The 7 year old feral child
I had to write about this because I was so shocked and horrified. Her name is Dani (Danielle), she’s 7, and is the equivalent of a normal 2 year old. The day the police found her she was in an overflowing diaper, with roaches and faeces surrounding her. A rookie police office entered the house where she lived, and promptly returned outside to vomit. A woman from Child Services sat in her car sobbing. The most shocking part of it all? Her mother thought there was nothing wrong.
“I’ve been in rooms with bodies rotting there for a week and it never stunk that bad,” Holste said later. “There’s just no way to describe it. Urine and feces — dog, cat and human excrement — smeared on the walls, mashed into the carpet. Everything dank and rotting.”
Holste was one of the police officers on duty that day.
You have to wonder what kind of people could allow this to happen to a child, how they can think that everything is OK. Having children is a major responsibility – you’re caring and nurturing another human being! You’re raising someone who will one day play a fundamental role in the human race. To allow a young girl to grow up and not know how to interact with people, not know how to receive a hug, or even how to laugh? That’s unforgiveable.
I’m so freaked out about having kids. I know that the day I give birth I will be moulding a child, someone who will later become a reflection of me, my beliefs, my attitudes, everything. I always insist I’m not having children whenever anyone asks. I would prefer to just say “no” and be done with the conversation than to enter into a debate on the topic. I have so much respect for mothers that can raise beautiful amazing people, so caring, so loving.
I know one day my time will come (shhh don’t tell anyone that I finally admitted it), and I know I will deal with it to the best of my ability. I can say with 100% confidence that I will NEVER, EVER raise a child like Danielle. I will never put another human being in that situation. I just hope that when my time comes I have the right support network around me to ensure this child learns to enjoy life as much as I do. I hope that one day Dani finally finds true happiness.