Trooper Rescues 3 Children From Abuse A Johnston County State Trooper is being credited with helping rescue three children as they were allegedly being abused while traveling in a car on Interstate 40. The children, ages 8, 12, and 14, were in the back seat of a car Aug. 7 returning to Maryland from a trip to Myrtle Beach with their father and step-mother. The 14 year-old began texting her mother in Maryland claiming her step-mother attempted to break her leg, had punched her younger brother in the face causing a black eye, and her father was pulling her hair, authorities said. The mother contacted the NC Highway Patrol and dispatchers had the girl to text them directly with the passing mile marker numbers, all without alerting the adults in the front seat. Trooper Jack Thorpe stopped the car on I-40 near the Johnston-Sampson County line. Trooper Thorpe said the children had visible injuries and when Johnston County social workers refused to accept temporary custody of the children, he received permission from their mother in Maryland to take them to his home. Trooper Thorpe, who was just ending his shift, took the 3 children home in his patrol car where they played with his children, jumped on the trampoline, played video games and fished. His wife fixed tacos for everyone. Trooper Thorpe said he fell in love with the youngsters before they left. Their mother arrived at his house about 12 hours later but not before an exchange of phone numbers and email addresses. Trooper Thorpe said he plans to stay in touch and may visit them in Maryland later this year. Because authorities could not verify the jurisdiction the alleged abuse took place, the father and stepmother were not charged. http://www.1270wmpm.com/
great job to the 14 yr old for staying calm and knowingly texted her mom without alarming the "adults" . the situation could've definately changed for the worse if they would've noticed. great job to th officer for extending his hand and home to children in need. more people in this world need to help when they can. and the big question is how is a state agency that is supposed to help those in need turn anuone away? how is it even an option? isn't it their job do step up?
Just my opinion (and like always, you all know what they say about those...) but as far as the spineless people at the JoCo Social Services that wouldn't take those children into custody...some things are worth the risk, some things require going out on a limb in order to truly do the right thing. This was one of those times, and you all really blew it in my book. I hope you are completely ashamed of your decision and it haunts you for the rest of your lives. Couldn't determine where the abuse had actually happened my arse. I call BS. You pretty much defined the word COWARD. And additionally, I for one am really proud of the trooper that saved these children and showed them that there are good people in the world that care about them. Best wishes to them as they try to recover from this.
WTH???? JOCO Social Services wouldn't take the kids?? What if the trooper hadn't been able to take those kids home?? WOW!!!
What's not adding up? They didn't have jurisdiction because the abuse happened in SC according to reports. They can't arrest in NC and take them to the magistrate in SC. More on this story, AND this trooper here: http://www.truecrimereport.com/2010/08/trooper_jack_thorpe_100_man_re.php With Video - Girls text help.... http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=7614565 With Video - Why didn't DSS take in the children? http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=7617180 Arrest of band teacher http://www.clevelandpost.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Marching+forward &id=5050689 Trooper reunites with baby he delivered http://www.wral.com/news/local/noteworthy/video/3186892/#/vid3186892 Trooper does CPR and saves woman's life. http://www.newsobserver.com/2008/01/29/69924/trooper-credited-with-saving-womans.html Trooper receives award for saving woman http://www.nccrimecontrol.org/NewsReleases/2008/SHP/raleighaward.htm This guy has been around a little bit to say the least.
Here is an update for you.. Received award from the Governor. http://www.nccrimecontrol.org/NewsReleases/2010/secc/SHPThorpeAward.htm and multiple awards from the Highway Patrol http://www.nccrimecontrol.org/NewsReleases/2010/SHP/SHPThorpeAward.htm Video from the governor's award http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwvUzIBxMHI Johnston County has some of the best troopers in the state!
