THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 8, 1995 TAG: 9502080012
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A11 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
Thank goodness there are concerned citizens like Janet D. Dungan who will not rest until she knows that Christopher N. Herrera, the 14-month-old child who was starved by his birth-parents, is safely in the hands of caring foster or adoptive parents (``Child-neglect case is not closed for juror,'' news, Jan. 21).
The story of this boy's plight is heartbreaking. How can the justice system see fit to return the child to the very people who nearly starved him to death? How can Social Services' attorney Keith Thurman justify that ``a child belongs with its parents''? If this scenario doesn't constitute parental misconduct, would Social Services please define what in the world does? This is a case of criminal and moral neglect both by the boy's parents and by Social Services of Virginia Beach.
It is clear that this agency does not have Christopher's best interests at heart. I suggest that people who feel likewise write their congressman, Social Services and the local courts and make their voices heard.
There is a child out there who cannot speak for himself.
ROBERT J. GRANT
Virginia Beach, Jan. 23, 1995 by CNB