My ex sister in law took photos of my children and sent them to my ex husband in prison. He molested my oldest. Is there anything I can do about it?

You can request a restraining order against the sister-in-law preventing her from coming in contact or, at least, taking pictures of your children.

However, despite the circumstances he is their father and, unless you have had his rights terminated he may have some rights. I know that's something you don't want to hear and I wish I didn't have to tell it to you, but the law isn't always fair.

Also you need to remember she is his sister and her loyalty is to him despite his faults.

I don't understand what harm it does for him to get pictures of his children.

First report this to the warden at the prison that he has photos of the child he molested in prison with him. Most likely they will take them away.

Next refuse her any contact with the kids in the future.

@ AK lawyer one of the children is who he molested! That's what is wrong with it.

@ AK lawyer one of the children is who he molested! That's what is wrong with it.

How is it wrong? How is the victim harmed by him having a photograph? Does the victim even know he has the photograph? And even if the victim is aware, I'm not sure I understand how its wrong.

Don't get me wrong, the sister-in-law was way out of line for doing this without your permission. But, as I said, he is still the child's father and still has some rights.

Ok let me ask you this. Would you want your child's molester wanting a picture of them?

And yes my daughter found out he has the picture and is very upset. A molester should not have pictures of children even if they are his children. The judge dissolved his rights to them at the sentencing. He is serving 2 consecutive 25 yr terms for what he did to only her! Now does he deserve to have her picture to gawk at?

Ok let me ask you this. Would you want your child's molester wanting a picture of them?

I'm sorry, but I don't know the circumstances of the molestation. I don't know the person's involved.

I would probably prefer that someone who molests my child never have any contact with child ever again. But as long as I can assure that, it wouldn't concern me as much as it seems to concern you that he got pics.

But you miss the point. I understand you are upset. I agree the sister in law should not have done it. We've advised what you can do about it. But I don't understand what more you want.

I find your particular answers very unhelpful. If you know nothing about molestation laws then you shouldn't have even responded. As for you not finding anything wrong with a person giving a molester a picture of his victim just because it's his child is ridiculous. I didn't want an opinion of what you thought. I wanted to know how to stop this from ever happening again. He is not even eligble for parole. That's how bad it was and yet you find nothing wrong with him having a picture of a child that he molested from the age of 2-16 while I was at work.

@ AK lawyer one of the children is who he molested! That's what is wrong with it.

You're telling us "It's wrong because .... it just is."

Oh - kay.


But not illegal.

And I'm willing to bet that (assuming that you somehow know he has it) the prison checked the picture and let it go through. So you are not going to make them take it away from him.

... The judge dissolved his rights to them at the sentencing. ...

It doesn't work that way. If he were somehow magically freed, pardoned for example, he would still have his rights. For example, if you were to re-marry, and your husband wanted to adopt the chilldren, your ex would have to be given notice.

Here. You think you know so much.
http://www.indianajustice.org/Data/DocumentLibrary/Documents/1063569587.06/view_article_publicweb?topic_id=1390020&library=PublicWeb
What effect can a parent's criminal convictions have on the termination proceedings?
A specific termination law applies when a parent has been convicted of murder, causing suicide, voluntary or involuntary manslaughter, rape, criminal deviate conduct, child molestation, child exploitation, sexual misconduct with a minor, or incest and the victim is the parent's child or stepchild who was under sixteen years of age at the time of the offense. The Office of Family and Children won't have to prove that the conditions in the home won't be fixed. If the parent has one of these convictions, the court assumes the conditions in the home won't be fixed.

Speaking of a person who has been assaulted as a child I can so understand the emotions attached to the persons question and responses. I would imagine all of us would be hard pressed to stick to the letter of the law. There are two things being talked about here.. what is morally right and what is legal.
The law unfortunately does not always do the morally right thing. I do realize everyone's morals are different but I would think most people would agree this was wrong. As a person who was abused if I had knowledge that my abuser had pictures to look at of me would that affect me emotionally heck yes!
My suggestions:
1. Does your daughter have a counselor, if yes tell her, she would probably be able to advise you and also write letters on your daughters behalf on how this affects her.
2. Cease all contact with said Sister in law and if necessary get a restraining order
3. Reassure your daughter you will protect her as best you can and that you love her.
4. Call the jail to see if this is allowed or not.
I do not know the legal aspects and am not commenting on it but do see the pain in your posts and they are completely justified.

The criminal court does not have the authority to take away the fathers rights, they can restict his ability to see the victim. A separate case in family court to take away his rights would have had to be done.

I know in the prisons I was connected with a child molester was not allowed any children's photos, even magazines with children photos.

You are the only one that answered this way. The other person gave good advice. You on the other hand act as if you are defending him to an extent. ...

No. I have no desire to defend him. But I have no intention to just tell you what you want to hear, either.


Here. You think you know so much.
Public Web (http://www.indianajustice.org/Data/DocumentLibrary/Documents/1063569587.06/view_article_publicweb?topic_id=1390020&library=PublicWeb)
What effect can a parent's criminal convictions have on the termination proceedings?
A specific termination law applies when a parent has been convicted of murder, causing suicide, voluntary or involuntary manslaughter, rape, criminal deviate conduct, child molestation, child exploitation, sexual misconduct with a minor, or incest and the victim is the parent's child or stepchild who was under sixteen years of age at the time of the offense. The Office of Family and Children won't have to prove that the conditions in the home won't be fixed. If the parent has one of these convictions, the court assumes the conditions in the home won't be fixed.

I'm not saying that you couldn't get a termination of parental rights. But you would have to apply for it. Until you do, the father still has "rights"; the right to inherit from his children, for example, if, God forbid, one of them were to die.

Here. You think you know so much.
http://www.indianajustice.org/Data/DocumentLibrary/Documents/1063569587.06/view_article_publicweb?topic_id=1390020&library=PublicWeb
What effect can a parent's criminal convictions have on the termination proceedings?


This link supports what were have been saying. That a Family court can terminate his rights for his crime. But you gave no indication this had been done, especially in your initial posts. Generally a criminal court cannot do it, but it is possible the judge did or just recommended it be done.

If the prison officials did take the pictures away from him, I would have to wonder on what grounds they did so. I'm glad they did, but they could get in trouble for violating his rights. Hopefully they had sufficient legal grounds.

You don't seem to understand that we have all been trying to help you by alerting you to the legal realities of your situation and advising you how to deal with it within the legal system.

What specific molestation laws are you addressing?

I understand your anger and upset. I would be really, really ticked off at the sister-in-law. I have no idea what she was thinking.

I'd write to the Warden - there are 2 sides. Is he entitled to have photos of the children OR is he allowed to have photos.

If you don't want opinions, don't post on a Q and A site. Just because you don't agree doesn't mean everyone else is wrong.

The child was molested for 14 years by this man?

And your anger is misplaced - I was an adult victim of rape. This is not my first rodeo.

Yes, there is something you can do about it. Talk to the warden, tell him the entire story, and request he remove the photo's; then tell that witch that if she tries it again you'll report her to the police. Nobody but you has the right to distribute your children's pictures and without written or verbal consent then that witch broke the law and you should report her for it.

Yes, there is something you can do about it. Talk to the warden, tell him the entire story, and request he remove the photo's; then tell that witch that if she tries it again you'll report her to the police. Nobody but you has the right to distribute your childrens pictures and without written or verbal consent then that witch broke the law and you should report her for it.


Please give us your legal source for this information. This is a legal board and correct info is important.