First off, (((HUGS))). My daughter was almost molested at church. A man dragged her into the women's bathroom during coffee hour. She was playing just 20 feet away from me with a friend, then suddenly she disappeared. I felt in my stomach something was wrong, and I ran through the church screaming her name, as everybody looked at me like I was a nut. I was running down the stairs as my then 4 year old daughter was running up the stairs. I was told by my DD and her friend that a man dragged her into the bathroom. I went into the bathroom, and found the son of the district superintendants of the churches hiding on top of a toilet. I froze. I shook. I cried. He hugged me, and I couldn't even react. I went home, and a sunday school teacher came to my home and told me not to say anything because her own neice was being molested by that man for 2 years, and if the parents found out they wouldn't let their daughter go to church anymore, and I would be responsible for the girl never getting to know the Lord. I was so mad, I flipped out on her, then went down to the police station. I filed a report. I told them everything I knew. The name of the man. The approximate area he lived in. His parents names and how to contact them. The church. Witnesses. A discription of the man. What the Sunday School teacher told me about her neice being molested at the church for two years. I told the Sunday School teacher she had 2 weeks to tell the parents or I would. Unfortunately, she never told the parents, and I had to the day before Easter last year.
The police were EXCELLENT handling this case. They went door to door to locate this man. The man had skipped town, but they had enough people out looking for him that as soon as he came back through town he was picked up.
My daughter was interviewed by the police and CPS worker simultaneously. The police had contacted CPS for me. The parents of the other little girl who was molested pressed charges. The grandfather was talking about filing a lawsuit against the church because they were aware this man was a child molester and that he had molested children at a local private school. The church tried to cover it up, and many of the members left the church because of it.
The grandfather of the little girl owns a very well known eating establishment in our area, and he has posted news clippings around the restaurant with information on the man's charges and sentencing. He was sentenced to 20 months in jail, and a long period of probation. Many of us are informing everybody we know that this man is a child molester. His sentence is almost up, but I foresee he will have a lot of problems when he gets out, and will either end up back in jail or dead within a couple months.
If you had a problem with the officers you spoke with, ask for somebody with more experience dealing with children. The man who handled this case was a juvenile crimes detective.
My daughter was aware at the time that what was happening wasn't right, and she slammed the door on the man and ran. I understand why you're trying to play it cool, but reiterate to your daughter IT'S NOT OKAY FOR SOMEBODY TO DO THAT TO HER!!! She's young enough that counseling won't do much good except she might have memories of going to see a shrink when she's older. Usually kids heal well. If she shows signs of emotional trauma, then of course take her to a therapist. But, for now, handle it legally. Talk to your daughter about good touch/bad touch (not only people touching her, but people encouraging her to touch them).
Good luck! (((HUGS)))
