12/20/2025: As I lay here in sleeplessness once agin i cant help but think it’s been almost one year since our lives were turned upside down. One year since a shaking, terrified 7‑year‑old came to me and said, “Mommy, I need to talk to you.” We had no idea in that moment how much our lives were about to change, or how long and exhausting this road would be. This year has been a roller coaster — fear, anger, heartbreak, tiny victories, and so many moments where we’ve had to be stronger than any family should ever have to be. And now, as we prepare to meet with the DA again on Tuesday, things feel heavier than ever. This time, I’m walking in with an 8‑year‑old who is begging to go so she can “give them a piece of her mind.” She has her list. If you know Hadley, you know that list includes things like “punching in the face” and “disgust.” And honestly, after everything she’s endured, I understand the anger behind those words. We’re letting her come so she can say her part, because based on how this past year has gone, this may be her only chance to feel heard and validated. The other day she said to me, “I always say I’m fine, but I’m not fine.” No child should ever have to carry that. We’ve encouraged hard conversations in our home, and I encourage every parent to do the same. You truly never know what your child might be holding inside. Right now, Hadley doesn’t want to go to school anymore. She wants a fresh start. And I don’t blame her — if I had to walk into a building every day and face my abuser, I wouldn’t want to either. Both of our kids are done being pushed into a situation that retraumatizes them daily. So depending on what happens Tuesday, we have some big decisions to make about their schooling and their safety. What breaks my heart is that we’re living in a world where the abused are the ones forced to make accommodations, while the system that’s supposed to protect them has offered us nothing but dead ends. Our justice system has been zero help. We’ve had to fight for every inch of progress, and even then, it feels like we’re fighting alone. If you could keep us in your prayers, thoughts, or just hold space for us, we would deeply appreciate it. This has been the hardest year of our lives, and we’re doing everything we can to protect our kids and give them back some sense of safety and control. Thank you to everyone who has supported us, listened, believed us, and stood by us. It means more than you know. 10/14/25: we are still waiting word form the DAs office 😞 Update: We are still waiting for a response the DA. I will update as soon as I have something new. Update: 08/15/25 We are being heard. Where that leads, time will l tell. DA apparently wasn’t aware of most of everything. He didnt have a case file, he didnt have her video interview, among other things. At one point today when discussing how hard it is to put a victim through this. I stated “ you dont know my daughter.” “Shes the reason I’m here, she’s the reason I keep calling, she’s the fighter.” I’m just her voice. I’m not sure where this road leads or if anything will truly be done but, what I can say…it felt good to feel heard and acknowledged. The acts that were committed he said, would put an adult in jail for over 20 years. All we want is help for all involved. Update: 07/18/25- after my last update and sending this petition to Peter Weeks, Blair county district attorney.   I did receive a reply from him claiming to know nothing about my daughter’s case and wanting to set up a meeting.  After sending availability to him and getting our hopes up of finally being heard.  DA Peter Weeks stopped responding and hasn’t responded to my daughter’s attorney either.  Where is the accountability here? Update: for four months we have been reaching out to the Blair county assistant district attorney Nichole Smith to speak to them.  At one point we were told by the secretary she was getting our messages and is busy to stop calling.  My daughter’s attorney given to us from Harrisburg has also been reaching out and mailing letters, they will not respond to her either.  These are people that we are supposed to trust with serving justice in our county.   They can’t return a phone call?  Unacceptable.   We need to flood the DAs office with our concerns on how they handle child abuse cases. My child was a victim of child-on-child sexual abuse. The emotional and psychological scars left by such an experience are deep and enduring. However, the judicial system in Pennsylvania, like in many other places, presents limitations when it comes to handling cases involving young abusers, particularly those under 12 years of age. Currently, these young offenders cannot be sentenced to juvenile detention due to their age, which is understandable. But the tragic reality is that without any form of intervention, these cases are often abandoned by the District Attorney, leaving both the victim and the perpetrator without the necessary support and rehabilitation.

This gap in the system is not fair—to the victim, who is denied justice and closure, and to the abuser, who misses out on the chance for necessary intervention that could prevent further offenses. It is crucial that Pennsylvania consider reforms that will allow for these cases to be heard thoroughly, even when criminal charges cannot be pursued due to age restrictions.

Introducing mandatory counseling for young offenders could be a crucial step forward. Additionally, restorative justice measures could provide a means for victims to express their experiences in a safe environment, and for perpetrators to understand the impact of their actions.

Statistical evidence demonstrates that early intervention can significantly reduce the likelihood of reoffending. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, over 60% of juvenile offenders are less likely to reoffend if they receive early psychosocial support. Therefore, this essential reform is not just about providing justice for victims—it's about ensuring a safer community for all.

I urge you to take action to transform how these sensitive cases are handled in Pennsylvania. By signing this petition, you would be voicing your support for a more compassionate and effective system that acknowledges the complexities of child-on-child offenses and prioritizes the healing process for both victim and offender. Stand with us to make a vital change that will have profound consequences for countless children and families. Sign this petition now to demand crucial reform in how young age abuse cases are managed in PA.