21-Satanic Panic~McMartin Family Preschool Trials

(Content Trigger Warning: Child Sexual Abuse Allegations.)
On May 12, 1983 Judy Johnson dropped off her 2 1/2 year old son, Billy,  for his first day at the popular family owned and operated McMartin Preschool.  Three month later, Judy Johnson (who was later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia) would make a call to police to report that her son had been molested by not only her estranged husband, but also a staff member at the McMartin preschool, 25 year old Ray Buckey. At one point in the case, it was publicized the seven teachers at McMartin had committed 115 sexual crimes, which later expanded to 321 counts. This case would be one of the most expensive criminal trials in American history, lasting 7 years and costing $15 million…with no convictions.   Did we mention this bizarre case was during the Satanic Panic era?

SOURCE MATERIALS:
McMartin Preschool: Anatomy of a Panic | Retro Report | The New York Times

The McMartin Preschool Abuse Trial: An Account

The McMartin Preschool trials - HISTORY

The McMartin Preschool Case: Satanic Panic and Child Sexual Abuse Allegations - A&E True Crime

30 Years Later, Key Figures Reflect On McMartin Preschool Case - CBS Los Angeles

The McMartin Preschool Abuse Trial: An Account

Day-care sex-abuse hysteria - Wikipedia

National Sexual Assault Hotline. Free. Confidential. 24/7.
 Call  800.656.HOPE

https://www.rainn.org/

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