Stand With Sophie

As a Grandparent, it’s been a terribly painful experience to see both my Son and

Granddaughter seek out the promise of Justice. Nothing can quite prepare you for the harsh reality that a child’s outcries of sexual abuse are more likely to be dismissed than taken seriously. Even less when that child is your Granddaughter and you’ve lived the experience of working through the trauma with her directly. It has been, at once, the most disappointing and eye-opening experience of my life. It shook our family to the core.

When she arrived, she was fearful, scared, and constantly worried about someone sneaking up from behind to stab her in the dark. The panic attacks were constant. After the disclosers of SA began, the PTSD-type reactions grew stronger as she had been told that the punishment for telling was death and that the Devil himself would come to get her. No child should experience this kind of intimidation or fear. It was devastating to witness and, quite frankly, infuriating that someone had embedded this fear into our sweet little Granddaughter.

Sophie has come a long way in the past year, now flourishing into adolescents under the

continued care of her Father, Michael. Her awareness about the ugly realities of this world are beyond her years because of what she’s been through. For the grace of God, she did not lose her wonder and curiosity for the world. Feeling safe, loved, and encouraged, Sophie has

managed to work through many of the issues she arrived with at the beginning of Summer,

2020. She received straight A’s in school last year and attends Jiu Jitsu regularly with her

Father. Despite the multitude of outcries, medical reports, forensic interviews, and additional evidence, we are still dealing with a constant barrage of litigation from one of the alleged abusers, Sophie’s Mother. To make matters worse, the court system, DFPS, and law enforcement have done absolutely nothing to ensure Sophie’s safety going forward. They have failed Sophie and they have failed my Grandsons, who have been left in the care of the other party, despite a recent violation that led to one of them being seriously injured and requiring surgery. If the failures by those entrusted to protect my Grandchildren weren’t enough, the Mother to the children went so far as to hire a national PR firm with the sole purpose of ensuring a constant stream of ongoing harassment, slander, defamation, and general vindictiveness towards my Son, Michael. It broke my heart to see him have to take the ongoing assaults day in and day out. Arrows of hate, constantly shot his way, as a result of the fabrications from the firm hired to smear his name and assassinate his character. Gagged by the courts, he has silently endured and remained steadfast. Michael finally broke his silence when the courts recently attempted to remove Sophie and place her into the care of the alleged abuser’s family with the intention of forced reunification. They have also cut off all access to his Sons, Jack and Lucas. The Judge and his appointees on the case are infuriated that Michael exposed their improper conduct and illegal rulings to the public. The more he releases, the angrier they get.

Refusing to risk his daughter’s safety, Michael was put in a position that no parent ever wishes to be in. Follow the orders of the court or protect his child from the potential of ongoing abuse. He chose to protect Sophie and not force her to return to the environment she fears. As a result, they have both been forced into hiding. The courts have issued a warrant out for his arrest and are using the opportunity to further inflict penalties against him.

We need your help as Michael fights to keep Sophie safe. All funds will go towards legal

expenses and costs associated with ensuring Sophie’s ongoing safety. In time, we are hopeful

that the corruption will be exposed and Michael will have the opportunity to reunite with his Sons. Your ongoing prayers and continued support and greatly appreciated.

- Jeanie Long (Paternal Grandmother to Sophie)