When Daddy's Name is Evil

By now its known that Frank Lombard, a Duke employee, has been jailed for trying to sell his 5 year old male child for sexual services. A witness claims seeing Lombard performing sex acts on an African American child on the Internet. Webcam. Truly sickening.

It's alleged that Lombard suggests that this child wouldn't matter, because he wasn't the biological parent. One must wonder how he slipped through the cracks and was accepted as a parent.

Two children living in his home have been removed. Likely they are confused by the circumstances.

Hopefully the Durham district attorney and guardian ad litem will find just the right attorney to represent these innocent children. Lombard’s actions are despicable. We cannot imagine the extent of the harm that he has caused.

We know for sure that one child was adopted. The other is unclear. For now they are in an undisclosed location, probably scared to death. Away from their familiar life, their toys, their belongings and the parents they've come to know.

Who can imagine the nightmares? While Lombard claims to have drugged one, if not both, with Benadryl, any victim knows when something is wrong. More tragic is that they couldn’t verbalize it. Or maybe Lombard himself, the perpetrator, dried their tears. Social workers, teachers and pediatricians will be interviewed. Were there red flags? How were they explained?

Now, likely in foster care, we can only pray that they won’t be victimized again.

We try to pretend that racism doesn’t exist and that no adult would do such horrible things to a child. It’s easier to be in denial than face such an ugly truth.

In my heart, I know that children are victimized everywhere. Even in Wake County. Whether it’s a parent’s boyfriend, uncle, or a custodial parent. Like Frank Lombard.

Only a really good attorney will see to it that these children receive justice. Perhaps an attorney from outside of Durham County, who won't be charmed by local officials who also may bear some responsibility.

A tough attorney who will also help find these children a good home far away from here. With a future secured with millions, from the deepest pockets possible.

A settlement outside of court may spare the children some agony, but not the nightmares. More children will continue to be victimized and voiceless until adults, who sense something wrong, will step forward and ask the really tough questions. (photo courtesy of www.wral.com)