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This letter is to applaud Luzerne County Judge Michael T. Vough in his sentencing of Pedro Ewing.
Ewing pleaded no contest to charges of statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors, unlawful contact with a minor and two counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse on Oct. 29. Wilkes-Barre police charged him in September 2015, alleging he took an autistic 14-year-old girl to a residence on New Alexander Street where he forced her to have sex and perform lewd sexual acts.
As a parent and grandparent of children affected by autism, the judge’s comment, “I wish I could snap my fingers and help your daughter, but I can’t” shows the empathy, sensitivity and compassion people with autism need.
As parents, we are taught to encourage independence and interaction with others to our children with autism. Unfortunately, many times they have a problem with choosing the correct people to trust. Judge Vough went on to say, “But what I can do is send this man away so he doesn’t hurt you or anyone else anymore.”
Thank you, Judge Vough, for protecting these innocent victims and considering them and their families when making your decision.
Suzanne C. Joseph
Wilkes-Barre