My family got devastating news today. Michael and I are both too upset too want to discuss this over and over, but we did want to share an update since there have been so many of you who have been supporting us these past couple of years.
Gloucester County Assistant District Attorney, Vincent Malfitano, called me today to let me know that my daughter’s rape case had been transferred to him, and he doesn’t intend to present the case to grand jury. He doesn’t think the word of a young child will stand up against the word of an adult. He doesn’t think there was enough corroborative evidence to beat the odds, and it would be too easy to form reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury. He did recommend I contact the DYFS worker on our case for further assistance.
I did reach out to the DYFS worker, and now that the criminal courts have let go of the case, DYFS has the option to pursue charges via the civil/family courts. Our worker is discussing the case with his supervisor to see if the DYFS attorney can/will pick our case up. Michael and I are also exploring our options of filing a restraining order on Connie’s behalf.
While Michael and I feel criminal charges would have provided our family with justice and closure, our primary concern is to make sure both of our children are safe from this individual.
I also want anyone and everyone to know the heart that my Connie has. She was repeatedly raped when she was 4 years old. She was threatened that if she told anyone, he would kill her and/or me (her mother). But Connie has a little sister she loves with her whole heart, and even though she was terrified he would hunt her down and kill her, she told. She talked to the investigators, she talked to the prosecutors, she talked to the doctors. She said she didn’t want the same things that she went through to happen to her little sister. She’s the bravest, most resilient person I’ve ever met. This chapter might not be ending the way we had hoped, but Connie’s story’s not done yet. She has the heart and soul of a hero.
