On Friday, December 9, my son was taken away in hanscuffs, after receiving the maximum sentence allowed by Iowa law for his crimes. The prosecutor said he was a dangerous predator, who should never be around children adain. He said my son knew he was a pedophile years ago and did nothing to get himself into treatment, until after he was arrested two years ago. This statement was based on a report submitted to the court by my son's SO treatment provider. My son was hoping the judge would give him a bit of leniency because he did indeed, seek out therapy on his own, rather than wait for state-mandated therapy. But that backfired big time!

The sentencing was all over the media in his city in Iowa.

I have worn myself out with crying and sobbing. The worst was this evening, when I got back home and walked past his empty bedroom and then had to set one less plate for dinner. I took an anti-anxiety pill and fell asleep on the couch.

Tomorrow I will try to find out his prisoner ID, so I can put money into his commisary and phone accounts and write him letters. Oh well...this is just the beginning of my new life as the parent of a prisoner. Not something I ever aspired to.