danger, and that the mother needs serious help. He has remained in control of his behavior in spite of the fact that he is being looked at and treated by many in the criminal “justice” system as a child abuser--something he is not—while being ignored by those who are in positions to help his abused daughter.
When will justice for my brother and our entire family occur? When will my niece be taken out of this volatile situation? When will his name be cleared of the unjust label as a sex offender---a label he had to “accept” or face arson charges (for his suicide attempt) and many years (basically his life) in jail. When will my parents be able to live in peace and feel secure that their son is being allowed to regain his life, and that their granddaughter is safe?I pray that my niece remains safe while in this dangerous situation. I pray that the appropriate power and authorities will finally remove this little girl out of “harms way”.
I went to the SBPD on Monday January 8, 2007 to write a report about what had occurred Sunday January 7. I spoke with Officer Mike Henry about what had occurred. I told him we had a video tape of the whole incident. He immediately asked me why we had a video tape—which is not even important—but we had the video camera so that my mother could record Larkin with his daughter. When this whole scene started unfolding we used this video camera as a tool, and also, as protection. (Why would someone harm you or try to harm you knowing they were being recorded? Why would someone act so out of control knowing they were being recorded?---because they are OUT OF CONTROL AND THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT HURTING OTHERS.)
I had not had the video tape with me when I went to write a report on Monday January 8, 2007, as we wanted to make copies. Officer Henry told me I could not make copies. When I asked him why, he said because he needed to make sure the “tape had not been tampered with.” I brought the tape into him later that day and he was able to view it on the small screen of the camcorder, but wanted to view it on a larger screen before he made any decision about pressing charges. He seemed concerned about Ashley’s behavior. He kept the tape to make copies. Two weeks later on Monday January 23, 2007 Officer Henry called my brother and told him, he was not going to press charges. The reason he gave was something about it being “mutual”—a mutual attempted assault? I never agreed to be around Robert Meek. I never agreed to have Robert Meek verbally assault me and almost hit me with his car. Officer Henry then said something about “me being in a road”. And something about me “putting myself in harm’s way.” In harm’s way? If going to visit with my niece due to my mounting concerns about her care, means that I am putting myself in harm’s way, then my niece is in harm’s way.
What happened on Sunday January 7, 2007 almost ended in tragedy. And I’m certain it was a very traumatic experience for my 4 year old niece. It certainly was for me. The last few weeks have been tough, and full of many different emotions concerning my niece, her safety, my safety, my family’s safety. I’m wondering what “Molly” must be thinking of this whole situation. She saw me--her aunt--(whom she loves) for the first time in a long time and saw her mother “flip out” on her aunt…..and then she saw Robert Meek, her mother’s boyfriend, almost run her aunt over. Presumably, Ashley called Robert (I wonder what that conversation was like for “Molly” to hear.) Then they both chose to drive to Burger King and park their cars in the back parking lot, waiting for us to leave. What they did is way beyond wrong. When Ashley initially left with “Molly”, that would have been the end of it. But she chose to call Robert Meek. And Robert Meek chose to try to run me over.
Robert Meek drove at a high rate of speed, out of his way, to head in the direction of where I was standing with the video camera (our protection and tool to use for this sudden violent attack, and to record this violent behavior in the presence of my niece. ) My brother witnessed the whole thing and said that Robert barely missed hitting me—less than an inch, maybe two. He immediately called 911. (We are still trying to figure out why SBPD never received a 911 call that day from him. Did it go to the Burlington Police Dept.?) The 911 call is also recorded on video.
I did not put myself in “harm’s way” as Officer Henry (according to Leuitenant Lavallee) described it. This was a deliberate and planned attack on me in front of my 4 year old niece.
I am “the victim” in this situation. This was not a “mutual” altercation. They came to where I was. Ashley threatened to hurt me. Then Ashley’s boyfriend tried to hurt me.
I am still trying to speak in person with Officer Henry, but the two days that I went to the SBPD (Monday Jan. 22 and Tuesday Jan 23) he was “unavailable”.
Who do I contact that will take action to get this child to safety?
Please pray (think positive thoughts) for her safety and that the appropriate action is taken to remove this darling child from this volatile situation.
Larkin and Ashley have a hearing in family court on Cherry Street in Burlington Tuesday January 30, 2007 at 9am.
I hope that Judge Crawford will make better judgments and get this child out of harm’s way—out of the “care” of this mother who needs A LOT of help to work through her anger and violent behavior.
My brother has a website that he created. It is: HYPERLINK "http://www.justiceforvermonters.org" www.justiceforvermonters.org
I would like to say that until we, as a society, start to appropriately address (or remove) the violence that children are subjected to in their families, that the violence in our society will continue to escalate and create damage, devastation and tragedy.
A fact to consider: 75-80% of women in prison have had a TBI (traumatic brain injury). Most of these injuries were caused by an abusive partner. We need to stop abuse before it becomes ingrained in a child’s psyche. We need to stop abuse so that these girls, who later become women, do not continue the cycle of violence by choosing an abusive male, and in turn subject their children to this violence.
Additionally, we need to stop punishing those who have sustained a brain injury.
This is a large and growing population. Doctors describe it as “the walking wounded”. Every year, another 2 million people sustain a brain injury in the U.S. And instead of building centers and putting our money and resources toward helping them/us, we are building more prisons to warehouse those who have survived this trauma.
The Wall Street Journal recently (Monday January 8, 2007) had a huge article about brain injury and how we are still not developing centers or helping those who are injured in this devastating way. Insurance does not cover this injury. This growing population continues to be ignored by law makers, law officials, the criminal justice system and insurance companies, creating further devastation for them and their family.
I could have become one of those TBI “survivors” had Robert hit me with his car. Anyone can become a TBI “survivor” simply by slipping on some ice. In a fraction of a second, anyone can have their lives and the lives of their family and friends forever changed by this injury
My brother is the most extraordinary person that I know.
Please pray for his daughter so that the abuse she is experiencing and the violence she is surrounded by, ends now.The South Burlington Police Department has a copy of the video of what occurred on Sunday January 7, 2007. We have the original tape. I also, have an audio recording of what took place when I first entered Burger King.
Larkin and Ashley have a hearing in family court on Cherry Street in Burlington Tuesday January 30, 2007 at 9am.
Ashley Terjelian is due in criminal court on Cherry Street in Burlington Wednesday January 31, 2007 at 1pm. The charges are domestic assault.
On Larkin’s HYPERLINK "http://www.justiceforvermonters" www.justiceforvermonters if you would like to see the type of environment his daughter is subjected to, read the affidavits under the headings: Terjelian Violence Continues, CHINS domestic assault ’03, domestic assault ’06.
(If you would like to read other writings regarding TBI and the injustices surrounding my brother, that I have been doing since 2003, please contact me.)
Kimberlee Forney
P.O. Box 157
Essex Jct., VT 05453
802 893-7503