Opinion ID: 2089161
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Lack of Any Recurrence.

Text: The sexual molestation of S.L.E. which precipitated this proceeding occurred on June 1, 1992. The order terminating the court's jurisdiction was issued on May 18, 1994. Although there had been substantial contact between S.L.E. and J.M. in the period of almost two years during which the case was before the court, there was no further allegation of sexual or physical abuse. Moreover, a GAL was appointed to represent S.L.E.'s interests. The GAL participated actively in the litigation. By May 1994, the GAL agreed that the case should be closed. Assuming that the GAL had consulted with S.L.E., at least to the extent that such consultation was feasible with a child of her ageand we have no reason to doubt that consultation occurredit appears that two years after the abuse, all of the members of the family wanted the government out of their lives. The lack of a single complaint of misconduct by J.M. over a substantial period of time provides the strongest argument in support of affirmance of the judge's order. Certainty is seldom achievable, and governmental intrusion into a family's life ought not to be extended if, on the basis of past experience, the judge can reasonably be satisfied that there is no realistic danger of harm to the child.