The Dollars had custody of seven children--perhaps being foster parents first, then becoming adoptive parents. (It's not entirely clear.) All the kids were home-schooled. CNN reports that in a 1995 DCF questionnaire, Linda Dollar wrote, "We have five adopted children and have seen what we can do to help those less fortunate, we can see so many children who need special care, love and an opportunity to be part of a warm, loving, caring home atmosphere."
Two weeks ago, through a 911 call, one of the kids wound up in the hospital with a laceration on his head and red marks on his neck. The Dollars were to appear in court on Monday, but never showed. The fugitives were apprehended on Friday.
Apparently two of the children were considered "the favorites." They were not abused. But the other five were not so fortunate. Here is some of what they experienced:
- having their toenails pulled out with pliers;
- given electric shocks (with either a stun gun or a cattle prodder);
- being tied down and bound with plastic handcuffs;
- being chained to spots in their house with chains;
- forced to sleep in a locked walk-in closet;
- beaten in the feet and legs with hammers;
- extreme malnourishment.
The 16-year-old boy weighs only 59 pounds. The two 14-year-old boys each weighed less than 40 pounds. (For comparison, the average 4-year-old weighs 36-38 pounds.) Authorities describe the children as looking like Auschwitz victims.
If it is permissible to pray imprecatory psalms today--and I believe that it is--then I believe it is appropriate to pray for God's righteous judgment to be administered to this unspeakably cruel man and woman.
