The end of Simon Rios's life at Pendleton Correction Facility appears to be simply a reminder of something bad that happened one morning in Fort Wayne. The news travels through the airways into the safe homes of families and foes, a young girl, Alejandra Gutierrez aged 10 was missing. The whole ugly story was just beginning to unfold. Just before school's Christmas break, Rios raped and and killed a young girl, and than killed his children and wife. That fateful morning, December 8, 2005 little was known about Rios' life or for that matter, Gutierrez, Moreover, school officials, police or the court did not care; those who could have helped, suffered from a communication problem, a language barrier on a day when there was a school delay. Gutierrez's parents did not get the news about the delay, but they called the police, about their child missing during a school delay! Bells and whistles should have gone off but didn't.
A victim needs to be able to tell someone. But Gutierrez's parents were trapped, no english! Five days later, two week short of Christmas, after Gutierrez parents sounded the alarm, Anna Casas, 28, Lilliana, 10; Kathy, 4; and an infant baby Thannya were found in their home dead, the family of Rios.
All the signs were there, but no english!
But let's not blame the victims' immigration staus for such a tragedy, let's blame the predator and the flawed system that was not prepared to do its job.
Perhaps, if the actual victims had survived this tragedy, the public would know a little bit more about Rios and how he consciously got up that morning to commit such horrible deeds. Deeds that made many families pull their own children a little bit closer from fear that it could have been their child
The monster ended his own life in the month of October. how strange, that Rios died during domestic violence month. The public will never know why Rios committed suicide or if his life was taken. But the public can learn the signs of those who are impacted by manipulation and domination by others. Others who uses their position, mental skills or physical strength to drive others into harmful submission.
Children arrive at schools everyday with scars from beatings they have received at home that go unnoticed by those who have the power to intervene. Children live in homes and communities where adults in agreement believe that harsh words or racial, or sexual put downs, and snide remarks directed at those deemed weak as being simply fair game. It's normal, they would say!!!
These folks are the same ones who beams with pride about being gun loving and gun toting fun loving everyday folks. Except when one of these so called normal folks' children sneaks out a few weapons of mass destruction and take the lives of other folks' children. Who will be the next victim from such normal folks?
Listen to Sarah Palin, as she proudly speaks about her America, in front of America people as well as her own children. Palin speaks violence. Palin, herself, described as a pit bull with lipstick is dangerous. Ask Palin brother-in-law, the woman is dangerous. Domestic violence occurs when others turn their heads and pretend that oh, she is so nice or he is too nice too do bad things. I suggest you talk to many children who have been abused by priest, fathers, ministers, mothers, sisters, brothers, uncles..ask Oprah.
Someone needs to find out how Rios was able to commit suicide in Pendleton. Let Simon Rios rest in peace and may we stay vigilant in offering a hand to stop domestic violence in our communities, not celebrate the taking of one's life. October is Domestic Violence Month, go talk to some children at schools or churches and learn what it means to be a victim of domestic violence. Silence does not protect these children. Do your job.
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