Mary Ellen Wilson-America's First Recognized Child Abuse Case
93Mary Ellen when rescued
America’s First Recognized Child Abuse Case--Saved From Abuse By The American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
A little girl named Mary Ellen was abused and the courts would not help because there were no laws to prevent child abuse however animal abuse laws existed. The dedication of several people saved Mary Ellen and led to the founding of The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. The New York SPCC and Prevention of Cruelty to Animal activists formed the American Humane Society to prevent this type of abuse from happening to other children. This is Mary Ellen’s story.
Mary Ellen was born in New York City in 1864 to Thomas and Fanny Wilson. Shortly thereafter, her father died during Civil War service and her mother was forced to seek employment to care for herself and her daughter. She boarded her child with a woman and made payments for the baby’s care. Mrs. Wilson became delinquent in paying and began missing visits due to poverty and the caretaker gave the little girl to the Department of Charities. Fanny was told by the caretaker that the little girl had died . Mary Ellen was now two years old.
Mary and Thomas McCormack appeared and he claimed to be the child’s biological father. The Department of Charities never asked for documentation, but simply turned the child over to the couple. Mr. McCormack died shortly after and Mary remarried a man named Francis Connelly. Mary Ellen was supposed to be the illegitimate child of Thomas McCormack although this was never verified. Mrs. Connelly hated the child because of the father’s betrayal and the abuse began immediately upon his death.
Mrs. Connelly mistreated Mary Ellen terribly, beating her daily. Neighbors later testified that when Mr. Connelly left for work in the morning, Mary would systematically beat the child for up to fifteen minutes at a time. They heard her crying and wailing while being dragged through the apartment. Though everyone in the building knew about the abuse no one intervened. Later, a two foot braided horse whip was found and determined to be a tool used daily on Mary Ellen. Mary Ellen was never allowed to go outside or even look out the window. When Mrs. Connolly was away, she locked the child in a tiny, dark closet with only a piece of carpet to lie on and an old quilt to warm her. She was beaten, cut, starved and burned for more than seven years.
During this time, the family moved to another apartment building. However the abuse had been so horrific that a former neighbor remained concerned for the little girl. When a Methodist mission worker visited, the lady asked Mrs. Etta Angell Wheeler to check on Mary Ellen. Etta Wheeler managed to get a brief entry into the apartment and what she found horrified her. Mary Ellen, now ten years was literally covered in scars, burns, welts and a cut that ran from her forehead to her chin (her “mother” felt Mary Ellen was not holding a piece of cloth properly and slashed the girl’s face with scissors). Though it was December in New York, the child wore only a thin, worn dress and was barefoot, standing on a stool while washing dishes. Mrs. Wheeler never spoke to Mary Ellen at this time.
When she left she was determined to get the girl out of there. It took her three months to make any progress at all.
Mrs. Wheeler went to authorities with her story of Mary Ellen’s abuse to no avail. Some jurisdictions indeed had laws prohibiting excessive physical discipline and New York permitted the removal of neglected children. However their determination in this case was such that they would not intervene and Mary Ellen was not removed from the care of Mrs. Connolly.
In her distress and quest to help the little girl, Etta Wheeler talked to her niece who said she should seek assistance from Mr. Henry Bergh, founder of the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The niece remarked, “She is a little animal surely.” She meant that as a living, breathing, feeling creature Mary Ellen was entitled to live as well as an animal. Not knowing where else to turn, Etta Wheeler went straight to Henry Bergh who listened but stated that he must have written documentation.
Etta Wheeler obtained written evidence of the abuse from several neighbors, including one whose apartment shared a wall with the Connollys and she heard the beatings and the cries of the child daily. Etta took the testimonies to Henry Bergh who sent a worker out posing as a census taker. He was able to see the child himself and reported to Henry Berg that the allegations were in fact true and accurate.
Mr. Bergh made it clear that he was acting as a concerned citizen and not in his capacity as president of the NYSPCA. (Later, it was falsely said that the court case of Mary Ellen was conducted under this office and presented as an animal abuse case.) He sent a NYSPCA worker to the apartment and the allegations were confirmed as true and accurate. ASPCA attorney Elbridge T. Gerry prepared a petition and presented it before the court asking permission to remove Mary Ellen from the home so she could be brought to the judge to testify about the abuse. Judge Lawrence of the Supreme Court took the case. Mr. Bergh was instrumental in rescuing Mary Ellen. His position and ties to the legal community made people listen and take the case seriously. Once he became involved, Mary Ellen was rescued in forty eight hours!
Through his urging The New York Times became involved and sent reporters to cover the trial of Mrs. Connolly. Therefore we have actual recordings of the account. When Mary Ellen was brought into the courtroom, she was still wearing the dress Mrs. Wheeler had seen her in three months before. Her face was disfigured and only the previous day had been slashed with scissors. Mary Ellen was ten but the size of a five or six year old because poor nutrition and circumstances stunted her growth.
Until now, they had not even known the child’s name! Mary Ellen was in hysterics, having been locked inside more than seven years and afraid her stepmother would punish her for what was happening. She was carried into the courtroom wrapped in a blanket and holding a peppermint stick a police officer had given her in hopes of calming her screams. Once settled down, she was able to tell the Judge some of her ordeal.
On April 9, 1874, ten year old Mary Ellen testified, “My father and mother are both dead. I don‘t know how old I am. I have no recollection of a time when I did not live with the Connollys…Mamma (Mrs. Connolly) has been in the habit of whipping and beating me almost every day. She used to whip me with a twisted whip—a raw hide. The whip always left a black and blue mark on my body. I have now the black and blue marks on my head which were made by mamma, and also a cut on the left side of my forehead which was made by a pair of scissors. She struck me with the scissors and cut me; I have no recollection of ever having been kissed by any one—have never been kissed by mamma. I have never been taken on my mamma‘s lap and caressed or petted. I never dared to speak to anybody, because if I did I would get whipped…I do not know for what I was whipped—mamma never said anything to me when she whipped me. I do not want to go back to live with mamma, because she beats me so. I have no recollection ever being on the street in my life.”
On April 21, 1874 Mrs. Connolly was found guilty of felonious assault and sentenced to one year of hard labor in prison. I could not find anything more about her life after prison.
The court sent Mary Ellen to a home for grown girls who had been in trouble and were being reformed. Needless to say, this did not work at all. Jude Lawrence was Mary Ellen’s guardian and Mrs. Wheeler prevailed upon him to release Mary Ellen into her custody. She went to live with Etta Wheeler’s mother in Rochester, New York where she was exposed to a life lived in freedom and love. But she didn’t know what that meant at first.
Mary Ellen had been so deprived of life experience that she was unable to live normally for a while. She had to be taught how to walk outside She had never walked upon uneven surfaces and could not distinguish between heights, grass and pavements, rocks and pebbles. She had never seen living trees, grass or flowers and seldom even seen the sky. She was unaware of accepted right and wrong behaviors and discipline was only physical to her. She didn’t know how to play and had never owned a toy or played with other children. She had never been told of God and had no exposure to religion of any sort.
Through the family’s children, Mary Ellen learned to be a child and the adults taught her manners and life skills. When Etta’s mother died, Mary Ellen went to live with Etta’s sister and was loved and treasured. She received religious instruction and learned how to run a household. She lived there until the age of twenty four when she married a kind man. They had two children and from all accounts Mary Ellen was a gentle and loving mother. She named one daughter Etta in honor of the woman who had led the crusade to rescue her.
She seldom spoke of the early years although she and Etta once attended session of the American Humane Association’s conference where Mrs. Wheeler was the guest speaker. That was in 1913.
In 1956 Mary Ellen died at the age of 92 having lived a long and happy life.
Interesting Facts
**Mr. Bergh worked to bring legislature and brought about theThe New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. He determined to prevent this sort of exploitation and abuse of children.
**Elbridge T. Gerry became President of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and later wrote a book, The Relation of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children to Child-Saving Work. Elbridge T. Gerry
**The neighbor who shared a common wall died the day after Mary Ellen was rescued. She had hung on hoping to see the child removed from the abuse and safe.
http://www.americanhumane.org/about-us/who-we-are/history/mary-ellen-wilson.html Etta’s account courtesy of the American Humane Association.
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D01E2D61039EF34BC4952DFB266838F669FD
Continuation of the proceedings instituted by Mr. Bergh on behalf of the child Mary Ellen Wilson
The Neighbor Who Cared
The following is taken from Etta Wheeler's personal account of the matters regarding Mary Ellen Wilson. The neighbor who cared is worth her own Hub!
Mrs. Wheeler was trying to get into the apartment to see Mary Ellen when she met the neighbor, Mary Smitt. The Smitts lived next door to the Connolly family and shared a common wall through which sounds were easily heard.
Mary Smitt had come from Germany with her husband and shortly after became very ill. She became bedridden and was in position to hear all that transpired on the other side of the common wall. She heard a child crying a lot and thought perhaps it was sick also. As Etta Wheeler grew to know Mary Smitt, she shared her concern and mission to rescue Mary Ellen from the home.
As time passed, Etta grew to care for Mary Smitt also and one Easter Sunday took flowers to the invalid. Mary Ellen had already been locked in a dark room up for the day and the step parents had gone out not planning to return until nightfall.
Mary Smitt and Etta Wheeler sat talking about Easter and Christ and the Resurrection. Mary shared stories of her home and childhood in the Rhineland and said she longed to pass over to a better place where she would not be sick anymore. But she wanted to know the child was safe before dying as she considered Mary Ellen a fellow sufferer.
The day after Mary Ellen was rescued and taken into safety, Mary Smitt died in peace knowing it was okay to leave. She had done all she could to help the little girl.
I was unable to locate more about Mary Smitt or her life.
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Marellen, it was a terrible case indeed. Thankfully one woman refused to give up and allow it to continue. The child would probably have died. I wish I could have found out what happened to Mary Ellen's real mother and to the stepmother after prison. Not many records were kept back then and few exist.
Thanks for reading this and the comments. Have a great day.
I had to skip-read this, maybe I can come back later to finish it because it is an important tale you tell. To think that we had laws to protect animals ....
This hub is amazing, Hyphenbird. Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Horrifying that any child would have to live through terrors such as these, but so beautiful that there were those who fought for her freedom and her safety. I was breathless by the end of the hub, and the little bit about the neighbor who shared the common wall did me in and I began to cry. This is absolutely awesome! Thanks be to God for people like those who rescued Mary Ellen, and thanks be to God for blessing her with such a beautiful life after such a horrifying beginning.
Hi Pooh. I hope yo do come back. This story of Mary Ellen changed me forever. There are so many more details that I will add. But I felt I had to get it out there and wanted the story to remain about her. I will add extras at the bottom so they don't distract.
Have a great day.
Hi there Mo. Wait until you hear HER story! That neighbor was very instrumental in securing Mary Ellen's freedom. I will add the details right now at the bottom. She was an immigrant who came to America seeking a new life and ended up performing a service for a little child and for God.
Sometimes it is hard to remember these things really happen and are real. I agree with you, thank God for brave and dedicated people. I consider them heroes.
Have a great day!
This is an incredibly sad story. Excellent research and presented well. Civlization progresses much too slow.
Yes Mike, it sure does. I personally know of a social worker who had to let an alcoholic drive away with a 2 year old "Because she is drinking but not drunk. It is not illegal for her to be drinking unless she is over the limit." This even though the woman had several DWI convictions. The law is just crazy. Thankfully many people still care and have gentle hearts.
thanks for the visit. Have a great evening. Birdie
This is an amazing story you have shared. You write very well, and I was thoroughly drawn into this touching and heart wrenching topic...I am rather speechless, and so very saddened that things have occurred to so many innocent children..luckily, even though she endured this treatment for years, that she did eventually see that the life she did experience wasn't all there was....
Thanks for sharing this lonely account of a life torn and beaten, thanks for showing that there are good people too,
Mm
You have done a mighty service to Mary-Ann and the tales of those cruelly mistreated that will never be known. Vigilante justice was often applied but more often in rural areas. Its a comfort to know the child had a happy ending and any reader can only thank you Hyph for writing and bringing this important story to light for us. Well Done Ms.B
Actually, Alastar, I'm still in awe of this one - Hyphenbird, it's amazing.
Hi Maggie. This sure is a hard one on the heart. This little girl endured so much for so long. I am so glad it had a positive outcome. So many people were full of love for Mary Ellen and determined to see her rescued. I wish I could have seen her face when the police officer gave her that peppermint stick.
I am glad you found this Hub and learned about this life redeemed. Have a great night.
Alaster, thank you for your visit. In the great city of New York, even then I suppose most people minded their business and didn't get involved for the most part. I hope many, many people find this and open their eyes and hearts to the plight of the innocent sufferer.
Hi there Mo. Thank you so much. This is indeed an awe inspiring story.
Hyphenbird,
This story of the abused little girl broke my heart. It is a slow and agonizing death to put a child or anyone through.
Unfortunately, this kind of abuse still exists today. It is mainly seen in other countries where there are no laws to protect children. The physical scars are nothing compared to the emotional and psychological scars the abuse can leave. I knew someone very close who endured abuse similar to this little girl's and she carried the trauma all the way into her old age.
Thank you for sharing a very sad but with a happy ending story.
That's what I always wonder, Faithful Daughter. How does a child ever recover from something like this? It seems to me something that you would take into your twilight years, no matter how wonderful your life eventually became. :'-(
Motown2Chitown, yes, it does affect them throughout their lifetime. Sometimes they have vivid flashbacks of these times. Some never overcome it and end up taking medication for life or undergo therapy. Here's what's worse... these children are often abused by people they call momma or daddy.
oh, Hyphen, the slashes on that poor child, it's more than I can comprehend, or even try to. Nature is cruel, but man is cruel for no reason... I love this hub.... lily
It's hard for me to reply to this! :( I love children so much, they're such innocent little things! They should know nothing but playing and happy! When I was growing up there was a family with 5 kids next door. Of course we all got along great, and their one daughter was cripple but their dad would put here on the tailgate of our station wagon and she'd twirl the rope for us to jump. AFter I got older, my mom told me the other 4 girls were not really theirs! The mother had beat them and kept them in a closet, and she was quite a good size lady, so she learned of it, marched right in there and brought those children to her house and dared anyone take them! The law let her adopt them all 4 of them! So, while they did have some abuse, at least I do remember us playing games outside, and they were well taken care of and I remember us playing barbies and yard games, so it was good to know that someone would take in not just one but 4 other children and bring them up as their own. I feel horrible for Mary Ellen.. I wish that woman had of just taken her. Back then who would of went after them!! She would have been safe. Thank you for honoring her memory.
Hi Faithful Daughter. You are sadly right, horrible abuse still happens every day to the innocent and helpless. My hope is that this story increases awareness and gives hope. I am sure the abused suffer a form of post traumatic stress disorder all their lives. I was thrilled to learn that Mary Ellen had a happy life after her rescue. Thank God for sending loving people into her life.
And thank you for reading this very important Hub.
Mo and Faithful. One of the saddest things was the testimony of the neighbor who heard the little one begging and calling that woman Mamma. It broke my heart that she could hear Mamma and still hurt that child!
lilyfly, I know. My heart literally stopped when I saw those cuts on her little body. And her precious face all cut up is awful to behold. I hope that woman had the grace from God to repent later in life. She could never be free from that hateful heart otherwise.
This was a difficult Hub to research and write. It must be hard to read as well. Thanks for stopping in.
Oh Kat, your neighbor was a saint! That is the kind of bravery we all need to exercise on behalf of abused kids and animals.
It must have been very hard for Mrs. Wheeler to leave Mary Ellen there for three months, knowing what was happening daily. Thankfully she did not give up though. It is terribly ironic that a man who saved animals was instrumental in saving this child. His heart must have been big as Texas! I know this was a hard one to read. Thank you for sticking with it. I feel this story should be told in every school and church. Awareness is crucial to prevent more pain.
As much as I would try to forgive that woman also, Hypenbird, it boggles my mind to think that she only went to jail for one year. That doesn't seem long enough to make restitution for what she did.
Very tragic story, these rarely end well. It's diffilcut to believe that a law protecting animals had to be invoked in order to save this little girl. The story and research was well done. Thank you for sharing.
Mo, I was shocked also. It seems a very small penalty. I suppose since this was the first case of prosecuted child abuse the courts didn't have a sentencing structure. Justice would seem to cry out though for longer. Perhaps those prisons were so harsh that the judge knew she would not survive. I still hope to locate more information about her one day.
AA, this really is tragic, especially that people knew and did not intervene. That saddens me. All abused children deserve immediate rescue. Thanks for the visit.
You know, I never thought about how much harsher the prisons were then. That's a very good point. I may do some research about her someday as well. This one really, really hit me. I've been thinking about it for two days and talking to my husband about it as well.
It has impacted me too and I will never forget that little girl with those scars all over her and that look on her face. Thank you for your compassion and loving heart.
She looked so forsaken...and to think that without the compassion of two individuals with loving hearts and the grace of God, she might have been. Ugh. :'-(
What a sad story! I can hardly comprehend how anyone could be so cruel. Thank the good Lord that there was an advocate for that child!
What a heartbreaking story but so good to know that Mary Ellen lived a long life, and knew love. Evil prevails when good (wo)men fail to do the right thing. Thank God for her neighbourly angels. Thank you, Hyphen, for bringing this story to light.
One thing people don't realize too, is that just with PTSD "all wounds are not visible" ...
I had to leave a mentally abused child, and when I called cps and told them, they said I was being vindictive. I said I HEARD THIS OVER A BABY MONITOR! And WHY when I stayed there did this child SNEAK TO MY ROOM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND BEG ME NOT TO TELL HER MOTHER.. at 5 years old!
I got caught sneaking her back into her room. I had her hide in a tiny pantry closet, and said I would go by, make sure her mother was asleep, then we'd sneak her by so she could get back in bed. Nobody would have to know. Well, when I walked by, she was still up! I couldn't get her past. We'd both been found out. We waited and as soon as I thought the coast was clear, I carried her (with my shoulders killing me, but so she would not stumble) and just then we were caught! I begged this person NOT to tell on her, she was in fear of her mother finding her out of bed, but she could NEVER fall asleep. But he told, and she was not allowed to come to my room after that.
But she would then wait until they were asleep, the poor thing, she knew my time there was limited, and she'd lay awake until her mother and the co-conspirator was asleep and sneak into my room and wake me up. I would put the tv on and just rock her to sleep and hum lightly to her. I knew she'd never felt that before. I did get her to sleep and sneak her back into her bed a few times that were never caught, but I was forbid to ever come to that house again.
What kind of mother tells a child who is going to a new school, mid year in kindergarten that if she doesn't hurry up and get ready she was going to get her little "f-ing face beat in".. but I'm the bad guy. Later when I got a chance to be alone with her I just asked her.. why did she cry in the mornings. She said.. Her socks slid down into her shoes and hurt her feet. I said "well why don't you tell your mommmy that" her little reply was "She will hit me on my face if I don't put them on"... that explained how when I heard it on the monitor and went by the room the little girl was face down huddled crying "no mama please no mama".. she was hiding her face so it wouldn't be hit.
And they wonder why the brother of the mother committed suicide at a young age. He probably went through the same thing only worse and couldn't handle it, and the daughter was favored over the boy. "But their family is full of love, and I am evil because I clothed the child children and made sure they had new things before I left"
Keep me away from your kids, cos I might buy them an outfit that gives them pride.. I'm evil! Luckily I have the photos to prove it all. While the parents were drunk, the children got friends clothing. When I had a chance once I showed her some new clothes online, and she ooo'd and awww'ed.. she'd never even saw clothes like that before. I was so sickened over it I showed the photos to my doctor and he too was sickened but being out of state, his hands were tied. And when their best friend is a policeman.. they're not going to believe me, they kicked me out, but not before I got photographs.
I just clicked a link on the side bar about this.. I had to come back here because apparently they disable your ads on these types of hubs (which who cares if it helps save a child) but why would they do that! :(
I'd also like any input on how this gets pass, because the children are given affection, and told that these other people are wicked and bad. I heard this mother tell her daughter that the grandmother was "an evil witch" so I was reading them a story (before I learned the sorted truth) and the little boy pointed to a witch in the book (he was 2 at the time so I'm not sure what they called the other grandmother) but he said "there is grandma witch" or somethign to that effect.. I can't remember what they were told to call her.
I'd started to make a hub on "how to clean house" and use the photos of the filth they left, but I stopped, because I don't want anymore harm to come to the kids, and IF the mother is following me, then it'll get pounded into the childrens head to hate me, when they came to me for the only fun and REAL attention they got. When I babysat them for their mother to go out and get drunk.. we would play "Pizza Party" in which I took photos of them, when they would fall asleep in their chairs not wanting to be left alone, and I didn't want them afraid so I let them sleep there.. I still have all the photos and it's only been about 15ish months ago. I'm not sure what to do, I don't want their life disrupted anymore than it already has been.
I can't imagine anyone that cruel. That poor little girl. It's so important to report if you think a child is being abused. We just had a case where a Mother's boyfriend beat a little two year old to death. He had multi old fractures. He was sent to prison, but the Mother only received a slap on the hand. My way of thinking, she must have known. How sick is that?
always exploring, that's what I don't understand. How can you not know? Even if you're away and the boyfriend is babysitting or something, do you NEVER look at your child?
I feel horrible cos there's nothing I can do, but I'm in another state, and cps just said "so why are you reporting it now" and I said because they do not want me to see the children NOW.. so WHY NOT.. that should raise a question shouldn't it!!! I DID report her, and offered to send them photos and they didn't want them!!! How's that for CPS for you! What else can I do!??
If I was the abuser then THEY SHOULD TURN ME IN but they didn't want me to teach the right from wrong or tell them how when they went to the biker club they lied to her mommy to get them there.. so because I tell them the truth about stuff like that I'M HORRIBLE. I just wanted the girl to have pride in herself!
If anybody had of ever hit or hurt my kid they would have no law to deal with.. I would have because I would of never let them get away so easy. I do know someone in prison, and he writes to me and asks me to look them up, if it's anything to do with children they put it out in the yard... oh boy, then they get beat up badly and usually have to stay in solitary to keep them away from everyone. so I tell on them all. At least we know, and they tell the lifers, cos what do they have to lose, so some good can come from knowing someone in prison.
This is a horrible story...pity upon the whole situation.
Hi Janice. It really is beyond the normal heart to understand this kind of hatred and toward a little child nonetheless. I am so thankful that God brought good people into Mart Ellen's life.
Hello C-Bless. This was hard to research and write but I knew the story had to be told. When I saw that photo my heart stopped and I still feel sick about it. Perhaps the awareness this brings will prevent or rescue another child.
Katharella. you cannot stop if you know someone is being hurt. Fight until these children are safe. Think of Mary Ellen and how Etta never rested until she rescued that little girl. We must be brave and strong until justice is performed.
Always Exploring, the mother knew. She just didn't care. So many children live in desperation. My mind just will never understand and my heart breaks for them.
Mo, I agree. The parents that claim they didn't know are lying through their teeth.
Hello Obscure. You are right. The entire tragedy is sad and pitiful.
Hyphenbird, I started reading this hub yesterday on my iphone on the train on my way home. My heart was bleeding and I knew I would soon be in tears, hence had to stop reading and continue within the four corners of my home where I could express my feelings unashamedly. It is a very sad and horrific story. When I hear stories of child abuse, I wonder how people can be so cruel as to punish an innocent and defenceless child to such unimaginable extents. Its heartbreaking but a cruel fact of the society we live in. I take comfort in the knowledge that Mary Ellen lived a loving and happy life after all the horrors she endured in her childhood. The question is though that she was lucky and eventually got rescued, but what about those who did not survive these horrors? Or have no one to speak for them or fight their corner? What about those whose horrors go unnoticed? It is too sad to comprehend. We can only pray for their little souls that God in his own goodness and mercy may mend their broken spirits. Thank you for sharing this hub. Voted beautiful.
Hi there PK. I fully understand. I wept as I was writing this and my stomach felt sick. We have had several awful cases here in our area. A "mother" gave her five year old to a man for drugs, he raped and murdered her. Another case was an 11 year old cancer survivor whose body was cut up and discarded like trash along the road side. Last week a woman broke both of her one year old baby's legs and left him lying on the floor while she slept.
The more I hear the more determined I become to spread word that these atrocities must stop. Mary Ellen's story can open hearts and awareness. That is my hope, prayer and reason for writing it. Thank you for stopping in and enduring a painful read.
You are very welcome. God bless.
It boggles me to think, Hyphenbird, that anyone can do these things to another human being. When it's children it's worse. And, for reasons like these? I just wish we could keep all children away from parents who would treat them this way. Sigh.
Oh my, so sad, but I'm so glad you shared this, the lines of communication need to stay open to these ugly realities so that secrecy does not win out.
Dear Hyphenbird,
This one brought tears this morning..she was amazing to come through so much pain..Thank you for bringing out this article and address the ugly realities of child abuse.
God bless you,
Sunnie
Hyphen, I want to share a true event that happened here in my little town. I was called for jury duty. It was against a young man who was the boyfriend of the Mother of a little five year old boy who was abused by the boyfriend. The case was brought against the boyfriend by the Child's Father. The Mother testified that her boyfriend was good to her Son. The attorney passed out pictures of the boy, he had cigarette burns all over his body. It took us about five minutes to find him guilty. The Mother was not charged. This made me sick. In my view she was just as guilty. God bless all the children in the world who are abused. The parents who look away are a pitiful lot and should be prosecuted. Thank you.
always exploring, I am SO very much in agreement with you. The non participating parent who KNOWS (and how can they not!??!?!?) is just as guilty.
Fossillady, I agree. Secrecy and denial cause these abuses to grow. As hard as it is to look at this and other cases we must.
Sunnie Day, this really broke my heart and writing it was through many tears. I guess that is the great thing about love. We must put ourselves and our feelings aside for the greater good. Thanks for your heart.
always exploring and Mo2Ch, I agree. The other parent should be prosecuted. No way are they ignorant. One cannot live in a house with an abused child without knowing what is happening.
..thank you for this important and historically significant story Mrs. Springsteen - may I share this on Facebook with a direct link back here ...... so more people will know of what a gem you are as a writer (well, hubgem) and to know of your noble and pure heart as a human being .......
p.s. - love your new profile picture - now you're starting to make me feel like the 'Boss' !!!!
hehehe. Good morning Epi. I would be honored for you to share this on Facebook. Thank you for that.
I have gotten a bit tanned from being in the sun so I sat myself in front of the web cam and presto. I always feel a bit egocentric when doing that but for you-the Boss of the Hub-I will do anything. Thanks for the visit, you are a "Real Man."
Hyphenbird: Your account is very accurate, except Mary Ellen's father was Thomas Wilson, not Francis. Dud you read either of my books on the case? The first one is "Out of the Darkness : The Story of Mary Ellen Wilson," and the second is "The Mary Ellen Wilson Child Abuse Case and the Beginning of Children's Rights in 19th Century America." The film rights have also been sold, and the filmmakers see it as a major motion picture. Thanks for sharing! The books are both available on Amazon's Kindle as well.
Hi Eric. Thank you so much for reading this Hub. I saw Out of the Darkness on Amazon and loved seeing the pictures of Mary Ellen as an older lady. She looks like she never was a large woman. I will check out the other one tonight. I am glad to know my research was accurate and I have changed the father's name to Thomas. Thanks for that info. And it is so very good of you to comment here on my Hub. May I link both of your books in this article?
My prayer was to increase awareness of this issue and to show victims that redemption and a great life are possible. Have a great day.
Hyphenbird, I hope you don't mind. I noticed above that you gave epigramman permission to share this hub on FB, so I did as well. I have many friends that would be touched by the story and who will feel much as I did. If nothing else, they will begin to pray, pray, pray for children still in abusive situations such as this one.
Mo, I don't mind at all. I appreciate all the publicity possible for this Hub. I know the Holy Spirit brought this information to me so awareness will spread. Prayer changes things and we all must pray for these abuses to cease.Thank yo for your loving heart.
Hyphenbird, when it came to "grading" this hub, I was torn between Awesome and Beautiful. Well, I settled on Beautiful, primarily because of two things: (1)As is the case with all of your hubs, this one was beautifully written and delivered in a style that caused my eyes to moisten. (2)I was so glad that Mary Ellen ended up having a long and full life.
Wow Hyphenbird, what a tragic story of abuse. I am so glad that these two wonderful women were around to help this child out. Pretty unbelievable that animals were protected but not children. How wonderful that she was able to get love in the end and go on to get married and have children. Thanks for sharing this.
Hello there feenix, my friend. Thanks for the votes. I am glad I wrote it well. This is important for people to understand. And I agree that Mary Ellen 's lifelong happiness is awesome. She sure deserved it.
I do wish I knew more about what happened to the stepfather. He knew what was happening and contributed to the suffering. He is guilty to in my eyes.
Hello Twin, it is great to see you. We still have this going on today. So many children lived lives filled with horror. And we protect animals and endangered flora and fauna, but kill babies. But that is another Hub.
I felt this story deserved to be known so awareness could stop more suffering.
Hypenbird, I just wanted to second those few words in your comment to Twin "...we protect animals and endangered flora and fauna, but kill babies." Amen, my sister. I'll pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you as you prepare to write that hub.
Difficult to read, yes, (even though your writing put it together very well) but so glad you posted this because it may inspire someone to step up on behalf of a child that needs help.
I sure hope so RTalloni. Thanks for the visit.
I have read about this case before somewhere. Hyphenbird , as a man, something inside me could become so enraged at an abuser as to defy reason. My thought is to eliminate these people from our lives. God bless the surviving children! All too often today the courts , the police , the system fails, fails....fails to bring about any justice. Can you believe the laws try to protect the family unit in abuse cases? Often placing the victims right back where it all began? Great topic for discussion. Awesome.
horseback, you are so right and I agree with you wholeheartedly. The courts fail the children by "protecting" the rights of the adult abuser. I personally know of a case where an alcoholic gave her 21 month old child a black eye. The day the case was closed, the woman was drinking but the caseworker could do nothing. The law says it is not illegal for her to drink, just not be drunk. Unbelievable!
Thanks for the visit to this very important Hub.
I want to thank you for writing this hub. It took me back to my own child abuse, altho from what I can remember, it was not anywhere near this bad. Child abuse comes in many forms and those that cause abuse to happen to an innocent child are the sickest kinds of people. They should not be permitted to live in public unless completely re-habilitated.
Thank you so much, for bringing this awareness to others. I love you for what you have done. vocalcoach
Thank YOU vocalcoach. It was very painful to research and write. I cried a lot. If it brings one case to light and increases awareness of even one case it sure was worth it. My pain is nothing compared to what children suffer. I am so very sorry if this caused bad memories for you. I knew it might bring some to the surface for some folks.
I appreciate your support very much.
Excellent article - what a brave and charitable woman to effect the child's rescue. Thanks for sharing this - every time an article such as this is written, there is a chance someone will read it and be moved to help a child they know about who is living in fear.
Hello RedElf. I agree that Mrs. Wheeler was brave and tenacious. It certainly is my hope that this Hub will bring the horror of abuse to the light of day and prevent more. Also it shows that one person can indeed make a difference in the life of a child.
Thanks for the visit and great comments. HB
How sad and awful at the same time...I am glad to hear someone cared enough to do something for the poor girl, despite the length of time it took to do so. Great, informative hub. Voted up and useful!
Hi Hyphenbird, I've not forgotten this hub or stopped following it. I see you have permission for the original author, so thank you to Eric for making this known, and people who keep spreading this story, as awareness also needs to go to those children who are mentally abused or neglected. It's just so heartbreaking, and I think, sometimes I can't comprehend how people can act so horrible to another being let alone an innocent child. Not a day goes by there's not certain children I worry about. I can't help, and nobody to help me either. I did try to no avail, and get viewed as the bad person and I don't understand that. WHY does CPS start questioning your motives for calling rather than just going to check it out or having the school check it out.. I tend to lose faith in the system, so I think unless I could go get the children and bring them to safety myself, what else can one do?
Hyph,
Oh for any child with such innocence to have to suffer a fraction of what sweet Mary Ellen did and so many after her. Thank you for relaying this horror which is a wake-up call for a true American tragedy. You write with passion and inspiration.
Voted UP & UA-- thank you, mar.
Hello shygirl. I too am glad someone was brave and didn't give up. I think about all the people in that building who heard Mary Ellen's screams and did nothing. My heart breks all over again.
Thanks for the visit and the votes.
Hi Katharella. It is very frustrating to know and have Social Services question and wonder and do nothing. If there is a way to be close and watch the children and love them, it might give you more evidence and them a little comfort.
Eric's popping in was a surprise. I have not read his books yet, but want to get them. When I write something like this I prefer not to be unduly influenced by another author. It was nice of him to visit the Hub, I don't know how he found it, perhaps by Google search.
Thanks for following the Hub. Have a great day. HB
marcoujor, it is very awful. And so very unnecessary. I will never understand how people can be so cruel. Thanks for the visit and votes. Take care. HB
Thanks for writing this well documented, heartwrenching hub on such an important topic. The many comments here show that even today, preventing and/or stopping child abuse can be extremely difficult and emotionally draining even when the reporter of the abuse tries to go through the CPS system and/or report it to police. Still, we have to keep trying to save our prescious children.
It was ironic, sad and yet also inspiring, that Mr. Henry Bergh, founder of the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals used his resources and influence to bring Mary Ellen Wilson's case to court and was instrumental in rescuing a human being.
Thanks for posting this hub as a public service even though Hub Pages doesn't allow any ads for hubs written on this topic.
Hello happyboomernurse. This whole story is sad and heart wrenching. Thankfully Mr. Bergh had the resources and contacts to get the child out quickly. It saved the child's life.
The ads being disabled don't bother me, it is not about the money. I am grateful HP allow Hubs like this to stay up. I understand that ads wouldn't be appropriate for the subject matter.
Thanks for the visit and comments. Have a great day. HB
You've got a great attitude and your heart is very big. Bless you for this hub.
All I have is photographs, but I'll never see them again. So unless their teachers or someone else learn hope is lost, then they'll grow up in a home where they're mentally abused, EVERY morning.
Just hoping someone else who reads this will keep their eyes open for children and their actions, fears, and the tiny things they say to give hints. -Kat
Perhaps that will happen Kat. Hubs like this one are to make a difference so a person may read it and take action. Meanwhile pray diligently for the little ones. Prayer changes people and circumstances. I am glad you care about these children. HB
Wow this is an amazing story. Thank you for sharing this.
Hello LisaMArie724. It is my honor to bring awareness to this subject. Hopefully it will make a difference for another child.
Thanks for the visit. Have a great evening. HB
What a heart-wrenching story. I'm so glad things ended well for this little girl. It makes me wonder though how many chilren back then were abused and absolutely nothing was ever done. I'm thankful for the laws that are there to protect children today but sadly not all children are saved from the abuse.
Hello Cari Jean. You are so right, many abused children are not saved or even known about. Just today I was watching the Casey Anthony trial. She was found Not Guilty of killing her child, perhaps she is indeed innocent. But someone is not and that baby suffered a cruel death. My heart just bleeds for these little ones.
Thank you for stopping in and leaving a great comment.
I wonder why they don't use this in our classes at school, it is a good story, and worth noting. It's ashamed over the years even still today children go through this. :)
I wish we did teach children how to be parents and how to be love. Sadly, the Caylee Anthony case proves people have not stopped doing this and children are suffering every single day. Thanks for your visit and your loving heart Hattie.
Child abuse is one of the gravest sins and horrors on the planet today. God bless the Etta Wheelers of this world. I wish what happened to Mary Ellen never happened again. Come Lord Jesus.
lambservant, I know. I was physically ill while researching and writing this Hub. That precious child suffered so. Etta Wheeler was a great and strong woman. God used her mightily to save Mary Ellen. Sadly children are still being horribly abused and killed. I also say, Come, Lord Jesus!
What a tragic story! It is very difficult to say something after reading this. I feel so angry to those kind of people who abuses children. We should always report to the police whenever we hear something like this in the neighbourhood. Well done Hyphenbird.
I know Thelma. One's heart just aches. Failure to do something is to encourage the abuser in feeling he/she can continue without consequences. Thank you for reading and your comments.
Just recently, they found a child in a cage in a mobile home in VA. She had been in the cage for 3 years. She died. Her parents have both been brought up on charges.
Bless her little heart. Every time I hear of another case, my heart aches and my stomach feels sick.
An amazing story.
What a horrific story! Thank heavens someone advocated for that child. This is interesting and how sad we had laws against animal cruelty, but not human cruelty. Thank goodness this has a happy ending and thank goodness it started Children's services, although, they don't always do the best job at finding and preventing child cruelty.
Suzette, when I was researching this story, I literally was sick to my stomach. The poor little child had no one at all and no hope. But God sent Mrs. Wheeler and saved her. So much good came about because Mary Ellen was found and rescued. I know people care. This continues to be my most visited Hub although people seldom leave comments. Advertising has been disabled due to content and I am glad. This article is too important to have the reader's attention swayed.
Thank you very much for your support of the Hub.
How did you ever track Mary Ellen back to her biological parents? And she changed hands so often, horrible! Amazing that she was able to marry and have children and live happily into her 90s. Also, I didn't know that there were animal cruelty laws before there were child abuse laws.
Great, great hub! Thank you for sharing this information with everyone. Sadly, child abuse is still a big issue. More people need to speak up and take actions!
Hello arusho. Amazingly good records were kept on the case. I suppose because it was so groundbreaking, authorities and the families wrote it all down and passed it on. She was a great inspiration that life can be good and happy. Everything about this case amazes me and touches my heart. I believe God sent people to help Mary Ellen and to change laws for all children. Sadly, abuse is still a terrible issue.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving such great comments. I really wish to bring awareness so these things can no longer be hidden and repeated. Regards, Hyphenbird.
Hi there coffee. Yes, child abuse is a terrible issue and happens every day in every town in America, probably across the planet. We all must take action, speak up and confront the abusers. You are right about that. So many people look the other way while children suffer horribly. Many do not survive. That makes me sick.
Thank you for caring.
this is the best HUB.. and so sad with a happy ending..but the torture she had to go through.. I just don't understand how people can treat children like this.. makes my heart hurt. thank you for putting all of this together..great HUB. I voted up and beautiful but sad.
Hi Deborah. This little girl's story has touched my heart so deeply that I never forget her. Thank God for people who love and care. People like you and me and all the others who love the hurting.
merry Christmas keep writing these great stories keeps us informed...
This is a awful story. However I am so glad that Ms. Wheeler saved her and then sent her to live with her mom and then sister. It speaks volumes as to how much love this women had in their hearts. To take in a child that has only known abuse then love and teach her that well. From what you have written she grew up to have a wonderful life. Abuse like this never leaves a person but she was able to live a happy life because of their love. Thank God for people like them.
Hello Joy. Yes, this is a heart rending story. That child would have been killed if she was not rescued. Mrs. Wheeler was a brave and loving lady. I wonder what ever happened to the abuser. I could not locate further information about her. Thank you for taking time to read and comment on this story. I think the more people are aware of abuse, the more wee can take action in our own communities.
What a tragic, yet beautiful story.
It brought tears to my eyes.
Hello RunAbstract. It astonishes me that Mrs. Connelly only received one year of punishment. This story has literally impacted my life. I want to prevent more of these tragedies. Thank you for reading about Mary Ellen.
One year. Today that wouldn't shock me but that far back I would think she could have gotten more justice than that. That is why the rapes and abuses never end, because are courts are too lenient. I read this story last year online (Wikipedia I think) but had forgotten until now. Well I am sure hell will take care of the rest of this woman's sentence.
Hello Pollyannalana. I was appalled when I learned that monster only received one year also. The court system then and now do not take child abuse seriously. That is one reason children are dying every day from abuse. I cannot find out what happened to the woman after prison. I still search for information. Thanks for reading this story. I feel this is still a very important case and impacts us today.
very sad story glad it ened happily
Yes Jade, I am too. The child sure deserved a happy life. I still wonder what happened to the abuser. I appreciate you leaving me a message. This case is close to my heart.
I have new found respect for the SPCA.
Me too Philly. When I first began learning about Mary Ellen Wilson, I was amazed, shocked, saddened and happy that someone stood up for her. Thanks for reading this Hub.
Sadly.. I've heard many cases where cps abuse the children they remove from the biological family etc... There the ones who a meant to protect the children..
Abuse affects do many lives, I feel so helpeds know approx 5 children a day die of abuse and 3/4 are under the age of four... -.-
Hello Faith. Child abuse is a tragedy that should not happen. It is because people with hard hearts and no compassion have power over weaker ones. Thank you for reading my Hub.
Do you know if Mary Ellen shared her life story with her 2 daughters? And is anything known about the daughters?
Hello Cathy. They did know her story. There is a great book about Mary Ellen with photos and information supplied by her family. Here is the link to purchase it on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Out-Darkness-Story-Wilson-eb
and this one has the case files
This reminded me of Sybil and the horrible abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother - tying her to a piano leg with her bladder full etc. This was painful to read as well.
Hello Lilleyth. Yes, that was another horrible example of abuse. I don't know how these children survived but am so glad they did. Yet, people still beat and torture children to death. A woman in my own area killed her step daughter last year (an 11 year old cancer survivor), dismembered the body and scattered the parts. She only received 18 years in prison.
My heart bleeds for these babies and it seems more and more people are evil and hurt them.
Thank you for sticking with the story. Mary Ellen did have a happy ending. Perhaps I need to freshen this Hub and add more material about her life after she was rescued.
Franklin, I am deleting your cruel, ugly and most awful comment. Search your heart and surely you will find an ounce of compassion and kindness in there somewhere. If you can only leave nasty remarks, do not visit my Hubs ever again.
Very interesting and sad. The cruelty of humans is heartbreaking..Thankfully there was some strong enough to help her. This was in the days when people didn't intervene in others business. We just can't find a middle ground for abuse, neglect , tortue of the innocent(I include animals in this)...People either don't want involved or our justice systems turns them back out..
Thanks for this hub...
Hello nightsun. i agree. The heart of a human being is the most cruel thing on this planet. Animals are never cruel, they just kill to survive. People do it for pleasure. Abusers are given short sentences and turned out to do it again. These people do not stop, they just learn how not to get caught. Only a year ago, a lovely little girl was killed in our own community because people who knew them wouldn't get involved. Her father walked away free while her stepmother received only 18 years for killing the child, cutting her body into pieces and throwing it out in separate areas. i am still appalled.
I continue to hope this Mary Ellen article opens just one heart and saves even one child. Thank you for the encouragement. BTW, I agree with you about people who abuse animals.
It's ashame more people don't stand up..There is so more hurt in the world. I've been an "informal" foster parent over the years..My kids usually had fiends in some kind of need. Or you just stumble across those broken..How a person can trun thier back, well, I just don't understand..
Have an awesome day..
I don't know night sun how people just turn away. A hurting life is our business and we are morally required to assist. I am so happy that you took in kids who were wandering. You truly may have saved their lives. We can all make room for a child in our home and in our hearts. Bless you!
thanks H..I've had so much noise from kids and animals in my life now that things are more quiet, makes me feel a bit lost. What to do when you don't have anyone to care for....I wish people would stand up for the innocent whenever heard or seen. It would make this world a much better place...To often so much trauma will destroy a young mind forever. Just using words in a hard tone can effect them. The damage humans do....
marellen Level 6 Commenter 11 months ago
Very sad and horrible story. I'm glad it had a happy ending and laws were set in place for abused children. Thanks for the info.