Thus, they require the nurturing of their mother to a much greater extent than their peers. The loss of their mother to a successful homicide attempt would devastate them. Relocation at the present time to avoid such a homicide would greatly disrupt their lives and might destroy the fragile thread that keeps these young women moving through recovery from the impact of the mutilating and homicidal assaults of Sam and Joe. Research data on children of battered women reveal that the responses of these girls to the assault on their mother and the previous criminal conduct inflicted upon her by Sam is predictable and appropriate. They need time and safety to consolidate the gains they have made and to finish maturation to adulthood free of the paralyzing fear that their mother will be taken from them.
Data also reveal that their fears are reasonable.
Most fatal violence against children by parents and step-parents occurs in the context of domestic violence. Paroling Sam and Joe at this time will inflict irreparable harm on these young women even if Sam does not pursue homicidal retaliation against their mother. Time is the greatest gift that can be given to these girls. They need at least 3 more years. Then they can relocate.