Evil exists. If you need proof, just look at the horrific case of little Charleeni Ferreira.
Charleeni, age 10, of Philadelphia, Pa., died on October 21, 2009. Her father, Domingo Ferreira, 53, and stepmother Margarita Garabito, 43, were charged with murder and endangering the welfare of a child.
So how bad was the abuse? The police called it “torture.”
Charleeni actually died from an infection that resulted from broken ribs that were not treated. She had a host of new and old injuries, including a fractured pelvis and a 7-inch gash on her head that had been stuffed with gauze and covered with a hair weave.
For more details, read Signs of Charleeni’s “torture” were hidden, in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
What makes this case so appalling is that a school nurse reported suspected child abuse. In the three years before her death, Charleeni was seen by numerous doctors, a psychiatrist and a therapist. The Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) provided services to the family for five months.
Now, the DHS commissioner is trying to figure out what went wrong.
Bamboozled
Here’s what I think happened: One or both of the parents were sociopaths, and they bamboozled the child welfare workers.
The parents denied any abuse—workers described them as “hurt” by the allegations—but agreed to intervention anyway. After a period of supervision, child welfare workers closed the case. They also recommended that Charleeni’s parents contact a legal aid agency if the school nurse continued to complain about child abuse.
Charleeni herself was also terrorized and manipulated. She told a doctor at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children that her family treated her “like a princess.” Welts on her hand occurred when she accidentally stabbed herself with a pencil in the dark. She and her parents always had explanations for her injuries, although they didn’t always match.
Perpetrators
Police apparently believe that the stepmother, Margarita Garabito, was the main perpetrator. But the father, Domingo Ferreira, didn’t stop her. In fact, he showed no remorse and fell asleep in the police interview room. Then, Ferreira hung himself in his jail cell.
This, of course, is convenient for the stepmother. Her court-appointed attorney terms the suicide “an admission of guilt.”
See Charleeni’s death blamed on her dead father, in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
I don’t know who initiated the child abuse. Women can be abusive sociopaths. They can also be accomplices, under the control of male sociopaths.
Evil exists
So what’s the lesson here?
Evil exists, but it can be concealed by seemingly plausible explanations.
Evil exists, but it can be disguised by expressions of concern.
Evil exists, but victims can be too terrorized to speak of it.
People who are in a position to see signs of child abuse—doctors, teachers, social workers—need to understand that evil does not want to be discovered, so they must pay close attention to any small clues.
persephone7
Erin: All of a sudden I want the whole picture and I thought of saying ‘so what are you wearing? – boy, is that a phone memory…forget that one…But seriously… Are you using a shovel, a pick, are you going to dislocate your shoulder doing this, trust me I almost did in my back thinking I was 22 this spring, trying to create a new garden space in my backyard…
Do you have a lantern, are you wearing a paisley bandana around your head to catch the beads of sweat? Are you staying well-fortified with cookies and
milk, or at least a roast beef sandwich? Hurry, I have to go to bed soon…I’m a visual person, I’m gonna have a hard time getting this image out of my
brain (and cellular memory…)
amber
LOL!!! I’m glad to hear that you’re doing alright out there Nancy Drew!! Keeping the fingers crossed that you find something more than a pepsi can!! HA!
Weeeelll, I just got home from my date with Biology class boy. And he’s really great. He’s……..NORMAL!! He makes me smile and laugh, and our conversations flow and I’m not anxious or nervous around him the way I was with my ex. I think I misinterpreted that anxious feeling for “spark.” So I don’t feel that “spark” with the new boy, but I think that’s a good thing! I’m comfortable with him and there’s not one thing about him that seems fake or a facade. This time my gut tells me this guy would adore me for me. And at this point in my life I think that’s what I should be looking for. He was very respectful..opening doors and all that yada yada… and didn’t even try and kiss me at the end of the night!! And this is out 2nd date!! So I know he’s not just trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me! WAAHHOOO!! So I’m still being really careful..keeping a bit of distance but told him that I would enjoy getting to know him more. I was really afraid to date again..the whole process of getting to know someone just seemed like such a burden…but tonight felt really good! Better than I expected. Tonight was a sucess!! 🙂
ErinBrock
Pers:
Okay….heres the visual…..start with Julia Roberts….(in my dream…but go with it)…..
I have my black sweats on……ugg boots, took all the jewelry off so as not to set off the detector……no hat…..oh, um maybe I wore my do-rag…..black…yeah…that was it….
Got the dig shovel and the dig up shovel….one’s pointed, ones flat….got an ice bar to soften the ground if necessary, a mini maglight I can hold in my mouth and I…….keep the ‘tools’ around the side of the house out of view from drive bys…..
Of course, I’m carrying the country lady basket of bulbs etc…….like little bo peep….without the blue frock…..
Now….what I think I’m missing is the bottle of tequila to keep me warm…..I am trying to stay sober, just in case I’m reported for midnight gardening…..maybe the neighbors will think I ‘m digging a grave for the ex S…..quite possible….but not my intention…..and god help if the kids see me!
No, no backs or shoulders put out…..YET……just close calls on the eyes….running into trees…ya know, you must keep the flashlight off as to be careful not to expose your whereabouts…..Oh, yes…..and a pocket full of stolen Haloween candy from the kids…..so I am sure I am well nourished….
No hotdogs or anything fancy for me…..just sticking to the candy.
I actually have help coming over in the form of day laborors…..so they won’t ask questions….no….it’s time to clean up the yard for winter….and maybe make things a bit more accessable for me!
Okay…..got the visual……
Oh, yes…..a holster of bear spray….since I have had a bear every day in the yard……
Can you imagine THAT story……woman found dead….mauled by a bear….fought for her life with…..of all things…..A METAL DETECTOR……and a basket of daffodills……..
ErinBrock
AMBER:
Good for you……there are normal people in this world….I am glad your staying alert and demanding respect and are conscience of his actions……and enjoying his company!
No hurries……go with your gut!
I am thrilled you had nice company!!!!
WAYYYYYY more fun than my hunting for lost treasure……..and coming up empty so far!
super chic
EB, OMG! What a scream!!!!!!!!!! You sound like you are “ready for your close-up” Ha ha, what are you going to do when the police helicopter is shining their floodlight down on you? Oh, I know, pull the sweats down and let them see the moon! You’ll be the lead-in story for the news at the CRACK of dawn! Really… I loved your description, you should be writing for sitcoms! I can’t wait to read the next installment!!
persephone7
Thank you Erin, I can sleep now. Though I wish you hadn’t added the
bear thing…
Don’t stay up all night and remember ‘Evil exists, and does not want to be
discovered ‘ so you have to meditate on whatever it is underground as this righteous thing longing to see the light of day…and YOU!
Amber, so glad you had a great date, sounds like a good guy!
amber
LOL!!!! I don’t know..YOU MAY be having the better time!!! I’m laughing SOOOOOOOOOO hard reading your discrpition you just posted!!!!! I could HONESTLY, even though I’ve never seen or met you, feel like I’m right there with ya!! You painted this vivid picture in my mind, and all I can say is……. I wish I was there to witness this in person!!!! Seriously, you’re a riot!! And I really hope a bear doesn’t eat you!! Holy crap that’s scary!! Be careful out there…and don’t fall in a hole and break your ankle!!!
And yeah, thanks, I’m excited to be getting to know someone that I normally would blow off.. He’s the type I would normally put right in the friend zone because they don’t light a fire under my ass right away… and you know what that fire under my ass when I met my ex eventually left me with 3rd degree burns…So the more I’m getting to know this guy..the more I want to find out about him! IT’S REFRESHING!! And absolutely no hurries, I’m taking it super slow…and that’s a nice change too. And I figure if he’s really interested in getting to KNOW ME..then he won’t mind taking the time to do so! So we’ll see where it goes I guess!
Well I wish you luck out there and be safe..I can’t wait to hear more updates!!!
ErinBrock
Shabby:
I’m gonna do just what you suggest!
My ass is so big and sooooo white I’m sure it will down the helicopter like a cannonball hitting it……it might be helpful to the hunt…..I bet it would land smack dab on the treasure…… the questions would arise when I don’t allow the authorities on the property to investigate the downed chopper……and I’m riffeling under the wreckage plucking out paint cans and running into the house!
Thanks for the tip girl!!!
amber
Oh my god!! I can’t wait for the movie version of this!!!! I haven’t laughed this hard in soooo long!!! Agreed..you should be writing sitcoms..you’re freaking hysterical!! I’m sure my neighbors want to know why I’m laughing so hard!!
super chic
ROTFLMAO!!