Wednesday 28 August 2013

Grandmother Receives a hate letter from neighbour regarding autistic grandson


"Despite the hateful language used … the content of the letter falls below the threshold for a hate crime," police said in a statement Tuesday. "However, there are other Criminal Code issues that are being considered."
Millson said she immediately contacted police after receiving the letter. Her grandson Max Begley, who was diagnosed with autism as a toddler, lives with his parents and older brother in nearby Oshawa, Ont., but he had been visiting her home.
The letter states that Max "is a hindrance to everyone and will always be that way." It goes on to say that "they should take whatever non-retarded body parts he possesses and donate it to science."
"At first I couldn't believe what I was reading," Millson said, adding that she was shaking in disbelief. "It's just so sick."
Despite the police conclusion that the letter does not constitute a hate crime, Millson said she still considers it to be a “hate letter.”
Since news of the letter first surfaced, there has been a huge outpouring of support for the family from neighbours and the autism community.
On Sunday, at least 120 people waited outside Millson's home to show their support.
One neighbour said this sort of behaviour is unacceptable.
"Whoever wrote this letter can just … they can leave, they can go live in the wild with their normal children, as far as I am concerned," neighbour Julie Smith said.
According to the family, the only hostility they had previously received happened four years ago when one of Max's balls was returned cut up with scissors.
"Whoever wrote it is a disgusting human being," Max's father James Begley said.
A criminal investigation is underway and police are asking anyone with information regarding the case call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477


Read more:
 http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/letter-sent-to-grandmother-of-boy-with-autism-hateful-but-not-a-hate-crime-police-1.1418849#ixzz2dHJiRfh1