Melanie guests on Crime of the Truest Kind podcast with Anngelle Wood to discuss updates in Andy Puglisi's case and new information learned since Have You Seen Andy? and Anngelle released two episodes about Andy's case...

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Follow: @openinvestigation
Support: Patreon.com/OpenInvestigation
Based on the HBO Emmy award-winning documentary "Have You Seen Andy?" - haveyouseenandy.com | @haveyouseenandy

In this powerful season finale, host Melanie Perkins McLaughlin takes listeners through an emotional journey, recounting her own experiences as a child advocate and revealing how survivors transform their trauma into a force for change. We hear directly from survivor and advocate Billy Giblin, whose story of resilience and advocacy sheds light on the lasting impact of abuse and the urgent need for legislative reform. Joined by attorney and policy expert Kathryn Robb, and Massachusetts State Senator Joan Lovely, we discuss the systemic issues that survivors face and the critical role of advocacy in healing and justice. Bob Hoatson from Road to Recovery shares resource and support.

Topics Covered

• Survivor Stories: Billy Giblin shares his path from trauma to advocacy, detailing the support networks that helped him regain control and speak out.
• Advocacy and Law: CSA Survivors, Attorney Kathryn Robb and Senator Joan Lovely talk about the importance of removing the statute of limitations (SOL) on child abuse cases, enabling survivors to seek justice on their terms.
• Systemic Reform: Learn about the proposed legislation in Massachusetts aimed at SOL reform, improved reporting laws, and survivor support.
• A Call to Action: Melanie calls on listeners to join the advocacy efforts by contacting legislators to push for child protection laws.

Key Guests

• Billy Giblin - Survivor and advocate, shares his personal journey and his fight for justice and legislative reform.
• Kathryn Robb - Attorney, policy expert, and survivor, she provides insight into the legal battles for child protection and SOL reform across the U.S.
• Senator Joan Lovely - Massachusetts State Senator and survivor, actively working on SOL reform and legislative support for survivors.

Action Items
Join the movement to end the statute of limitations on child abuse cases:

• Contact Massachusetts Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano Ronald.Mariano@mahouse.gov or call 617-722-2500 support for ending the SOL on child abuse cases.
• Find Your Legislator: www.pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator. Reach out to your local representative and senator, urging them to support SOL reform.

Resources and Links

• Open Investigation Website
• Road to Recovery
• SNAP
• Children’s Justice Campaign / Enough Abuse / Kathryn Robb
• Senator Joan Lovely Legislation
• Follow Us on Social Media: Linktree
• Support the Show on Patreon: Exclusive content and bonus episodes available for subscribers.

Be sure to download and subscribe the show for notifications of our next open investigation. Open Investigation Season 2: Clergy Abuse in Merrimack Valley. We'll host an in-depth investigation into clergy abuse in Merrimack Valley. At least 15 priests were credibly accused of sexually abusing under privileged kids in Lawre

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Follow: @openinvestigation
Support: Patreon.com/OpenInvestigation
Based on the HBO Emmy award-winning documentary "Have You Seen Andy?" - haveyouseenandy.com | @haveyouseenandy

In this episode of Open Investigation, host Melanie Perkins McLaughlin continues the journey into the chilling connections between child disappearances, abuse, and organized crime networks. Episode 7, "Connections," unearths disturbing details surrounding the missing and murdered children of the 1970s, focusing on how individuals within criminal circles, including pedophiles and traffickers, formed complex networks to perpetuate child exploitation.

Witness Testimonies:
Several survivors from different institutions recall vivid memories of abuse, including the presence of cameras, gang assaults, and darkrooms.

The Bigger Picture:
Early signs that the disappearance of Andy Puglisi was part of a much larger, interconnected network of child abuse.Eric MacLeish and Ernie Allen shed light on how the abuse wasn't isolated incidents but part of a broader, organized effort with little law enforcement action.

Charles Pierce's Confession:
Pierce, a convicted child murderer, provided a deathbed confession detailing the murder of several children, including a boy from Lawrence, MA. His ties to known child trafficker Wayne Chapman are explored.Pierce’s dark connection with other notorious criminals, such as Nathaniel Bar Jonah and Wayne Chapman, suggests a coordinated abuse network within the Merrimack Valley.

The Merrimack Valley:

The episode explores how neighboring towns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire became hotspots for child abduction and abuse.

Case Details:

• Charles Pierce: Pierce's disturbing confessions, his ties to Andy Puglisi’s case, and his link to other criminals like Wayne Chapman and Nathaniel Bar Jonah, suggest the existence of a secretive, organized network of child abusers.
• Nathaniel Bar Jonah: Known for cannibalistic practices and sexual assaults, Bar Jonah’s criminal history intertwines with Wayne Chapman, who impersonated police officers to lure children.
• Missing Children: A list of over 29 children from Massachusetts who went missing or were murdered in the 1970s, including cases that remain unsolved, highlights the deep tragedy and widespread exploitation during that period.

Call to Action:

Don’t miss the next episode, where Melanie Perkins McLaughlin will explore ways we can help prevent child exploitation and protect vulnerable children. Subscribe, rate, and leave a review to support the podcast. For more updates, visit [website] and follow us on social media.

Additional Links & Resources:

Boston Globe 8-part series from 1999 on Melanie’s search for Andy

Nathaniel Bar Jonah (Wikipedia)

Text the show

Follow: @openinvestigation
Support: Patreon.com/OpenInvestigation
Based on the HBO Emmy award-winning documentary "Have You Seen Andy?" - haveyouseenandy.com | @haveyouseenandy