We got to the courthouse early this morning and the court hearing started late. I didn't know if Samantha and Joshua needed to be with me seeing as they gave their statements to the police, so I brought them along anyway just in case. Tom was with us as well but he had to leave the courthouse and wait outside in the car before the hearing even started. He said something about not being able to stand everyone in there... whatever that meant... *shrugs* T.J. was happy to see all of us. He kept talking and talking to me and his siblings about what all has transpired at home since he's been gone. He was even leaning on me and hugging me... hugging me as best as he could in shackles. Once we got into court the judge read the list of charges to T.J. T.J. then plead guilty to all charges. The probabtion officer read their recommendation to the court as to what T.J.'s punishment should be (boot camp). T.J.'s public defender stated that T.J. would comply to the fullest extent with the punishment set forth by the court. The judge asked me if I had anything to say on behalf of my son. I did. I said, Terry has payed lip service to many different treatments and programs such as the Philhaven inpatient and outpatient programs. He does and says just enough to get him through the programs. However, once he returns home, nothing about his behavior changes. If anything it has only gotten worse. I'm afraid that he will pay lip service in this boot camp, come home and he'll be exactly the same. Only next time he comes into this court for a crime, he'll be tried as an adult. He can do the boot camp, however, the true test will be when he comes home. The judge agreed wholeheartedly with me. However, he he directed the following mostly towards T.J. He said that the people who run this boot camp will know when kids are just paying lip service just to get out and when the kids are truely investing themselves into the program to bring about a change within themselves. If he (T.J.) decides just to pay lip service, they will know and they will NOT let him out after the 30days are up. It's a 30 day minumum and a 4 month maximum program. So there you have it. T.J. will stay in the detention center until this Thursday at which time he will be transported to the boot camp a couple of hours away from here. He will spend at least 30 days there. He will be spending his 17th birthday there, which is on August 31st. This will no doubt be a memorable birthday for him.
Comments (1)
Where is this boot camp? I hope, this time, he does something and learn from it.