How Far Should Police Go When Interrogating Kids?
EmailJulian and Tali Wendrow of Michigan used to believe in the American justice system. Now, after they say their lives were ruined by a criminal investigation a federal judge described as “a runaway train,” they warn their neighbors that what happened to them can happen to anyone.
The Wendrows’ nightmare began when their severely autistic teenage daughter Aislinn supposedly revealed Julian was abusing her and that Tali knew. But there was one obvious problem: Aislinn has not talked since she was three. Her allegations were typed out in school with the help of an assistant called a facilitator who purportedly enabled Aislinn to communicate.
PHOTOS: Michigan Family Outraged After Dad Jailed, Kids Taken Away Over Unfounded Abuse Allegations
A quick Google search would have revealed the technique, when used with autistic people, had been widely dismissed by researchers. Nevertheless, authorities believed the accusations and failed to question whether Aislinn may have been manipulated by her facilitator. They charged the parents, removed their children from their home and threw the father in jail for months before the case was ultimately dropped after defense attorneys demonstrated Aislinn couldn’t communicate after all.
Along the way, the police brought Aislinn’s younger brother, Ian, then 13, in for questioning. The detective misled the boy, telling him police had discovered concrete evidence against his father beyond her typed “statements.” The family later sued the police and the department settled for $1.8 million without admitting wrongdoing.
Should police be allowed to mislead children when they are being questioned? Watch footage of Ian’s interview with police below and vote on the issue.
Watch the full story Friday on “20/20″ at 10 p.m. ET.
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Police R ‘scary’
Posted by: 1984 | January 5, 2012, 9:31 am 9:31 am
This is why I now tell my grand kids DO NOT TALK TO THE POLICE,with out me or your parants there. This is no longer the country I grew up in.Its crasy what is going on here.
Posted by: bill nelson | January 5, 2012, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm
There needs to be an attorney or parent present whenever they are asking children questions and what the Police has done was took that right away from the parents and the children. Sounds kinda like Germany back in the day!
Posted by: Thomas | January 6, 2012, 12:46 pm 12:46 pm
I couldn’t help but notice that when Chris Cuomo tried to interview the former facilitator in the parking lot where she works in a clothing store- that it appeared to be a BMW ? that she drove away in !
Posted by: barbara mccauley | January 6, 2012, 11:00 pm 11:00 pm
The problem with some police officers and detectives, is they think everybody is guilty, because they are constantly dealing with people who are guilty or trying to cover something up. They become immune to people who are innocent and treat them like the everyday criminal. It’s a tragedy because it makes everyday people hate the police.
Posted by: Tim | January 6, 2012, 11:01 pm 11:01 pm
It is sad that I have a family member going thru the same thing and NO investigation from the police at all just a scorn woman with an accusation and ruining a young mans life.
Posted by: Delaine | January 6, 2012, 11:37 pm 11:37 pm
This shows that we need legal reform. Everyone needs to be held accountable. Lawyers, prosecutors, judges, police…. No one should not be exempt from being brought to justice. And if intentions are good, when it is clear that harm has come because of misguided efforts, apologizes need to happen…period. It appears that the legal system has lost it’s way. There are more and more disconnects between our legal system and ethics.
Posted by: Sharon | January 6, 2012, 11:46 pm 11:46 pm
This case is true injustice. Sadly, incidents such as this occur nearly everyday. The true investigators, I believe, are the ones, officers, social workers, etc., who are able to determine which accusations are legitimate or false. Kudos to the police officers who do go the extra step in filtering out the true abusers. I do not believe an apology would help, either way, with what the Wendrows experienced.
Posted by: Shannon | January 7, 2012, 1:02 am 1:02 am
Never, ever, EVER, adult, child, etc. talk to law enforcement (interrogation) without a lawyer. EVER.
Posted by: Liz | January 7, 2012, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm
An accusation of child abuse, true or not, is all it takes to destroy a life. Further, no one should speak with the police without a parent present if juvenile, or an attorney.
Posted by: AbusedEarth | January 10, 2012, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
PLEASE HELP ! ! ! I am living this nightmare right now! I am walking on egg shells waiting for my child with Autism (now 18) to be removed from my guardianship! A close family friend alerted me to this story which I viewed when 1st aired. I knew immediately I was in a position llike the Wendrows. I have recently sent a story idea, with supporting documents to ABC/Good Morning America, regarding this. You should have received it the week of April 16-20th. Any day now, my daughter may be taken from me. I did recieve the Human Service files, where documents are missing, stated clearly in the file. I am without legal counsel because I lack the funds. Please help!!! Christine
!
Posted by: Christine | April 24, 2012, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm