Suffer the children

I feel our community’s frustration about mothers who allow their boyfriends to take care of their children. My 3-year-old niece suffered a traumatic brain injury, leaving her severely disabled, at the hands of her mother’s boyfriend. She moved him in with her, even after his own mother said he was a “mean drunk.” The bad guy eventually pleaded guilty and was sent to prison.

My sister was clearly guilty of child endangerment, but the detective said that because they got a conviction they wouldn’t be pursuing charges against my sister. My husband and I brought her home after the hospital stay, eventually adopting her.

Our daughter is 19 now and lives in a group home with other disabled adults. That should never have happened to her. She received a life sentence, and he got 10 years.

By the way, I have never gotten so much as a “thank you” from my sister for sacrificing my life for her daughter’s, but I would do it all over again to save a child’s life.

Nancy Cowles

Cheney