April 18, 2008 01:57 pm
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Parents of a disabled girl raped by a caregiver paid tribute to those in the law enforcement community on Friday at a breakfast to recognize the rights of crime victims.
J.H. Lawson, an officer with the Missouri Division of Probation and Parole who worked on the case, also was honored at the event hosted by members of the Jasper County prosecuting attorney’s office.
More than 100 people who work in areas of law enforcement on the city, county and state level attended the gathering held at the Granny Shaffer’s restaurant.
Dean Dankelson, county prosecutor, said Friday’s breakfast was the 10th year for the event, which “give us an opportunity to thank you for what you do.”
Those thanks also came from parents of the mentally handicapped girl, aged 16 at the time, whose daughter was raped at a weekend home for disabled clients in Carthage late in 2004.
The victim’s mother said the hearts of family members “were warmed by the care” shown especially by Carthage Police Det. Bill Hawkins, who was the primary investigator and Betsy Gunlock, victim’s rights advocate for the prosecutor’s office, who worked with her daughter on the case.
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