Letter sent to head of local SCF in Gilman case, Molly Wise:

Molly;

No doubt you deal with parents of genuinely abused children every day. As a highly trained professional, you help them to see the harm they cause. You send them to counseling to help them change their behavior. You encourage them to seek their children's forgiveness for their abusive acts.

In our case, a caseworker's poor decision caused serious abuse to our family and friends. Surely in due course this must have become evident to you. We didn't ask you to fire the agent. We didn't ask for damages. We merely hoped you would do as you counsel others. In a meeting with you, our friends urged you to ensure a sincere apology.

Unfortunately, you chose to state your agency had done the right thing; in accord with policy. By so doing, you placed upon us a duty to educate our fellow citizens about their exposure to your agency. Fulfilling that duty has cost a great deal of time, effort, and money. We'd rather have lavished it upon Nathaniel, Samantha, and Alexandra.

Sincerely,

The Gilman Family

Given your special training, you must have realized why did you choose so resolutely to avoid your own prescription? Would it really have hurt so much to set a brave and redemptive example? Was it really the best thing you could do for your agency and our children?

As a trained professional and manager of Benton County SOSCF, w

Molly, the horrid events of last summer have for us been a real learning experience. Please be open to learning, as well. It's never too late to say you're sorry.

Sincerely,

the gilmans