“The Prime Time Incident”

Television viewers were startled to see ABC, Diane Sawyers “Prime Time” account of step families, which portrayed a parent assaulting his daughter. According to Franklin County DA Derek Champagne, the parents agreed to allow ABC place TV cameras in their home over a three and a half month period to record the family’s interactions. Once the taping concluded, ABC arranged to have three out of state mental health “experts” provide intervention.

According to Champagne, one member of the team provided a two hour counseling session to the parents in New York City following the incident. That’s all, just two hours, and back to Texas went the psychiatrist. The entire event was nothing more than an ABC media event, done at the expense of a family clearly experiencing a severe problem, without adequate follow through, treatment and safeguards for the child. ABC incurred considerably more responsibility to assist the child than they evidenced. I hope some good can come from this problematic incident by drawing more attention to the psychological needs of our families and communities and in particular the need for mental health parity legislation.

ABC may have invited out of state “experts” to avoid compliance with NYS’s stringent “mandated reporter law,” in case a reportable incident occurred. How else would a parent allow the use of video tapes, knowing in-state New York psychologists, would have reported the incident? New York requires its highly trained, professional, state licensed psychologists to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment to Child Protective Services.

Nevertheless, the out of state “experts” must have known about their home state’s laws, as well as New York’s laws requiring report of suspected abuse. So why did they fail to make a report? The most likely reason would be, they like many, do not see child abuse as being so harmful. Children can not advocate for their own safety. We prosecute those who assault adults, because adults can and do demand their rights be recognized. I have written articles regarding our Nation’s unwillingness to fully hold child sexual predators criminally accountable for their egregious acts. NY still has not passed a law, which would lock these criminals up for lengthy sentences due to the prevailing liberal belief these perpetrators’ condition means they should be treated, not punished. What ever happened to treat, punish and protect?

I asked Champagne if he believes ABC and the offending parent made a deal to not air the story until after the expiration of the two year statute of limitation. He said he did not think that was the case. Nevertheless, the video tape would likely be prima-facie evidence of an assault on the child. As with the issue of mandated CPS reports, why would the offending parent provide prima-facie evidence, which could be used against him? Did ABC make a deal? What about the child?

The answer is: “who cares?” This child was left exposed to possible future episodes of violence for two years until after the statute of limitations ran out. New York could not address the parent’s traumatizing behavior due to ABC and the “experts’” failure to do what they should have done. ABC benefited, and the child was left vulnerable for two years. Thanks to DA Derek Champagne, something is being done about it.

ABC and the out of state “experts” failed this child. They acted as if a two hour intervention, without a psychological evaluation of the family for mental illness, alcoholism, substance abuse, spousal abuse, codependence, enabling behavior, etc. would suffice. This is the equivalent of a physician not inquiring about the cause of a fever and then prescribing a medication to control the symptoms.

Champagne, is attempting to have the Manhattan DA deal with the “experts’” alleged lack of compliance, because the counseling took place in Manhattan, which has more resources than Franklin County. Mr. Champagne told me that if Manhattan does not follow through he can. Importantly, he said he is attempting to get the applicable statute of limitations extended. Thank you Mr. Champagne!

Raymond Havlicek

Lake Placid, NY