6 replies to this topic

[dlutz]

I've been sitting with my thoughts on this over the last couple of days trying to make sense of it.

Scott Gmitter was my daughter's 4th grade teacher at Empire Oaks. During that time I had the utmost respect for him. He was a great teacher who engaged my child's imagination and spurred her interest in science. He seemed like a guy who could have been one of your golf or poker buddies. My wife had the same opinion and we were both impressed with his tough stand on discipline. I keep hoping that he will be able to prove himself innocent beyond all reasonable doubt, if only to ease my mind as to the sanity of the world we live in. Unfortunately, I also have a great respect for the Folsom Police and know that these charges would not have been brought on Scott Gmitter without substantial evidence.

I think that's what makes us most disturbed regarding what has happened over the weekend. This was a person who we would have trusted with our children and would have never suspected to be a pedophile. Needless to say, it has scared me to my core. All those friends, neighbors, relatives. Everybody appears to be normal and more than likely all of them actually are, but who really knows, and what risks are we willing to take with our children.

At what point do we consider ourselves secure and does that security mean that we have to block out the rest of society from harming us in any way? These are just some questions that are swirling around in my head right now and I would appreciate any feedback or thoughts.

[EmpireRanchKingsFan]

I've had three days to digest this disturbing news, yet I'm still in a state of shock and disbelief. Scott was my daughter's teacher last year, as well as her hiking club coach for this current school year. My husband chaperoned on the hikes and really enjoyed Scott's company and apprecited his natural affinity with the children. We had nothing but genuine respect for him as a teacher, for his involvement with the school, and for the excitement of learning and discovery that he brought to my daughter last year.

My daughter spoke quite highly of him throughout the year and considered him her favorite teacher to date. I had even thought about sending my son to his home for tutoring services over this past summer. He certainly did not fit any profile of what I considered a predator to look or act like. What I find terribly ironic is something that he mentioned to the parents at Back to School night last year: He appeared genuinely concerned that he had recently discovered there was a registered sex offender living his neighborhood, and thus close to the school as well.

How do you tell your child(ren)? and how much do you tell them about what he's being accused of?

[folsomBlondie]

It's darn sad. Nowaday, I don't trust any adults with my kids unless I really really know that person.

[OctoberLily]

I am impressed that the FBI, Folsom Police and FCUSD are taking these charges seriously and looking at all evidence instead of disregarding everything.

I had a friend whose daughter was molested by her teacher a decade ago when she was in elementary school. The little girl was not believed and, instead, the teacher was transferred to a different school. My friend's daughter was traumatized not once but twice because the school district didn't believe her. It was her word against his and he was an adult and she was no more than 6 years old. Needless to say, the trauma she endured earlier in her life carried her to her teenage years. What was a very beautiful little girl turned into a beautiful young girl who decided that gaining weight would be her only deterrent to attracting a pedophile. I've since lost touch with her since she is now a young adult but I wished she had obtained justice when she was younger.

I'm a strong advocate for children's legal rights and hope that when a child speaks, he or she is heard.

[folsomBlondie]

Yes, because kids just don't tell lies. Do we have more of these pedophiles now? It seems like we have more offenders of of kinds of crimes.

[Steve Heard]

King's fan

What do you tell your kids? The truth. Better they hear the truth from you, than rumors or misinformation from their peers.

This story is on the news, in the newspapers, and is the talk of the town. Please address it with your kids.

My 10 year old asked me what molesting meant. I told her that it in this case, it means inappropriate touching and other behavior with kids.

[So 95630]

This whole story is very disturbing... There are some sick people in this world.