A Tribute to Jessica Lunsford -- So We Don't Forget

Luton's World Media
"The Lunch Hour Report"
Special Edition
Saturday, March 19, 2003

By: Dr. John W. Luton
Elizabeth City State University


Have you ever wondered what you might be doing at this exact moment -- five years from now? Ten? Or, more? Certainly, we've all thought along these lines. The reason I'm having these thoughts today are because of a little Floridian girl named Jessica Lunsford. No, like millions of others, I never knew her or anything about her until I saw her picture on television last February.

Her winsome smile and bright pink hat drew me closer to the television set. Before I heard the reporter's voice-over, I thought to myself, "What a beautiful child." A moment or so later, the reporter's words finally broke into my consciousness and I realized that Jessica had gone missing from her home.

"Oh dear God," I said as I joined my prayer to perhaps millions of others who soon learned of Jessica's disappearance. Days wore on with no news, but my attention was captured anytime I heard her name mentioned or saw her smiling photograph that has now been etched into my memory.

The Citrus County Sheriff's department and hundreds of concerned neighbors and family members stood admirably by the immediate family as everyone waited for news. Following procedures, law enforcement officials began questioning registered sex offenders, verifying their whereabouts to see if any leads or connections could be made. One such offender, John Evander Couey, afraid he would be sought by the police, violated probation and fled to Atlanta, Georgia. Probation officers alerted law enforcement that he had moved without giving required notification, and soon he was picked up in Atlanta for questioning.

While in custody, Couey told police that he had abducted and killed the young girl. An intensified search of an area near the Lunsford's residence was conducted. Early this morning, before dawn, Jessica's body was discovered some 150 yards from her home. Another victim of a known sex offender released early from prison.

I don't think I could ever forget Jessica. Her photo reflected a young child so full of life, so eager to experience all life had to offer. When I think of the image of Couey, her 46-year-old murderer, his face aged well beyond his years, I realize that the system that was designed to protect our children from sexual predators has failed miserably. That failure has cost another life.

Unfortunately, what could have or should have been done is now moot with regard to Jessica Lunsford. The focus must be placed on how such atrocities might be prevented in the future. The time is long overdue for re-visiting laws that apply to the sentencing and parole of convicted sex offenders. With more than 10 burglaries on his record, Couey had served only two years of a 10-year prison sentence when he was paroled. In this case, his early release back into society has caused Jessica's early departure. How many other children has he harmed or killed? How many others like him are still out there plying their evil compulsion?

Please speak out in favor of our children. Let your voice be raised so that the guilty will not go free so they can rob life from the innocent. And, five or ten years from now, as you remember Jessica's rosy cheeks and enchanting smile, may we all be able to say that her death was not in vain.

My prayer is that new and better laws will carry her name. Laws that will keep sex offenders in prison where they belong. Laws that will protect those members of society who often cannot protect themselves -- our innocent children.