.jpg)
The Jaycee Lee Dugard case is a remarkable story, a tragic one, one that gives hope, one that tests us, and one that is destined to make no sense at all. Indeed, it's a story that almost didn't happen, which is part of what makes no sense. Here's a case that went years without apparent progress until a twist of fate occurred this past Tuesday when Phillip Garrido showed up on the campus of the University of California at Berkeley with his two daughters and attempted to get permission to hand out literature and speak. About what, we don't know but it appeared to be of a religious nature.
A campus police officer named Allison Jacobs thought the interaction between Garrido and the two girls was rather suspicious so she confronted them and performed a background check on him.
That check revealed that Garrido was on federal parole for a 1971 conviction for rape and kidnapping, the one for which he had served time in the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas.
She passed on the information to Garrido's parole officer, who requested that the 58-year-old man appear Wednesday at the parole office. Garrido did just that, accompanied by his wife, Nancy, and a female named Allissa.
The presence of Allissa and the two children surprised the parole officer, who had never seen them during visits to Garrido's house.
Ultimately, Allissa was identified as Dugard.
A string of near misses
In the aftermath of this first shock that a kidnap victim is reunited with her family after 18 years, the obvious question becomes, "How could this have happened?" But the real question we might need to ponder is, "How did this continue for so long?"
Think of how improbable this is. How can a man kidnap an 11-year-old child and hold her incommunicado for 18 years, impregnate her twice, the first time when she was 13, have her give birth, never go to school, never see a doctor, never see anybody from the outside world until very recently. How could he live as a registered sex offender in a neighborhood in which his neighbors knew he was a registered sex offender, but had no idea there was a backyard inside his backyard in which three human beings were held in captivity with the apparent complicity of his wife.
The kidnapper, a red flag
1) In 1976, Garrido, then 25, abducts a woman in the Lake Tahoe area and takes her to a warehouse in Reno, where he sexually assaults her. He's sentenced to 50 years in a federal penitentiary. He spends 11 years behind bars and is turned over to Nevada state authorities.
2) He also serves seven months concurrently for a conviction for rape by force or fear at the medium-security Northern Nevada Correctional Center.
The first question right away is how someone sentenced to 50 years in a federal penitentiary serves only 11 and then is paroled. Even if you calculate time off for good behavior, you can't burn up 39 years of a 50-year sentence. It tells us that sentences which seem like a long period of time when they're handed out are illusory because they almost never mean what they say, and it raises serious questions about how Garrido could've gotten out then, only to serve seven months for a state charge in Nevada --seven months for rape-- and then is out on the street again. Wouldn't you just love to meet the attorney who defended this man, the court that sentenced him and the parole board that let him out.
3) He's on lifetime parole, so he's monitored 24/7 --by his parole officer, at times an ankle bracelet.
4) He's a registered sex offender. His neighbors knew he was on Megan's list.
5) This is a suspect in missing persons cases if ever there was one. You would think, three years later in 1991 when Jaycee Lee Dugard is kidnapped, he'd be a prime person of interest, yet no one even thinks to question him.
Retired detective Jim Watson, who worked on the original abduction case in 1991, told KCRA TV in Sacramento, "His name was never an active person that we looked at."
How is that possible?
6) Is it any wonder that nearly two decades later, with authorities and neighbors knowing all they knew, with parole officers visiting the house regularly, no one caught on to the fact that this man had captives in the backyard, being treated like slaves, like pets?
7) A neighbor does claim that police had been told about the backyard lair before, in 2007:
"Erika Pratt said that two years ago, she called police after seeing what looked like a living compound with tents and sheds.
Sheriff's deputies came to ask questions, Pratt said, but they told her that because they didn't have a warrant, they couldn't search the house.
You wonder if Google Earth maps would have exposed the compound, but no one thought to do that.
8) And then, a year later, in 2008, Garrido was the subject of a criminal probe. He was suspected of bilking an elderly neighbor out of his life savings of nearly $18,000. A complaint was lodged on the man's behalf when he moved into an elder care facility but prosecutors cited insufficient evidence and declined to file charges and another opportunity slips away to uncover the backyard compound. 9) When did these younger children start going out with him? There was a radio report of a woman saying that he used to come into her shop with the children. If he's on the sex offender's list and turns up in the neighborhood with a couple of kids, why didn't someone call authorities?
The situation just kept getting worse. He has a history of kidnapping and rape; he's jailed twice for it. He committed the crimes in the same town where Jaycee Dugard was kidnapped; he's on lifetime parole and he's a registered sex offender.
A neighbor raises suspicions, he scams an elderly person, and yet police go to his house and find nothing because the first time there was no warrant and the second time they didn't look hard enough.
We are looking at a scenario in which almost everything that should have gone right went wrong.
And there are other oddities
10) There's a whole religious component which we don't know a great deal about, except that it seems to border on some delusional Hale-Bop-like obsession combining faith with the paranormal. He writes a blog and talks of God speaking to him through a box.
11) He seems also to be obsessed with mind control
12) His older brother calls him a "fruitcake," and deeply troubled.
There was, he recalled Thursday, Phillip Garrido's damaging use of LSD as a teenager in Brentwood and his talk of sexual compulsion. There was the escape from fellow drug dealers after high school, the federal conviction for rape and kidnapping and his prison marriage.
...
Ron Garrido said his brother's wife, Nancy Garrido, who was also arrested, was "a robot" under her husband's control.
"She would do anything he asked her to," said Ron Garrido, a former electrician and retired supervisor at the East Contra Costa Irrigation District. "I told my wife, 'It's no different from Manson and those girls.' She was under his control."
13) There are questions about his wife and her behavior. Was she was complicit, abused, somehow under his control, or just a bizarre appendage to this story?
14) Was he doing anything to the daughters? The horror of that is beyond imagining.
Occam's razor
In looking at this case, we're reminded of an old expression in the medical field: When you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras. "Zebra" is a medical slang term for an obscure and unlikely diagnosis from ordinary symptoms.
Simply put, keep it simple and don't make more assumptions than necessary. When multiple explanations are available for a phenomenon, the simplest version is preferred. A charred tree on the ground could be caused by a landing alien ship or a lightning strike. According to the medical aphorism, the lightning strike is the preferred explanation as it requires the fewest assumptions.
In most ordinary circumstances, we are not innately suspicious. Here's a case where nobody paid any mind to this person at all despite all sorts of alarm bells.
Even people in the neighborhood knew he was on Megan's list, "and we kept our kids away from him." Having kept their kids away from him, they probably thought they did all they needed to do. Who would dream that he's got three people in his backyard stockade? It's not the kind of thing one routinely thinks of.
It's like the old saying. Most people, when they hear hoof beats think horses, not zebras. This was a case where we needed to be thinking zebras, but most of us think ordinary things are in fact, ordinary. That's just the way we live our lives.
But in this case, the aphorism was not useful. A quote, however, from former newspaper man H.L. Mencken might better have applied: "For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong."
Random observations
Hellish though the price that's been paid for it, this story does indicate that those people who say our privacy is being routinely invaded and that we don't have a sense of freedom in this country… isn't it interesting that this man was able to hide three people captive in his backyard, unbeknownst to anyone for most of two decades. And he was someone with all sorts of red flags that should have drawn our attention.
If you have taken comfort in the past with all the new laws we've passed, things like Megan's Law and so on, thinking that this has given us the kind of safety and protection we desire as a society, take a look at this case and think again.You wonder whether this girl ever tried to get away, or if she did why she wasn't more successful at it. At age 11, there's no confusion in your mind about who your parents are, no confusion in your mind about what family you're from, so it's fairly tempting to wonder why something was not done to draw attention that she should be held incommunicado for such an extended period of time without getting away.
I've heard a lot of people talk about what a happy ending this has been. Finally, we have some closure. Pink ribbons have started to pop up near the home where Jaycee disappeared in 1991. Back in 1991, the ribbons were everywhere as a symbol of hope for the girl's safe return; who knew it would take 18 years.
We say, at least we're not preparing a grave. I may be out of turn to say it, but this story is far from a happy ending. The reunification process that lies ahead for this girl, parents who hadn't seen her for nearly two decades and gave her up for dead, two teenage children they've never met, born of a father who they'll never see again, and raised by a mother who has only known the life of a backyard prison for the last two decades, the psychological damage of which is beyond our scope of comprehension.
We're dumbstruck that this could occur and completely at a loss as to how to make restitution. This is far from a happy ending, and may turn out to be an ending that leaves more misery than peace.
And what of the kidnappers? We haven't gotten to this point yet but we may soon. I don't know if Mr. Garrido is a clinical pedophile or not, but what I do know is that clinical pedophiles cannot be cured in any conventional sense.
They can control their impulses but it takes a lot of work on their part and usually some follow up guidance with a psychotherapist or a psychiatrist. But they're a high risk category of individual.
Our society needs to seriously consider whether we don't want to provide some sort of a facility where pedophiles can be locked up forever --period-- because it is so risky to turn a pedophile loose on a community, and if damage is wrought, it is wrought forever.
--30--
Comments
GREAT article.
This is a very thoughtful essay. I would add that the home schooling craze acted to protect this abusive man. When someone sees children home during the day, out of school, now we assume those people are home schooling. When someone person is a religious person, we turn a blind eye to how they raise their children. Many homeschoolers want their children to know how to read and write, but fear letting those children go to school with other races or other religions because they are trying to mold their children into religious purity. This effort is celebrated not just tolerated and is the atmosphere in which this man can perpetrate his horrible controlling abuse. He is on a continuum- yes he takes his religious beliefs and the submission of his wife and this child a little more seriously than many others. But how exactly is he different from others acting under divine revelation to oppress women and children? We are surrounded by these American Taliban and we turn a blind eye.
Very thoughtful article, Bruce. Well done. You're right that this story is going to test us. And haunt us.
Nice article, I am totally agree with the author, this is for sure not a happy ending, poor girl and poor children.
very thought provoking article. how many other jaycee's are out there?
murraye, you are the true BIGOTED FASCISTS!
Jenna says: very thought provoking article. how many other jaycee's are out there?"
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'll ask this disturbing question: Is it possible other children were victimized by this man? How many of them are buried in his backyard? I'd say none, but if bodies were found, would it surprise us?
What the heck is up with BSzone? Seriously.
murraye...very good point.
Murray, Sh: I've interviewed home school parents. Maybe I pulled the tall straws but the half dozen parents in the studio (there was a convention in town) were all rational, thoughtful, and not driven by religious conviction (I did ask). Their children, they said, had very normal lives and all the trappings of a typical kid's social network (they said). However, you make a provocative point, and it's quite alarming to see when a religionist abuses faith to such a degree that congregationists would accept the call of a pastor to pray for the death of the president and pass it off as imprecatory prayer. I'd like to think such people, including Mr. Garrido, are in the minority. Sometimes, I'm not so sure.
As for BSZone, he's responded to many of these columns and those posts speak for themselves.
I don't see how homeschooling fits into this, as there are many people who homeschool who aren't religious zealots. There are far more children in schools who are abused and go there and bully others. This man was a registered sex offender and I don't understand why regular visits weren't made to his home to check out his situation. Just doesn't make sense.
Bruce: I will say that there are some homeschoolers who are a bit loony. They take their kids out of school because they want a religious aspect to education, yet they let their kids play outside in the church lot with no supervision because they're convinced that God will protect them from predators. Crazy. I homeschool because I want my daughter protected from bullying, which even the religious schools won't clamp down on anymore. They refuse to protect the innocent and punish the perpetrators. It's nuts.
Mimi -- I've no doubt all kinds can be found in all vocations and avocations. Murray's point, it seemed to me, was that we no longer question when children are always home, that we might chalk it up to home schooling. Years ago, we'd have chalked it up to something else.
As to the Dugard case, we've been learning today that, indeed, mistakes were made by law enforcement agencies. Other mea culpas may lie ahead. We've nearly 20 years of ground to retrace. We may not like what we find. It pains me to write that as much as I imagine it might pain others to read it... or live it. I just hope we make the most out of it.
I live in Tahoe. This case was botched from minute one. The system is responsible to "give her her life back", financially, medically and BIG apologies. Someone, agencies really dropped the ball. JayCee hopefully can heal. The system failed her.
patty says: "I live in Tahoe. This case was botched from minute one. The system is responsible to "give her her life back", financially, medically and BIG apologies. Someone, agencies really dropped the ball. JayCee hopefully can heal. The system failed her."
Hmm, that's interesting. I don't think anyone has suggested that, let alone thought about how society can pay her back. I can picture people saying, "Well, hey, it wasn't my fault!"
I wonder how we would we quantify that? If we just look at the tangible things: Schooling, medical treatment, job and income... how would we quanitify that? More simply put, how would we quantify that? It's really two questions: What is owed and how do we measure it? Something to think about. Thanks for making that point.
Sadly, I'm sure since cases like this don't happen very often. Doctors, at first, more than likely treated her like a lab rat. Instead of asking, "how can we help this girl, help her try to retain some grasp of surviving in society and learning to be confident and independent?" They are saying, "Let's study her, I mean how often do you get to study a person held captive for almost two decades from the age of 11?" It's sad to say but not only did the system fail this poor girl but so did the families and neighbors surrounding this psychotic's house. It's really a shame that everything here was handled routinely. That families didn't care as long as it didn't affect them or their children. Well sadly no one seems to care anymore until it happens to them and a wake up bell goes off in their face.
Sadly, I'm sure since cases like this don't happen very often. Doctors, at first, more than likely treated her like a lab rat. Instead of asking, "how can we help this girl, help her try to retain some grasp of surviving in society and learning to be confident and independent?" They are saying, "Let's study her, I mean how often do you get to study a person held captive for almost two decades from the age of 11?" It's sad to say but not only did the system fail this poor girl but so did the families and neighbors surrounding this psychotic's house. It's really a shame that everything here was handled routinely. That families didn't care as long as it didn't affect them or their children. Well sadly no one seems to care anymore until it happens to them and a wake up bell goes off in their face.
him and his wife should be dead- any sicko that abuses a child should automatically receive the death penalty- and while they are waiting they should be placed in general population and given no special protection.
I have been a homicide detective for twelve years and can tell you that investigating social paths are the most difficult. These are the kinds of criminals that can live among us and very few people ever question their behaviors, which to most American's seem to be normal. This case is very disturbing and sad. For the victims they need and desereve true closure. What is that can only be determined by the state and all case shareholders, including the victims. In my opinion, this crime should be punishable by death or life behind bars. Obviously, Phillip Garrido has committed sex crimes for a very long time and had no reason to stop. These types of criminals normally perfect their crimes and will not stop, until they are caught. They are also very likely to increase the severity of the criminal act, usually culminating to homicide. Most serial criminals usually keep momentos from their crime scenes. For Garrido it may have been keeping young children captive.
any pervert that takes a little girl.fromin front of her schole.and hide her for 18 years of tourther and fourced sex on a11 year old girl should be castarated , then stoud in frount of a firing squad. so werichous americans can end his miserable life.
Detective says: "I have been a homicide detective for twelve years and can tell you that investigating social paths are the most difficult..."
I have about half a dozen friends in law enforcement at both the local and federal level and they say exactly the same thing. They also were stunned at how all the planets seemed to align for this guy to be freed and to remain free. He was in their hands, locked away twice, and then, as if within a hair's breath, he slips away. I can't imagine anyone who had anything to do with releasing this guy has been sleeping very well since August. I don't know how we hold those people to account, but I wish there were a wise way that we could.
Excellent article. I beleive the most thought provoking point is this. Where do these victims go from here and are they truly survivors..........
I think you mean "Sociopaths".
Instant justice- totally agree, even in so-called barbaric countries rape is punishable by death. this country can't even figure out to at least give the needle to child rapists. "cruel and unusual" my ---
Bruce, people bring cases against the police department for negligence. ie in LA, them releasing the illegal alien gang member from custody and 2 days later he killed that high school football star, his family is suing LAPD or LASD, I don't remember who botched it. quanitifying - thats what actuaries are for.
none -- I'm not familiar with the gang member case in LA (I'm in northern Cali) but cops have a tough job and while there are always bad apples, filing these kinds of lawsuits is just part of a larger symptom of society overall --everyone's ready to sue, looking for a big pay day. It stinks.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!