12/02/07: The Ricky Holland Story
Story Created: December 2, 2007
Today The Detroit Free Press begins a 14 part series chronicling Ricky Holland’s short and tragic life. The series, written by award-winning veteran reporter Jack Kresnak asks the important question: Could you have saved Ricky Holland?
Read the story here.
6 Responses to '12/02/07: The Ricky Holland Story'
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thank you Soo much For keeping Up with this … I will put it in Ricky’s memorial Blog also.. Take care and I hope you are doing well
Trisha replied:
Hi Kay, Thank you. I am doing OK. How is Casey doing? Did she get her baby back?
asekay79
3 Dec 07 at 1:55 pm
Did you know that Jack is leaving the Free Press? What a loss to the Free Press. Someone said he was retiring, but I don’t know for sure. I hope he stays involved in some way.
I loved the series, I think Jack did a great job. We need to be reminded of what he went through, and what a mess the DHS is. Maybe then, they will make changes.
Did you read the columun by Mr. Abood, Lisa Holland’s attorney? That made me sick. He must be living in another world, he sure wasn’t at the same trial I was at and listened to all those witnesses testify. The defense had only her mom and sister there, WOW, where were her friends?
I know I am continuing to contact my legislators and congressional representatives that children’s issues are important and their decisions about children will be judged by voters.
Thanks Trish for all that you do.
What did you think about the series?
Trisha replied:
Yes I read that Jack is retiring after 20 years of reporting. I gather most of his career has been devoted to reporting about child abuse and neglect and I don’t know how he has been able to do it for so long and stay sane.
I did not read the article by Mr. Abood. If you can please send me a link.
I was not impressed by the article written by the new Director.
Many changes need to be made, but I am with you as far as making the social workers responsible for not taking care of business in Ricky’s case. They really should have taken seriously the recommendation made by Ricky’s therapist – his need to be the only child in a family until he was more secure within himself. Clearly the social workers were not putting Ricky’s best interest in the decision-making process.
I still have serious questions about why the Holland’s were allowed to have so many children – all under 5 years of age in a short period of time. They were new to foster parenting and had no experience being parents.
I will never forget Ricky.
caring
19 Dec 07 at 12:17 am
I am really looking forward to seeing how this Children’s Rights group does in the law suit that they have against the State of Michigan. I am going to try and attend that trial when it begins, I believe sometime in June.
I just can’t believe that the only thing that happened to the key players (in the Ricky Holland case) from the DHS, was to transfer them to another position. It makes me mad with rage. I say get rid of the bag eggs, and hire new ones.
I might mention, that Jack said that he hopes to stay involved in some way with child issues. I sure hope he does.
Trisha replied:
I am not surprised that the key players were just transferred. They probably would have filed lawsuits citing being over-worked. Believe me, there is much more to hide and risk if they fired those workers. And remember, they have the union to back them.
It’s good to hear that Jack is going to remain involved in some way.
caring
22 Dec 07 at 1:03 am
Trish: I never looked at it like that (regarding the wokers), and I should have. You have nailed it again, and I agree with you. The union causes a lot of the problems, they protect many times, when they shouldn’t. They are a big help in some ways, but when it comes to keeping bad workers employed that are not doing the job, they are a pain in the – - -.
caring
24 Dec 07 at 12:22 am
yeah I see your Point On that One.. Altho I dont know Where to turn on that one.. her quote Was Not right and I think She Shouldnt Have have Said that..
Kay,
Whether she shouldn’t have said it or not, it reveals how she really thinks. There are many women in this world who are so dependent on a man for self-esteem and economics that they are willing to turn their heads when it comes to protecting their children. Sad, but true. Casey did not have the best role models in her own growing up years or she would not have ended up with a 40-something husband when she was only 15.
asekay79
6 Feb 08 at 3:11 pm
No Casey and Matt Lost Custody Of Their baby. Even tho all that has happened to them There Were Reasons To believe That their baby wouldnt be Safe.. me, I dont see the Reasons but the Corrupt DHS did…
Trisha replied:
Hi Kay,
Well, while it is sad that Casey lost custody of her baby, I really do understand why. Even if the sex offender issue was not looked at, the quote from Casey in the June 2006 interview she did with the Detroit News reporter Karen Bouffard certainly went against Casey.
Clearly, if push came to shove in that baby’s life and an issue came up about possible molestation of her own baby by Matt, I believe it would have been very easy for Casey to go into denial or to look the other way. It is unfortunate but Alexis’ safety is important.
asekay79
6 Feb 08 at 7:12 pm