This Part Is Done

Patrick withdrew his appeal. It is over. Done.

The blog will stay as is! 

This part of my story is done. I have been able to outline what our family went through at the hands of a pedophile and corrupt church leaders. I have been able to show how keeping secret sexual abuse allows the abuser to continue sexually abusing other innocent people. I have tried to show that it is not appropriate to handle such a serious issue with prayer alone and you should reach beyond the church leaders for help and guidance. I believe I was able to warn families in the Gig Harbor/Tacoma area about a sexual predator in their midst, Patrick D. Rojas. 

Eddie Rojas is still on the run with a felony warrant. There are still victims of Patrick that have NOT seen any justice. There are many individuals that were part of our our story that are still healing from all the betrayal and devastation. I will only post if there is pertinent information such as additional crimes committed by Patrick, if Eddie is arrested, or other relevant local stories that catch my eye. By no means am I done in my pursuit to bring awareness to the epidemic of childhood sexual abuse. Most likely the venue will change. Time will tell. 

Thank you for all the prayers and encouragement over the years! And please pass on the link to my blog if you believe Our Story can help someone or if you know someone that is likely to run in the same circle as the Rojas family. I will keep tabs on the blog and can be reached at daniellelynnschneider@gmail.com

Window Into The Heart

I am often asked how "my child" is doing? How does "my child" feel about the blog and the legal battle? 

"My child" dedicated this song to me today...

I believe "my child" gets the importance of what is being accomplished with this blog. I love "my child" deeply and fiercely. I would not have taken this on, if I thought I was perpetuating the damage that was already done. 

It's little windows into "my child's" heart like this that assures me that we are okay. 

Enablers

The past two weeks have been emotional for me. Someone reached out to me from "the other side." A staunch supporter of Patrick and the belief that he is healed and repentant. I am still unsure as to why this individual felt compelled to contact me ...although lots was said, not one word of regret for her support of Patrick. I understand that the individual felt "lead" by the Lord to contact me but I think they missed the point of His prodding.

This individual happens to be at the end of her life and I fully expected some of the Rojas family members that have been in hiding to poke their heads up to say goodbye but was a little surprised to get a phone call informing me that Sarah Rojas was seen downtown Gig Harbor, yesterday, sitting on a bench sipping on a drink with another girl from our former church. So brazen. The warrant is only for Eddie Rojas so any other Rojas can come and go as they please. It's just hard for me to comprehend the lack of shame that these people feel. They really own their crazy reality and belief system.

I was also told that as of a couple of months ago Patrick Rojas was featured on the drums at Foothills Household of Faith. There was a family visiting this particular church that is aware of my blog and the dangers Patrick poses to children. Apparently the men in the church (at least the men in leadership) are aware of Patrick's sexual deviant history and level 2 status but the WOMEN DO NOT KNOW! Why? How does this help anyone? How does this protect anyone? Pretending that Patrick is not a potential threat to children and placing him on the worship team....really? God does not call us to be stupid or manipulated!

Exhortation

I chose to read the charging documents for the case against Christopher Dupea. I haven't been able to get the information out of my mind.

I am not naive, I understand there is a due process and I do believe in innocent until proven guilty. With that said, I do not believe a person is innocent simply because they say they are or because they "seem like such a good person." Remember, I have lived this, from the other side. Also, from my experience, I believe shutting out individuals that ask valid questions or encourage the seeking of truth (even if that truth is one you don't want) is a red flag. 

In this situation the community that wants to desperately support the Dupea family and uplift the parents are admirable. From my own experience I am just fearful that the church community will blindly support whatever they are told without fact checking. My desire is for all involved to download the available court documents and read them. Know what you are supporting. Attend the court dates, if at all possible. It's amazing what is revealed in the courtroom. 

This stuff is real! Child porn is real! Childhood sexual abuse is an epidemic! It does actually happen. In YOUR community! I do not want to know the details of what Chris is being charged with! " It is reprehensible and disgusting. It is NORMAL to NOT want to know but what is the alternative in a civil society?" a quote from a dear friend. We could ignore childhood sexual abuse and hope it doesn't touch our child and just goes away....I am here to tell you that ignoring it gives the predators power to continue. AND THAT IT CAN TOUCH YOUR FAMILY! Is that really what you want? Would that be worth not knowing the sortied details?

I am willing to expose myself to the ugly details involved in cases that effect my community in hopes of exposing it and shinning the light on it so that my children can continue to be children, untouched by a sexual predator. Isn't that our job as parents? Be informed! Be aware! Know what you are supporting!

If you are asked to write a letter of leniency on behalf, of Chris my only request is that prior to agreeing to do so that you read all court documents that are public record from the convenience of your own home. If you have questions the detective in charge of the case is usually willing to speak with concerned citizens.

Pierce County Court Records Link - Be sure to click criminal records

Too Close To Home

I was horrified this morning to click on a link asking the public to come forward if they have had any interaction with Christopher M. Dupea of Lakewood, Washington, in connection with child porn. It couldn't be "the Christopher Dupea" that I knew of....but after checking a few facebook posts, it became crystal clear that indeed it was.  Other than facebook, I haven't interacted with the Dupea family in years. Ironically, the parents have supported my blog efforts with words of encouragement and design suggestions.  Daily, individuals are charged with sexual crimes. Occasionally, I highlight other stories about childhood sexual abuse. I feel especially compelled to post on this particular story because this person is in my community, is from a large church community, and someone I knew.  Any way you slice it this is devastating and life altering for his victims.  Devastating for the criminals family. How will the family respond? Over the years, were there warning signs? If so, were they addressed professionally? It's still sinking in but I am willing to believe it, call it what it is, look into the specific charges and follow the case.  Pierce County Superior Court Criminal Case 12-1-03219-1

Defendant:	CHRISTOPHER MERRICK DUPEA

Daily News...it's gone viral

Man arrested after allegedly receiving child porn from child's mother

KOMO News

I desperately want to see this done right.

Who are we praying for? What are we praying for? Exposure? Least possible attention? Where are you getting your information? Would you encourage other victims to come forward? 

I have one request for all involved, PLEASE, I BEG YOU, DO NOT BURY YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND! Do not be easily deceived! 

Satan your kingdom must come down!

Trust

Losing trust in ones self is devastating. When this happens insecurities run wild. This is still my biggest hurdle, learning to trust myself again. My gut.

What haunts me is the fact that I can't send my children to very many places without taking a risk that they may be sexually molested. I really can't say with certainty to my child, "You're fine, you're safe with these individuals." Most children are molested by trusted individuals in their lives. We had know the Rojas family for many years. We interacted with the family weekly. Kathy Rojas was at two of my children's births. We worshiped together. Why didn't I know just how sick their family was?

Pedophiles are master manipulators and they are everywhere. Their enablers are foolish people that choose to have a blind eye. There are stories all over the place about childhood sexual abuse. In schools, in churches, at daycare, family homes, and with trusted coaches or friends.

You can really only know and trust yourself.

Pedophiles cross all cultural, racial and economical boundaries. A pedophile can be male or female, although the number of male pedophiles grossly outnumbers the female predators. 

I believe a lot of parents feel the older their child gets the less likely they are to be victimized and that is a lie. Do not buy into that lie. Without robbing your child of innocence give your children examples of ways to get out of situations that they are uncomfortable in. And when your child doesn't want to go with someone don't just dismiss that, really evaluate the situation. Don't ever believe that your children are immune from being sexual molested!

Wartburg Watch Posts about Our Story

Our Story has been highlighted in The Wartburg Watch. If you are interested in another perspective take a look at the posts.

Household of Faith Fellowship of Churches – An Overview

Pedophilia and Deception at a Household of Faith Community Church

The Household of Faith Leaders Respond

Danger: Flee Churches Which Teach That Women Are Easily Deceived