1A

Any thoughts on Lauren and her life?

Lauren had a hard life. She knew her pimp, Kai Lord, since she was 16 years old. Tim Price told Kim that she was the youngest girl on the strip and she committed suicide a few weeks ago.

I felt rather sorry for her. But then it seems that I'm always for the "under-dog":)

Tragic and gone so young

>4 JohnDBurke: Hey, John!! Welcome back.

She seemed to have some resiliance despite her very tough life and it was sad that even her safe place could not save her.

I felt sorry for her, too. One mistake ended up costing her life.

>5 Carol420: thanks >5 Carol420:

That poor girl. How did Social Services leave her in that sinkhole with that detestable mother, when her other siblings had been removed (or, more to the point, rescued)? And who decided to kill her when she was so bravely enduring her rotten life?

>9 Sergeirocks: I sometimes wonder if it's because Social Services have so few options. It might be hard to prove what her mother is doing to her and I feel like Lauren wouldn't have been cooperative. Better the devil you know kind of thing. I can't imagine there are many families wanting to take in a "troubled" teenager.

Personally, I would take in a troubled dog but not a troubled teenager.

>10 Olivermagnus: You and me both!

How could they leave one child with her mother when the other children had been taken away. Totally despicable of social services, schools, the system etc. As a society we are failing our children I saw this time and and time again as I railed against it in meetings, emails, phone calls etc!!! Often a lone voice looking at me as if I was the problem just because I wouldn’t go along with them.

I could go on as this is one hill I’m prepared to die upon! This makes me really mad (as you can most probably tell).

I know it’s a book but that poor child. 😭

>12 Andrew-theQM: Good for you, Andrew! 👏

>12 Andrew-theQM: Good for you Andrew. Sometimes you have to stand and fight for what you believe in. More people need to do it.

>That must have been so painful. It’s one thig to know it happens, but an entirely different one to witness it.

>15 Olivermagnus: Painful, frustrating and stressful. Luckily there were some families / children I could and did make real differences for, but too many times inaction, slow action or social workers almost colluding with families - there is a word in child protection for this but escaping me at the moment.

Thanks >14 Carol420: >13 Sergeirocks: Just wished at times I could do more.

Life is often so unfair! Particularly hard to stomach when it is so for children. Poor Lauren.

Bless you Andrew! Appreciate that you care and you fight. Wish all cases were successful, but glad you made a difference where you could!