Show That Children Are Valued Letter Of The Week: From Dec. 5, 1997

On Oct. 26, 1996, Anthony Mitchell was brutally beaten to death by his mother’s boyfriend, Ralph J. Reyes.

This defenseless, innocent 18-month-old boy was repeatedly beaten with fists over several hours until his internal organs were ruptured and he died of internal bleeding. We attempted to resuscitate his bruised, lifeless body without success.

Anthony’s attacker has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder, saving himself from a death penalty or life sentence. Unfortunately, the minimum and usual sentence is 10 years. If this occurs he would be released at age 32, young enough to potentially again commit a similar atrocity. The judge has the authority to make this prison term substantially longer.

As an emergency physician, I see many terrible things, but Anthony’s pale, bruised body is something I cannot forget.

If Reyes gets the minimal sentence for this hideous murder, we have failed as a society and as human beings. If we will not protect our children, what is important to us?

We need to send a strong message to our judicial system that our community does value the life of a child. You can do this by your presence at the sentencing hearing of Reyes in Judge Gary Haman’s courtroom in the Kootenai County Courthouse at 3 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5. Mark E. Manteuffel Coeur d’Alene

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