#Custody Lawyer Brooklyn

[brooklynfamilydivorcelaw]

Best Places to Eat in Brooklyn

Introduction

The best food in Brooklyn is as varied as the borough itself. When you're thinking about where to eat in Brooklyn, you'll want to make sure that the restaurant has that unique Brooklyn vibe. That's why we've put together a list of the best places to eat in Greenpoint, Sunset Park, and Chinatown. You'll also find restaurants that serve up great pizza and desserts along with burgers and shakes from one of our favorite neighborhoods: Park Slope!

Pizza in Greenpoint

L&B Spumoni Gardens:

The best pizza in Greenpoint is at L&B Spumoni Gardens, a historic Italian restaurant with a menu that includes everything from veal parmigiana to eggplant parmigiana. The pizza itself comes in classic NYC-style slices or whole pies and can be topped with everything from pepperoni to sausage to mushrooms. Be sure to save room for some of their famous cannoli!

Di Fara Pizza:

If you want the most authentic slice of New York City-style pizza in Greenpoint, head over to Di Fara Pizza where lines are long but worth it! They're open until midnight on weekdays and 1 am on weekends (so go early if you want yours fresh). You'll find classics like cheese or pepperoni on top of an airy crust at this local favorite--but don't forget about the specialty options like broccoli rabe pie (pictured above) or eggplant Parmesan! Paulie Gee's

Mexican Food in Sunset Park

If you're vegetarian, vegan, or have food allergies and are looking for some delicious Mexican food in Brooklyn, look no further than Sunset Park. This neighborhood is well known for its wide variety of restaurants that offer fresh ingredients and authentic dishes. Many restaurants in Sunset Park offer gluten-free options as well as other healthy choices such as salads and soups.

It's also worth noting that Sunset Park has one of the highest concentrations of Mexican-Americans in New York City--meaning it's home to some great authentic cuisine!

Dim Sum in Chinatown

Dim sum is a type of Chinese food, served in small bite-sized portions. It's traditionally served in bamboo baskets or steamer baskets, but you can also find it in deep-fried dough pockets.

Dim sum is often eaten for breakfast or brunch and usually consists of savory dishes such as dumplings, buns, pancakes, and other pastries along with sweet desserts like pastel de nata (custard tarts).

Pizza and Desserts in Red Hook

Carmine's

Barracuda

Salvatore Pizzeria (Get the Margherita)

Franny's (The pizzas are made in a wood-burning oven and have unique toppings, like eggplant and ricotta or gruyere cheese.)

Marco's Pizza (There are several locations around the city and they're open late!)

Pizza di Scarola (This place has a great selection of pies with fresh ingredients.) If you're looking for something different, try their broccoli rabe pizza--it won't disappoint!

Michal Zidkyahu, MA

Michal Zidkyahu, MA is the owner of St. John's Park Slope. He graduated from Harvard University in 2009 and has been running his restaurant for five years.

St. John's Park Slope has a variety of foods that will appeal to any palate: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert! They also have beverages such as coffee and tea if you want something other than food!

St. John's Park Slope

St. John's Park Slope is the place to go for good food and a good atmosphere. It's great for groups, kids and birthdays, or any special occasion. The staff are friendly and accommodating, but don't be fooled: they know how to cook! The food here is delicious and reasonably priced--you can enjoy a three-course meal for $30 per person (not including drinks).

The interior is decorated with exposed brick walls, wooden floors, and hanging lights that give off a cozy vibe while still being bright enough to see your plate at night time. There are also large windows which let plenty of natural light in during the day so there's no need for dimming lamps or candles like other restaurants would do when being crowded by hungry patrons after 6 pm on weekdays when most people go home from work

Conclusion

If you're looking for a delicious meal in Brooklyn, these are some of the best places to eat. Whether you want pizza, burgers, or dim sum, there's something on this list that will satisfy your craving.

Gordon Law, P.C.

Gordon Law, P.C. is a family law firm in Brooklyn, NJ that helps clients with divorce and related issues. We serve clients all over the DFW metroplex and surrounding areas, including McKinney and Plano. is a Michigan divorce law firm that helps couples navigate the difficult waters of divorce. We know how stressful and confusing this process can be, which is why we make sure to provide clear answers, expert advice, and compassionate support along the way. is a law firm that has been serving the San Diego area for more than 30 years. We know what it means to be a family, and we understand how important your marriage is to you. We take that into consideration when we’re helping you with your divorce case—whether it's an amicable one or not. You may find us online using these keywords Divorce Lawyer Brooklyn, Family lawyer Brooklyn, Custody Lawyer Brooklyn, Custody Lawyer Brooklyn, and Child Lawyer Brooklyn.

Gordon Law, P.C.

32 Court St #404, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States

347-378-9090

[wedesignyouny]

Why Should I Hire A New York City Child Custody Attorney? | Law Offices of Akram Louis

In New York City, a parent’s life can become extremely stressful when they are dealing with a custody dispute. Having a Brooklyn or Queens lawyer with experience in child custody cases in New York can assist reduce your stress and increase the likelihood that your case will result in a good resolution. A competent lawyer can support you during the process and assist you in deciding what kind of custody arrangement would be most appropriate for your family.

A lot of paperwork and a complicated legal process may be involved in child support proceedings, which your attorney can assist you with. It’s crucial to make sure your child receives the same care as they would if you were still married or co-parenting if you are the parent with custodial rights. If you are the non-custodial parent, you should make sure that you are paying the right amount of child support and that you are not being taken advantage of because you are not knowledgeable about all of New York’s custody regulations.

To ensure that you can make the most of your parenting time following your divorce, it is important to hire a custody attorney. To attain the outcomes you want, you will each need your own New York custody lawyer unless you can agree on every detail of your custody agreement. In the unlikely event that your relationship with your co-parent changes, it is still advised to get your agreement approved by the courts, even if you are able to reach an understanding.

In a custody dispute, it is not a good idea to represent yourself in court. A highly qualified custody lawyer provides views and viewpoints that you might not have without a thorough understanding of the complex rules regarding child custody in New York. Reduced time with your kids, paying too much or too little in child support, and other negative consequences could arise from this. It could also cause major losses.

A lawyer specializing in custody disputes brings a wealth of knowledge about New York family law to the table. They are skilled in navigating the legal system because they are knowledgeable about the subtleties of custody statutes, precedents, and local ordinances. They can also help you understand confusing legal jargon and make sure you understand all of your rights and obligations as a parent.

During the process, your lawyer should be your steadfast supporter. They should be dedicated to protecting your child’s best interests and, if needed, skillfully bargaining on your behalf during mediation or effectively defending you in court. Because they have dealt with a variety of custody situations, they may adjust their tactics to fit your particular situation, increasing the possibility of a successful outcome. Furthermore, having a lawyer at your side can provide priceless emotional support during emotionally taxing custody battles, enabling you to stay focused on putting your child’s needs first.

The ability to communicate well is often the key to identifying extraordinary attorneys from good ones. Great attorneys have excellent communication skills in addition to their superior legal knowledge. In addition to paying close attention, they also show empathy for the wants and worries of their customers. Strong client-attorney relationships built on open communication and trust are cultivated by exceptional lawyers, who make sure that clients feel understood and supported at every step of the way.

Differentiating Exceptional New York Family Law Attorneys

Both competent and great attorneys have a strong foundation of legal knowledge and expertise in the field of New York family law. Nonetheless, exceptional lawyers enhance their profession by thoroughly examining every detail of every case and offering creative, customized solutions that cater to the specific requirements of their customers.

While competent attorneys show that they are knowledgeable about the law, outstanding attorneys go above and beyond by devoting a significant amount of time and energy to thoroughly investigating and evaluating the specifics of each case they handle. Their commitment enables them to provide astute counsel and innovative approaches that optimize the likelihood of a successful conclusion for their customers.

Outstanding communication skills are a crucial characteristic that distinguishes outstanding attorneys. Excellent lawyers may be highly skilled litigators, but they place a high value on candid and understanding communication with their clients. Strong client-attorney relationships based on openness and trust are fostered by their attentive listening to their clients’ needs and worries.

The family law attorneys on our team at The Louis Law Firm, PLLC are the epitome of excellence. We combine in-depth legal knowledge with a special ability to establish a personal connection with our clients, all while maintaining a profound understanding of the nuances of New York family law. We go above and above to make sure that every case is handled with thoroughness, compassion, and creative problem-solving, making every effort to achieve the greatest results.

Selecting the Best Option for Your Situation

It’s a big decision to decide to split ways with your present custody attorney, but it can be required to guarantee the greatest result for your case. There are several indicators that this is a viable alternative. Three important indicators to remember are as follows:

1: Absence of Communication: In a custody dispute, clear communication between you and your lawyer is crucial. It might be time for a change if your attorney consistently ignores your messages or calls, doesn’t keep you informed about the status of your case, or seems uninterested in solving your problems. To ensure that you stay informed throughout the legal process and to build a solid attorney-client relationship, open and honest communication is essential.

2: Insufficient Legal Counsel: Your case may not be as successful if you believe your attorney is inexperienced or does not have the requisite knowledge of New York family law, especially when it comes to custody disputes. Your lawyer should be able to create winning plans for you and have a thorough awareness of the custody regulations in your area. It can be in your best advantage to look for new counsel if you feel that your current attorney’s abilities and knowledge are inadequate for your case.

3: Ethics vs. Conflicting Interests: In the lawyer-client relationship, trust is everything. It’s important to be concerned if you think your lawyer is not looking out for your best interests or has conflicts of interest. Additionally, it’s obvious that you should look for other legal representation if you witness any unethical activity, such as dishonesty or a violation of attorney-client confidentiality.

In conclusion, being aware of these indicators will enable you to decide intelligently whether to keep working with your present custody attorney or look for other counsel. Selecting an attorney you feel confident in and who you trust is vital since they will be the one to fight for your rights and make sure your case goes as smoothly as possible.

Hiring a Skilled Family Attorney in New York City

A skilled divorce and family lawyer’s advocacy is essential to getting the best result for your case when navigating a divorce including children. You shouldn’t take the chance of losing valuable time with your kids lightly.

Having a legal professional on your side guarantees that you will be adequately represented and prepared to handle the intricacies of your custody dispute. A child custody arrangement that puts the child’s best interests first is crucial in divorces involving children. Divorcing spouses frequently have worries over visitation schedules, child support payments, and custody agreements. By working with an experienced firm such as The Louis Law Firm, PLLC, you can confidently handle these issues and make sure you don’t lose out on important time with your kids.

You can approach your custody dispute with clarity and confidence by hiring an experienced family lawyer, knowing that your children’s welfare and your legal rights are being protected.

[digitalbeachrave]

Luigi Mangione is in solitary confinement? Why?

He was in the Special Housing Unit/solitary confinement from when he arrived at MDC Brooklyn (December 19) until December 31. The reasons given were administrative (safety/security concerns), he didn't break any prison rules and he's reportedly been cooperative.

He's currently in a Protective Custody Unit (he probably won't ever go into general pop) where he has a single cell but can interact with other prisoners on the unit (edit: apparently the beds in the PCU are all in the same room like a dorm)

In this video (from his Dec 23 court hearing) Luigi's NY lawyer Karen tries to give him a printed photo of something but the guard stops him from taking it, and we were trying to figure out what exactly it was that he wasn't allowed to have, but since he was going right back into solitary it could've been literally anything, no photos or books are allowed.

From everything I've read about MDC Brooklyn (I've mostly been browsing ex-prisoner forums, and reading about how other high profile inmates like Sam Bankman-Fried were treated) it's a poorly run shithole. Solitary prisoners are supposed to be allowed out for 1 hour a day to shower/exercise but because of staff shortages they're only let out for 1 hour two or three times a week. Also again because of understaffing the inmates are sometimes left in dirty/soiled clothing. The prison was raided by the Feds last October.

[noellawrites]

Troubled Return - Yandere!Rafael Barba x reader

summary: After returning to New York City, Rafael takes you to family court to prove you incompetent of caring for your two daughters.

warnings: toxic relationship, physical and emotional abuse, manipulation, talk of mental illness

It had been two years, but somehow stepping foot back in New York City made you feel like you'd never left. Two years since you'd taken little Lucia and your newborn daughter, so young you hadn't even named her.

And now here you were, outside Brooklyn Presbyterian after visiting your ailing mother. You huffed, holding back tears as you attempted to hail a cab. Little Isabel strapped to your stomach as Lucia held onto your leg.

Just as a yellow vehicle was pulling over in front of you, you felt Lucia detach from your leg, causing you to swing around. Suddenly, your breath was knocked out of you completely. Rafael Barba was smirking, holding your--his daughter in his arms.

"Back in New York, huh? You took off without a word. Pretty harsh, taking my newborn from me. I'm glad you're back. It's good to see you again, Lucia. And this one here, sweet Isabel. You look just like me," he grinned, stroking her cheek.

"Papí?" Lucia's small voice asked, confusion written all over her face. She was an intelligent kid, and the resemblance was uncanny.

Rafael nodded, grinning as Lucia wrapped her arms around his neck.

"How dare you?" you hissed, tears now falling freely down your cheeks.

Memories flashed through your brain, things you never wanted to think about again. You at eighteen, first meeting Rafael as an intern and allowing yourself to be charmed by him. The positive pregnancy test and subsequent marriage at age twenty. The abuse, the yelling and fighting and manipulation. Your resignation, the anger of your parents. Little Lucia, screaming for her mommy. Rafael's cold and calculating demeanor. The painful, angry sex whenever he wanted. The second test, terror at the thought of subjecting another child to the lawyer's cruelty. Fleeing the hospital with your two daughters and nothing to your name.

"How dare I? How dare you. Snatching my children from right under my nose, running away without a word. You do know I'll be taking you to court for custodial interference, don't you?" he stated, still holding Lucia in his arms.

"We're leaving. C'mon Luce," you began, attempting to pull her away from Rafael.

"Where will you go? If you leave the city, I'll call SVU and they'll have to detain you. You and the girls can stay with me. Lucia's room is still intact and there's a cradle for Izzy," he stated, taking a step back and raising his eyebrows.

"How did you know? About where I was, about Izzy--"

"You're really asking me that? Let's just take the girls home," he said, leading you towards his apartment.

—

You were sitting in your lawyer, Trevor Langan's office to go over your case before you and Rafael would have to appear in family court.

"I was being abused! I was twenty-two with two kids and an abusive husband, what else was I supposed to do?" you cried.

"I understand that, (y/n). There is no easy way to say this, but since you were married and left the state with your kids to relocate, and you don't have any proof of abuse, Rafael can press charges against you for custodial interference. Legally, he has as much of a right to your children as you do.”

"I thought Liv said you could help me!" you yelled in frustration.

"I'll do my best, (y/n). I'll likely be able to get you out of jail time but we'll have to come to a mutual agreement with Mr. Barba for custody."

"He hit me in front of our daughter! H-he pushed me into a wall when I was pregnant. He trapped me and forced me to quit my job. I can't share custody with him!" you exclaimed.

"We'll work on it, okay? I'll talk to Liv and see if there's anything they can do to help. We'll figure this out, I promise," Trevor explained, putting his hand over yours in a comforting gesture.

"Thank you, Mr. Langan. I really appreciate it," you sighed, shaking his hand and leaving his office.

—

"Despite the crimes committed, I do not wish to press charges against my wife. However, I am asking the state to declare her incompetent on account of mental illness and suspend pending termination of her parental rights. I would like her to be released into my care," Rafael stated, taking a deep sigh as he sat down and unbuttoned his blazer.

"What?" You and Trevor both gasped simultaneously, standing up and looking at each other in shock.

Trevor shuffled through his paperwork as you stood, stunned speechless. Rafael wanted to declare you incapable of raising your daughters? Was this some sort of revenge for running away?

“This file contains documentation of my wife’s history with mental health conditions, which impairs her ability to care for herself and our children. There are also photographs and written statements,” Rafael explained, walking over and handing the file to the judge.

“This is a photograph of her leaving the girls, ages one and three, unattended for several hours. Here is an intake report from the hospital at age twenty-one, while she was still living with me, detailing her self-inflicted injuries. There’s more, I’ll let you take a look,” he stated, stepping back and shooting a quick smirk at you.

“Objection! This is absurd, Mrs. Barba took care of herself and her daughters alone for two years after fleeing a physically and emotionally abusive marriage!” Trevor exclaimed, looking straight at the judge.

“I will need time to look over this file. We will reconvene in an hour,” the judge stated.

—

“Why are you doing this?” you pleaded, walking up to your husband. He stood, sharply dressed as usual, with a grin on his face. He was already preparing to win.

“Between your custody interference, neglect and mental illnesses, I have enough proof to terminate parental rights. I want to see you rehabilitated, not charged. You can be a good mother and wife, I know you can. You just need some help,” he explained, concerned eyes baring into yours.

“You’re sick, Rafael Barba. I don’t want you anywhere near my daughters,” you snapped.

“Too bad you can’t prove anything. Looks like keeping records was a good thing, huh? A perk of having you on my insurance, and being your husband of course. You’ll never be able to get away from me,” he stated, mouth close to your ear. His voice sent familiar shivers down your spine.

Even after Rafael walked away, you could smell his expensive cologne lingering. You should never have tried to outsmart the lawyer. Your fate was sealed, whether you liked it or not.

[pashfoxx]

I can't get this idea of the Marauders x Spider-Man out of my head, so I started writing a bit about the background of each of the Marauders in this AU.

So in this AU, Hogwarts is like Brooklyn Visions Academy, the only difference being that it's located in London and the students are still divided into houses, but it's more like which dormitory sector you belong to and, ultimately, they're not taken as seriously as in canon.

Peter: He's an only child, his father is a paramedic and his mother is a nurse. Due to his parents' shifts, he's somewhat used to taking care of himself. He attends Hogwarts on a scholarship, although he always struggles to maintain good grades and not lose the scholarship. He suffers quite a bit when it comes to balancing his grades and his life as Spider-Man. He's quite close to his parents and his father's death really affected him a lot. After this, he became quite close to Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick, often turning to them for advice. He's a bit afraid of Professor McGonagall.

James: Like Peter, he's an only child and his parents are quite old. Because of that, he's quite spoiled, but he adores his parents, and woe to the person who insults either of them because James Potter isn't afraid to hit someone. He's the captain of the Hogwarts hockey team. His family is extremely wealthy, so he's always attended private schools and has no problem spending money on gifts for his friends. He's Professor McGonagall's favorite, as he's the best student in his class and has ensured that Hogwarts hasn't lost a match in the last two years.

Remus: Like the other two, he's an only child. I didn't want to completely ignore Remus's lycanthropy, so I decided to make him a mutant. He can control the transformation, but it's quite difficult for him to do so during full moon nights, so he simply opts to spend them as a wolf. He still has scars, but they're from when he was attacked by Fenrir Greyback (who is also a mutant in this AU). Remus managed to defend himself, and that's when he discovered he was a mutant. Lyall Lupin has made a great effort to change his beliefs about mutants since discovering his son was one. Now he and Remus are quite close. Likewise, Remus couldn't ask for a better mother than Hope Lupin. Like Peter, he has a scholarship, and thanks to it, his family can afford to send him to a school like Hogwarts, as Lyall Lupin is a police officer and Hope Lupin works in a bookstore, so they don't have money to spare like James and Sirius.

Sirius: He's a special case. Like in canon, he didn't have a good relationship with his family. For that reason, he likes attending Hogwarts because it allows him to be away from his family for much of the year. Initially, when he and Regulus started attending Hogwarts, they were quite close, but they started to drift apart over the years. Finally, when he turned 15 (about 6 months after Peter became Spider-Man), he ran away from home and lived with the Potters for a while until his uncle Alphard Black managed to become his legal guardian. Sirius goes to therapy once a week, but he's managing quite well. Alphard is also trying to get custody of Regulus, but it's not easy, as the Black family is quite wealthy and probably has the best lawyers in England.

[hannahhook7744]

Modern Merlin Moodboards (Part 2) (Revamped);

Character: Queen Guinevere Pendragon.

Modern name: Gwen Smith.

Age: 37 years old.

Modern job: Owner of a floral and boutique shop called 'Camelot Beauties'.

Short rundown of their modern life: Gwen Smith was born to a poor family in Brooklyn and grew up very happy until the death of her mother, which caused her older brother, Elyan, to runaway from home when she was 12.

Her mother was a seamstress and her father was a factory worker—both of whom would die from separate illnesses when she was 11 and 19 respectfully (not long after she first started her business). Leaving her on her own for a few months aside from her childhood best friend— Morgan's—family until her brother returned.

She would later go on to attend the weddings of Mithian and Elyan & Morgan and Del (as well as several others as she continued to meet people that her new friend Merlin kept introducing her to)—and she'd go to volunteer at Tristian and Izzy's Youth Center. Which was very fulfilling.

However, she could never quite shake the feeling that something was missing. A feeling that only slightly lessened when she adopted the baby boy she found on the doorstep of her shop when she was 26.

A feeling that continues to grow with every dream of the blonde with a charming smile in red who feels like home.

Character: King Arthur Pendragon.

Modern name: Arthur Smith.

Age: 38 years old.

Modern job: Stay at home dad (until he becomes more acquainted with the modern day).

Short rundown of their modern life: King Arthur Pendragon has not yet risen but will likely become a stay at home dad (until he becomes more acquainted with the modern day) when he does.

Character: Arthur the lesser and Artie Pendragon.

Modern name: Artie Smith.

Age: 11 years old.

Modern job: None. He's a student.

Short rundown of their modern life: Little Artie was left on the doorstep of 'Camelot Beauties' where he was found by the owner, Gwen Smith, who took him in.

She went on to raise him with the help of Morgana, Elyan, and the others.

Which caused him to befriend most, if not all, of their kids.

Character: Morgause.

Modern name: Morgause le Fay.

Age: 43 years old.

Modern job: Lawyer.

Short rundown of their modern life: Morgause le Fay was born to an unfaithful stay at home mom (and former socialite) and a soldier (who loved her very much).

Eventually though her father died during combat and her mother disappeared in a fire (caused by an oven that was developed and sold by the Penace Industries— Morgan's father owned), leaving her in charge of her younger sister and permantly disfigured at 17 years old.

She then had to fight tooth and nail to become emancipated and then fight to gain custody of her sister against her sister, Morgan's, biological father (who was a very bigoted and classist man). Which wasn't easy to do but she managed. All the while beginning to hate the man more than she already had before the incident.

She went on to rent a house with a wannabe magician named Edwin so she could properly take care of her sister while she took up different jobs to provide for them both. And later the little street rat her sister took a liking to, Mordred.

After Morgan graduated, Morgause started to seeing Edwin—who she had already befriended and bonded with over their shared burn scars—and went to law school. Still working multiple jobs to feed herself and Mordred (with help from Morgan who had gotten a scholarship and access to a trust fund after her bio father died).

And eventually, Morgause graduated and began a lawyer—one who fought for those who couldn't fit for themselves. One who fought for businesses like the one her sister ran.

Character: Edwin Muriden.

Modern name: Edwin 'Ed' Mercer.

Age: 43 years old.

Modern job: Famous Magician.

Short rundown of their modern life: Edwin 'Ed' Mercer grew up in the circus, raised by magicians until he was 7 when an oil lamp made by Penace Industries caused the trailer he lived in with his parents to burst into flames with them inside while he was playing outside.

Once he realized that his parents were in fact still inside, Edwin threw himself into the flames trying to save them and became disfigured in the process.

From that day on, he swore vengeance against Penace Industries—more specifically the owner—and ended up becoming roommates with the man's daughter and her older half sister, who Edwin took a fancy to.

He dropped his plans for revenge after Morgan's father died and continued on his path to becoming a magician.

Eventually crossing paths with Magicans Sophia and Gili, and street performer, Daegal, who he kinda became friendly rivals with.

Now he's a famous magician but still lives with Morgause who he is dating (niether are into the whole marriage thing) and he is very happy.

Character: Lady Morgana Pendragon.

Modern name: Morgan le Fay.

Age: 41 years old.

Modern job: Owner of Morgan's Palace (a restaurant and gay club/bar).

Short rundown of their modern life: Morgan was the product of an affair between rich business man Uther Penace and her unfaithful stay at home (and former socialite) mom.

For the first fifteen years of her life, she was unaware of this fact as she was raised by her mother and her mother's husband—who was a solider—alongside her older half sister, Morgause.

Then her step father died in combat and a fire broke out because of a faulty oven that caused her mother to disappear and her sister to become disfigured.

She was in the foster system for months as her sister and father fought over custody of her until her sister finally won and took her in, working her ass off to provide for her.

When Morgan was 17, she found a little boy around 4 digging around in the trash trying to find some food after his own father died and convinced Morgause to take him in as their brother.

The boy's name was Mordred and he now works at the club/bar/ restaurant that Morgan opened up as soon as she had the proper licensing (at 21) and built with the leftover money from her trust fund (that her bio father left her).

Her business is located right next to childhood friend (Gwen Smith)'s shop, Camelot Beauties, and she (along with her wife, Del, who owns an occult shop just up the road) has helped Gwen raise her adoptive son, Artie, since the very beginning alongside her own son, Morgie.

Character: Forridel.

Modern name: Del le Fay.

Age: 41 years old.

Modern job: Occult Shop Owner.

Short rundown of their modern life: Del le Fay (Nee West) was raised by her elderly grandmother who remained her only family until she died when Del was 24.

Leaving Del grieving and the proud owner of her grandmother's occult shop (West's Occult Shop).

The shop where Del would meet her adoptive little sister, Kara.

The shop where Del would meet her wife, Morgan le Fay, one day when she was 26 and looking for a present for her little thirteen year old brother, Mordred (who it turns out Kara knew when she was little if the pictures she had on her were anything to go by.

They quickly became friends and after three years of being friends, they started dating and eventually married.

She is also hiding a white baby dragin named 'Aithusa' that she found that only Morgan's son knows about. Well, officially anyway. Plenty of people have seen the dragon and it has become a bit of a local cryptid around where they live.

Character: Morgie le Fay.

Modern name: Morgar 'Morgie' le Fay.

Age: 13 years old.

Modern job: None. He's a student.

Short rundown of their modern life: Morgar 'Morgie' le Fay was born under mysterious circumstances to Morgan le Fay before Morgan and Del started dating.

He was raised alongside Artie and has always looked up to his uncle Mordred.

When he was three he started having visions of his mother's past life and because of that he's become somewhat disillusioned to the world around him. And he's started to resent Artie.

And ever since he learned how to read, he's been practicing magic in secret. Including dark magic.

He's been helping his other mother, Del, hide and take care of Aithusa and thrives on hearing the stories people throw around about the supposed 'cryptid' that he knows is just the dragon. He finds them hilarious.

He is very happy with his parents despite his growing mental health issues and resentment towards the world around him.

Character: Sir Mordred.

Modern name: Mordred Barlow le Fay.

Age: 28 years old.

Modern job: Waiter (at Morgan's Place) and Medical Intern.

Short rundown of their modern life: Mordred Barlow (Now Moedred Barlow le Fay) was born in a Wiccan compound who kept to themselves who he lived with for the first few years of his life.

When he was four, his father was sent out for supplies and took him with him—only to be killed in a mugging. Causing Mordred to have to fend for himself for a couple of days until he was found by Morgan le Fay who convinced her sister to take them in as their father.

So his name was changed to Mordred Barlow le Fay and he was raised as their little brother.

When he was 13, Morgan got him some Wiccan books for his birthday from the shop where she met her girlfriend, who just so happened to be fostering Mordred old childhood friend, Kara.

Now he lives in a flat above Morgan's Palace with his fiancée, Kara, where they both work while he interns at the local hospital under Dr. Merlin Everstone as he studies to become one himself.

Character: Kara.

Modern name: Kara Galdur.

Age: 28 years old.

Modern job: Waitress (at Morgan's Place) and Overnight Stocker (West's Occult Shop).

Short rundown of their modern life: When Kara was 11, her guardian abandoned her into the custody of Del West who's treated like a younger sister ever since.

When she was 13, whe was reunited with her old childhood friend, Mordred, and her adoptive sister befriended his adoptive sister.

When she was 16, Del and Morgana married, and she started dating Mordred.

Now she works as a waitress at Morgan's Palace and an overnight stalker at at West's Occult Shop, and lives in the flat over Morgan's Palace with her fiance, Mordred.

🔮🪄🧿🔮🪄🧿🔮🪄🧿🔮🪄🧿🔮🪄🧿🔮🪄🧿

Mood boards for my Merlin story 'it's time, it's time, it's time' where the younger characters of Merlin get reincarnated and have a second shot at life. Minus Leon and Merlin who are immortal and have to find a way to prevent history from repeating itself.

Big thanks to @hufflepuffpirate20 , @gwaine-lover , @genderfunky-lesbian , @everything-but-the-not-natural , @witchmd13 , @sautedonions , and @purpleblobfrompluto for the help they gave back when this au started off (which was a lot). Tag list: @history-of-stories .

Here is a link to the story on ao3.

Part 1 is here.

[drifting-pieces-blog-blog]

Breaking down the comics: Ignore that problem till it goes away (Issue 25)

Moon Knight, Issue 25: Black Spectre. 

A SPECIAL DOUBLE-SIZED ISSUE! 

This was the preview cover from a previous issue: 

With the tagline: A new vigilante rises as he spins out of a mental breakdown…and his primary target is Khonshu’s avatar!

This one is gonna be a saga! 

The story opens with a discussion on war. 

"Carson Knowles has come home; Hail the conquering Carson Knowles. What's a poor war hero to do?" 

He finds a note from his wife. "P.S. You'll be hearing from my lawyer. I'm retaining custody of Billy. Sorry, Fran." 

"First he stumbles through the strange streets." 

We see hippies yelling at the man in a military uniform. "How many women and babies did you burn, soldier boy?" 

This was a common thing that happened to soldiers returning from Nam especially. 

We see the soldier return to his place of work only to find that he had been replaced and was no longer wanted. 

He is rejected over and over again while the years hit him over and over again. 

We see him years later in a small run down apartment. The police have him on the line, his son Billy Knowles, was killed in a gang fight. 

A few years later and he finds his car stripped and trashed. Needing his car to do his job, he fears he's out. 

A man attempts to rob him at knife point and he snaps, beating the man with the moves he learned in the army. 

He declares war. He wants to take revenge on the whole city. 

Back at his apartment, he finds a newspaper that features Moon Knight. 

"Witness in Brooklyn overheard Moon Knight say to the murderer Bushman, 'I was once just like you, Bushman, a callous killer. But I'm different now. I've changed myself into something better."

Knowles ponders this. "If he could do it, so can I -- In reverse! Let him try to 'protect the nighted city' because I'm going to destroy it! And this time it's not all talk!" 

He decides to make his own secret identity and run for mayor. 

Knowles first sets about to hire goons. He decides to become the exact opposite of Moon Knight in every way. 

His first act as Black Spectre is to go to Boss Cranston's house (a big political figure) and find all his records of corruption and misdeeds. 

Look at that outfit. Where the heck did he do his shopping and how did he afford that?

This story is divided into three parts. We’ve reached the first part. (It’s a big issue) 

Part I: First Clash. 

Now, full of evidence of Cranston's misdeeds, he runs for mayor. 

Back at Grant Mansion, we find Moon Knight in a mood. 

"Sometimes I wonder about this whole myth of Moon Knight and--" 

Marlene interrupts his thoughts. 

"Steven, wait! I've got something to tell you... Something I've got to get off my chest..." 

"Some other time, Marlene. It's getting dark. Time for me to take off. Crime waits for no man, you know." 

"Yes, Steven I know... But I don't know...how long I can wait for you." 

Marelene watches him leave in tears. 

Recall the last issue where Moon Knight was questioning if he was doing the right thing. Doubt and moral ambiguity have come across his mind and Marelene is still wondering at the loss of her own brother. 

At the political headquarters, we see Black Spectre crashing Cranston's party. 

"I'm announcing my support for the mayoral candidacy of Carson Knowles." 

Which...seems in poor taste if he is trying to win. 

"And you had better do the same if you care about things like your future." 

"I heard about you. Been makin' waves in the other parts of town. But you don't scare me with that Halloween outfit!" Cranston is pretty cheeky for a man going down in flames. 

Black Spectre threatens to put Cranston into jail and blackmails him over some of his more nefarious deeds. 

While they trash the joint, one of Cranston's men gets away to call the police. Frenchie picks up the call on his radio and informs Moon Knight. 

About time they were introduced. 

Both these men are former military. Both have undergone the same training. 

Black Spectre has the advantage here through knowing he’s going to fight hard and fast from the start. Moon Knight is used to having to pull his punches. He’s also fresh off a few cases where he has started to question his own brutality and is trying to separate himself from Marc Spector. Moon Knight absolutely is at a disadvantage here. 

By this time the police have arrived and Black Spectre isn't willing to show that hand yet. 

Moon Knight knows he's beat. He admits he wasn't expecting anything like Spectre. 

In a last ditch effort, he rips the mask from Black Spectre's face. 

Spectre lashes back. 

"You're a fool and a weakling, Moon Knight! I'd expected the match of a lifetime from you--But you're no better than a common grunt!" 

And now we have our favorite Moon man doing what he does best: 

Who ever said he didn’t have a sense of humor? 

So they go inside and find Cranston beaten to a pulp in a trashed room pretending nothing happened. 

Back at Grand Mansion... Yeah he's not having a good time. 

If Marc ever had a tantrum this would be it. 

"Only four of them! And they beat me! It's insane! Ludicrous! I should have been able to crush them--twist them into pretzels--and waltz home to an early shower! Three of them were nothing but cheap hoods! The kind of brittle stuff I normally chop down with one hand! 

Oh sure, the fourth one--the one who called himself Black Spectre--He was a tough nut, all right--but even HE could have been cracked, if only I'd approached it differently--Hit him quicker, Harder!" 

Narration: "Frenchie bites his tongue at seven separate pauses in the tirade." 

Frenchie knows better. He knows his friend. He knows Marc. And THIS is Marc. This is what Marc does. He's seen it before. 

Narration: "Marlene, However, has never been big on self inflicted torment. She does not like what she sees in the man she loves, and she tries to say so." 

"Steven..." 

"And even if I couldn't beat him--I should've at least been able to protect myself!" 

"Steven, I want to talk to you...About something important. In private." 

"Not now, Marlene. I'm still too twisted by what happened to me. Maybe tomorrow." 

"Of course, Steven... if tomorrow isn't too late." 

Marc is doing what Marc does best. Avoidance and running away. 

He continues his tirade to Frenchie. 

"I was awful--A disgrace! A rank amateur! I deserved the thrashing I got! But if only I had gone in feinting the left and then-- Wait a minute Frenchie. What did she say?" 

But it's too late. 

Morning comes and we find him still sulking but a little less dramatic about it. 

He checks the morning news and listens to news about the political race for mayor. 

Knowles gives his speech and comments that it was Moon Knight that inspired him to try to make a change. 

Marc can't believe his eyes as he recognizes the man behind the podium. 

It's the face he saw before he got his ass kicked! 

And like a flash, Jake is dressed and running out of the mansion. 

"Nedda-You know where Marlene is? I didn't see her all night." 

"No, master Steven-Or master Jake I guess you are now being. I think Marlene is having a need to be alone these days of late..." 

(Why is Nedda the only one that really tries to get their names right?) 

He muses as he drives his cab to Gena's diner: "Wonder if there's something really wrong with Marlene? Maybe she... But no time to worry about it now--Not with a good like Black Spectre running for mayor!" 

Even Jake knows something is wrong but there is a push systemwide not to confront things like this. They'd rather go face thugs than a possible issue at home. 

At the diner, Jake speaks to Crawley to find what he's heard. Crawley has of course heard things and talks about what he knows about Knowles. 

Sounds like Knowles is a shoe in to win the race for mayor. 

Jake takes off to his cab. Gena notes how Jake didn't even ask her how she or her kids were doing. 

Lockley heads to the political headquarters. 

Inside we find Cranston on the phone telling someone not to mess around with Black Spectre. 

Jake eaves drops through an open window. 

Cranston is talking to a guy named Chiodo. Warning him that Black Spectre is going to come rattle him next. 

Jake decides to go check out this Chiodo character. 

Black Spectre is already at Chiodo's waiting. Hesitating. 

A last moment of "the old, submerged Carson Knowles now struggles to break the surface... A last spark of sanity" 

He waits by a window. "Sure, life's a crock--but maybe I shouldn't make it worse... Maybe I'm not the only one done dirt by this city. Maybe we're all in the same boat together..." 

And he watches an ant struggle to haul food and he likens himself and the city to a bunch of ants just working to bring home dinner. 

And of course a spider runs up and eats the ant. 

"Of course--Survival of the fittest--Just like in The Nam-- The prime rule--The only one that counts -- Kill or be killed!" 

So he busts into Chiodo's place. He warns him to support Carson Knowles for mayor or else. 

Chiodo refuses and Black Spectre decides to make an example out of him. 

Meanwhile, Jake arrives in his cab. "No time to change to Moon Knight. Chiodo may already be in danger! Black Spectre--Darting out the back! But he's got too much of a jump on me and--" 

He spots Chiodo, hanging by his chains. 

Back at Grant Mansion. 

"I've GOT to talk to you, Steven--And not later, not tomorrow or the next day, not even yesterday. Right NOW, Steven." Marlene is trying again. 

"But I ain't Steven, Lady--I'm still Lockley, on the job. Can't it even wait till I at least change to--" 

"NO! This is exactly what I must talk to you about!" 

Now, this is going to get heavy. This is where Marlene’s support falls apart. 

"Oh, I know you've largely overcome your split personality problem--You're just upset right now--But there are other things forcing me to do this Steven..." 

"To do what?" 

"I...I'm leaving you, Steven." 

First of all... He's told her that he's Jake. And Marc is the one avoiding her. And Jake has always avoided her. 

She's been through a lot with the death of her father and brother. Perhaps she sees that being near them does cause trouble. Perhaps she is tired of dealing with the four of them. 

This leads us to Part II: Sinking. 

We open on Marlene. 

"I realize I was instrumental in the very creation of Moon Knight--Helped you change into what you are, from Villain to hero--But I... Well, I just can't shake the feeling that I've created a monster... A benign monster to be sure. A good monster...A better man than Marc Spector ever was... but a monster nonetheless..." 

That is a hell of a jab. And considering that Marlene’s brother created Morpheus and then died for it, maybe she’s afraid of losing Steven too. 

Marlene has always made it very clear that she was never a fan of Marc Spector. She wishes he’d go away and she’d be left with Steven. Perhaps she was originally charmed by Moon Knight and the thrill of adventure, but with so much death, she wants to settle. 

It’s also difficult because we know that Marc sees himself as a monster. 

"...An entity that's grown larger than both of us, a being that's gone completely out of control!" She continues. 

Is Jake still fronting? 

"All right, Lady, maybe you're right--Maybe you DO need a vacation from me--and maybe I need a vacation from Moon Knight... But not now. I can't quit now--Not with Black Spectre ready to put a stranglehold on the whole city! And you can't leave me now--not when I need you!" 

"I've made up my mind, Steven. Don't you see--? There'll always be some excuse for me to stay--And if I don't make the break now, I'll never do it." 

I think Marc is slipping in. 

"No--You don't understand. I don't need you for moral support now..." 

"Of course not. You're a big tough man." 

"Spare the sarcasm, Marlene--Please. What I mean is that I need you to literally HELP me. I want you to infiltrate Carson Knowles' operation--I want you to spy on him for me." 

Yeah, that's Marc. 

She accuses him of being on an insane kick thinking that Carson is Black Spectre. 

He begs her to help him. 

"Please -- Just do this one last thing for me and I'll never ask anything again unless you want me to...and if I'm wrong, I won't even argue as you walk out the door." 

Marc... 

She agrees to help him. They hug but he doesn't feel it. 

He calls up Frenchie to get a car and go get Crawley and find out if he's found out any news. 

Frenchie meets up with Crawley at the Pool Hall. He offers him a drink, but Crawley notes he gave up the drink ages ago. 

Remember in an early issue when he lost his family because of his drinking and gambling. Notably, he lost his son, too. 

Now, Frenchie is there in his full outfit. It's a classy outfit with a cap and a crecent moon on the cap. 

He has always worn this while acting as piolet to Moon Knight and I often wonder why. Did he choose it? Did it make him feel useful and important again? 

Either way, Frenchie has the unfortunate time to be in the same pool hall as Black Spectre's goons. 

They sneak up and beat him. 

Jake arrives at the hospital the next morning. 

Frenchie warns him to watch himself when facing these men and that they are in league with Black Spectre. 

Jake leaves. 

"Maybe Marlene was right --Lord knows everyone connected with Moon Knight has suffered...And more than once..." 

This is not the first or last time that this thought will affect the Moon Knight team. 

Jake doesn't have long to dwell on it as the cab phone starts to ring. 

It's Marlene. She's made it as a personal assistant to Knowles. She talks about how Knowles is a good man that genuinely wants to help change the city for the better. 

Jake is stunned. He starts to doubt himself. 

"Am I wrong? No, by Khonshu I know what I saw!" 

On que a cab drives by and splashes him with drity gutter water. 

It's the last straw. The whole city is falling for Knowles. He decides that he needs to start fighting fire with fire. 

Moon Knight has called a press conference! 

This is going to go well...

So he starts his speech by just telling everyone that Black Spectre is Carson Knowles. 

It goes about as well as you can imagine. 

No one believes him and he's called a lunatic. 

Cut to Knowles and Marlene watching the conference on TV. He's gotten chummy with Marlene and he shrugs it off saying he isn't worried. He invites Marlene to dinner with him that night. After she leaves, he makes a few phone calls. He needs to take care of the Moon Knight problem. He calls in some cops that are on his payroll. 

Meanwhile, Flint finds Moon Knight wandering the streets. He picks him up. 

"Look, if you say Knowles is no good, I'm on your side. Me, I've never seen a guy running for office who was good. But Knowles has connections. Cops in his pocket. Not all cops, mind you. I'm a cop myself. A real cop. That's why I'm warning you. They're after you. The ones who only wear the badges. But even that isn't fair. Some of them will believe, even as they squeeze the trigger, that they're doing something good." 

Flint does care about Moon Knight. 

Moon Knight thanks him and heads for his own cab. He's about to get in when several cops show up and start shooting. 

He manages to get away and make it back to Grant Mansion in time to find Marlene packed and leaving. 

"I can't read the future, Steven. You made a perfect fool of yourself in front of those cameras. Why couldn't you believe me that you're wrong?" 

"Why can't YOU believe ME? The cops just tried to kill me. Frenchie's busted up in the hospital. The election is no contest, in favor of a guy who came from nowhere...[...] And now he's even got you, Marlene. He's got the people, the press, the city bosses, the cops and now you. Wake up, Marlene! I tell you he's out to shaft the whole city!" 

"YOU wake up! I was wrong about you! You're still crazy--But I'm not letting you take me along for the ride! You've slandered a good man, Steven. You'll regret it." 

And Marlene leaves. 

This is a rough issue to paint Marlene in any sort of good light. 

And here we have Moon Knight once more clinging to the statue of Khonshu as if he can fix everything if he just tries hard enough. 

Part III: The Climb Back. 

Part three opens on a political rally. Knowles is soaking in the crowed chanting his name and he invites Marlene to enjoy it with him. 

She decides to stay behind and he heads out to enjoy the night. 

She has been looking for invoices for rally expenses but can't see to find them. She decides to check his office. 

While searching, she comes across his budget plans. 

Seems he plans to cut out public works, slash transit funds, remove housing funds, and put all the tax revenues into his own personal account. 

Well well well, Marlene. Who's the crazy nut now? 

Up on the roof, Knowles is enjoying the view of the crowd. 

Moon Knight arrives off to the side and doesn't see him. Knowles decides tonight is the perfect night to win the city and destroy Moon Knight. 

Moon Knight is still sore from all the recent wounds he has sustained. But he has a new weapon. He has his own knuckle spikes (which make a later appearance in much later comics from the early 2000s). 

And Black Spectre sneaks up on Moon Knight and attacks from behind. 

Black Spectre is in no mood to take his time. He has a rally to get to. He stabs Moon Knight with his sword. 

He leaves Moon Knight for dead and changes for the rally. 

Moon Knight pulls himself up. 

"C-Can't let him...win... Fought long and hard to make myself something better...Can't throw it away....Got to prove it...By stopping him..." 

Moon Knight bursts into the changing room. He gets a little brutal. He stops the goons with his spiked fists and tackles Knowles out of a window. 

They crash into the crowd below. 

"You want Knowles? You want tis piece of slime? Well here he is. And you can have him!" 

ANd he throws Knowles' body, unmasked and still in the Spectre attire into the crowd. 

Yeah, this goes well for the cops and guards. 

Flint tells him that this doesn't prove anything. 

But Marlene steps in to show him the paperwork. 

She runs to Moon Knight. 

"I'm back...If you'll have me." 

"I'll have you--If you're back." 

Flint declares Moon Knight innocent as he looks through the papers and sets out to arrest Knowles. 

"But, Steven, there are still problems we have to-" 

"I know, Marlene--There are always problems...But I can't think of any I'd rather face." 

Narration: "Indeed. He has scars of his own...."

And that is the BLACK SPECTRE. 

You can see why he became an iconic Moon Knight villain. His ability to push him to the breaking point by gaslighting the hell out of him was really quite effective. 

This issue brings up a lot of questions and issues that start to plague Moon Knight in the original 80s OG run and much later by other writers. Some take it to the extreme and others take it in a completely different direction. 

I’m going to try to just focus on how it’s presented right here in the 80s version with no outside context from other issues. 

Still rattled after the death of Marlene’s brother. Still upset over the fight with Stained Glass Scarlet where he let her kill a man and then escape. Still reeling from the realization that Moon Knight is not just Marc or Steven or Jake, but might actually be his own person (though at times there is blending that happens). 

We are faced with the question on if the creation of Moon Knight is a blessing or a curse. Is Moon Knight only there to exist as Marc Spector’s attempt to become more than an evil stain on the world? Is Moon Knight an excuse to let Marc keep fighting and causing pain? Is Moon Knight an apology from Marc to the world? 

Is Moon Knight putting others at risk that know him? 

We see Frenchie standing by Marc. Always by Marc. Loyal and willing to sacrifice himself for him. Why the uniform? Why living on the roof? Why always at beck and call? What is Frenchie getting out of this? He has ended up hurt in the hospital more than a few times. Still he stands loyal. 

Still he stands silent. Letting Marc put himself down and rip himself apart. 

We see a huge part of Marc’s self destruction here. How easy it is to make him feel worthless. How quickly he falls to wanting to destroy someone for getting the upper hand. 

Not to mention him running from Marlene. He knows what she wants to talk about. He avoids it. Jake avoids it but worries. Steven doesn’t even show up. He knows she wants to leave him and if he just avoids the conversation perhaps it won’t happen. Or maybe it will push her to do it and he can say of course she left. 

And when she does leave, he doesn’t feel it. He is so focused on his goal of victory and revenge that he doesn’t notice or care. A coping mechanism. Someone so used to the pain of loss that he knows if he can just do this one thing then it doesn’t matter. 

Then we have Marlene’s excuse for leaving. Because he’s crazy. Because he has DID and can’t control it. Because he dares to be Marc Spector and not Steven Grant. 

I can’t with her. It’s…. It’s hard to blame her considering the age. Considering what she’s living with. It’s not all luxury and happiness. She has her stress and she is in denial over the man she thinks she loves. But she is so ableist and just so abusive in these moments. 

She blames him for his mental illness. She blames him for leaning into it. She thinks he does it just to be Moon Knight. Perhaps she thinks that if he tried hard enough he could be just the one person named Steven Grant that lives a happy and rich life. She thinks that they can choose her over their mental illness. And I have a lot of issue with that. 

So Marlene will stick around. And pull away and come back. She supports and she breaks them apart. It’s a cycle that grows over time until finally it’s broken. But getting there… This is not a healthy relationship. 

Then we have Marc and Khonshu. 

We’ve seen it before when he fought Mogart and the statue was broken. He broke down big time. 

Here we see him clinging to the statue. Begging it. Begging himself to find a way to keep going and to win. 

This would be a VERY long post if I got into the faith of Marc Spector (not the system as a whole or even as Moon Knight. Marc Spector himself). But a tiny tidbit of my theories on that are seen in him clinging to the statue and pleading with himself to win. 

Himself. Not Khonshu in particular. We start to see how his belief and faith in Khonshu is intertwined in his own faith in himself. 

Despite it all, Marc can never forget his upbringing. He will always be the rebellious boy at the Rabbi’s table, rejecting passive peace and struggling against G-D. 

And we’ll get more into his relationship with Khonshu later as his role starts to grow in the comics. 

SO. This concludes the Black Spectre! (for now).

What did you all think of this issue? 

[unbindingkerberos]

Operator Henry "Babel" Adler

Template by: @poisonedtruth

Tw: Child abuse, suicide and cannibalism

BACKGROUND

Henry was born in an abusive household with an alcoholic small-time lawyer father and a resentful mother. He and his older sister Casey-- Cassandra-- fled their home in the middle of the night. Henry was just six and Casey sixteen. 

Growing up and living in the slums and streets of Brooklyn wasn't easy. At first, they resorted to begging but soon realised it wasn't enough. His sister realised that she had to do unsavory things to keep her and her brother alive. Despite the hardships they still made happy memories with one another. One of them being Casey helping Henry make "traps" out of scrap and worn metal sheets. She knows they won't work but does it anyway for the sake of her brother's happiness.

Eventually and inevitably, the two siblings were left starving with Casey weak from the recent hard beating from a grocer who caught her stealing a few days ago making her unable to get food for her and her brother. She knows she can't bear to see her brother starve so she devised a plan. Casey slits her own wrists and softly requests a wailing Henry to "not make waste of her body."  

Police arrived at the scene (thanks to a tip by a samaritan who noticed a foul odor in an alleyway) just in time to see the horrifying discovery. As Henry sat silently at the back of the police car, he realised he liked the coppery tang of blood. 

He was sent back to his parents' home as an empty shell of what he was once. This did not stop his father though from whipping him and his mother damaging his emotional psyche blaming his sister's death on him. Each passing day, Henry's hate grew for his parents and realised that they were undeserving of mercy and better off dead.

His new neighbors overheard the abuse and called the authorities. Eventually police arrived and took his parents into custody. This didn't make him feel any better however and fueled his hatred even further. Why did the police arrest his parents just now? Why not back when his sister was still alive or when she tried calling for help all those years ago only to be dismissed as a "prank call?"

Life after that wasn't easy. Henry had to switch from foster home to foster home due to his "unpleasant nature." He then landed on the doorstep of one fifty-two year old Amarice Locke— a retired colonel of the Army. Despite his behavior, Amarice was patient and caring towards the young Henry. For she was reminded of her dead son Nate-- once part of a humanitarian group in Central Asia. She understands his frustrations and becomes a key figure to his immorality for she tells him that peace can only be attained by terror and violence since it leaves a scar that will remind everyone of the consequences-- an ideal that Henry abides to this very day.

As a car enthusiast, Amarice once offered Henry to assist her. Recognising his talent for complex machinery and robotics, Amarice encouraged Henry to enroll in an robotics engineering school. Henry accepted and graduated with flying colors.

He joined the Marines a few years later. His peers and instructors were uncomfortable with him and avoided him. Due to his uncanny nature, he was called "The Nut Job." After his first and last mission in the field he was discharged from the service due to a warped and apathetic morality, inhumane acts against the opposing side, consuming the blood of the deceased and other acts such as using locals and teammates as bait for the oppressive forces. How he wasn't incarcerated in a military prison is unknown; however Henry suspects Amarice had something to do with it. 

He was offered a position in NIGHTHAVEN by Jamini Kalimohan "Kali" Shah after discovering his unique talents in robotics which he thoughtfully accepted. During his time in NIGHTHAVEN, Henry created the Leech(es)-- an explosive drone-unit that can be controlled and detonated at will through a modified digital watch. However Henry lost interest in NIGHTHAVEN and felt like the PMC's motives do not align with his.

After the death of Masayuki Yahata, Henry defected to RAINBOW where he was met with distrust from the other operators. Despite the many warnings from Eliza "Ash'' Cohen and Sam "Zero" Fisher, Harishva "Harry" Pandey welcomes Henry to RAINBOW insisting that he might contain knowledgeable information regarding NIGHTHAVEN's involvement of Yahata's death and other details. During his stay, Henry begins to sow seeds of distrust and chaos amongst the operators for his own personal intentions. Zero discovers this and confronts Henry in the locker room which ends in a physical fight which was prevented with the help of operators Shuhrat "Fuze'' Kessikbayev and Julien "Rook'' Nizan. Unfazed and amused by the whole ordeal, Henry taunts Zero and threatens him that he could be the Tower of Babel to RAINBOW's Shinar but chooses not to, remarking that they're lucky he hasn't come to that option yet. 

Since then, Henry started adopting the moniker "Babel" as his codename.

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE

Henry's callousness towards others is a shared sentiment across the other operators. Almost everyone is unwilling and reluctant should Henry be paired or added to their squad as he is known to let his Leeches cling to the backs of teammates or bait them for enemy troops to focus on. He is also unafraid for civilian blood to be shed as he purposefully stuck Leeches on multiple civilian dummies during a challenging simulation and set them off much to the outrage of Ash, Thermite and Blitz-- his teammates during the exercise. That and his literal taste for human blood has landed him in a stir with Doc who once caught him licking off dried blood from worn bandages and discarded cotton. This and his perspective on violence might be connected to an incident regarding his early childhood and death of his sister. It is rather interesting that Henry doesn't share his past with anyone implying he might show some level of trauma though it is currently unknown as he denies any form of psychological evaluation. 

Henry is aware of his immorality and completely embraces it. He claims he does these horrific deeds in order to get the job done and that "violence and sacrifice is the only way for peace to be attainable." His conversations towards recruits have to be closely monitored due to his manipulative behavior and in fears of passing his beliefs unto them. He isn't bothered that half the entirety of the RAINBOW operators actively despise him. Henry made no further attempts to form a bond with other operators and preferred the company of himself.

Henry is always seen making adjustments to his Leeches in the workshop alone late at night.

PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORT

Specialist Henry "Babel" Adler truly has a dark presence. Despite the politeness he had throughout the rest of the conversation there was a playful maliceness hidden nearly well in his tone. Adler had all but a perfect childhood and the tragedy and suffering he had to endure was just terrible. No child had to go through what he experienced. 

And his military career was not a pretty sight to read either. I brought the topic up regarding the causes for his discharge and the way he addressed it was unbelievable. He explained it in a very casual manner showing no sense of remorse whatsoever. It was indeed offputting and it deeply infuriated me. Though I do not tolerate this kind of apathetic behaviour from any operator, his intel made me have no choice but to bear with his coldness. His defection to RAINBOW was all but sudden and his ulterior motives are unclear, however Adler might be the key to uncovering NIGHTHAVEN.

His intel though was anything but helpful. It was obvious he was withholding a large portion of information the moment he gave me these small cryptic messages. Despite my best efforts he refused to further elaborate. I tried bringing up his past relationships with any of the NIGHTHAVEN operators but to no surprise he stated that he didn't have any personal relationship with any of the operators. "Just business associates," was all he said though he mentioned that he and NIGHTHAVEN operator Håvard "Ace" Haughland once had a brief one night stand.

I brought up his Leeches and Adler was eager to explain. He gave me a detailed description about his Leeches and its functions. And to my shock he brought one out of sleeve and began showing me the drone. That's when he gestured to his watch and told me in a very calm manner that should he press the screen the Leech will explode. My heart nearly stopped upon realising what he was implying. He assured me he would do no such thing but the fact it was a possibility to him and knowing his nature disturbs me.

I then made the decision to bring up Adler's past. To my surprise, he sat there in silence as if he were deep in thought. I began to grow concerned when a full minute had passed and not one word came out from him. Eventually he started talking only for Adler to deflect and move on to another unrelated topic regarding his Leeches' functions. I made no move to return to the topic and listened.

It's clear that deep down, Adler is hiding more than he lets on. And it's up to him whether he's willing to speak. I do hope that Adler eventually reveals more information about NIGHTHAVEN and the circumstances of Masayuki Yahata's death. But in the meantime, Adler has to be closely monitored considering the recent incident regarding the locker room.  

— Dr. Harishva "Harry" Pandey, Director of RAINBOW

DEVICE DESCRIPTION

A fist-sized explosive drone unit that weighs 0.188kg (188g). The drone has a cylindrical body and retractable four rows of pointed metal with a curved end serving as the drone's "feet."  On top of the cylindrical body is a large surveillance camera with a 360° targeting area allowing for precise targeting. Despite its intended purpose as an explosive the "Leech'' can be used as an infiltration unit. The "Leech" has a unique and unexpected ability to latch onto chosen targets with the bite force of 743 psi despite its seemingly frail appearance. 

Underneath all of the schematics and wiring however, exists a miniature version of the plastic explosive Composition 4, well known by its abbreviated term C-4.

[ausetkmt]

A man was arrested on a manslaughter charge in connection with the fatal stabbing of a New York City subway rider who allegedly punched his girlfriend and harassed other passengers.

The altercation occurred just after 8 p.m. Tuesday on a northbound J train as it approached Marcy Avenue and Broadway, New York police said. The victim, identified as Devictor Ouedraogo, 36, of Brooklyn, was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital with a stab wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, police said. A toxicology report will be conducted.

Ouedraogo had allegedly been harassing people on the train and acting belligerently and erratically, law enforcement sources told NBC New York.

A police official told the station that one of the people he harassed was the girlfriend of the suspect, Jordan Williams, 20, of Queens. A source told NBC New York that Ouedraogo punched Williams’ girlfriend.

Two people police initially described as persons of interest were taken into custody. One of them was released, a police spokesperson said Thursday. The other, Williams, was arrested and charged Wednesday with manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon, authorities said.

Jason Goldman, an attorney for Williams, said his client acted in self-defense. He said it was "upsetting" that Williams was charged without a thorough investigation.

"We understand that this was a packed subway car during rush hour with dozens of witnesses. We have spoken with some who have already confirmed that the victim was physically violent with others prior to and during this incident," Goldman said in a statement Thursday.

Goldman questioned why Williams, who is Black, had not received the same treatment as Daniel Penny, a white 24-year-old Marine veteran who was seen in a video putting Jordan Neely in a fatal chokehold on a subway train.

Penny’s lawyers have said that Neely, a Black subway busker, was "aggressively threatening" passengers and that Penny never intended to harm him. Neely’s family, however, rejected that account.

Penny was taken into custody after the May 1 incident and then released. He turned himself in to police on May 12. A New York City grand jury indicted him Wednesday on a second-degree manslaughter charge.

"Is Mr. Williams not getting the same treatment that Mr. Penny received — released, voluntary surrender, and low bail — because his skin color is different and he comes from a particular neighborhood?" Goldman asked.

"Instead, those very factors will likely result in Mr. Williams, a young boy, fighting this case of clear self-defense from a cage at Rikers," he said, referring to Rikers Island, the city's largest jail.

Relatives of Ouedraogo could not immediately be reached for comment.

[beardedmrbean]

New York — Relatives of eight people killed in a Halloween terror attack on a New York City bike path as well as those who were injured are expected to speak at a Wednesday sentencing hearing for an Islamic extremist who prosecutors say deserves multiple life sentences.

Sayfullo Saipov’s sentencing in Manhattan federal court comes after a jury in March rejected the death penalty for the Uzbekistan citizen and onetime New Jersey resident, leaving him with a mandatory life sentence.

Prosecutors urged Judge Vernon S. Broderick to impose a sentence of eight consecutive life sentences — one for each death — and an additional 260 years in prison, according to a presentence submission.

“Saipov is an unabashed terrorist — a proud murderer who deserves no leniency and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” prosecutors wrote.

“After months of planning a vicious terrorist attack, Saipov got what he wanted: brutal carnage of innocent people, lives and families destroyed, and terror in New York City. Indeed, the only thing Saipov was denied was even more death and destruction because he crashed into a school bus before he made it to the Brooklyn Bridge,” they added.

Saipov, 35, carried out his attack on Halloween in 2017 when he ran his rented truck onto a bike path in lower Manhattan that is popular with residents and tourists.

Five tourists from Argentina, two Americans and a Belgian woman were killed, and 18 others were seriously injured.

Saipov was shot by a police officer and immediately taken into custody after emerging from his truck shouting “God is great” in Arabic and waving paintball and pellet guns in the air.

Prosecutors said he smiled as he asked FBI agents who questioned him in a hospital room after the attack if they could hang an Islamic State group flag on the walls.

At his trial, his family members urged a life sentence, saying they hoped he would realize what he had done and express remorse. They said they wanted him to return to the passive person they remembered him as before he grew obsessed with online propaganda posted by the Islamic State militant group.

A former long-haul truck driver, Saipov moved legally to the U.S. from Uzbekistan in 2010 and lived in Ohio and Florida before joining his family in Paterson, New Jersey.

His lawyer, David Patton, told jurors that his actions were “senseless, horrific, and there’s no justification for them.”

Patton, who did not post a sentencing submission in the public file, did not return an email message Tuesday.

Saipov, who did not testify at his trial, will have the opportunity to speak at the sentencing hearing.

[fagdykefriendship]

brooklyn 99 is like some of the most insidious copaganda out there. it doesn’t make you immediately guilty just bc you ask for an attorney. the police can’t just arrest people without probable cause. stop watching brooklyn 99 it’s poisoning your brain if a cop stops to talk to you ask if you’re free to go and then leave and if they ask to search you do not give verbal consent and if you are in custody don’t talk until you have a lawyer present

[brooklynfamilydivorcelaw]

The Best Neighborhoods in Brooklyn

Brooklyn is one of the most vibrant, diverse and exciting cities in the United States. While it's not as well known as some of its more famous neighboring boroughs (Manhattan, Queens), Brooklyn has a lot to offer tourists and residents alike. From neighborhoods packed with restaurants and shops to others that are more residential in nature, there's something here for everyone who loves exploring new places.

Hoyt - Schermerhorn Streets

Hoyt - Schermerhorn Streets is a great place to live if you want to be close to the action, but not in the middle of it. It's also a good choice for those who want easy access to Prospect Park and other points of interest.

Prospect Heights

Prospect Heights is home to many trendy shops and restaurants, making it a great neighborhood for young people. The neighborhood has become increasingly popular over the past few years, but Prospect Heights still has its share of affordable apartments. It's safe enough to live here without feeling like you're in danger at all times, although there are some parts of Prospect Heights that may be less safe than others if you're not careful--just like any other city or town! There are many parks in this part of Brooklyn...

The Cliffs at Gowanus

The Cliffs at Gowanus is a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. The area is known for its many restaurants and bars as well as its close proximity to Prospect Park.

What is the Cliffs at Gowanus?

The Cliffs at Gowanus is located along 3rd Avenue between Union Street and Carroll Street in Brooklyn, New York City. The neighborhood features stunning views of Manhattan's skyline from the top of its cliffside hillside location overlooking the Hudson River on one side and New York Harbor on another side with great views across Manhattan all around including sweeping views south towards lower Manhattan & Battery Park City area plus eastward towards Midtown & Downtown areas too!

Gowanus

The Gowanus neighborhood is located in the New York City borough of Brooklyn and is named after the Gowanus Creek, which flows through it. The area was originally a Dutch farming community, but became an industrial hub in the 19th century when its location near Manhattan made it convenient for shipping goods up and down the East Coast. Today, Gowanus is home to many artists and musicians who have been attracted by its low rents and proximity to Manhattan (about 15 minutes on foot or bike).

The neighborhood has also become known for its high concentration of hipster culture--there are many vintage clothing stores along Third Avenue here! If you're looking for something more traditional though, head over to nearby Cobble Hill where there's plenty more shopping options available including several upscale boutiques like Aesop Beauty Bar or Le Salon De Coiffure Parisienne & Spa where you can get your hair styled by trained professionals (and maybe even indulge with some cocktails afterward).

Boerum Hill

Boerum Hill is a great place to live, with its small town feel and rich history. It's also home to many artists and musicians. You'll find lots of restaurants, bars, music venues and other attractions in this neighborhood.

Brooklyn is a great place to live, and there are many neighborhoods to choose from. If you're looking for something quiet and family-friendly, we recommend Boerum Hill. If you want something more urban with lots of culture and nightlife options nearby, check out Gowanus or Prospect Heights. However, if affordability is important to you then maybe look into Hoyt-Schermerhorn Streets!

If you are looking for an experienced child lawyer in Brooklyn, NYC to handle your case, you're at the right place. Gordon Law represents children and their families who have been injured or abused by people who were supposed to be trusted.

Gordon Law, P.C. - Brooklyn Family and Divorce Lawyer 32 Court St #404, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States 347-378-9090 https://www.nylawyersteam.com/family-law-attorney/locations/brooklyn https://www.google.com/maps?cid=5613972439604959784

[wedesignyouny]

The Louis Law Firm, PLLC: Your Guide to Selecting the Best Brooklyn Divorce Lawyer

The Louis Law Firm, PLLC: Your Guide to Selecting the Best Brooklyn Divorce Lawyer

Having the appropriate legal assistance is essential when navigating the difficult and emotionally taxing divorce process. Situated in the center of Brooklyn, where the complexity of life collide with legal nuances, LM Divorce Lawyers is a pillar of knowledge and assistance. This guide explains the key characteristics that set us apart as Brooklyn's top divorce attorneys and how our committed staff can help you every step of the way toward a successful outcome.

Recognizing the Legal Environment in Brooklyn

When it comes to divorce proceedings, Brooklyn—a borough renowned for its diversity and individuality—presents its own set of difficulties. Legal counsel who is knowledgeable about both the law and the community is necessary due to legal subtleties, local court procedures, and the emotional toll of the process. At LM Divorce Lawyers, we take great satisfaction in our in-depth knowledge of Brooklyn's legal system and our dedication to providing individualized, compassionate representation.

Why Lawyers for Divorce in LM?

1. Brooklyn Family Law Expertise:

With a wealth of knowledge in Brooklyn's courts, our team is an expert in family law.

In order to offer the best possible representation, we keep up with the most recent legal developments.

2. Compassionate and Personalized Approach:

We understand the emotional intricacies of divorce.

Our attorneys give you individualized attention and compassionately and empathetically walk you through the procedure.

3. Strategic and Effective Legal Representation:

Developing approaches specifically suited to your particular circumstance.

We put your best interests first, using diplomacy where appropriate and aggression when necessary.

4. Transparency and Clear Communication:

We support honest and open communication.

Regular updates on case status and detailed explanations of legal choices.

Offerings from LM Divorce Attorneys

1. Divorce Representation:

Contested and uncontested divorce proceedings.

Competent litigation and negotiation for successful results.

2. Child Custody and Support:

Advocacy for fair and just child custody agreements.

Help in calculating child support.

3. Property Division:

A tactical method for dividing up assets and property.

Safeguarding your monetary interests.

4. Spousal Support and Alimony:

Guidance on spousal support cases.

Negotiations for just and equal maintenance agreements.

Start Here on Your Journey to Resolution

At The Louis Law Firm, PLLC, we acknowledge the individuality of every divorce case, and our strategy reflects that knowledge. The first step toward a resolution is a consultation during which we hear your worries, evaluate the circumstances, and develop a customized plan of action.

To find out more about how our knowledge, compassion, and dedication to quality set us apart as the top Brooklyn divorce attorneys, visit https://lmdivorcelawyers.com/ . With the assistance of our committed legal team, start a new chapter in your life.

[cyarskaren52]

Morbidology Podcast

And Gustavo did an outstanding job as a father and he doted on his daughter: “She was his life. He would always say she was his princess,” a family friend went on to recall.1Initially, he was clueless on how to raise a child but with help from his co-workers and relatives, Gustavo mastered diapering and feeding. When the time came, Gustavo enrolled Elisa in the prestigious Montessori Day School in Brooklyn. “You couldn’t resist that smile. Elisa always clung to people, she had so much love,” recollected one of her teachers, Barbara Simmons.2 However, as things were finally on the upswing in Elisa’s life, an affidavit was signed which stated that Awilda had overcome her addiction and now had a permanent accommodation at the Farragut Houses in Brooklyn, with her new husband. On paper, it appeared as though Awilda finally had her life together and now she wanted her daughter back.

By 1991, Awilda was granted unsupervised visitation with Elisa. Awilda’s two eldest children soon informed relatives that during these visits, Awilda would brutally beat Elisa and claim that she was possessed by the devil. You would think that upon hearing this information, these relatives would take that information straight to authorities. They did not. Elisa began to seem scared and withdrawn and not her usual giddy self. Gustavo and a number of Elisa’s teachers noticed that she often arrived back home from these visits bearing bruising. On one occasion, Elisa had bruising around her genitalia. It was observed by Gustavo that Elisa had started to wet the bed and would often be sick once returning home from Awilda. Gustavo went straight to New York’s Child Welfare Administration to report these findings, as did one of Elisa’s teachers. Elisa herself even confessed to the abuse to a social worker.

Gustavo applied to have the visitation rights ceased. Tragically, the courts denied his application and the visitations were allowed to continue. By 1993, Gustavo had purchased plane tickets and had planned to move back to Cuba, taking Elisa with him. However, Gustavo and Elisa never made the flight – Gustavo was rushed to hospital with respiratory complications and died from lung cancer on the very day they were scheduled to leave for Cuba – 26 May, 1994. The death of Gustavo was the nail in the coffin of Elisa escaping her abusive mother and ultimately, her untimely death.

Upon Gustavo’s death, Awilda filed for full custody of Elisa and was supported by social workers and Elisa’s court-appointed lawyer who claimed that Elisa wanted to be with her mother. Awilda was subsequently granted temporary custody and upon hearing this alarming news, Elsa Canizares, Gustavo’s cousin, also filed for custody. The head teacher of Elisa’s school and even Prince Michael of Greece – who had met Elisa when he visited her school – wrote letters to the Judge, informing him of the torment Elisa had experienced at the hands of her own mother. Prince Michael even offered Elisa a scholarship to attend private school through to grade 12. They all argued that Elisa wouldn’t stand a chance if placed in custody of her mother. Regardless of the mounting evidence as to why Awilda was not a suitable mother, in 1994, she was granted full and permanent custody of Elisa by judge Phoebe Greenbaum, who in 1979, denied a father custody of his 10-year-old son, stating that the boy’s grandparents were his “psychological parents.”3 It was a decision that would prove to be fatal.

As soon as Elisa moved in with her mother, the abuse continued. Elisa was taken out of her prestigious school and sent to a public one. Here, she was reported as being withdrawn and uncommunicative. She was also reported to be riddled with bruises each week and appeared to have difficulty walking. Again, this clear evidence of abuse was reported but these reports were discarded due to apparently being “not reportable.” Upon finding out that the school had reported suspicions of child abuse, Awilda withdrew Elisa from the school. Now, Elisa had nowhere to escape her mother, her tormentor. She would be locked in her bedroom 24 hours seven days a week. Elisa wouldn’t even be allowed out to use the bathroom and would defecate the bed.

Awilda started to tell relatives that Elisa was possessed by the devil and that she had been put under a spell by her father. Awilda’s brother, Rafael Nahones, and her sister, Monsarrate Torres, said they believed the tall tales of Elsa’s demons and therefore never questioned their sister’s torment of Elisa. Neighbours would say they frequently heard Elisa screaming for help and begging her mother to stop hurting her. “We thought it was their way of disciplining the kids,” said neighbour, Tony Ng.

The apartment was a home of horrors to say the very least. Elisa would be forced to eat her own excrement, her head would be used as a mop, she would be beaten with various objects and burnt and she would be sexually assaulted with a hairbrush and toothbrush. Elisa was deprived of food while she watched her half-siblings chow down on dinner every night. Carlos Lopez, Awilda’s husband, would even encourage his own children to hit Elisa. On 15 November, 1994, Awilda called her sister and told her that Elisa was “like retarded on the bed,” and that she had some sort of fluid leaking from her nose and mouth. The fluid was brain fluid. Elisa was left on the bed until the following day when Awilda invited a neighbour inside to view the body. Upon viewing Elisa’s body the neighbour immediately called an ambulance but it was far too late. Elisa was dead at just 6-years-old.

https://morbidology.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Elisa-Izquierdo-funeral.jpg

Elisa was buried in a white coffin so small that there was only room for four pallbearers. At the front was Elsa Canizares, Gustavo’s cousin who had fought for custody of Elisa. Snow blanketed the ground on Cypress Hills Cemetery where Elisa was to be buried following the sombre funeral at Ponce Funeral Home in Bushwick, Brooklyn. As the dainty coffin was lowered into the ground, mourners threw in pink carnations. Elisa was buried in a white lace dress that draped over her thin and frail body. On her head, she wore a garland made of white flowers that couldn’t quite conceal the bruise near her temple; a grim reminder of the abuse she sustained before her death. During her funeral, the Rev. Gianni Agostinelli blamed “the silence of many and neglect of child welfare institutions,” for the death of Elisa.4 The Daily News wrote in their front-page editorial: “Eliza Izquierdo is finally at peace. May her mother never find a moment of it again.”

In June of 1996, Awilda Lopez pleaded guilty to murder after maintaining her innocence for months. She cried during the court proceeding in Manhattan Supreme Court before finally admitting that she had thrown Elisa at the wall. “Elisa languished unconscious in the apartment until the next day with brain fluid leaking from an ear,” said Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Donna Henken.5 According to Awilda’s lawyer, she was “horrified by her own actions.” Prosecutors had agreed to Awilda’s plea to spare her two surviving children the trauma of reliving Elisa’s death at a trial.

Awilda was sentenced to 15 years to life imprisonment where she has received all of the protections of the legal system – the same very system that failed to save Elisa. The tragic life and death of Elisa Izquierdo became a symbol of the failures in New York’s Child Welfare Administration and Family Court, whose bureaucracy allowed this little girl to slip right through the cracks and into her grave. The story became a national disgrace and lawyers would cite the case as an example of chronic and systemic problems. By 1996, Mayor Giuliani declared that he would abolish the city’s Child Welfare Administration and rebuild it from top to bottom. He also signed Elisa’s Law into legislation which was designed to balance the need for increased accountability through public awareness and government oversight.

Footnotes:

Time, 24 June, 2001 – “Abandoned to her Fate”

New York Daily, 28 November, 1995 – “A Bitter Last Farewell”

Akron Beacon Journal, 30 November, 1995 – “Death of an Abused Girl”

New York Daily News, 30 November, 1995 – “Slain 6-Year-Old Is Laid to Rest”

New York Daily News, 25 June, 1996 – “Mom Pleads Guilty to Elisa’s Murder”

Sent from my iPhone

The Shameful Death of Elisa Izquierdo

Elisa Izquierdo was born on 11 February, 1989, in Woodhull Hospital, Brooklyn, New York. Her father, Gustavo, was a Cuban immigrant while her mother, Awilda, was Puerto Rican raised in Brooklyn. Throughout the pregnancy, Awilda, a drug addict, continued to abuse drugs. As a result, Elisa was born addicted to crack cocaine. Awilda carried on this drug abuse following the birth and Gustavo, worried about the safety of their daughter, filed for full custody which was granted.

Gustavo was a fantastic father that doted on his precious daughter - “She was his life. He would always say she was his princess,” a family friend went on to recall. As Elisa was in preschool, an affidavit was signed which stated that Awilda had overcome her addiction, had a permanent accommodation, and was now a married woman expecting another child. On paper, she seemed to have her life together.

By 1991, Awilda was granted unsupervised visitation with her daughter, Elisa. Awilda’s two eldest children informed relatives that during these visits, Awilda would brutally beat Elisa. You would think that upon hearing this information these relatives would take that information straight to authorities. They did not. Gustavo and a number of Elia’s teachers noticed that Elisa often arrived back home from these visits bearing bruising. On one occasion, Elisa even had bruising around the genitalia. It was noticed by Gustavo that Elisa had began to wet the bed and would often be sick once returning home. Gustavo went straight to the authorities to report these findings, as did one teacher. Elisa herself even confessed to the abuse to a social worker.

In 1992, Gustavo applied to have the visitation rights ceased; tragically, the courts denied this application and the visitations were allowed to continue. By 1993, Gustavo had purchased airplane tickets and had planned to move back to Cuba, taking Elisa with him. However, Gustavo and Elisa never made the flight - Gustavo was rushed to hospital with respiratory complications and died from lung cancer. The death of Gustavo was the nail in the coffin of Elisa escaping her abusive mother. Upon his death, Awilda filed for full custody of Elisa. She was initially granted temporary custody and upon hearing this terrifying news, Elsa Canizares, Gustavo’s cousin, also filed for custody. The head teacher of Elisa’s school and even Prince Michael of Greece, who had met Elisa in her school, wrote letters to the Judge, informing him of the torment Elisa had experienced at the hands of her own mother. Regardless of the mounting evidence as to why Awilda was not a suitable mother, in 1994, Awilda was granted full and permanent custody of Elisa: a decision that would prove to be fatal.

Almost immediately, the abuse began. Elisa was taken out of her preschool and sent to a different one. Here she was reported as being withdrawn and uncommunicative. She was also reported to be riddled with bruises each week and appeared to have difficulty walking. Again, this clear evidence of abuse was reported but these reports were discarded due to apparently being “not reportable.” Enraged, Awilda withdrew Elisa from the school. Upon this withdrawal, Elisa was locked in her bedroom 24/7. She wasn’t even allowed out to use the bathroom. Neighbours often heard Elisa screaming and begging Awilda to stop. This was reported to the authorities but again, no action was taken. On 15 November, Awilda called her sister and told her that Elisa was “like retarded on the bed,” and that she had some sort of fluid leaking from her nose and mouth. The fluid was brain fluid. Elisa was left on the bed until the following day when Awilda invited a neighbour inside to view the body. The neighbour immediately called an ambulance but it was far too late - Elisa was dead.

Awilda confessed that she had thrown Elisa head first into a concrete wall two days before the ambulance was called. She revealed that Elisa hadn’t spoken or moved since the incident. Medical examiners were horrified at the sight of little Elisa and couldn’t even begin to imagine the torture she had endured by somebody who was supposed to be her caregiver. She had numerous injuries which included broken fingers (one finger bone was even protruding through the skin), burns and cuts over her head, face, and body, and internal injuries. An autopsy also revealed that her genitalia and rectum bore signs of trauma which included tearing. It was later reported that Awilda had often sexually assaulted Elisa with a toothbrush and a hairbrush. Awilda’s husuband, Carlos Lopez, also partook. They even forced Elisa to eat her own faeces on a number of occasions.

It was shown that all of the injuries had been sustained over a period of time; she had been tortured from the moment she entered the house. The abuse surrounding this case is extremely abhorrent but even more abhorrent is the fact that it was easily preventable had the authorities responded accordingly. Awilda was sentenced to 15 years to life imprisonment. Her next parole hearing is July 2018.

[influencermagazineuk]

Three men have come forward with allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs, claiming the hip-hop mogul drugged them and sexually assaulted them while they were unconscious. The accusations, detailed in lawsuits filed in New York on Thursday, add to the growing legal troubles for the music icon, who is also facing federal sex trafficking charges. The anonymous lawsuits filed under the names John Doe, which detail alleged incidents that happened between 2019 and 2022, paint a disturbing picture. A former employee said Combs drugged and raped him in 2020 after they met at the InterContinental Hotel in Times Square to discuss overdue payments. Another accuser testifies that in 2019, he met Combs at a Manhattan nightclub and was subsequently invited to an afterparty at the Park Hyatt Hotel. There, he testified, he was given a drink laced with a drug, rendering him unconscious, and was then assaulted. He testified he tried to struggle before he lost consciousness from the effects of the drug. The man testified he was handed $2,500 by someone who had been recording the assault after the attack. Arthur from Westchester County north of NYC, USA, at Arthur@NYCArthur.com, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons The third man claims that he was drugged and sexually assaulted at Combs' East Hampton mansion during a party attended by associates from the mogul's record label in the summer of 2020. The three men's lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, said that the lawsuits are an important step toward empowering the victims. This is a long overdue opportunity for the victims to take the power back after carrying the burden of the assaults in silence for several years," Giuffra said in a statement. "While a lawsuit will not undo the wrongs done to them, it enables the survivors to regain the power and dignity that was stripped from them by Sean Combs. The lawsuits claim that Combs exploited his influence and wealth to victimize the accusers, silenced them through fear, threats, and manipulation. Each of the plaintiffs is seeking a jury trial and unspecified financial damages. Combs' defense team has vigorously denied the allegations. Those complaints are full of lies," his lawyers said. "We will prove them false and seek sanctions against every unethical lawyer who filed fictional claims against him. These lawsuits mark the latest in a line of legal challenges for the 55-year-old founder of Bad Boy Records, accused of orchestrating years of sexual abuse. Prosecutors say Combs coerced people into participating in what they describe as "Freak Offs," elaborate drug-fueled sexual events featuring male sex workers. The accusations include not only sexual violence but also other forms of intimidation, such as blackmail, physical beatings, arson, and even kidnapping. Combs has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to the federal charges. He has been in custody since his arrest and remains in a federal detention center in Brooklyn. Last month, his third attempt to secure bail was denied, leaving him behind bars as he awaits trial scheduled for May. These lawsuits bring a moment of reckoning for many across the music industry, peeling off the veil off allegations of abuses of power. Of course, they remain to be seen; still, these cases have already encouraged public discourses on responsibility and culture of silence meant to hide such powerful figures long. While Combs' attorneys continue to dismiss the allegations as baseless, the accusers and their legal team are determined to fight for justice. "This is about more than financial compensation—it's about giving these survivors their voices back," Giuffra added. "They deserve their day in court to expose the truth and begin the process of healing." Read the full article