Linda in NE
02-03-2008, 10:43 PM
Well, I don't know what to say. I've been busy all day (hugging my son and thanking God that he's okay, talking to the police, and at the officer's suggestion, talking to some neighbors and circulating this young woman's description) and have just had a chance to read through responses posted here.
First and foremost, we did call the police. I thought that was necessary, and my husband finally agreed when a friend I talked to about the situation who used to work as a police dispatcher convinced him it was the thing to do. He had his reasons. I won't go into them here in any great detail, but we aren't into anything illegal, we weren't afraid of getting ourselves in trouble, etc. Essentially, he was concerned that we not create a paper trail that would lead this woman back to us. She seemed to think she lived here, and he didn't want her to be able to find us if she wants to "visit" again. Just between you and me, I didn't agree with him and still don't. As I said before, I just wanted him to remove her from our house. I did not expect him to drive her anywhere, and when he told her he would, I thought he was taking her to the police station. I was surprised. I didn't think it was a wise thing to do, but I did want her out of my house asap. It didn't occur to me to argue with him with her standing in the kitchen, my dog barking and growling at her, my kids freaking out, and me so shocked I was simply numb.
Next, I was the one who saw her purse on the floor next to the chair she had been sitting in before we came in. It was small and was lying open on the floor. She did not have a gun. I would have seen it if she had one. I suppose she could have been carrying a knife on her person. Weapons really didn't occur to me. She scared me because of her demeanor more than anything. It's very hard to describe. She did not raise her voice, but she was strident, insistent that she had been here before. She seemed to imply she belonged here or something. It was eerie.
I admit I was not immediately worried about her well being at all. My protective instincts moved me to get her as far away from my kids as possible as quickly as possible. I wanted my husband to physically remove her, if necessary. He didn't touch her to get her out to the car. She went to the garage voluntarily and got into the van. He told me later he dialed 911 on his cell phone and was prepared to hit the talk button if she threatened him or caused him trouble in the car.
He left her in front of some apartments. She told him she lived there. I asked him if he saw her go inside. He said he did not wait to see if she did or didn't. We gave the address to the police, and I understood they intended to check on her. I gave the police a complete description when we made the report. I hope they do manage to verify her safety. I do not wish her harm.
I can't remember other specific comments that pertain directly to the situation that I might address. We left things in the hands of the police. The officer suggested I contact neighbors and circulate a description of the young woman because of her apparent belief that she belonged in my house. He felt she may come back. I hope not.
Finally, I realize that a few people suggested that either this really didn't happen or that I really don't exist. I can assure you that it did and that I'm a real person. I hold a license to practice law. Before I quit to be a full time mom, I was a partner in a civil litigation firm -- i.e., contract disputes, corporate law, debt collection, NOT criminal law. I know relatively little about the criminal side of things. I am 53 years old, with two sons. I currently do legal transcription work from my home, and we do a paper route as a family, to help support our homeschool lifestyle. Believe me, if I were still practicing law, there would be no need for me to do the series of odd jobs I've held over the last several years. While I'm not a frequent poster, I've been active on the WTM boards for the last seven years. My name has always been Linda in NE. If you don't believe me, search the old boards. You'll find posts there from me in the archives going way back.
I'm not really shocked or offended by anything that was said by those responding to my original post. I posted for the purpose of venting stress. I was simply stunned. If it served to get people talking to their families about what they would do in such a situation, I suppose some good was done. I'll go back to lurking now. Thanks for listening.
Linda in NE
First and foremost, we did call the police. I thought that was necessary, and my husband finally agreed when a friend I talked to about the situation who used to work as a police dispatcher convinced him it was the thing to do. He had his reasons. I won't go into them here in any great detail, but we aren't into anything illegal, we weren't afraid of getting ourselves in trouble, etc. Essentially, he was concerned that we not create a paper trail that would lead this woman back to us. She seemed to think she lived here, and he didn't want her to be able to find us if she wants to "visit" again. Just between you and me, I didn't agree with him and still don't. As I said before, I just wanted him to remove her from our house. I did not expect him to drive her anywhere, and when he told her he would, I thought he was taking her to the police station. I was surprised. I didn't think it was a wise thing to do, but I did want her out of my house asap. It didn't occur to me to argue with him with her standing in the kitchen, my dog barking and growling at her, my kids freaking out, and me so shocked I was simply numb.
Next, I was the one who saw her purse on the floor next to the chair she had been sitting in before we came in. It was small and was lying open on the floor. She did not have a gun. I would have seen it if she had one. I suppose she could have been carrying a knife on her person. Weapons really didn't occur to me. She scared me because of her demeanor more than anything. It's very hard to describe. She did not raise her voice, but she was strident, insistent that she had been here before. She seemed to imply she belonged here or something. It was eerie.
I admit I was not immediately worried about her well being at all. My protective instincts moved me to get her as far away from my kids as possible as quickly as possible. I wanted my husband to physically remove her, if necessary. He didn't touch her to get her out to the car. She went to the garage voluntarily and got into the van. He told me later he dialed 911 on his cell phone and was prepared to hit the talk button if she threatened him or caused him trouble in the car.
He left her in front of some apartments. She told him she lived there. I asked him if he saw her go inside. He said he did not wait to see if she did or didn't. We gave the address to the police, and I understood they intended to check on her. I gave the police a complete description when we made the report. I hope they do manage to verify her safety. I do not wish her harm.
I can't remember other specific comments that pertain directly to the situation that I might address. We left things in the hands of the police. The officer suggested I contact neighbors and circulate a description of the young woman because of her apparent belief that she belonged in my house. He felt she may come back. I hope not.
Finally, I realize that a few people suggested that either this really didn't happen or that I really don't exist. I can assure you that it did and that I'm a real person. I hold a license to practice law. Before I quit to be a full time mom, I was a partner in a civil litigation firm -- i.e., contract disputes, corporate law, debt collection, NOT criminal law. I know relatively little about the criminal side of things. I am 53 years old, with two sons. I currently do legal transcription work from my home, and we do a paper route as a family, to help support our homeschool lifestyle. Believe me, if I were still practicing law, there would be no need for me to do the series of odd jobs I've held over the last several years. While I'm not a frequent poster, I've been active on the WTM boards for the last seven years. My name has always been Linda in NE. If you don't believe me, search the old boards. You'll find posts there from me in the archives going way back.
I'm not really shocked or offended by anything that was said by those responding to my original post. I posted for the purpose of venting stress. I was simply stunned. If it served to get people talking to their families about what they would do in such a situation, I suppose some good was done. I'll go back to lurking now. Thanks for listening.
Linda in NE