Unfathomable Mystery:

The joy of family life lies in interaction: shared experiences, heartfelt conversations, inane chatter, banter and laughter. It’s in the memories we create and the time we spend simply being together. Siblings may move apart and children may leave home, but the bonds of love and togetherness remain unbroken. No distance can sever them. Text messages, phone calls, online meetings and video chats keep those connections alive – the precious heartbeat of family life that should be cherished, nurtured and never taken for granted.

This is what has been cruelly severed between us and Lizzie; not by Lizzie herself, but by Coral. Deliberately, systematically and ruthlessly. We can prove it beyond any reasonable doubt. We have evidence that would stand up in court. There is no ambiguity. Coral took Lizzie and then set about sabotaging every route Lizzie had for communicating with or seeing her family, friends and loved ones.

The pain of this separation is already unbearable, but it is made worse by the fact that the statutory agencies, whose role is to safeguard and uphold the law, have instead enabled Coral. They have supported her in isolating and controlling Lizzie. Why? That is the unfathomable mystery: the agencies designed to protect the vulnerable have instead used their power to excuse, condone and even facilitate coercive behaviour and blatant exploitation.

It has now been twenty long months since Lizzie was taken from outside our house. It has been fifteen months since we last saw Lizzie – that brief, bittersweet meeting on Christmas Eve 2023. We brought her gifts from us and others, and we were granted just a few precious minutes to speak with her outside the house where she now lives. We exchanged one final hug with our daughter before she vanished once again from our lives.

Letters for Melanie Onn MP:

The letters we continue to receive for the attention of Melanie Onn MP describe Lizzie as once being happy, carefree, secure and loved. That was before she was persuaded to leave home at 18 by a 22-year-old who, ironically, had himself attempted to leave home but was not allowed.

I am deeply moved by the unwavering support from Lizzie’s family and friends. I am also immensely grateful for the wisdom and validation offered by FASD experts – those who run charitable organisations and deliver FASD awareness training to social workers, police and other agencies. Their insight strengthens our resolve.

One letter that I received this week captured the unique and quirky charm of our treasured daughter:

“As the years progressed, we could see what an amazing child Lizzie was growing into. OK, she had her difficulties, but her many other qualities certainly outweighed those. Lizzie had a gentle, yet mischievous, sense of humour, she had the ability to know that you loved her, she appreciated the world around her, she loved Disney films, and she knew how important Jesus was in her life, and in the lives of those who loved her.“

I will be meeting with Ms. Onn again in early April. If you wish to send additional letters, please ensure they reach me by the end of March.

St Paul’s Cathedral:

I was in London this week for a meeting, just a five-minute walk from St. Paul’s Cathedral. Afterward, I seized the opportunity to step inside. Why not?

In that grand, ornate cavern, I found a quiet corner and lit a prayer candle for Lizzie:

As I walked mindfully through the cathedral, I came upon two angels guarding a door. They stood as symbols of a spiritual battle – of protection, justice and truth. They reminded me of the prayer I often repeat in my heart:

“Break the chains, Lord; help her to see. May angels come and set her free.“

Linkage College:

I have been informed that the investigation is now complete. I await the report or letter next week. It will either be an honest and objective attempt to address the failings and protect a vulnerable young person in their care, or it will be a whitewash, a tangle of jargon and subclauses designed to justify the actions and inaction of the college staff.

Their own safeguarding policy defines ‘harm’ as:

“Irrespective of whether the impact is significant or not, harm is any act by another that has the potential to adversely affect a person’s health, wellbeing, development, or infringes on their rights.“

Tick, tick, tick, and tick.

“Linkage has a zero tolerance for harm.“

We will find out next week whether they truly stand by that statement.

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Thank you for reading. If you have any insights, comments or advice, please feel free to add them below.