Jaycee Dugard Finally Gets To Speak Out

According to a story from BBC News, the victim of the 1991 kidnapping, Jaycee Dugard, in South Lake Tahoe, close to the Nevada border, has finally had a chance to speak out about what happened 18 years ago.  Mr. Phillip Garrido, along with his wife Nancy, are now charged with kidnapping, rape, and false imprisonment.  They have denied all charges.

Jaycee is now living in seclusion with her mother, Terry Probyn, along with Jaycee's two daughters, Angel and Starlit, who are believed to be fathered by Mr. Garrido.  

People magazine has now come out with the full story, according to Jaycee.  I am curious to read her side of what happened.  It sounds like, just from the small amount of information that has been circulating, that she has been through such an ordeal the last 18 years.   Since the police uncovered what appeared to be a "compound" at Mr. Garrido's residence, Jaycee has cooperated with the investigation fully and completely.

The police spotted Mr. Garrido in August, as he was handing out religious literature at the University of California Berkeley, with two young children.  Mr. Garrido is a convicted sex offender, and was ordered to report to his parole officer.  He did meet with the officer, and he brought his wife, children, and a young woman, who turned out to be Jaycee Dugard.  There hasn't been too much more information, other than this, out there until now.  So, as I mentioned earlier, it will be interesting to read the story from her point of view.

After hearing about several cases lately that deal with the kidnapping and rape of children, for example, Shaun Hornbeck, Elizabeth Smart, and now this case, along with others over the years, maybe some laws could be changed regarding sex offenders.  If someone is charged with and convicted of a "high degree" sex offense, than perhaps the criminal justice system could demand an automatic life imprisonment sentence.  If this saves one person, especially a child, than it would be worth it.  Maybe it would cut down on the issues with sex offenders having a hard time finding a place to live.

What surprised me most with this case in particular, was that Mr. and Mrs. Garrido are denying the charges.  Perhaps I need to read the entire case before jumping to conclusions, but Ms. Dugard was found physically with the Garridos'.  Besides the fact they can prove this is Jaycee, they can also prove, pretty easily, that these two little girls are his biological daughters. So, that evidence, along with Jaycee testifying against the Garridos', will most likely result in a conviction(s).

This brings up another point, Jaycee will need to testify to get the full story across to jurors. Therefore, she is going to need our thoughts and prayers, along with her poor daughters, and her entire family for that matter.  I wish them the best.