Nothing rocks a small community to the core more than violence against one of its members, particularly violence against one of its children.
Adrian has had its share of tragedies recently. The lives of Adrian youngsters have been taken by accident, but the thought of a tragedy caused by a resident of Adrian toward another member of our community is difficult to bear.
The victim of this tragedy is a 9-year-old girl who was allegedly grabbed by William Joseph Kafka, Adrian. (See news story on page 1A)
Kafka has lived in Adrian only a couple of years, and many residents probably didn't know his legal name until this incident appeared in the paper. Rather, he was known as the odd fellow (nicknamed "Radar") who wore his Tingley work boots on walks, come rain or shine.
These work boots would sometimes be coupled with jogging shorts or skin-tight sweat pants. In the victim's interview, she states her attacker wore sweat pants and boots lined with white, furry fabric.
The fact that a young girl was sexually assaulted is a tragedy. The fact that the person who allegedly committed the crime was allowed out on $10,000 bail, is a travesty.
According to an area bail bondsman, a $10,000 bail means the offender typically would only have to raise $1,000. The bail bond guarantees the rest of the bail money, minus a fee.
Was $1,000 really enough for allegedly committing crimes that if convicted could put a man away for 30 years? Fines for these offenses total $40,000. Obviously, someone takes these crimes seriously.
Kafka raised his $1,000 and is currently home in Adrian. He is also back at work at Swift in Worthington. I have not talked to one member of the Adrian community who is happy about these facts.
No one thinks this is fair to the 9-year-old victim (who was threatened with death) or her family, who live in close proximity to the alleged offender.
Everyone has constitutional rights, but what about the rights of that little girl whose whole life was dramatically changed because of the incident? Should she have to see her attacker daily, should the girl and her family have to go out of their way to avoid the person who injured them?
What about everyone else in the community? The alleged offender lives only a block from the Adrian elementary school. I would venture to say more than 100 kids walk past his house (or used to) each week either on their way to or from school or to visit the downtown businesses in Adrian.
I, too, live in Adrian. Why should I have had to explain to my 10-year-old daughter the reason I want her to take an alternate route when she walks downtown for a pop?
What about the other children right in his neighborhood? There are several families with young children in Kafka's area. Would you let your child play outside near his home?
It makes me angry that he is walking around free, even temporarily, while a child is saddled with the effects of the alleged crime for life.
Yes, everyone has their rights, but shouldn't we protect our children? If we don't, no one will. A strong stand is needed to protect those least able to protect themselves.
Conditions were set on Kafka's release stating he is to have no contact with minors. Who can really guarantee that he won't become a repeat offender and forever alter the life of another child? We wouldn't know until it was too late.