Open Letter from Michael Paparella, the father of a 16 year old deaf boy charged as an adult in the rape of three girls ages 8 to 10. One has to wonder "Is the 'system' completely devoid of honesty, integrity, respect and common sense?"

This is in reference to our conversation concerning Aaron Paparella. I wanted to clarify some things as well as allow this letter to be posted for other readers. I first want to thank everyone with the bottom of my heart; words alone will never convey my gratitude.

I have a 16-year old son, Aaron who is deaf. He has been charged with several capitol felony charges and could face life in prison without parole. There has never been any kind of proper investigations. The children that are involved have been provoked by law enforcements, department of children and families and the state. This is an absolute horror. Aaron was arrested in St. Augustine, FL on his first day of school. It took the state five days to transport him from St. Augustine to Pensacola. I spent three days in St. Augustine looking for my son. I arrived in Pensacola and I still did not know where my son was. Five days from his arrest until I was able to locate my son. My son rights were read without an interpreter. When I visited my son in Juvenile Detention (Escambia county) Aaron had bruises around his neck and on his arms. My mother and my children as well as Aaron’s aunt witnessed the bruises. We later found out, one of the guards did not realize Aaron was deaf and because Aaron would not respond to this guards command, he manhandled Aaron.

Aaron shortly after this incident was moved to the adult jail in Santa Rosa County. I have been told that Aaron was stripped naked and put in a padded cell lockdown for several days. Aaron told us that the guards would put signs up telling Aaron to shut the F____ up! Aaron has never been treated so inhumane. Understand deaf kids can be very loud because they can’t hear themselves. Aaron was scared to death!

There are five kids involved. One boy was caught having sex (intercourse) with his eight-year-old sister. He was 12. He was caught by his parents who called the police. This kid was arrested, convicted and tried in the juvenile courts. His case is finished and he was back in school within a few months. Aaron on the other hand has never been convicted and has not had any schooling for over a year.

The state has magnified situations that were not even close to sex or any type of physical force, beyond belief. Read the depositions! The blame has been taken off one kid and put on the “Stupid Deaf and Dumb Kid!” Aaron’s involvement came into existence when the 12-year-old boy introduced Aaron to his father’s supply of pornography who left it lying around the house openly for these kids to find. I have witnessed magazines left open in the father’s bathroom on one occasion when I had visited their house to look at their new furniture. The kids had gotten a hold of a DVD that had pornography on it. I found it hidden in my back yard. These kids got hold of pornography that should have never been left out for a kid to find, and mimicked what they had seen. I truly believe there was never any intent to harm and force any kind of sex, even with the 12 year old with his sister; this was just simple children being curious. I absolutely would be devastated if this were to happen to my girls but at the same time who is to blame here? I think if most adults would look back and be honest with themselves we all did things as kids that if we were caught with today’s laws, we all would be facing life in prison. Craziness!!! The other two girls that are involved with the state are being absolutely crazy! The notoriety by the state led these girls to lie. One girl is soooo unbelievable that you have to take a deep breath when you read it.

Due to Aaron’s lack of language, he is developmentally challenged. His reading skills are that of a second an third grader. The state has completely ignored this. Aaron does not and has not comprehended what is going on with him. Aaron has been forced to be secluded from his family and friends for over a year. And has not been allowed to go to school until three days ago. Aaron is not guilty of the crimes he is being charged with by the state. Katina Wilson (originally) and now Rick Scherling.

Aaron attended the Florida School for the deaf and blind in St. Augustine, FL. This was the hardest decision I had to ever make in my life before these hideous charges were brought against my son. Aaron would come home on weekends.

This school was fantastic. This is where Aaron needs to be and because of the State he can no longer go there. Aaron was manager of the basketball team and football team. He was excelling. We were all working as a team trying to get Aaron caught up socially. I was in contact weekly and would make several trips quartly to the school. I knew due to Aaron’s lack of language he was not your typical 13 years old. He was years behind his peers mentally. Aaron is not stupid he does have a high IQ, but because of the lack of language he fell way behind socially.

Aaron suffered through a horrible divorce and even though we as parents [mom and dad] tried to keep things from him he was emotionally scared. This was a set back for him. St. Augustine knew Aaron’s problems and were helping him.

From the very beginning I have begged Katina Wilson and Rick Scherling to please do a proper investigation concerning the charges against Aaron. I have begged these people to look at Aaron and where he is in life concerning his developmental challenges and deafness. I was smirked at and ridiculed by these people in court. I have been threatened with arrest warrants against me on more than one occasion. I was told in court in the very beginning there was a possibility I would be arrested. I had to live in fear for almost a month wondering if I was going to jail. I was threatened by Katina Wilson that I was going to jail. This is on public record through a court reporter. Rick Scherling has mocked me and basically told me I was a liar in court. Again public record! I feel Rick Scherling continues to talk out of two sides of his mouth. One minute, Aaron is being charged as an adult and the next minute, Rick Scherling continues to threatened me with warrants for my arrest. Three weeks ago, Aaron’s last court date, I was told by the Judge they were putting dad [me] in the county jail for thirty days. Rick Scherling told the Judge Aaron was not in compliance with a court order, ordering Aaron to wear an ankle monitor.

I explained to the judge, I had on three different occasions and through many phone calls, tried to get the state to put Aaron on an ankle monitor [only because it was court ordered] but the state refused to provide an interpreter for Aaron concerning the rules and regulations of this monitor. When they did provide an interpreter, they handed the interpreter a bunch of papers and said read this to Aaron. The interpreter refused. The next time I drove from Gulf breeze to Milton, the state began to ask me questions instead of Aaron. I kept telling the state you need to ask your [adult] prisoner. This is also on public record. I also tried to explain to the state, I am a single dad with four kids and I own a small ceramic tile store. I can’t stay at home. I work in Pensacola. The state wanted me to be home at a certain time and I would have to call whenever we were to leave home. I was also told I couldn’t leave at night except for church and would have to provide them a church bulletin. Craziness! The judge finally seemed like he was listening. I have been told we have a very fair judge. So I don not want to upset him.

I want to clarify that Aaron does have a court appointed interpreter and the judge has allowed for us to use a deaf interpreter to assist in this case. I also want to say that the judge has been fair based on the information and the laws. Understand what I am saying; the whole truth has not been revealed and the judge can only react on what the state provide to him. I feel the judge’s hands are tied. My prayers are [please let the judge read the girls statements]. I know without a shadow of a doubt the judge would throw this mess out of court. Shame on Katina Wilson and Rick Scherling! Aaron has never had a chance.

 Letter from the Father of Aaron
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