memphiz
07-05-2004, 06:49 PM
Two teenage Ontario brothers who were kept caged over a 13-year period say they can't believe that their adoptive parents have been sentenced to only nine months in jail.
"I don't think its right. They should get more time... at least six to eight years," one of the boys -- -- who can't be named -- told reporters after the sentence was handed down Monday.
"I'm not happy with the end result, but I hope for the best for them."
The other brother added that he's still struggling with his experience, "but I got to accept what they did and forgive what they did. And let's just hope they don't do that stuff to other kids."
"I'm much better off than what I was before," he added. "And I'm feeling 100 per cent better. No, 200 per cent better."
The couple from the hamlet of Blackstock, northeast of Toronto, kept the two teenaged boys locked in wire-mesh enclosed baby cribs for hours on end for years. Investigators said the boys were also forced to wear diapers, subjected to physical punishment, and were severely malnourished.
Through it all, the boys continued to go to school and even visited neighbours, but were told under threat of more abuse never to talk of what they endured at home.
Announcing the sentence in an Oshawa court on Monday, Ontario Court Judge Donald Halikowski called the treatment of the boys cruel, demeaning and damaging. But he said there was no evidence the parents -- who were the boys' biological aunt and uncle -- were sadists.
"Both accused share equal responsibility as parents," Halikowski said. "Both failed."
The couple was sentenced to nine months for two counts each of forcible confinement, failure to provide the necessities of life and assault with a weapon. They pled guilty last January and have been out on bail since.
Halikowski said the parents' behaviour was "underscored by good intentions," but they were out of their depth when it came to handling boys.
The defence said the boys suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome and attention deficit disorder -- diagnoses disputed by the Crown.
"There is no doubt they were difficult to raise,'' said Halikowski, although he added their treatment of the boys was "beyond comprehension.''
The defence called the sentence fair and balanced and suggested the abuse was not as frequent as child-welfare officials alleged.
"These children were tethered, these children were abused periodically, but not systematically on a daily basis," said lawyer Alex Sosna.
The Crown is considering appealing the sentence.
Durham Regional Police received a complaint about the boys' treatment in June 2001. After raiding the house, police described the case as one of the worst incidents of child abuse and neglect they'd ever investigated.
Despite their inhumane treatment, at the time of the couple's arrest Durham Regional Police Sgt. Paul Malik told CTV that the boys were actually "quite normal in every way."
Interviews with residents of the southern Ontario farming community described the children as loners who often fought, but did not show signs of abuse.
The children, who are now aged 17 and 18, have been transferred to foster care and are attending high school.
This is why the Canadian justice system sucks donkey balls
"I don't think its right. They should get more time... at least six to eight years," one of the boys -- -- who can't be named -- told reporters after the sentence was handed down Monday.
"I'm not happy with the end result, but I hope for the best for them."
The other brother added that he's still struggling with his experience, "but I got to accept what they did and forgive what they did. And let's just hope they don't do that stuff to other kids."
"I'm much better off than what I was before," he added. "And I'm feeling 100 per cent better. No, 200 per cent better."
The couple from the hamlet of Blackstock, northeast of Toronto, kept the two teenaged boys locked in wire-mesh enclosed baby cribs for hours on end for years. Investigators said the boys were also forced to wear diapers, subjected to physical punishment, and were severely malnourished.
Through it all, the boys continued to go to school and even visited neighbours, but were told under threat of more abuse never to talk of what they endured at home.
Announcing the sentence in an Oshawa court on Monday, Ontario Court Judge Donald Halikowski called the treatment of the boys cruel, demeaning and damaging. But he said there was no evidence the parents -- who were the boys' biological aunt and uncle -- were sadists.
"Both accused share equal responsibility as parents," Halikowski said. "Both failed."
The couple was sentenced to nine months for two counts each of forcible confinement, failure to provide the necessities of life and assault with a weapon. They pled guilty last January and have been out on bail since.
Halikowski said the parents' behaviour was "underscored by good intentions," but they were out of their depth when it came to handling boys.
The defence said the boys suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome and attention deficit disorder -- diagnoses disputed by the Crown.
"There is no doubt they were difficult to raise,'' said Halikowski, although he added their treatment of the boys was "beyond comprehension.''
The defence called the sentence fair and balanced and suggested the abuse was not as frequent as child-welfare officials alleged.
"These children were tethered, these children were abused periodically, but not systematically on a daily basis," said lawyer Alex Sosna.
The Crown is considering appealing the sentence.
Durham Regional Police received a complaint about the boys' treatment in June 2001. After raiding the house, police described the case as one of the worst incidents of child abuse and neglect they'd ever investigated.
Despite their inhumane treatment, at the time of the couple's arrest Durham Regional Police Sgt. Paul Malik told CTV that the boys were actually "quite normal in every way."
Interviews with residents of the southern Ontario farming community described the children as loners who often fought, but did not show signs of abuse.
The children, who are now aged 17 and 18, have been transferred to foster care and are attending high school.
This is why the Canadian justice system sucks donkey balls