Knowing When To Leave :: He Won’t Change

Knowing When To Leave :: He Won’t Change

Never A Happy Ending

18 years to life to be served at Angola State Penitentiary. My eyes rolled back, my heart sank, my hands shook, my knees became weak as I heard the verdict. This was it, it was the only way out of the viscous cycle I’d been enduring for years.

Every time I left, I was stalked until I returned. When I said I was done, I was manipulated into believing he couldn’t live without me. When I finally ran, I was drug back and subject to the same cycle I tried escaping.

I was held captive in an abusive relationship that I couldn’t get out of, but there’s always that one time. The time you know this is the last time, and all it took was me having to leave on a stretcher.

For so long all the roads had rerouted us here. Finally, I exhaled “I was beat enough!” My black and blue face, the knife, the splinters, and the marks he left when he choked me were still visible when I arrived at the hospital. I knew I had to put him away now! It was that or come to a dead end and not the kind at the end of the road, but the kind that would take my life away from me.

Say Her Name

Smiles and joyous singing fill the air while on vacation, echoing, “This is the song that never ends,” and for a moment, you think it truly won’t. You savor every memory being made, holding onto a glimmer of hope and happiness it can always be this great, but then reality bites.

It happens so fast! The vacation ends, and you’re done enjoying the greatest times on earth, returning home only to be drug right back to hell realizing this is the cycle that has to end!

For Kassie Richardson the cycle came to a tragic end! Kassies was a young 33 year wife and step mom to her six year old step son. After returning from vacation earlier this year, her husband, Brett Richardson, killed both her and his own son before turning the gun on himself. The multiple family homicide took place in their home in Youngsville. When police arrived on the scene, it was determined the tragic scene was a double homicide followed by suicide of the killer.

Kassie was described as friendly, a lover of life and children, loving the role of mom and a devoted wife. From the outside looking in, this was a normal happy family. The news both shocked and devastated the Acadiana community.

No Way Out

There comes a time when every abused woman knows she’s had enough and it’s time to leave! The realization hits that if I don’t leave now this will never end. You’ve had enough, you’re ready to live life again. You finally gain enough courage to walk away and when you do he can’t take it. If he can’t have you, no one will!

For 41 year old Dalana Charlot, she had finally left and did what had to be done, leaving Raylon Wiltz and obtaining an order of protection. Only 33 year old Raylon Wiltz couldn’t live without her and shot and killed Dalana in April. After killing Dalana Charlot, Wiltz cowardly turned the gun on himself and met his own fatal ending.

The violence had been going on and it is said the homicide was intentional. Dalana was a victim who deserved more life, more love, more time. A candle light vigil was held in the community where her mother broke down saying, “She wasn’t just my daughter, she was my everything!”.

The Great Eight

They will be remembered!

Braylon and Sariahh Snow, Jada and Shayla Elkins, Kayla and Layla Pugh, Markaydon Pugh! 8 innocent children ranging in ages from 3-11 years old lost their lives in multiple homes that were turned into houses of terror. One after another, children being chased and killed by their own father/uncle Shamar Elkins.

Fathering 7 children between two women including Shamar’s ex wife and mother of three of the victims, Christina Snow, and Shaneiqua Pugh Shamar, mother of four children and aunt to Markadon, were also gunned down but surviving. This awful crime took the lives of multiple members of these families. Shamar also lead the police on a chase across multiple parishes in the end meeting his deadly demise.

Along with the 2 mothers, one child survived by jumping off the roof. Conflicting reports were reported by media as to if the child was able to run to a neighbors and call for help or not.

Officials both locally and nationally called this one of the worst scenes ever. A mass murder making National news. Vigils were held across the city with family, friends and strangers gathering to remember the 8 innocent children whose lives were tragically taken. Gatherings have been held and people have come together to pray for an end to domestic violence.

The End

The things you question as an abused person are: Will I live to see another day?, Is today the day?, Is this how it all ends? You know you’re not just walking away that easily, because the sickness of separation and control is why they can’t let you go.

Women we know wake up every day in fear, afraid to speak up, afraid to leave, afraid to live but also afraid to die.

Some days all she can do is hope for death because slowly dying every day isn’t quick enough. Convinced meeting death has to be quicker. They didn’t change and he won’t change either. You don’t have to meet your final chapter. There is help out there. There are local, state and National resources to help you break the cycle of domestic abuse.

Domestic Abuse Resources ::

Faith House :: 337-232-8954

Chez Hope :: 337-828-4200

Louisiana State Hotline :: 888-411-1333

Hearts Of Hope :: 337-269-1557