Or at least that is what we are supposed to believe. Back in the late 1990's they removed Mark Draheim from his home because they alleged that his mother did a poor job bringing him up. Now the state believed that they would be able to do a better job.
Did they then?
First there is the question of the alleged sexual assault on him. A case never fully investigated because he conveniently died before the investigation was finished.
Then there is the restraint job the counselors made which caused him to die - from anoxia under the pressure from several adults. How long did it take for him to basically strangle to death? One minute, two minutes or even more?
Just try to imagine how it must be knowing that every time you breathe out you will know that you will not be able to take new air in. You know that you are dying and while a lot of people are standing around you, they are not willing to save you.
No the state did not do a good job trying to do a better job than his mother did. At the funeral his mother stated that she wanted to join him in the next world. We don't know if she it with her son now.
It is common knowledge that kids in the system are much more exposed to the risk of being sexual molested. Still it continues to happen every single month. In a small country like Denmark with only 5 millions people and 14.000 kids in the system, it happens every 14 day. According to the minister of social services in Denmark the staff are not educated to deal with rape victims. In some cases the victims are even forced to continue to live next door with the person who did evil with them.
Awful, but it is the system.
To all parents out there only one advice can be given. Keep quiet about your problems at home. Otherwise your children could end up in the system and like young Mr. Draheim they might not return home alive.
May he rest in peace.
Sources:
- Kidspeace Rape Investigation Began Before Boy's Death Kidspeace Rape Inquiry Began Before Death State Police Confirm They Were Looking Into Report 14-year-old Mark Draheim Was Assaulted. He Died Friday (By DAVID WASHBURN And CHRISTINE SCHIAVO, The Morning Call, December 17, 1998)
- Holiday Gift Shrouds Kidspeace Client * Mark Draheim, Who Died After Being Restrained At N.whitehall Facility, Is Buried (by Keith Herbert and Christine Schiavo, The Morning Call, December 18, 1998)
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