The young woman in the photo is named Christina Regusters. This is allegedly the young woman who was involved in the abduction of a 5 year old girl from her school in Philadelphia in January of this year.
On Thursday, Regusters was arraigned on 14 counts including rape, kidnapping, aggravated assault and indecent assault. Her bond is set at $4 million.
This young woman's attorney has already stated that his client had no involvement with the crime. However, it is being alleged that Rugsters entered the school dressed in a burqa and veil just like the girl's mother wears to gain access to the child. According to initial reports the safety policies of the school were violated because no one checked to see if 'mom' actually had proper identification. The principal and four other people involved in this part of the incident were removed from the school.
It is unfortunate for the girl in this situation that the adults who were responsible for creating and maintaining a safe environment in the school failed to do so. By insisting that identification be presented they could have possibly foiled the abduction.
The fact that Rugusters worked in the after-school program that the victim attended is reason for the parents who use this particular facility be concerned about their children's safety. When a child care worker breaches the trust of a parent in this manner, it trickles down to the rest of the staff. I am sure that there are people wondering if Christina Regusters had a background check conducted prior to being hired on the staff?
Let me clarify a point of reality about a background check for child care personnel. Unless the individual has been arrested and has a criminal record, their report will come through the system as no record. I don't know what is required in other states but in Ohio we have to do fingerprint checks as well as a national criminal background check. This may be Regusters first time ever having any contact with law enforcement.
It is difficult for me to wrap my head around the idea that a female would knowingly abduct a girl child to be raped. If there is a good training program in Philadelphia on the subject of child abuse, Regusters knows from the information that is shared that sexual abuse is a crime that the victim has to receive long term help to overcome the trauma. The child's innocence has been taken away from her and it cannot be replaced. The fact that a woman had an active hand in this makes me angry because women and girls are being abused in so many different ways. We have to be able to trust each other to help break the cycle.
If Christina is the woman who is responsible she has knowledge about who else was involved in this crime. There was a man present when the child was taken to a home nearby the school. Now is not the time for her to be silent! If Regusters has information about where that man can be located she needs to provide it to the police. Remaining silent provides him with the opportunity to continue preying on girls and women in the community. I hope that if Christina was actually involved in this criminal act that she will realize that this man does not warrant any type of protection whatsoever!!!
2 comments:
I so wish that people could be put under the jail.
Peace, Love and Chocolate,
Tiffany
This is a very very disturbing story....very disturbing.
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