At Larry Nassar’s Sentencing, Parents Ask: ‘How Did I Miss the Red Flags?’
- 6 years ago
At Larry Nassar’s Sentencing, Parents Ask: ‘How Did I Miss the Red Flags?’
In a Michigan court, dozens of parents have sobbed, wiped away tears or stood silently in a grim backdrop as young women
and teenagers testify about being molested by Lawrence G. Nassar, the former Olympic gymnastics team and sports medicine doctor.
Judge Rosemarie Aquilina of Ingham County Circuit Court, who has called the women
and teenagers “survivors” and “superheroes” as they have spoken in court, continued to work her way toward the end of a list of more than 150 young women and teenagers who wanted to make statements.
Over the last week, as more than 150 young women have read statements about Dr. Nassar’s abuse,
one element has stood out: the role of the parents who sent their children to him.
“I willingly took my most precious gift in this world to you,
and you hurt her,” said Anne Swinehart, who was allowed to directly address Dr. Nassar in court after her daughter Jillian spoke on Tuesday.
“I know how hard-core sports moms are.”
Dr. Nassar, 54, pleaded guilty in November to seven counts of sexual assault,
and for more than a week the number of women who have wanted to speak in court has grown.
The women have said that Dr. Nassar positioned their bodies so their parents, or sometimes a trainer, could
not see what he was doing, using a towel, raising the table, or slipping his hand under baggy shorts.
In a Michigan court, dozens of parents have sobbed, wiped away tears or stood silently in a grim backdrop as young women
and teenagers testify about being molested by Lawrence G. Nassar, the former Olympic gymnastics team and sports medicine doctor.
Judge Rosemarie Aquilina of Ingham County Circuit Court, who has called the women
and teenagers “survivors” and “superheroes” as they have spoken in court, continued to work her way toward the end of a list of more than 150 young women and teenagers who wanted to make statements.
Over the last week, as more than 150 young women have read statements about Dr. Nassar’s abuse,
one element has stood out: the role of the parents who sent their children to him.
“I willingly took my most precious gift in this world to you,
and you hurt her,” said Anne Swinehart, who was allowed to directly address Dr. Nassar in court after her daughter Jillian spoke on Tuesday.
“I know how hard-core sports moms are.”
Dr. Nassar, 54, pleaded guilty in November to seven counts of sexual assault,
and for more than a week the number of women who have wanted to speak in court has grown.
The women have said that Dr. Nassar positioned their bodies so their parents, or sometimes a trainer, could
not see what he was doing, using a towel, raising the table, or slipping his hand under baggy shorts.