Providing encouragement and support to children victims in their pursuit for
higher education.
Too often forgotten in the aftermath of crimes involving families, young children
remain victims for the rest of their lives. Denied the opportunities often available
to more fortunate youths, the child whose family relationship is marred by crime
often is unable to obtain the education and training that would prepare them for
productive employment and fulfilling lives. I have witnessed this too often during
my career in law enforcement. We are now preparing to do something about it.
Victims First places strong emphasis on the needs of these children whose lives
are threatened by crime. Through this organization, we strive to assure their completion
of secondary education, and follow up with the encouragement and support for them
in their pursuit of higher education. We will assist them in finding scholarships
or financial support necessary for a college education. The corporation intends
to give priority to children who have been victimized by family crime involving
the loss of one or both parents.
We are seeking your help in meeting the needs of these young victims, to allow them
the chance to regain their rightful place in the world which otherwise they might
forfeit through no fault of their own. Join with us through contributions of time
and money to make this effort a success.
Sincerely,
Rick Wells, Sheriff
Manatee County, Florida
Providing scholarships to children of murdered parents.
The specific purpose for which this non-profit corporation is organized is primarily
for the advancement to and provision for the secondary education for minor children
who have been victims of crime. The corporation intends to provide encouragement
and support to and oversight of children victims in their educational pursuits to
ensure eligibility for college entrance and to conduct fund-raising for award of
scholarships and funding to ensure that the children have the opportunity, through
financial assistance, to obtain a college education. The corporation intends to
work in cooperation with other non-profit groups the purposes of which relate to
victims’ rights by soliciting from and entertaining the requests of these corporations
for designation of children victims who are eligible for selection. The corporation
intends to give priority to children who have been victimized by family crime involving
the loss of one or both parents.
VICTIMS FIRST, INC. has no paid staff members on board, and no paid overhead. The
Board of Directors is dedicated to this cause and donate all their time, effort
and money to make sure that 100% of the proceeds are channeled to victims.
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VICTIMS FIRST, INC.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
W. Brad Steube
Debbie Steube
Carol Masio, Esq.
Bruce Meade
For more information, contact Sidney Ettedgui at (941)747-3011, x2581.
CASE #1
Mr. A was distraught over an impending divorce. Under the influence of alcohol,
he shot his wife in the head, killing her in the living room of their home. Their
six year old daughter was in an adjoining bedroom with her visiting grandmother.
When she heard her mother scream she opened the bedroom door. Even though she was
standing in front of her grandmother, Mr. A proceeded to shoot the grandmother,
who also died from the wounds.
Mr. A’s little daughter took a Kleenex and attempted to wipe the blood off her grandmother’s
face, and in a six year old manner, attempted CPR. She felt as though she failed
in her attempt to save her grandmother’s life, and has had ongoing counseling.
Mr. A was sentenced to spend the rest of his natural life in prison; however, he
has continued to cause trouble for his daughter and her only remaining relative,
her grandfather with whom she lives. Mr. A is suing the grandfather to force him
to bring his daughter to the prison for visits. Her grandfather has almost depleted
his resources raising her and fighting Mr. A legally.
Note: Mr. A seems to be able to afford legal representation, possibly at the expense
of the taxpayer while depleting his ex-father-in-law’s finances.
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CASE #2
Even though he was married, Mr. B was seeing Ms. C. When she discovered he was married,
Ms. C allegedly called Mrs. B to advise her of their affair. When Mrs. B confronted
her husband, he became angry and proceeded to the home of Ms. C where he was met
at the door by her nine year old son. When Mr. B came in, the boy saw that he was
carrying a knife and became frightened. Mr. B proceeded to the bedroom where Ms.
C was working and the boy heard loud noises that sounded like someone falling against
the walls, and his mother screaming for him to run. He ran to a neighbor’s home
where 9-1-1 was called. After the arrival of the police and the ambulance which
transported Ms. C to the hospital, the boy’s aunt and grandmother were located and
brought to the neighbor’s house. When informed that Ms. C had died, the young boy
responded, “She can’t be dead! She promised that she would never leave me!”
Ms. C’s son testified at the trial, and Mr. B was sentenced to life with a minimum
mandatory of 25 years. Upon stoically hearing the verdict, the boy said, “When he
gets out, I’ll be waiting and I will kill him. It’s my fault that I let him in to
kill my mom!” He stood and watched while Mr. B was fingerprinted and would not leave
the courtroom until Mr. B was led away.
Ms. C’s son, along with his grandmother and his mother’s sister, regularly attended
the Homicide Survivor’s Support Group held by the Manatee Sheriff’s Office and Hospice.
In the next few years he lost his guardian, his grandmother to cancer and went to
live with his aunt. In the past year, his father resurfaced and claimed parental
custody. He now resides with his paternal grandparents and his father. He states
his plan for Mr. B is still in effect. He says, “When he gets out I will be waiting
for him and I will kill him...for my Mom!”
With the love and caring of others, perhaps this young man will be able to let go
of his perceived guilt and destructive hate. Perhaps with the right opportunities
he could turn out to be the wonderful man that he promised his mother he would be
at the young age of nine.
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If you would like to make a contribution the Victims First organization please fill out the form and mail it in with you donation.