Episode 9: Political Influence

De: Jenn Brown, Francey Hakes

Narrado por: Francey Hakes, Jenn Brown

Velasquez’s defense team asks the judge for the third time to allow him out on bond, claiming he is suffering from a traumatic brain injury. Day care documents reveal that a local politician threw his weight behind Patty - the day care’s owner - to keep her day care license in spite of years of violations that put children at risk. In court documents, we learn that the prosecution may not be able to call Harry Goularte, his mother, Patty, or her husband as witnesses at trial. This calls into question whether the DAs office, seeking a life sentence in Velasquez’s case, can even prove the crimes they’ve charged without any victims to testify. We also learn about damning admissions Goularte made to police when they arrested him.©2022 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2022 Audible Originals, LLC

An area long overdue for high profile heroism

My heart breaks for the Velasquez family’s plight. In spite of the horrific betrayal of child molestation, the courage the entire family—starting with the 4 year old child!!!—is displaying is of the highest caliber. They have gone above and beyond. Every family member is a hero in his and her own way.

This was a wonderful series, very well done. It is an area long overdue for the high profile heroism the Velasquez is demonstrating.

But ample credit must also go to the creators of this series whose work is highlighting such a critically important topic. Their public portrayal of child abuse took courage, too. They presented this series with their feet on the ground factually, but also with the kind of driving idealism that really can make a difference.

I can make but a single criticism and that would be to increase the volume of the recorded interviews and messages, the content of which was frequently lost.