Michelle Stevens was an ordinary eight-year-old girl when she reached the most unfortunate moment of her life. It was then that she met Gary Lundquist, her soon to be stepfather. Unbeknownst to her at the time, he would also be her tormentor.
Gary caged, abused, and raped Michelle throughout her childhood. The only time she had away from him was while at school during the day, where she tried valiantly to appear normal. Gary, who was a fifth grade teacher, did not stop at abusing Michelle. He was convicted of engaging in sexual contact with two students and was sentenced to three years’ probation. He died in 1997 without ever having answered for the crimes he committed against his stepdaughter.
Years later, Michelle, with a PhD in psychology, wrote a book of her experiences to inspire other survivors of sexual abuse. In the book, she talked about her state of mind after going through such a traumatic time. Her brain was completely reprogrammed by the abuse she went through. Michelle’s only day-to-day thought was escaping. Once she was finally out of that situation, she didn’t know what to do with herself. Michelle even developed amnesia and split personalities as ways to cope with the trauma. She has lived the rest of her life struggling with those kinds of mental health issues.
Abuse can traumatize and negatively affect the behavior of people in different ways. Some deal with it by changing their mental states, like Michelle; others have turned to drugs or crime.
Billy and Ashley grew up in a home where their father, Bill, was an alcoholic and took out many of his frustrations on them. Billy was traumatized during his childhood and demonstrated deviant behavior at an early age. He was committing petty crimes while he was still in school and later received a life sentence for killing a store clerk during a robbery gone wrong. After being sexually abused, Ashley ran away from home, became addicted to drugs, and had three children that she had to give up.
At Alexander Law Group, LLP, we are dedicated to helping victims of unlawful abuse or neglect. Richard Alexander tried the first childhood sexual abuse case in Santa Clara, and the firm also represents Denis Flynn, the Los Gatos man molested by his adoptive father and mother.
Our lawyers have decades of experience pursuing rightful recoveries for victims of this horrible crime. If you or a family member has been abused at the hands of another, contact us. All calls are free and confidential.
