Rebecca Rustler Valerie Malone
Mary Anne Flaherty reached for her iPhone to learn that a child had fled from her foster father at four a.m. after being ‘ molested ’ by him! The girl was in emergency care now. Feeling deeply for the girl Mary Anne, Senior Foster Care and Adoption Social Worker, Mercy Social Services wondered how to help the child? Who should she choose as foster parents? The best people she could find. Such thoughts kept her awake all night and she was glad when time came to go to work. Upon arrival, the place was abuzz with talk of what happened the night before. Sensing the need to move cautiously she assigned the case to Marion Maloney SW, deciding to supervise the case closely herself. Explaining things to Marion they set off to collect the child and settle her with her new foster parents. At the end of the long room stood Rebecca Rustler (12) garbed in pyjamas and holding her teddy bear. ‘ You poor child ’ said Marion, ‘ Are you cold? Did you have breakfast? ’ The child shook her head and Mary Anne said ‘ Right. Would you like to come with us, and we will get you some food and clothes? ’ The child nodded and seemed to brighten at the prospect. The official ‘ handing over ’ took ten minutes and then they were on their way. A café provided cereal, tea, and toast. Rebecca was ravenous. Next stop Dunnes where suitable outfits were bought – one proudly donned by Rebecca as they left the shop. Ted and Joan McDonagh were Mary Anne ’ s choice of foster parents for Rebecca. With the agency for twenty years, they fostered a hundred children + and had an unblemished record of love, care and concern for each child – the vast majority of whom remained in the McDonagh household until they were able to fend for themselves. Ted and Joan answered the door and gave a warm welcome to all three, being extra gracious to Rebecca whom they felt was traumatised after her experiences. Marion explained that as the assigned social worker she would call the following day. After Rebecca was shown her room everyone chatted over a relaxing cuppa. Upon returning to her office Mary Anne phoned Rebecca ’ s previous social worker from Riverside Social Services who said ‘ I am totally baffled by this. Tony Moran, the foster father in question is one of our best foster dads and is greatly loved by his foster children. We have known him for eighteen years there ’ s never even been a glitch before and now this - molestation! ’ Ten minutes later Mary Anne rang off and wondered again about Rebecca Rustler. Her secretary buzzed her to say that Mrs. Rustler wanted to see her downstairs.
ushering her into an interview room. ‘ I ’ m Mary Anne Flaherty, can I get you anything? ’ she asked and got two coffees from the machine before finally settling down to talk to Rebecca ’ s mother wondering why Rebecca was in care when her mother was apparently so well and capable. ‘ Rebecca phoned me about what happened ’ said Mrs. Rustler. ‘ So, I came at once. I hope you have kitted my daughter out with a new wardrobe. We can ’ t have a child going around half naked now, can we? That man must be punished. I hope this agency is better than that last one. I want you to keep me informed of everything that happens. Everything. Do you understand? ’ ‘ Certainly ’, replied Mary Anne before asking ‘ Is Rebecca ’ s father around ’? ‘ Yes, he is working and couldn ’ t come, but I ’ m here, ’ she answered. Mary Anne was relieved when the seventy - minute interview was over. Later she contacted Riverside Agency again and the other two agencies where Rebecca had been a foster child. Next day Marion visited Rebecca and with her foster parents they discussed where she might attend school. She also notified them of Rebecca ’ s medical checks etc. They spent much time seeing to all the child ’ s needs and wants. Meantime Mary Anne arranged a meeting with all Rebecca ’ s previous social workers and learned much about the child, her family, and their use of social work agencies. Next, she arranged a meeting attended by Rebecca, both parents, all her previous foster parents, and social workers. After outlining what had happened Mary Anne finished, ‘ After hearing what happened in each agency – that having being kitted out with a complete new wardrobe you claimed to have been ‘ molested ’ by your foster father and demanded a change to another agency. ‘ I put it to you Rebecca that you were not ‘ molested ’ by any of the foster fathers concerned. That your parents told you what to do and say and, in the process, garnered from the state new clothes in excess of € 10,000.’
The ensuing silence was broken only by the rustling noises of the Rustler family trying to leave the room!
‘ Hello Mrs. Rustler, it ’ s good to meet you ’ she said
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