A vigil taking place Friday Night at Medford’s Vogel Plaza… a crowd of people gathering to share their grief and begin healing after an 18-month old Medford boy was abused both physically and sexually late last month.
Marlene Mish runs the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County… she was told by one veteran child abuse Detective that the injuries sustained by little Cayden were unprecedented.
“In all her years that she had never experienced, seen anything like that in her life.”
That stunning news breaking Mish’s heart.
“We know what she has seen.”
Police say 18-month old Cayden was repeatedly beaten and even penetrated by his step-father Matthew Hyrup.
“There wasn’t a part of his body that wasn’t injured in some horrific way.”
The abuse allegedly taking place at this South Columbus Avenue home in West Medford 2 weeks ago.
“There is no excuse for hurting a child period.”
Nevertheless one may be forming.
Hyrup himself was a victim of sexual abuse as a teen, by Daniel Paul Zeman… who preyed on multiple young men before he pleaded guilty in 2005 to multiple counts of sex abuse.
“Everyone has a choice.”
Those thoughts echoed by abuse victim Randy Ellison, who told me today that he thought any mention of Hyrup’s abuse is a cheesy excuse for what happened.
Meanwhile tonight in Portland, little Cayden is improving… he’s been upgraded from critical to serious condition and has been moved from Doernbecher Children’s Hospital to Legacy Emanuel.
“It’s important to come together as a community always, it is healing for people to share their grief with one another.”
You can also visit the ‘Pray For Cayden’ website on Facebook.
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