I have a friend from another board (not on this site) who has been charged with abusing her child. I have met her before IRL, but she's been a cyberfriend for many years. Although she seems like a good mom, I'm torn, because she does have several of the risk factors that are typical of child abusers. Her husband was out of work for many months, they've lost a great deal financially, and have medical problems as well. She's also postpartum and prone to depression anyway. She claims that the bruising and other injuries are the result of an undiagnosed medical condition, but the test results so far have been inconclusive. How can I best support my friend when I'm not sure what I believe? I want to think she's innocent, but my heart breaks when I think about a little baby being hurt, maybe by his mom. The kids have been removed from the home, and my friend and her husband both spent a weekend in jail. They've been charged with felony criminal conspiracy as well as the child related charges. She's always presented herself as a loving, calm mom, but she has even been lashing out on the other board over seemingly little things. How do you know when anger is appropriate or when it's gone too far? TIA for any insights. I know she's innocent till proven guilty but I feel really strange standing behind her when my gut tells me she could be doing this. Terena
