Viewer Firestorm at Diane Sawyer for not stopping Parental Abuse

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/64985.htm

THE shocking beating of a teenage girl by her father that aired during a Diane Sawyer report about dysfunctional stepfamilies has set off a firestorm.

State police officials in upstate Lake Placid say they are going over the tape of last Friday's "Primetime" news magazine to determine if charges can be brought against the natural father, a Iraq War military reservist, and the teen's stepmother.

The investigation - which includes the local Franklin County DAs office, police said - was only part of the fallout from the broadcast.

Outraged viewers have filled up the ABC News Web site's message board with more that 1,400 messages in the first 36 hours after the broadcast - many calling for Sawyer and the program's producers to be fired for not going to the authorities immediately.

Oh wonderful - look where daddy dearest ended up - in Iraq - just what we need an abusive SOB soldier! :sarcasm: I've always wondered about the trash that let cameras and prurient viewers in to view their abusive family relationships.

[ThomCat]

1. They had video taped footage of the beating and did nothing?

:wtf:

That may be criminal. If it's not, then it should be.

[stillcool]

4. more from article...

The beating was caught on videotape recorders that the family - identified as Lynn and Joe Nelson - had allowed ABC News to install in their home for a program on the difficulties stepfamilies have getting along.

The family had control of the cameras and could turn them off at any time.

ABC News officials said in a statement that by the time they had reviewed the tapes, the father "had been sent to the National Guard training camp and then onto Iraq. Kyle had moved in with her grandparents - where she remains to date."

[Lerkfish]

5. FYI: a journalist who witnesses a crime has to report it.

that has nothing to do with "protected sources".

Sawyer and her producers should be charged.

[justice1]

6. Thanks! I was just going to ask that question.

[moc]

8. Furthermore, the therapists who watched it are mandated reporters

in child abuse cases. They could lose their licenses.

[warrens]

10. Charged with what?

The guy was gone, the beating was in the past, and authorities now have the tape. I don't see a crime here. If they had been on the premises and not stopped it or at least called the police, I could see it.

[Lerkfish]

12. child abuse has to be reported.

If they saw the video and waited until they aired it to share with the authorities, then they weren't reporting it.

[stillcool]

14. things that make me go hmmm....

do people read this stuff, before commenting?....

[stillcool]

15. The camera was installed in the house....

The family had control of said camera, and could turn it on or off at will.
By the time ABC "Viewed" the tape from the house, meaning had it in their possession, the father was in Iraq, the girl was at her grandparents house, where she still resides.

[starchimes]

2. I saw the show. The parents were absolutely horrible to the girl.

The step mother and the father both deserve to go to jail.

[RamboLiberal]

3. Just from the Previews they looked like they should get

a dysfunctional family award - or be candidates for a Jerry Springer show.

[derby378]

7. It's about freakin' time, I tell ya...

I want a picture of that guy in handcuffs and leg irons, hauled away by tactical cops on each arm.

[helderheid]

9. watching a video from here:

http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/

not sure if it shows it - I didn't see it on TV

[helderheid]

11. GOD it is on the video online - how HORRIFIC

[Darth_Kitten]

13. I saw that program, the parents SHOULD be charged....

GOOD!!! those parents were horrible to that poor girl. :(

I've been at the ABC checking in on the messages regarding this program, people were calling for Diane Sawyer to resign. We'll see what happens I guess.

I just want those parents charged, it was sickening to watch the beating. During the fight the stupid stepmother was making jabbing motions with her fists, egging the dad on. It was pathetic.