The daughter, now 42, now lives in the San Andreas regional center in Campbell, a state run home for the developmentally disabled. The police officer accused, Detective Lori Kratzer, no longer works for Palo Alto police, but the city is still on the hook in the lawsuit.
The trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 3 in San Mateo County Superior Court, according to the couple’s Lawyer, David Beauvais. The city council is scheduled to discuss the lawsuit, which stems from a November 2001 incident, in closed session on Monday.
In November 2001, Jeffrey and Elsie Golan lived in a trailer at 809 San Antonio Road in Palo Alto with their epileptic, developmentally disabled, autistic daughter Nancy, who was 31. They were starting businesses at the rented office space.
‘Happy, simple, gregarious’
Nancy spoke a few words, but could dress, feed herself and go to the bathroom on her own. “She was generally a very happy, simple, gregarious, lovable, charming, outgoing person… capable of feeling and experiencing all normal emotions.” according to the lawsuit.Nancy was well cared for, according to the suit. Her parents watched her around the clock, took her on long walks and try to get her out to interact with other people whenever possible.
“Nancy always came first,” the Golins’ lawsuit stated.
On Nov. 15, 2001, Nancy Golin woke up from taking a nap in the family’s van and wandered away while her mother was in the bathroom. It wasn’t the first time she had walked away without warning, in fact it happened dozens of times before, by all accounts. The Golins called police, who searched all night with dogs but didn’t find her.
Police declare home a crime scene
In the morning, police, taking direction from Kratzer, swarmed the couples abode. There were as many as 20 police officers and 10 patrol cars there, according to the Golins lawsuit. Police photographed the van, looked for the Golins daughter in a nearby dumpster and took photos of the van, which they referred to as a “crime scene,” according to the Golins lawsuit.Police also investigated the couple, but didn’t read them their Miranda rights or formally arrest them, the Golins’ Lawsuit said.
Kratzer told the couple that police needed to take Nancy to Stanford hospital for a checkup, according to the lawsuit. The couple claims that the detective never indicated that she was taking Nancy away because she suspected they weren’t caring for her.
After being brought to Stanford for a mental evaluation, she was put in the psychiatric ward. A year later, she would be placed in a residential care facility. She would never live with their parents again.
Full Article and Source:
Palo Alto Police Alleged to Have Kidnapped Autistic Daughter 12 Years Ago
See Also:
FreeNancy.com
NASGA: Nancy Golin, California Victim
9 comments:
I see an overzealous police officer here. I wonder how old Lori Kratzer was at the time.
Poor Nancy. My heart breaks for her. She must have been so scared to have been taken away from her parents. Shame on the police.
This is so sad. It is hard enough for a child to understand when separated from its parents, but when that child/adult is autistic, I can't imagine the horror Nancy felt.
Very disturbing to read I cannot imagine the Golin family’s pain and suffering, living this 14 year nightmare while their adult autistic child continues to be on forced separation from them.
Every family in the USA with a minor child and/or adult child who has been determined to be autistic needs to pay close attention what could very well be in their future.
I have to ask for photographs, the proof of the allegations by Detective Lori Kratzer against the Golins: ” Accounts by the Golins’ and the city about the families living conditions differ. Kratzer’s report paints a bleak picture of Nancy Golins living space as a portion of a dark office with a small heater, stacks of boxes and a portable toilet. Kratzer also said that the van Nancy slept in reeked of urine and after she returned home she had soiled clothes, oily hair, body odor and seemed like she hadn’t bathed in a long time, according to the Palo Alto’s response to the lawsuit.”
Wishing the Golin family the very best.
I have a vry similar sitution in TX. This is happening all over the US. I am so very sorry for this family and hope for their success.
I was thinking overzealous officer too, Finny.
And look what happened as a result? It's terrible.
the police should be charged with abuse, plain and simple.
The problem is not a police problem; it lies with the state or county agencies who file complaints, following which there is no provision for due process.
I am in shock and horror reading tis story. I pray for the parents' success in this lawsuit.
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