Caged and Doomed.

reggiedrugs · 07-05-2011, 09:12 AM

I'd imagine this has been really big news down in the states but I didn't hear about it until yesterday. CBC News seems to be obsessed with the Royal folks traveling across country. This was probably the most haunting thing I've read in a very long time.

Caged and doomed, boy leaves sad account of his life

Quote:

The answers are starting to emerge. It is hard to imagine them being any more heartbreaking.

On May 22, I began a column by asking the questions:

"Why did no one miss him? Why didn't anyone seem to even notice he wasn't around?"

The body of a boy named Christian Choate, 13, had been found encased in cement and buried in a shallow grave in Lake County, Indiana. Police and prosecutors there alleged that he had been forced to live in a dog cage, and was kept naked except for a diaper. They alleged that his father, Riley Lowell Choate, 39, and his stepmother, Kimberly Leona Kubina, 45, had regularly beaten and kicked the boy, deprived him of food, and chained his hands to the top of the cage. They have been charged with murder, battery, neglect of a dependent and criminal confinement. They have pleaded not guilty; Riley Choate is scheduled to be back in court on Tuesday.

One of the most saddening aspects of the case is that Christian was killed more than two years before his body was found in May, yet during all that time, according to police investigators, there is no indication that anyone was looking for him.

He had been pulled out of school long ago, so there were no teachers who wondered where he might be. The state of Indiana did not have an investigation of his family open at the time of his death and disappearance; the state's child protective agency had no idea he was gone. According to police, his father had "punched him with full force several times in the front, side and back of his head" in April of 2009 because the boy was too ill to eat; when Christian, back in the cage, stopped breathing, police said, he was put into a garbage bag, covered with cement and hidden beneath the ground.

When his body was discovered this spring, the Indiana Department of Child Services said it could not disclose whether caseworkers had ever been called to the home, maintaining that confidentiality provisions in state law prohibited the release of such information. But a court in Lake County in recent days has released records compiled by investigators about Christian's family, and the boy's agonizing life.

It turns out that child-protection workers had investigated the family numerous times for more than a decade, beginning even before Christian was born. They had received repeated telephoned complaints -- presumably from neighbors and acquaintances -- about what was being done to the children in that home, according to the records. Many of the allegations were judged to be "unsubstantiated"; others were followed up on. But in all those years of home visits, there is no indication that anyone did a thing to help Christian.

According to the court-released documents, the last time child-protection workers had contact with him was on June 30, 2008. They had received a call alleging that a 12-year-old boy was being kept "on house arrest." This was during the period in which Christian was locked in the dog cage. A worker had gone to the home and had "observed all children and stated they appeared to be doing well" and that there was "not a 12-year-old-boy on house arrest." The allegation that had come in was deemed "unsubstantiated."

The almost unbearable part of the reports released by the court late last month is an account of letters that investigators say Christian had written while in the cage. While other children in the family were outside playing, he allegedly was told to write his thoughts down. The records indicate that his stepmother, in ordering him to do this, seemed especially sadistic; the topics she assigned him included "Why do you still want to see your mom?" and "Why can't you let the past go?"

Here, according to the court-released documents, is some of what Christian wrote about:

• "Christian often stated he was hungry or thirsty."

• "Christian wrote of why nobody liked him and how he just wanted to be liked by his family."

• "Christian stated that he wanted to die because nobody liked the way he 'acted.' "

• "Christian wrote of how many times he had to steal food or use the bathroom in his place of confinement."

• "Christian wrote of how he was 'let out' to clean or vacuum but then had to go back to his 'place' (the dog cage) immediately afterwards."

• "Christian wrote of how he had nothing to do and if he asked for something to do he was given a piece of paper and a pencil."

• "Christian wrote of how everybody else was outside playing but he was not."

The report concluded: "The writings go on and on of how isolated and sad Christian was on a daily basis."

In perhaps the most haunting sentence in the report, investigators said:

"Christian's writings detail a very sad, depressed child who often wondered when someone, anyone, was going to come check on him and give him food or liquid."

He never knew it, but the letters to no one that he wrote while locked in the dog cage, fearing that he was forgotten by the outside world, may turn out to be his most powerful and far-reaching legacy. His words are like a prayer. His words should be a reminder that when there are allegations that a child is being confined and tortured, extra, maximum, tireless effort must be exerted before those claims are permitted to be checked off as "unsubstantiated."

A child who is beaten and caged is likely to be terrified of his so-called guardians; if a caseworker comes into the home, the child likely knows that if he says the wrong thing, he will face more brutality when the caseworker leaves and he is alone to face his tormentors once again.

Christian was "a very sad, depressed child who often wondered when someone, anyone, was going to come check on him...."

His prayers had a chance of being answered. Someone did come to check on him -- repeatedly.

And, in the end, reported with confidence that all the children in the home "appeared to be doing well."

**SageTree** · 07-05-2011, 09:21 AM

wow.....

~1~ · 07-05-2011, 09:42 AM

Perhaps if some of the CPS 'workers' were doing a little bit more than drawing a government check every two weeks, stuff like this, which happens all the time by the way, would not go on or at least go unpunished. Perhaps if there were a chance you might be indicted with your cases as a co-conspirator, only folks who actually care about more than the check might do this type of job.

Can't take fish out of a lake unless you get someones okay but you can squeeze kids out the glory hole all day long and no one says shit until after the bad crap happens...

When they are sentenced for the hell they put that innocent life through before he was granted his final wish, it should be common knowledge among the general population of what it was they did to get there and then we can let some actual justice take place.

My only worry there would be that the other inmates may kill them a little too quickly.

Terry · 07-05-2011, 10:57 AM

how the fuck can you blame a minor for being indoctrinated by their parents?

Think before you post, repeat after me: think before you post.

~1~ · 07-05-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry

how the fuck can you blame a minor for being indoctrinated by their parents?

Think before you post, repeat after me: think before you post.

It's just a matter of not knowing any more that what we are told, "Don't talk to anyone about your brother or you'll join him in the box" goes a long way...

**SageTree** · 07-05-2011, 12:29 PM

Heh.... I remember when my parents poked fun at me for believing in Santa for too long.....

Wish I'd been smart enough to say

'Well, I guess I'll know better than to trust you next time on anything you say'

You know..... just so they had a heads up for all the years of arguing and disobedience that followed!

**Mafoo** · 07-05-2011, 12:35 PM

wow that is unbelievable.

i dont know how people end up doing fucked up stuff like that. they have to be insane right?

**SageTree** · 07-05-2011, 12:38 PM

Usually abusers were abused themselves.

deadhead94 · 07-05-2011, 12:41 PM

Where I live, school is compulsory until age 16. Do they not have similar laws in the US?

**Mafoo** · 07-05-2011, 12:42 PM

i feel so bad for the 13 year old.

some states dont require schooling past 6th grade iirc.

i think the amish get around normal schooling too because of their lifestyle

deadhead94 · 07-05-2011, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mafoo

some states dont require schooling past 6th grade iirc.

I hope you are mistaken. Otherwise, that is the most hillbilly thing I have ever heard.

The US government reports a literacy rate of like 99%. Do they count the ability to use rudimentary English without syntax or punctuation as literacy? That's all most kids in grade 6 are capable of.

**SageTree** · 07-05-2011, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mafoo

i think the amish get around normal schooling too because of their lifestyle

To my knowledge it's 8th grade school level.

Can't verify the 6th grade laws, but I DO know I had classmates that dropped out before 8th grade in Public school.

**mothernature** · 07-05-2011, 02:55 PM

I'm pretty sure you have to be 16 to drop out of school. Many states allow home schooling where, generally, the parent is the teacher. The kid would have to take a test to see if they were progressing. This would be mailed in by the teacher (parent).

farmergiles · 07-05-2011, 03:44 PM

I feel bad for that child.

~1~ · 07-05-2011, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadhead94

Where I live, school is compulsory until age 16. Do they not have similar laws in the US?

Of course, because each school district gets allotted monies per how many seats they have covered each semester, if there is a drop in students, there is a drop in revenue therefore you can be fined and even jailed for being the parent of a constantly truant child.

However if they make it all the way to graduation with perfect attendance and still can't fucking read, well that would be on the student and not the schools.

Center · 07-08-2011, 10:34 AM

But...we have the Casey Anthony case...what would society want to hear about this for?

so fucked up...

heres a big

to the parents and everything that took place prior that created the parents mindset

Terry · 07-09-2011, 08:16 PM

Actually in real life I am an easy going non offending person who gets along with almost everyone

But that's beside the point, try and stick to the issue at hand young man.

I wonder if the parents will be up for the death penalty.

DanDomingo · 07-09-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roach

terry,

hopefully someday soon you'll shoot off your stupid hamburger stuffing mouth to the wrong person in real life...

and have your fucking neck snapped.

for real.

...just a thought

**SageTree** · 07-11-2011, 06:30 AM

methinks that Roach is a little fed up with feeling trolled/followed by Terry.......

The Rev · 07-11-2011, 08:06 AM

First Casey, now this. The new trend that sweeping the country! Makes me want to go beat the crap out of my son right now!

The Rev

07-05-2011, 09:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
SageTree ~Kalyāṇa-mitrā~ Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In Love Posts: 23,414 Blog Entries: 26 Thanks: 13,070 Thanked 6,769 Times in 4,664 Posts	wow..... __________________ "What's oppressive is letting your life be confined by old definitions of what everything is." -Zen Meister my_scatterheart YaHooka is.... Cannabis lovers from around the world pulling up a comfy chair, picking up a vaporizer, a bong, a brownie, a pipe, or a joint, getting high, stoned, buzzed or healthy. Uniting our minds in conversation...While Portraying a Positive Image of marijuana and marijuana users to the world. Treat your fellow YaHookans with kindness,respect and tolerance.

07-05-2011, 09:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
~1~ Successful Failure Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: where 'they' can't see. Posts: 10,925 Thanks: 466 Thanked 1,581 Times in 925 Posts	Perhaps if some of the CPS 'workers' were doing a little bit more than drawing a government check every two weeks, stuff like this, which happens all the time by the way, would not go on or at least go unpunished. Perhaps if there were a chance you might be indicted with your cases as a co-conspirator, only folks who actually care about more than the check might do this type of job. Can't take fish out of a lake unless you get someones okay but you can squeeze kids out the glory hole all day long and no one says shit until after the bad crap happens... When they are sentenced for the hell they put that innocent life through before he was granted his final wish, it should be common knowledge among the general population of what it was they did to get there and then we can let some actual justice take place. My only worry there would be that the other inmates may kill them a little too quickly. __________________ "And those who are successful, be always on your guard. Success walks hand in hand with failure, along Hollywood Boulevard" Ray Davies --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Click Here Asshole

07-05-2011, 10:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
Terry Hello Darkness Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Moscow, Idaho Posts: 8,538 Thanks: 2,130 Thanked 2,392 Times in 1,189 Posts	how the fuck can you blame a minor for being indoctrinated by their parents? Think before you post, repeat after me: think before you post. __________________ I don't know but I've been told, If you never die you'll never grow old

07-05-2011, 12:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
SageTree ~Kalyāṇa-mitrā~ Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In Love Posts: 23,414 Blog Entries: 26 Thanks: 13,070 Thanked 6,769 Times in 4,664 Posts	Heh.... I remember when my parents poked fun at me for believing in Santa for too long..... Wish I'd been smart enough to say 'Well, I guess I'll know better than to trust you next time on anything you say' You know..... just so they had a heads up for all the years of arguing and disobedience that followed! __________________ "What's oppressive is letting your life be confined by old definitions of what everything is." -Zen Meister my_scatterheart YaHooka is.... Cannabis lovers from around the world pulling up a comfy chair, picking up a vaporizer, a bong, a brownie, a pipe, or a joint, getting high, stoned, buzzed or healthy. Uniting our minds in conversation...While Portraying a Positive Image of marijuana and marijuana users to the world. Treat your fellow YaHookans with kindness,respect and tolerance.

07-05-2011, 12:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mafoo nice daze Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: the anguish of anticipated transformation Posts: 5,975 Thanks: 3,776 Thanked 2,652 Times in 1,698 Posts	wow that is unbelievable. i dont know how people end up doing fucked up stuff like that. they have to be insane right? __________________ PLUR For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return

07-05-2011, 12:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
SageTree ~Kalyāṇa-mitrā~ Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In Love Posts: 23,414 Blog Entries: 26 Thanks: 13,070 Thanked 6,769 Times in 4,664 Posts	Usually abusers were abused themselves. __________________ "What's oppressive is letting your life be confined by old definitions of what everything is." -Zen Meister my_scatterheart YaHooka is.... Cannabis lovers from around the world pulling up a comfy chair, picking up a vaporizer, a bong, a brownie, a pipe, or a joint, getting high, stoned, buzzed or healthy. Uniting our minds in conversation...While Portraying a Positive Image of marijuana and marijuana users to the world. Treat your fellow YaHookans with kindness,respect and tolerance.

07-05-2011, 12:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mafoo nice daze Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: the anguish of anticipated transformation Posts: 5,975 Thanks: 3,776 Thanked 2,652 Times in 1,698 Posts	i feel so bad for the 13 year old. some states dont require schooling past 6th grade iirc. i think the amish get around normal schooling too because of their lifestyle __________________ PLUR For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return

07-05-2011, 02:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
mothernature ancientbongmaster Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,232 Thanks: 1,201 Thanked 809 Times in 487 Posts	I'm pretty sure you have to be 16 to drop out of school. Many states allow home schooling where, generally, the parent is the teacher. The kid would have to take a test to see if they were progressing. This would be mailed in by the teacher (parent). __________________ Sometimes sleep is the best revenge- Luke

07-05-2011, 03:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
farmergiles Yahookan Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sick of the hatred and the lies Posts: 7,807 Thanks: 2,285 Thanked 3,750 Times in 2,554 Posts	I feel bad for that child. __________________ Cultivate a stoic calmness *Fuck the Monkeys* Every Kind of Vice

07-08-2011, 10:34 AM	#16 (permalink)
Center YaHookan Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: on my way home Posts: 742 Thanks: 13 Thanked 103 Times in 72 Posts	But...we have the Casey Anthony case...what would society want to hear about this for? so fucked up... heres a big to the parents and everything that took place prior that created the parents mindset __________________ "As an organizer I start where the world is, as it is, not as I would like it to be. That we accept the world as it is does not in any sense weaken our desire to change it into what we believe it should be — it is necessary to begin where the world is if we are going to change it to what we think it should be." - Saul Alinsky Last edited by Center; 07-08-2011 at 11:44 AM.

07-09-2011, 08:16 PM	#17 (permalink)
Terry Hello Darkness Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Moscow, Idaho Posts: 8,538 Thanks: 2,130 Thanked 2,392 Times in 1,189 Posts	Actually in real life I am an easy going non offending person who gets along with almost everyone But that's beside the point, try and stick to the issue at hand young man. I wonder if the parents will be up for the death penalty. __________________ I don't know but I've been told, If you never die you'll never grow old

07-11-2011, 06:30 AM	#19 (permalink)
SageTree ~Kalyāṇa-mitrā~ Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In Love Posts: 23,414 Blog Entries: 26 Thanks: 13,070 Thanked 6,769 Times in 4,664 Posts	methinks that Roach is a little fed up with feeling trolled/followed by Terry....... __________________ "What's oppressive is letting your life be confined by old definitions of what everything is." -Zen Meister my_scatterheart YaHooka is.... Cannabis lovers from around the world pulling up a comfy chair, picking up a vaporizer, a bong, a brownie, a pipe, or a joint, getting high, stoned, buzzed or healthy. Uniting our minds in conversation...While Portraying a Positive Image of marijuana and marijuana users to the world. Treat your fellow YaHookans with kindness,respect and tolerance.

07-11-2011, 08:06 AM	#20 (permalink)
The Rev Clear Light Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In my head, somewhere. Posts: 17,867 Thanks: 5,019 Thanked 5,421 Times in 2,865 Posts	First Casey, now this. The new trend that sweeping the country! Makes me want to go beat the crap out of my son right now! The Rev __________________ Budforce - My Friend August 29, 1973- May 25, 2012

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