|
Published: April 19, 2008 04:08 pm
Riherd recognized for her work
By BRAD DICKERSON
Glasgow Daily Times
A 7-year-old child showed Glasgow attorney Rita Riherd his gratitude for her assistance the only way he could — he gave her one of his cherished Monopoly chance cards.
“He had so little to give and he couldn’t have afforded a thank you card, but (one) of his little cards that he was so proud of, he brought me that,” she said.
The keepsake still sits on a shelf in Riherd’s office on Glasgow’s Public Square. She admits to becoming emotional whenever thoughts turn to the boy and the circumstances that led to their meeting in 2000; he was the victim of sexual abuse by a maternal uncle and she was prosecuting the case.
As more information came to light, Riherd realized that she could only get a conviction if the child took the stand during the trial.
“It was just something that I’ll never forget, seeing a 7-year-old boy get up in court and testify against his adult uncle,” she said. “Our case was so compelling that the uncle pled guilty during the trial.
“There was a lot of, in that case, suspicion of this being a generational problem within that family. I just hope that because of the action that we took, that it ended it.”
In the four months leading up to the trial, Riherd got to know the boy and his family, as well as spent time at what she described as their “very poor home.”
During a home visit, the young child showed Riherd his cards and asked if he could read them to her.
“Just to be able to spend more time doing something he wanted to do, we read through these little cards that looked like Monopoly cards, but only he didn’t have a Monopoly game, he just had the cards,” she said.
It was two weeks after the trial concluded that the little boy gave Riherd his token of appreciation.
In the years following that case, Riherd continues to represent neglected and abused children in court proceedings as guardian ad litem.
“The guardian ad litem’s main goal is to protect the best interest of the child and that child could range from a newborn taken from its mother at the hospital to a 17-year-old,” she said.
Riherd was recognized for her efforts on April 3 when she was named guardian ad litem of the year by the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southern Kentucky.
The group is comprised of 45 volunteers who advocate for children in court and also identify a child’s needs and ask community partners to meet those needs, said Will Constable, executive director of CASA of South Central Kentucky, which serves Barren, Warren, Butler, Hart and Metcalfe counties.
Constable added that of the 28 Barren County children CASA served in 2007, Riherd worked with them on about 16 of the cases.
“Rita goes the extra mile in that she actually visits some of the children, listens to what they have to say and collaborates with us and others in her diligent defense of the children’s legal (rights),” he said.
Riherd said she is impressed by the CASA volunteers who take time out of their schedules to monitor and advocate for children they may have just met.
“In America, we should value our children,” she said. “I think that we’re morally and legally bound to come to the aid of a child who — no fault of their own — has become abused or neglected in this society.”
For the future, Riherd plans to continue her work as a guardian ad litem and her affiliation with CASA as long as her help is needed.
“It’s a chance to make some small difference in the life of a child (who has perhaps) gone through the school of hard knocks,” she said. “To be able to help just a little bit, it’s very rewarding as an attorney.”
• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
TURNER HOMES FOR CHILDREN
has two part-time openings for weekend staff. Sat. & Sun. 6am-2pm. Sat. & Sun. nights 10pm - 6pm. $9 per hour. Must have...>MORE
MEDICAL ASSISTANT OR LPN FOR BUSY MEDICAL FAMILY PRACTICE.
Minimum 1 year experience. Send resume to P.O. Box 176, Edmonton, KY 42129. No phone calls....>MORE
OWNER/OPERATORS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY!
CLD Class A. Good MVR. 2 years experience. Call Ken: 270-670-6977....>MORE
FULL-TIME ENTRY LEVEL MAINTENANCE WORKER
needed for East-West Trucking Company in Glasgow. Medical and dental insurance is available after 90 days. For more info...>MORE
WANTED, TRUCK DRIVERS, OWNER/OPERATOR
to haul logs. Be home every night. Competitive wages. 270-428-3644. Dickerson Lumber Co....>MORE
TEMP TO PERM INDUSTRIAL JOB OPENINGS IN GLASGOW & HORSE CAVE
Most jobs require you to be able to pass drug screen, criminal background check and have high school diploma or GED. All...>MORE
OTR DRIVERS IT'S SPRING....
Are you missing your family? Call Core Trans LLC Today & Be Home EVERY WEEKEND!! $1,000 sign on BONUS! 2,500-3,000 miles...>MORE
HOW HIRING - HARDEE'S ASST. MANAGER,
Glasgow, KY. Vacations, benefits, insurance, flex. scheduling. Mail resume or letter to 205 W. Cherry, Glasgow....>MORE
LOCAL PHARMACY SEEKS RELIABLE, RESPONSIBLE
& customer friendly technicians. Experience preferable, not required. Contact Donna 270-651-5133.
...>MORE
NOW HIRING OTR TRUCK DRIVERS
Paid practical miles, good home time & pd. vacation. Call Steven at 270-618-9708....>MORE
See all ads |
|
2003 CHEVY UTILITY VAN, (SEATS AVAILABLE),
V-6, all power, runs great. $2,500. OBO. 270-786-1102....>MORE
FOR RENT: TWO TRAILER LOTS.
Located at Hollow Rd. in Glasgow. Call 270-651-6786....>MORE
1996 CHEVY TRUCK, EXT. CAB,
road ready, extra good condition. Call 270-678-2568, leave name & number if no answer....>MORE
LOOKING FOR A GREAT AUTO DEAL?.....
Looking to buy or sell?
Check here for the Premium Auto Section.
You can post an ad with unlimited text and ...>MORE
2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING.
6 speed, 96 cu. in., gray, like brand new, 3,500 miles. $16,400. Call 270-579-2874.
...>MORE
'01 HONDA ACCORD, WHITE, 4 CYL.,
2 door, loaded, 90,000 miles, 24/34 mgp. Great car for young driver. $10,500. 270-590-1733....>MORE
1997 GMC 1500 4WD AUTO,
107K, gooseneck, cruise, PW, PDL, $6,000. 427-4314....>MORE
'07 FORD MUSTANG, RED, 2 DR
CP, V-6, 5 speed, auto, cloth, 14K, garage kept, asking $16,000. 270-678-6971....>MORE
2007 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE MODEL,
beautiful blue exterior, 39,000 miles, good gas mileage! Call 270-427-5468....>MORE
1988 F250 FORD TRUCK,
factory rebuilt, 200 engine, 5 speed, new clutch, pressure plate, twin exhaust & tires. $2,000.00. 1983 F150 200 engine....>MORE
See all ads |
|
2 BR, APT. $200 DEP. $450 MO. With electric
& water included. Stove & frig. furnished. Call 270-576-4209....>MORE
NEW 3 BR, 2 BA, HOUSE, FOR SALE. SPACIOUS FLOOR PLAN,
full basement w/drive-in garage in the country. $165,500. 678-2712 or 270-678-3039....>MORE
FOR RENT: 1 BR APARTMENT IN HORSE CAVE.
$350.00 per month and $250.00 deposit. Utilities paid except for phone and garbage pickup. Laundry facility at no charge...>MORE
MOBILE HOME FOR SALE, MUST BE MOVED.
2 BR, 1 1/2 BA, good condition, $12,500. 270-428-5783 after 7pm-10pm....>MORE
NEW CONSTRUCTION HOME. 3 BR, 2 BA, NEW SALEM RD.
2 car garage. 1792 sq. ft. $135,000. 270-646-7795....>MORE
2 BR, 1 BA, 5 MIN. FROM PENINSULA BOAT RAMP
$300 mo. $300 deposit. 749-2099....>MORE
SEVERAL RECENTLY REMODELED, 2 BR, 2 BA MOBILE HOMES
in nice community, HUD accepted. Also duplex for sale. Call 590-0779....>MORE
2 BR, 1 BA DUPLEX, APPLIANCES
& yard care furnished. $475 mo. Located near hospital. 270-749-2099....>MORE
1 BEDROOM HOUSE IN GLASGOW ON THE SOUTH SIDE.
No drinking & smoking. $325 mo + deposit. 590-2627 or 670-5698...>MORE
HIDDEN LAKE APARTMENTS
2 BR, duplex, water & garbage furnished. $150 deposit. Call 678-2859....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
Discuss this story
