Child Abuse Victim Speaks Out About New Family, New Life
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A young Jacksonville girl at the center of a child abuse case that involved an ex-Jaguar and his wife spoke out for the first time on Tuesday about how her life has been changed.
Eight-year-old Janie talked to Channel 4 just days after Rich and Jane Tylski settled criminal charges they faced as a result of the time the girl lived with them.
Janie now has a new last name, a new family, and said she has a whole new life in a home where she has no reason to be afraid.
“I have great parents, great sisters, great pets,” Janie said. “There’s no one that will hurt me here.”
In 2006, however, investigators said Janie's home life was anything but picture perfect in the Tylski house.
“This is the rod that was put in my leg,” Janie said.
Investigators said the abuse of Janie was discovered after the girl’s leg was broken.
Janie said she initially lied to police because “the Tylskis were still there and I knew if I went home with them, they'd do it again -- do more abusing.”
“It’s either, ‘You fell down the stairs or your brother hurt you or something.’ I just choose one,” Janie said.
At first the Tylskis denied any abuse; however, last week Jane Tylski pleaded guilty to aggravated child abuse and admitted in court to maliciously punishing Janie by bending her fingers back and striking the girl. She faces a sentence of two years probation, 100 hours community service.
Rich Tylski also admitted to the court that he hit Janie with a belt. Prosecutors said the charges against him would be dropped after he completes counseling and community service.
Janie said she's satisfied with the outcome of the case.
‘I guess that they had to tell the truth at court. I guess because they knew it was going to happen even if they didn't tell the truth because they knew the scars and everything. They've seen it,” Janie said.
One of the scars she spoke of is a daily reminder of the abusive past -- her still-damaged finger. With the help of her adoptive mom, Karla Utley, Janie has been able to move on.
“That was my goal from day one was that she could hold her head up high in this community and know that she told the truth,” Utley said. “She’s just a good girl. I can’t say enough about her. She's a special little girl and she does not deserve what happened to her, but were past that and I think were living a very happy life now.”
She said she wanted everyone to know that Janie is flourishing. Utley said she wanted people to hear how well the 8-year-old has been doing and adjusting to life with her new family.
The Tylskis’ attorney, Robert Willis, released the following statement:
“The Tylskis have a large circle of friends and neighbors … they know the reality and the truth and they continue to support them.”