Rep. Harris & wife rehome adopted children Now with Exorcism

[salex]

I had not seen him blaming the little girl before, but it makes sense. Nothing is his fault.. even after admitting to 3 molestations, he said in one article I read that

everyone made mistakes, but he made the biggest one....

A mistake is not carrying a 1 when you are adding a column of numbers.

Deciding to wait until your wife is gone to molest a 6 year old, and 2 other children is not a mistake, it is a purposeful act that he chose to do and followed through on.

I wonder how long he'll be in prison or if another kindly politician will let him out. How long do Christian Child Molesters with political ties really serve in Arkansas, out of a 35 year sentence?

[Jana814]

It is strange how determined he was to get these two girls despite them not being a good fit for his family, yet he seems to have absolutely no attachment to them.

Could he was have it to get on the good side of voters?

[salex]

Did we already cover the bits about demon possession and telepathy and exorcism?

And what the baby sitter saw?

arktimes.com/arkansas/casting-out-demons-why-justin-harris-got-rid-of-kids-he-applied-pressure-to-adopt/Content?oid=3725371

If so, I"m sorry. Since Friday, I've been living in a whirlwind.... IF not, enjoy.

[formergothardite]

Did we already cover the bits about demon possession and telepathy and exorcism?

And what the baby sitter saw?

arktimes.com/arkansas/casting-out-demons-why-justin-harris-got-rid-of-kids-he-applied-pressure-to-adopt/Content?oid=3725371

If so, I"m sorry. Since Friday, I've been living in a whirlwind.... IF not, enjoy.

I had not seen that. :shock: These people are monsters. My heart is breaking for these children. :cry:

[thoughtful]

Did we already cover the bits about demon possession and telepathy and exorcism?

And what the baby sitter saw?

arktimes.com/arkansas/casting-out-demons-why-justin-harris-got-rid-of-kids-he-applied-pressure-to-adopt/Content?oid=3725371

If so, I"m sorry. Since Friday, I've been living in a whirlwind.... IF not, enjoy.

Thanks, Salex.

From that article (please note -- the author made up pseudonyms for the girls):

Chelsey Goldsborough, who regularly babysat for the Harrises, said Mary was kept isolated from Annie and from the rest of the family. She was often confined for hours to her room, where she was monitored by a video camera. The reason: The Harrises believed the girls were possessed by demons and could communicate telepathically, Goldsborough said. Harris and his wife once hired specialists to perform an "exorcism" on the two sisters while she waited outside the house with the boys, she said.

Multiple sources who interacted with the family confirmed Goldsborough's account that the Harrises believed the children were possessed, and another source close to the family said that Marsha Harris spoke openly about the supposed demonic possession.

The Harrises deny those claims. Their attorney, Jennifer Wells, said in a statement: "Exorcisms and telepathy are not part of the Harrises' religious practice. They followed the techniques in a book called 'When Love Is Not Enough, a Parent's Guide to Reactive Attachment Disorder' by Nancy Thomas, who is a recognized expert on therapeutic parenting techniques."

:angry-banghead: :cry:

Fuckers.

[doggie]

the only possessed are the parents they show how poor of a christian they really are. So they created RAD children huh?

[Firiel]

Did we already cover the bits about demon possession and telepathy and exorcism?

And what the baby sitter saw?

arktimes.com/arkansas/casting-out-demons-why-justin-harris-got-rid-of-kids-he-applied-pressure-to-adopt/Content?oid=3725371

If so, I"m sorry. Since Friday, I've been living in a whirlwind.... IF not, enjoy.

Wow, I'm really impressed with that article. Bravo to the reporter who wrote it. And thanks for sharing it. It's horrifying what happened-- worse than I had gathered from other articles even, even. It seems that all the girls are in homes that are good for them now at least. That's comforting.

[ThisOlGirl]

It almost sounds like Harris and his wife wanted the girls as some sort of special project. They'd adopt the girls, cast out the demons and then parade them around to show what saviors they are. Probably wouldn't hurt for possible re-election either. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), all did not go according to plan, so they dumped their little props. I can't believe that Marsha Harris was going around showing people pictures of the girls and trying to point out demons in the pictures. Didn't anyone find that strange and say something?

[hoipolloi]

Very impressed by the Arkansas Times reporter's -- and his paper's -- persistence in keeping on this story. It's so obvious that the Harrises were completely unsuited to adopt children with such major needs and it's equally obvious that everyone else, including the elusive Cecile Blucker, head of DHS, knew this. Why do I think there's even worse to come? :(

May I take a moment here to say how amazing all of you foster & adoptive parents are? I could never in a million years imagine doing what you all have done. Your accounts of fostering, adopting, working with, and LOVING these kids are incredible.

I have to believe that there will be a special place in heaven for all of you, or wherever good people go after they depart this life.

:multi-heart: :big-heart:

[salex]

It almost sounds like Harris and his wife wanted the girls as some sort of special project. They'd adopt the girls, cast out the demons and then parade them around to show what saviors they are. Probably wouldn't hurt for possible re-election either. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), all did not go according to plan, so they dumped their little props. I can't believe that Marsha Harris was going around showing people pictures of the girls and trying to point out demons in the pictures. Didn't anyone find that strange and say something?

I don't know about Arkansas culture, but here in KS, unless this woman was my sister showing me demons in a picture, I would likely say nothing and mentally "move away from her on the group W bench" I have a friend, not close but a friend, who I see several times a year and have for the last 20 years. Every once in a while she'll say something about spirits or God or whatever that is like the "see the demons in the picture" sort of conversation, and I just smile and nod and move the conversation to another topic. Again, not close friends, but I do like her.

I guess that where I"m from, you just smile and nod and then talk about how nuts they are wtih your immediate familiy (as one wouldn't gossip about that sort of thing with other friends.... ) what can I say, we are weird.... But no, I'd gently say "are you sure that isn't a reflection on the wall from the flash" and move her away from that idea, but I'd not tell her she was nutty.

to her face.

[Mama Mia]

Wow, that article was really something.

Did anyone else notice that the biological mom was herself a child of a disrupted adoption? That poor woman. Horrible situations she put her daughters in, but she seemed to be sincerely trying to do the right thing by trying to find a permanent home for the three of them to be together.

The number of ways Harris weasels around and lies and casts blame on anything and everything but himself! That's an amazing amount of lack of responsibility, or empathy, or anything human. It's actually surprising how pervasive it is. You would think even if he didn't feel it he would at least be pretending to take some of the blame ....it's very odd. Like a small child.

And whatever his reasons for wanting to adopt the girls, or however unrealistic his expectations ----why on earth would he put his young sons in that position. Multiple experienced people told him it was a bad, bad idea to put a sexually abused, highly sexualized little girl in a home with young boys. Did he not stop to think how it would be next to impossible for them to develop normal sibling bonds in that situation? That it would be awkward and confusing and a minefield for all the children? :wtf: and it sounds like the boys were young at the time, if they had a high school baby sitter. Did he not think about the possibility that they would be accused of sexual abuse - an accusation that could haunt them the rest of their lives? Or let their pubescent hormones run wild? Why would you do that to your child? The therapeutic Foster parents tried to discourage them for that very reason. Even the foster father wouldn't go to the girls room alone because of how sexualized she was due to the abuse-- but the Harrises wanted to have adolescent boys navigating those boundaries? What the hell.

No thought to anyone but himself, and his wife.

[scoutsadie]

http://www.arktimes.com/arkansas/castin ... id=3725371

Headline: Casting out demons: why Justin Harris got rid of kids he applied pressure to adopt

"An emotional Rep. Justin Harris (R-West Fork), his wife at his side, told reporters at a press conference last week that he sent his two adopted daughters to live with another family, where one of them was later sexually abused, because he would have faced abandonment charges by the state.

Responding to the Arkansas Times' report that uncovered Harris' "rehoming" of his children, the state legislator said he was "failed" by the Department of Human Services when he told employees the girls were too difficult for the family to handle. He said DHS' threat to charge him with abandonment could have cost him custody of his three biological sons (and, though he did not say so, could have cost him his business as well, Growing God's Kingdom preschool). The lawmaker also said DHS "misled" him about severe behavioral issues with the girls. He said they suffered from reactive attachment disorder, a condition sometimes occurring among children with unstable backgrounds that results in severe emotional and social problems."

[artdecades]

It almost sounds like Harris and his wife wanted the girls as some sort of special project. They'd adopt the girls, cast out the demons and then parade them around to show what saviors they are. Probably wouldn't hurt for possible re-election either. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), all did not go according to plan, so they dumped their little props. I can't believe that Marsha Harris was going around showing people pictures of the girls and trying to point out demons in the pictures. Didn't anyone find that strange and say something?

Yep. These people don't see adopted children as real children. Christian fundamentalists like the Above Rubies group often talk about adoption as a ministry. Its no surprise they treated the adopted children different. In the Barbour case, the Judge called the the adoption an "act of charity". No one should have children for charity or ministry. Whether those children are had biologically or through adoption you are bringing in new members of the family. To other adopted children is such a way is disgusting and makes me so upset on behalf of those poor children who just want a home and family and instead get a supervisor or minister.

ETA: even the article touches on that, "They think they are the fairy godmother and their charity is to save themselves a Cinderella."

As for the pictures, I am surprised and not surprised at the same time. If they found it strange, they still probably didn't know about the rape because the Harris's buried it so deep. But they probably didn't, since the Harris's probably hang out with like minded Christians who think CPS is evil. At least the babysitter reported it, but since DHS seemed to be in Harris's pocket it amounts to nothing.

[KateFowler]

It is so clear that Harris should never, ever have been approved to adopt these girls in the first place -- especially since SO many professionals voiced legitimate objections in "official" settings, like adoption court, DHS placement meetings, etc.

It's also disturbing that multiple reports to DHS -- by a babysitter, by folks disturbed by the fact Harris insisted the little girls had "demons", etc.

And if it turns out that DHS was, in fact, aware that Harris rehomed the kids 1) BEFORE he rehomed them or 2) shortly AFTER he rehomed them, as appears to be the case in the "Demons" investigative report, heads need to roll. Someone, somewhere needs to do something to make sure this never, ever happens again.

[Idolatry]

The more I read about this story, the less sense it makes.

DPS blocked a private adoption? Can they even do that?

A missing piece is how everyone involved knows the bio mom. That could be very interesting.

[nelliebelle1197]

Markos picked it up.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/03/1 ... daughters#

Comments should be good!

[ThisOlGirl]

Maybe I've missed it, but I've been pleasantly surprised by the lack of defenders of the Harrises in the comments section of the various articles. I thought for sure there would be a few people crying about the poor Harrises and how they've been unfairly portrayed in the media.

[SoybeanQueen]

I don't know about Arkansas culture, but here in KS, unless this woman was my sister showing me demons in a picture, I would likely say nothing and mentally "move away from her on the group W bench"

Haha! Yes. That's what I would do, too. I've been surprised lately, though, at how many people who seem to be reasonable and scientific thinkers in other ways also believe in demons and spirits and whatnot in everyday situations.

Red flags would go up if they were talking about demons around their kids consistently, though. That's creepy.

[ViolaSebastian]

Have we discussed the comment from the new family, saying they don't understand the Harrises characterization of the girls?

"We are aware of the very public conversation going on about events pertaining to our daughters," they said in an email to the Times. "We are deeply grieved over Justin Harris' accusations toward our daughters in order to self-protect; it is inexcusable. Like the Harts, we also have two small dogs and the girls have only been gentle towards them. These girls are happy, healthy children who have gone through things no child should ever have to endure. Since they have been home with us, they have adjusted beautifully and are thriving in our home with unconditional love and patience. We are truly amazed at our daughters' ability to love and bond with us, given all they have experienced. They are both extremely protective toward each other and love each other with all their hearts. They are a beautiful example to us of God's amazing grace and the power of love to heal the broken heart. Our daughters are a precious gift from God and truly a blessing to each one of our lives and our extended family and friends. We love them deeply and are committed to do everything we can to help them live healthy, happy lives.

"We choose to forgive the Harrises and hope they will truly follow Christ in humility and repentance for the mistakes they made in our daughters' lives. Due to the sensitivity of our daughters' story, and out of respect for them, we are asking the public for privacy during this time."

Thank God these girls are with a supportive, loving family now. That's the one bright spot in this story.

http://www.arktimes.com/arkansas/castin ... id=3725371

[2xx1xy1JD]

The Harris' were following advice from Attachment Therapy quack Nancy Thomas. According to the Arkansas Times article linked above,

The Harrises deny those claims. Their attorney, Jennifer Wells, said in a statement: "Exorcisms and telepathy are not part of the Harrises' religious practice. They followed the techniques in a book called 'When Love Is Not Enough, a Parent's Guide to Reactive Attachment Disorder' by Nancy Thomas, who is a recognized expert on therapeutic parenting techniques."

Nancy Thomas is not a "recognized expert". She has no qualifications but is great at marketing and presenting herself as an expert. Meanwhile, her actual track record is full of abuse of children under the guise of therapy.

[tropaka]

Gawker has now picked this up as well

gawker.com/report-state-rep-gave-his-possessed-kids-away-to-a-1690967919?utm_campaign=socialflow_gawker_facebook&utm_source=gawker_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

[Cleopatra7]

Haha! Yes. That's what I would do, too. I've been surprised lately, though, at how many people who seem to be reasonable and scientific thinkers in other ways also believe in demons and spirits and whatnot in everyday situations.

Red flags would go up if they were talking about demons around their kids consistently, though. That's creepy.

I think more conservative Christians believe in demons that we think, but they don't talk about it openly because they know it sounds crazy to outsiders. Pentecostal and Charismatic forms of Christianity are the fastest growing religion, even moreso than Islam. Much of this growth is happening in the developing world, but it's also affecting Christians in the West as well. Remember that Gothard used to harp on Cabbage Patch kids and troll dolls because of their "demonic" properties. Ever so often, you hear about a mentally ill or autistic child being killed or injured during a DIY exorcism. Belief in demons is real and has deadly consequences.

[Mama Mia]

I think more conservative Christians believe in demons that we think, but they don't talk about it openly because they know it sounds crazy to outsiders. Pentecostal and Charismatic forms of Christianity are the fastest growing religion, even moreso than Islam. Much of this growth is happening in the developing world, but it's also affecting Christians in the West as well. Remember that Gothard used to harp on Cabbage Patch kids and troll dolls because of their "demonic" properties. Ever so often, you hear about a mentally ill or autistic child being killed or injured during a DIY exorcism. Belief in demons is real and has deadly consequences.

The only people in RL I've ever heard talk about real demons are a couple of Catholic friends. But more of the Catholic+ as they called it on Orange is The New Black. One had an exorcism on her son to try to try get him out of a gang. But That was a lot of praying and herbs and candles. I can't imagine that there was anything involved, in that case, that would have put her kid at risk.

[artdecades]

Its now on Slate

http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/20 ... apist.html

Slate points out that Pat Robertson promotes the demon idea. He said on his show that second hand clothing may contain demons.

Pathoes posted an updated article today

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyat ... by-demons/

not breaking because patheos and slate are media sites and won't care.

and USA Today covered it a few days ago. I think that is the biggest publication to date

No new information, I am just sharing because its great that this is disseminating and people are being made aware of it. I hope it grows until this guy loses his position and business.

[Lillybee]

They also performed exorcisms on some of the children in their pre-school.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/03/arka ... schoolers/