Village Ambulance Services Operations Manager Shawn Godfrey is also a certified paramedic.
Welcome to "EMS:Courage and Compassion In Action," a weekly column written by Village Ambulance Services Operations Manager and paramedic Shawn Godfrey. Godfrey's columns will appear on Monday and will focus on the reality of the emergency services medical profession.
Because of the multitude of controversies that surround it, I was initially hesitant to write about child abuse and the impact it has on emergency providers.
However, the more I learned about the complexities of this societal epidemic, the more I realized how important it is for the public to recognize the reality of its potential “next-door†presence.
I believe every individual has a responsibility to identify and report information that could provide evidence of child abuse.
Fortunately, pre-hospital emergency cases of child abuse in this area are infrequent, however, when detected, they often involve life-threatening conditions that demand a swift response to treat and transport the victim. For every response, especially in the cases of child abuse, emergency personnel must adapt their senses to their environment and acutely illustrate the surroundings to which they respond.
This story encompasses not only the mistreatment a child endured, but in a broader sense, it’s an account of one mother’s fear and inability to confront an evil that dwelled within the family circle.
Seth
With tousled blonde hair and giant green eyes, Seth was seated at the edge of the threadbare sofa. His little fists were clenched tightly around a stuffed dog and tears were running down both his reddened cheeks. Although he was trying to be courageous, he instinctively curled into a fetal position as I entered the room.
Seth was obviously frightened of me.
He was wearing only a pair of tight-fitting shorts, which demonstrated no evidence of a recent laundering, and his arms were covered with what appeared to me to be freshly-inflicted red welts.
Yellowish-green contusions - which remebled the faded tone visible when a bruise is several days old - mottled both his legs, and the soles of his feet were soiled with traces of what appeared to be dried cat litter and hardened feces.
As I gently knelt down to make eye contact with him, I asked “What is your name and how old are you?â€
Seth instantly directed his gaze towards his mother, who was standing to my left, as if seeking permission to answer.
“Go ahead and answer the man,†the mother demanded.
"I Am Nine Years Old, Sir"
After a brief delay, Seth timidly answered “My name is Seth and I am nine years-old, sir.â€
“What happened to your arms and legs, and what is on your feet, Seth?†I asked.
Again, Seth’s eyes darted anxiously toward his mother, and this time, the mother answered for the child.
“I knew this was a bad idea. I think the boy’s going to be fine. Thanks for all of your help.â€
Aware of the probability of child abuse, I convinced the mother that Seth required immediate transport to the hospital, because the multitude of bruises, in proportion to Seth’s body size, could lead to life-threatening internal blood loss.
After a great deal of verbal persuasion, she finally consented.
During the ambulance transport to the emergency room, she told me that Seth had been in the care of his step-father, who was now at work. There was an intial denial that anything violent had happened during the day. She appeared genuinely concerned about the health and welfare of Seth and began to cry.
The mother was hesitant to speak further; her husband told her that she shouldn't tell anyone about their situation because "no one would understand."
From her responses, it became clear to me that the step-father had physically abused Seth.
"Stop! Stop!"
I told the mother that as emergency responders, we are mandated to report incidences that suggest alleged child abuse and we work closely with hospitals as well as child protective services, in order to prevent further harm to the child.
With tears streaming from her frightened eyes, she thought for a second. She rubbed her brow and exhaled a deep breath of air. She finally confessed.
“He told Seth that if he didn’t clean up after the kitten, he would be punished. I was trying to get him to stop, but he kept hitting him with the belt. He grabbed me and threw me to the floor, but I got up and kept screaming, you’re going to kill him! Stop, Stop!â€
“I understand where the bruises came from [often symmetrical and at different stages of healing during child abuse], but what is on Seth’s feet?†I inquired.
“Seth was made to stand in the litter box during the beating, because the kitten had soiled the carpet and scratched up my husband’s new leather chair,†she said.
“I was afraid of him. He kept saying if I told anybody about the beatings, he would kill both of us. What was I supposed to do?†she pleaded.
Both Seth and his mother were victims in this tragic whirlpool of physical and emotional abuse.
After Seth received an emergency department medical evaluation, a hospital-based family advocate spoke to him and his mother and eventually persuaded them to talk individually with a social worker.
This ultimately provided the feeling of safety that they both needed before they could freely disclose what happened to them.
Taking The Steps To Create A Change
The hospital staff went to court to testify about what they had observed and been told. They presented the mother’s testimony to the judge, who eventually ruled that the step-father would have no future contact with either of them. Seth, who is now fifteen, is doing well in school and is employed part-time. He and his mother currently reside in an apartment.
I recall a conversation with Seth’s mother just a year ago.
She said, “There are many lessons Seth has taught me. The most important is to never back down; never be afraid to fight for something or someone you love.â€
She added, “This experience has carried me through my darkest days and it is a lesson that is always present, even during the happiest moments of my life.â€
If you suspect incidences of child abuse, please contact your local law enforcement agency or child abuse prevention center.
To report suspicions of child abuse in Massachusetts call the state's Department of Social Services [DSS]at 1-800-792-5200.
Additional information about reporting child abuse and parental stress hotlines is available at a www.masskids.org Internet web site.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
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What a troubling story to read. I certainly get the message. Thanks
Often times while working in the EMS/Fire Field we see things that will hang around in our minds forever. There are many ways to "save a life". And these are the ones that are really not taught in a class room or what you can read in a text book.
Shawn, As usual great article. Child abuse is a hard thing to deal with for us that work in EMS. Thank God we don't see a lot of it but when we do we have the education, like this article, to get the right professional people involved. Keep up the great writing. Read ya in two weeks.
Having been raised in a loving family and being a devoted parent I cannot imagine the kind of person who could inflict such physical and mental pain on a child. Neither can I imagine the horrors that child endures.This story is a somber reminder that we must all be responsible and speak for those who cannot, whether we are mandated to do so or not. Thanks Shawn. ;)
Thank you for that sad but touching story! I cant imagine going thru that.(Seth or yourself!) We are all lucky to have such caring and skillful people like you out there helping us!
Thank you for your story I think more people need to hear this, so they know if they need help that its out there. That they do not need to live with a monster.
As always Shaun, an outstanding article. Most importantly though, thank you for reminding us that these cases happen more than we like to think or hear about, and that we all have a duty to make sure these children are safe.
Although this was difficult and tragic to read, I'm glad it worked out for Seth. I also hope and pray for all of the other children who are still out there being hurt.
Thanks for your message Shawn.
I've worked in the field for many years and can totally relate to what you've written. It is a sad story but one that needs to be told. You put it in a way that the lay people can understand, without overdoing it. Thanks
Very moving story! Dealing with Hurt children is tough enough,But dealing with child abuse will break the even the strongest most experienced EMS providers. My heart hurt just reading the story! Keep the stories coming Shawn.
Another great story!Stories like this make me sick & repulsed by some people who call themselves a "man". I was pleased that you added how the boy has turned out today. A tragic but hope filled story. Thanks Shawn!
Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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