Regardless of which side of the ideological fence one happens to occupy, no one can honestly deny that we live in a troubled society. There is no better example than what happened to a mentally retarded girl in Colorado Springs, CO.

Kallie McArthur has an IQ of about 50. Her mental “maturity” is roughly that of a four year-old child. As of this writing, she is twenty years old. In 2004, Kallie was a special needs student at Rampart High School in Colorado Springs. Her parents, James McArthur and Cindy Starr were led to believe that their daughter would be under constant adult supervision while at school.

Kallie was left unsupervised in the company of a 15 year-old boy, who was assigned to be her “peer-buddy.” A coach discovered them partially unclothed in a stairwell. The boy had a 0.0 grade-point average and twenty suspensions on his record. He was eventually sentenced to a whopping two weeks in jail after pleading guilty to sexual assault of a “helpless person.”

This sort of thing is a parent’s nightmare. An innocent and handicapped young woman, pure of heart and trusting of others – used in the same manner that some back-alley freak might use an inflatable doll. Since the incident, the once warm and trusting Kallie has become aggressive and mistrustful of men. Gone is the sweet and loving young woman who always had an extra hug and a smile.

And the Colorado public education system couldn’t care less.

After the incident, Kallie’s teachers said she became difficult to work with and needed one on one care. The school district hired a woman specifically to work with her. According to an article at the KKTV website, Kallie’s new mentor grew frustrated and locked her in a bathroom with the lights out. Please take a moment to reflect upon the cruelty of this. A recently raped mentally retarded woman locked away in a dark bathroom all alone. The source article didn’t say how long she was left there. What sort of person would do this? And… how does that person end up in charge of looking after a special needs student? Then again, how did a 15 year-old boy with 20 suspensions and a shoplifting charge end up alone with her?

Kallie’s parents have sought relief in the matter, but the school district refused to enter into a mediation. As a result, they’ve recently filed a lawsuit to force the school district to pay for Kallie’s rehabilitation.

According to a so-called “expert witness” for the school, Kallie wasn’t harmed by the boy who abused her. He claims that she couldn’t have been traumatized since she received pleasure from the act. Keep in mind that Kallie’s mental capacity is that of a four year-old child.

In addition, the school district is attempting to prevent the family from going public with the incident. Jeff Weeks, the family’s attorney, received a letter from the school district stating:

"We are aware that your clients have made some statements to the press. Please be advised that if your client does not wish to enter into a confidentiality agreement, we will be petitioning the court for injunctive relief."
In other words, the 20th school district wants Kallie’s parents to just shut up and go away.

What does such an incident say about our society?

If nothing else, it should provide a lesson on the importance of requiring public schools to be accountable to parents. How often do we hear about parents being excluded from decisions ranging from lesson content to disciplinary policy? Students assigned as peer buddies in Colorado Springs schools are supposedly screened before assignment. They’re supposed to have a decent grade-point average and they’re not supposed to be problematic in terms of discipline. Obviously the school isn’t abiding by its own rules. Why? Because they feel they can get away with it.

And how about some parental involvement at home? A fifteen year-old boy with 20 suspensions in one school year? This speaks volumes about a lack of proper attention by his parents. When I was fifteen, a suspension or even the dreaded “note from the teacher” would result in serious trouble for Yours Truly. Children must be taught that their actions have consequences. This boy (unnamed since he’s a minor) evidently hasn’t learned that lesson. What’ll he be like when he’s 20?

Here’s a random thought… If Kallie has the mental capability of a four year-old child, shouldn’t someone who sexually assaults her be charged with assaulting a 4 year-old? It is the mind, not the body, that defines a person.

Americans take great pride in our high standard of living. Even our poorest citizens live better than those in less fortunate nations. We have a military capable of destroying any foe. We have a governmental safety net to catch us when we fall. We can boast of being among the most innovative and productive nations in the history of Planet Earth.

With all that and more, how is it that we routinely fail to protect the most vulnerable among us?