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Earth Services / The House Next Door

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Ursus:
Here's a sample petition letter included on that Change.org petition page, Return Michael Terpening to his Family:

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Greetings,

I just signed the following petition addressed to: State of Michigan.

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Return Michael Terpening to his Family

Michael Terpening is a husband and father of 8 children who has been removed from this home via CPS workers under false allegations. He is being charged with fictitious crimes which will soon be proven in a Court of Law. The fact that he is even involved in a Court of Law is a travesty in itself.

A County CPS worker has taken it upon herself to ‘try and convict’ him of a crime without any evidence, enlisting in the help of other State workers. Because their isn’t any evidence, the State is attempting to manufacture evidence against him. Accusing him of other things which have no bearing on the original charge, such as being a Homosexual. Because he has a clean record, never being convicted of anything (other than a speeding ticket) the State is having a difficult time creating any evidence against him.

In the mean time his children and wife are doing their very best to hold it together in the hopes that Daddy will soon return home. The children range in age from 11 to 1 month. They do not understand why their father cannot be at home, Their Mother is doing her best to explain that daddy will be home soon. The children have been seeing a Counselor with their concerns, the Counselor does not understand why their father is not allowed to come home either. The children have not suffered any abuse the state is alleging, with documentation to prove it. The State CPS workers are refusing to accept this.

Please we are imploring you, as State Officials, to look into the case of Michael Aaron Terpening, see that these charges are fictitious, get them dropped and let him return to his family, where he is needed the most.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

wdtony:
It might take some time but he will probably get supervised visitation through CPS with a professional neutral party assigned by the state.

Apparently the prosecutor is aware that tactics like exploiting his own children and hiding behind his status are red flags of an abuser.

Thanks for posting!

Ursus:
From the second "rallying supporters" article above:

Supporters also plan to rally today outside the Barry County Courthouse where Terpening is scheduled to appear for a hearing.[/size]
Here, several hours later, are the results of that hearing:

Video news footage at the below title link: CUSTODY HEARING FOR ALLEGED ABUSER

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WOOD-TV8
Accused molester denied more kid time

Judge denied request made by Michael Terpening

Updated: Thursday, 27 Oct 2011, 9:43 AM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 06 Sep 2011, 4:00 PM EDT
By Ken Kolker


Michael Terpening at a custody hearing for his children (Sept. 6, 2011)

HASTINGS, Mich. (WOOD) - A former youth home director accused of molesting four clients will get no more time with his own eight children, despite his attorney's suggestion that the alleged sex crime victims -- all troubled teens -- have reasons to make up the allegations.

Michael Terpening, 32, had asked a judge to allow him to spend time with his children at the family's home. That request was denied on Tuesday.

Now, he can see them only through the Department of Human Services.

"We have allegations from 17-, 18- or 19-year-olds who have been through the system... who have a variety of motivations for what they're testifying to," Terpening's attorney, J. Thomas Schaeffer, told the judge Tuesday.

The children's attorney, who says he's read police reports about the alleged sexual assaults, fought against more visitation time for the father.

"I resent the accusations that these individuals, just because they're convicted felons... that their word is no good," attorney James M. Kinney said. "They can be victims, too."

Terpening, who ran Earth Services and The House Next Door -- a Barry County program for troubled teens -- is charged with 11 counts of sexual assault involving four former clients, all males in their late teens.

Police say more charges might be on the way involving a fifth alleged victim.

None of the charges involve Terpening's own children.

The children's attorney said he believes Terpening has built himself up as a man who can be trusted, to make it easier to find victims.

"When I look at this what I see is a man who is grooming these children. This is a trick; this is their game. This is their way about being open and being sneaky and getting more access to your child."

About 10 supporters sat behind Terpening and his wife, Amanda, in the courtroom. They included friends, a former youth home worker and a former youth home volunteer.

The state has filed a neglect petition to terminate Michael Terpening's parental rights. The children are staying with his wife, their mother.

A DHS prosecutor and two attorneys for the children argued against Terpening's request for more time with his children.

They criticized supporters who have created an online petition and a YouTube video, showing some of the children, on the father's behalf.

"We have Mr. Terpening orchestrating a public display of alleged innocence," Kinney said. "He's exploiting his children, as is his wife, by allowing their pictures to be put on YouTube videos and broadcast to the world."


All content (c) Copyright 2000 - 2012 WOOD Television, Inc.

Ursus:
Comments left for the above article, "Accused molester denied more kid time" (by Ken Kolker, 06 Sep 2011, WOOD-TV8), #s 1-20:


Wendy Young-Woods · Top Commenter · September 6, 2011 at 1:19pm
He should be consider INNOCENT until PROVEN guilty! As far as the DHS prosecutor and the "childrens" (considering they are closer to adults!) shouldn't be criticizing anyone... they do NOT know the full story or whether or not these teens are lying. Why did the one teen recant his story... and then decided to change his story again? THAT sounds like he was 1. Lying or 2. Persuaded.... just my opinion! When I listen to their lawyer talk I think maybe HE could be grooming them what to say... SERIOUSLY! I despise dirty lawyers! If you don't have proof then stop tossing the accusations!

This man should have every right to see his children... if the court doesn't want him to be alone with the children, then he should at least get supervised visitation.Becky Swartzenegger · Top Commenter · September 6, 2011 at 2:07pm
"He's exploiting his children, as is his wife, by allowing their pictures to be put on YouTube videos and broadcast to the world." WAKE UP PEOPLE!! They are right along with millions of others! Type a random name into facebook and see how many pictures you will find of peoples children! Go on YouTube and explore the thousands of videos made and uploaded by children themselves! Children are exploited on the internet by millions every single day! I don't believe this story at all. The prosecution has only given the media accusations and not a single fact of proof! I may be wrong, but if Im right just imagine all the pain and suffering these troubled teens (adults) are causing even more people.Harry Gladden · Holland, Michigan · September 6, 2011 at 2:12pm
Man is accused by a kid of molestation. Man loses job, house and family. If he is later exonerated who pays the price. Maybe social services should learn to back off. No one should be punished before conviction. Their names should not be published, and false accusations should be punished to the max. If someone falsely accuses someone they should have to do the jailtime the accused faced.

Children know when they are lying and should have to understand the consequences.Mike Boerman · Top Commenter · Langston, Michigan · September 6, 2011 at 2:34pm
I agree with the rest of the comments here - something is fishy about this whole story. The "proof" so far doesn't exist or hasn't been written about, because all we seem to be hearing is that there were allegations. Well guess what, anybody can make allegations about anything! "The sky is green." There, see that I just made an allegation! Can I back it up with proof? of course not - but that won't stop the media from endlessly reporting on it without a shred of hard physical evidence.Dennis Lawrence · Top Commenter · Godwin Heights High School · September 6, 2011 at 2:36pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QvYZ_2kTcI[/list]
Guest Checks · Comstock Park, Michigan · September 6, 2011 at 2:57pm
The safety of the children must be paramount. Let's keep in mind there are two lawyers appointed to represent the interests of the children themselves, plus the prosecutor and his lawyer. So far only his lawyer is making this argument.

These are serious allegations with 4 and possibly 5 different young people making serious allegations. What possible reason would they have to make this up?

At any rate this will be resolved through the legal process.

These allegations are not just accepted as fact. These victims would have gone though MANY interviews by many people. These allegations cannot just be tossed out.Sue Weaver · September 6, 2011 at 3:02pm
I wonder how many of you "supporters" will change your tune when ALL the evidence comes out. Because there is plenty more. Maybe some of you who say social services should back off, should realize that you and the media have perhaps a TENTH of the information that DHS and the court has.Sue Weaver · September 6, 2011 at 3:03pm
@Wendy - He HAS supervised visitation, at DHS. He wanted unsupervised visits with his children, at their home. He isn't supposed to be there at all. The court said no, continue with supervised visits out of the home.Denise Hall · September 6, 2011 at 3:17pm
Something is not right here.... he has been accused and hasn't even gone to trial let alone found guilty in a COURT OF LAW (NOT A court of the media!) and the state has already filed a petition to terminate his parental rights?! If he were convicted, I could see having his rights terminated, but while he hasn't been convicted? Fishy.... and sounds more like a witch hunt.......Becky Swartzenegger · Top Commenter · September 6, 2011 at 3:18pm
Im not saying the allegations should be tossed out. However, they have already convicted this man before even giving him a chance to stand trial. That, I believe is wrong. As I said in the last article, recently the state his given custody to a man who is the only suspect of his wife's murder. The man was allowed to pack up and move away to where the courts do not even know his location. They haven't brought charges on because they do not have the "smoking gun" yet or in other words, they do not have direct evidence that would directly link him to the crime, only circumstantial evidence. If they bring on charges he may be a free murderer if the prosecution doesnt have all their facts straight. So what makes this case so different? You have troubled teens making accusations that continue to change (according to other articles). So that means that this guy is automatically guilty and his life should be taken away from him? Or should he be given a chance to stand trial? Obviously since he is not behind bars as we speak they so not have enough evidence to hold him.Mike Boerman · Top Commenter · Langston, Michigan · September 6, 2011 at 3:41pm
even if he did do it, who cares! age of consent in MI is 16 last time I checked, so for a 32 y/o dude to boink another guy who's 17 or 18 is no big whoop! I say g'on wit yo bad self ya dog! grab a piece of that hot young tail *wooof!!* lolKate Stevens Chandler · Kalamazoo, Michigan · September 6, 2011 at 4:03pm
You people are sick and twisted when you slam the justice system for doing their job and protecting the children the wife and supporters are nut jobs ignorance is their (wife,supporters,and attorney) bliss and denial.Amanda Alfred · September 6, 2011 at 4:05pm
D J Michael Angelo, your statement of

"even if he did do it, who cares! age of consent in MI is 16 last time I checked, so for a 32 y/o dude to boink another guy who's 17 or 18 is no big whoop! I say g'on wit yo bad self ya dog! grab a piece of that hot young tail *wooof!!* lol"

is quite frankly the most disturbing thing I have ever read.Guest Checks · Comstock Park, Michigan · September 6, 2011 at 4:19pm
Becky the point is we err on the side of protecting children. You have 4 possibly 5 people making allegations. The fact his own children have said nothing does not mean nothing happened. What it means is there is reason to protect these children as the legal process proceeds.

Mr. DeAngelo, you are pretty sick. These were kids placed in his care by court order. He has huge power over their lives. One call and he can have them returned to detention.

Given what everyone should know about predators, one really has to wonder about his wife. Protect the kids first, let the legal process go forward.Sue Weaver · September 6, 2011 at 4:21pm
@DJ Michael - the kids were 5 and 8, not teenagers. But don't let the facts get in the way. And there need only be a preponderance of the evidence for civil court. And that should prove to you that obviously, you haven't heard all the evidence of what this man has done.Wendy Young-Woods · Top Commenter · September 6, 2011 at 4:23pm
@ Sue Weaver AND Kate Stevens Chandler--

I'm sorry, I thought in the United States people were supposed to get fair trials in a court of law... not the media! I also thought people were considered innocent until proven guilty. Now, Sue, if you know more details then the rest of us seem to then why don't you go ahead and share. Otherwise it sounds to me as if he is being railroaded!

There is something not right with this story. Also, Guest Checks... there are PLENTY of reasons kids make up lies... however, these are NOT kids... they are YOUNG ADULTS! Some of them have problems with the law and with lying! I am far from sick & twisted. I work in a prison where I see all kinds of men who have done horrible things to children. I have also seen young men who are great at lying... and some who aren't so good at lying.

I choose to get ALL THE FACTS before making a decision about someone I do not know! I don't think it's right to take away his parental rights and not let him see his children, especially when he hasn't even been convicted of the crime! THAT is sick, twisted and disgusting in my opinion!Kate Stevens Chandler · Kalamazoo, Michigan · September 6, 2011 at 4:28pm
D J MICHEAL ANGELO U R A DISGUSTING PIG those boys were there to be rehabilitated and one of those boys was mine you sir are dispicable and more than likley need to be investigated yourself.Guest Checks · Comstock Park, Michigan · September 6, 2011 at 4:50pm
Wendy I have worked with many victims of sexual abuse and you are about as wrong as you can be. VERY FEW people just make up allegations. ESPECIALLY boys who do not want to talk about this, and believe me before these charges were filed these young men KNEW they could end up in a court telling this to a jury. They have had many conversations with many people, all of whom are looking to see if this is, "made up"

Of course these are 4 separate young men. I guess they all got together just for the fun of it? There has been a CPS investigation, he was found responsible. A court has authorized charges. It is time to protect kids, not take chances.

But the great Wendy Young-Woods knows better and does not mind possibly throwing the kids under the bus. Let's go ahead and take the risk. Wendy knows best.

I, for one, am very glad people like you are not in the mainstream. You are perfectly willing, following serious reports by 4 people, to put more children at risk. Society does not want kids put at risk and this is why he sees his kids with supervision. They will be protected until this is resolved.Amy Partanen · Works at Childcare Provider · September 6, 2011 at 5:00pm
@ wendy young-woods...
how come you dont want to "judge" this guy but you sure do sound like you want to "Judge" the "Young Adults"
Fair is Fair!! Seems to me that the young adults are being judged because they are in a home for rehab and they are speaking out...seems to be that they have been labled?? there were 11 counts on the table here not one or two..and the real judge must see something wrong or know more of the story then the press is letting out because the real judge feels the need to protect this mans children...untill they get to the bottom of the story and what really happen I think the children should be protected..guilty or not.Kate Stevens Chandler · Kalamazoo, Michigan · September 6, 2011 at 5:19pm
Wendy maybe we should start judge jury and trialing you if that is even a word. I dont care what you have seen in your prison life and to minimize the offended shame on you. People on you tube that have placed this family on there or approved this are sick and twisted and yes wendy i have An opinion to, i although do not think i am a judge like you seem too, again shame on you by theway how does it feel to be judged by so many opinions on here? Now you know how those boyS feel when you and the community peg them as liars and felons when they know nothing abOut their past or reasons for being there.

Guest check good for you for speaking up thank you.

All content (c) Copyright 2000 - 2012 WOOD Television, Inc.

wdtony:
Petition creator: Susan Lynn Gillihan

Her website:

http://miparentalrights.ning.com/profile/SusanGillihan

Personal info:

Phone: 269-721-3313 Dowling Michigan   Age: 50

Upcoming event at the courthouse for Michael Terpening:  http://miparentalrights.ning.com/events ... -terpening

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