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Carole Mikita Reporting The death of a Davis County girl has outraged the community.
Shelby Andrews died in August. Police say the girl had suffered horrible abuse at the hands of her father and step mother.
This week, Ryan Andrews pleaded guilty to first degree murder. His wife, Angela, faces similar charges.
But the question arises: Why was this situation allowed to get so bad?
Those in the child advocacy community agree that this year, 2006, has brought a number of horrific crimes against children.
The murder of 10-year-old Shelby Andrews from abuse poses more questions than anyone can answer.
But our expert has a message for you, the members of a concerned community; it is possible to help in the future.
Each time we see Shelby Andrews' picture we ask ourselves, how could this happen? The heinous crimes that killed her will never make sense.
Julie Bradshaw, LCSW, Primary Children's Medical Center: "I think that whenever something this horrible happens in a community, we all think, could I have done something?"
Investigators believe physical and sexual abuse from her father and stepmother may have lasted for a year. Shelby died of blunt force trauma to her head, in her Syracuse home last August 1st.
Shelby's mother had visitation rights but says her ex-husband and his wife slowly cut her off.
On August 4th, Kimbely Hale, Shelby's mother: "People have said they knew something was going on, but never in a million years would I expect something like this, ever."
Julie Bradshaw treats the young victims of abuse. She says sometimes one child in a family is singled out for punishment or seen as more difficult.
Julie Bradshaw: "It can be that that child has purposefully taken on the role, as protector, so that the other children aren't hurt... They think that it's something they're doing wrong...and that's often stated as such, by the person doing it to them..."
Shelby didn't tell anyone about the abuse, she covered her bruises. Probably out of shame or fear...add to that, the humiliation of sexual trauma.
What can we do to prevent and identify child abuse? The experts say: 1- Be better parents, you can learn those skills. 2- Be observant. Ask children about bruises or injuries. Report them to doctors. 3- Pay attention to the quiet kids who don't have friends.
Julie Bradshaw: "Unfriendly, unkempt, that startled when you talk to them...that's what the kids look like who come into my clinic..."
Shelby's brother and sister are now living with their mother, who has remarried. I talked with her today. She says they hope to be able to afford a headstone for Shelby's grave soon. They also hope for a peaceful Christmas.
