Almont woman writes of mistreatment
Editor’s note: Names mentioned in this letter have either been deleted, changed or withheld to protect those involved.
To the Editor:
I am writing not just as a resident of my community, but as a survivor of domestic violence – one who has done everything right and has still been failed.
Several weeks ago, I submitted a detailed, 106-page report to the Almont Police Department documenting multiple, well-supported incidents of domestic violence.
I included messages, photos, witness statements and even admissions from the offender. Yet my complaint sat in limbo for nearly three weeks.
I was given a case number, but no action was taken until I followed up repeatedly and made it clear I would not be silenced.
When the report finally made it to the Lapeer County Prosecutor’s Office, I hoped for the justice I’d waited so long for. Instead, I was met with more delays, vague responses, and ultimately, no charges filed – despite overwhelming evidence.
The most devastating part? I was wrongfully arrested during one of these incidents. Clearly the system is trying to cover their mistake. Even after that error was evident, no one stepped forward to correct it.
This isn’t just a failure to protect me, it’s a failure to protect anyone in this community who may one day need help.
When police departments minimize domestic violence, when prosecutors decline to act out of convenience or loyalty, they embolden abusers and silence victims.
I ask your readers: what message does it send when someone can be assaulted multiple times, document everything, beg for help – and be ignored?
This letter isn’t just about my story. It’s about the broken systems that protect power over people. I will not stop speaking up until someone listens, and I hope others will stand with me in demanding transparency, accountability and reform – before another survivor is pushed into silence.
I believe he (alleged assailant) will kill his next victim. Before they hit you, they hit near you. Then they hit you, then it escalates.
I had heard stories from him with exes where he claimed he was the victim before. He is not the victim. He is very dangerous. I realize writing this puts a target on my back, but that’s okay. I’m speaking out for myself and my children.
An Almont police officer (he called and harassed me at 6:00 a.m. one morning, telling me to stop painting myself as the victim, regardless of my hospital records, pictures of proof of injury, and screenshots of texts) was the arresting officer who laughed at my bruises and threatened to have my kids taken from me. …and anyone else standing behind “this man” should be considered a criminal.
I do feel confident that I have a support system behind me. If anything, (the story) it’s now out there.
I’m doing this for my children. I’m trying to teach my girls to be strong. Though they shouldn’t have to be. Not like this. But their mom is, so they will be!
Almont PD and the Lapeer prosecuting attorney are attempting to silence me. I will not be silenced. I have about a decade of abuse with my ex-husband as well, this does not come lightly.
These men are getting away with abuse because the system has the pendulum swung way too far to fathers and men. It has to change – our children deserve that.
In closing, the Almont PD attempted to silence me, and in a way they did.
The Lapeer County Prosecuting Attorney sentenced me as well, with “disorderly person”, just so they didn’t have to drop charges, because there clearly was no case.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the trial process as it would have been a minimum of $5,000, and this summer alone, just in the court fees, I paid $4,000. Both departments mishandled and neglected my case. They left me and my kids helpless and scared. This can’t continue.
Regards,
Name withheld
NOTE: A call to the Almont Police Department by the Tri-City Times last week, to verify the alleged incident was handled by them, had not been returned as of press time.
