A Mother's Fight for Life
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David is now serving a life sentence for kidnapping and attempted murder. Though he's behind bars, Teri says she still fears him. "He's an angry, bitter person that will never ever change," she says.
Teri also says David never showed any remorse in court. "The judge even said to him, 'Would you like to say anything?' And he said, 'Not at this time.' And the judge said, 'This is your time,'" she says. "He didn't even have the decency to get up and say, 'I don't care about Teri, but I'm sorry what I did to my kids.'"
Gavin says all abuse cases are tough, but it's even more difficult to leave when there are children involved. "We learned that being out of a relationship, particularly if there's custody and children, you're not really out of it. You're just out of it on paper," he says. "Getting truly out of it takes a lot of work and a lot of effort, and you can't do it alone."
Seek help, Gavin says. Women looking to leave a violent situation with their children can turn to TheHotline.org, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) or contact a local battered women's shelter. "There is no other way to develop all that you'd have to do," he says. "It's like going into the witness protection program. There are so many parts to an escape plan."
Teri also says David never showed any remorse in court. "The judge even said to him, 'Would you like to say anything?' And he said, 'Not at this time.' And the judge said, 'This is your time,'" she says. "He didn't even have the decency to get up and say, 'I don't care about Teri, but I'm sorry what I did to my kids.'"
Gavin says all abuse cases are tough, but it's even more difficult to leave when there are children involved. "We learned that being out of a relationship, particularly if there's custody and children, you're not really out of it. You're just out of it on paper," he says. "Getting truly out of it takes a lot of work and a lot of effort, and you can't do it alone."
Seek help, Gavin says. Women looking to leave a violent situation with their children can turn to TheHotline.org, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) or contact a local battered women's shelter. "There is no other way to develop all that you'd have to do," he says. "It's like going into the witness protection program. There are so many parts to an escape plan."
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