A horrific new story from the Center of Investigative Reporting has revealed just how far one Florida child had to go to prove her innocence — despite being the victim.
In 2016, 13-year-old Taylor Cadle worked up the courage to tell an adult about the sexual abuse she was suffering at the hands of her uncle, Henry Cadle.
But when she was interviewed by law enforcement, as shown in the PBS News Hour clip, they treated her like a criminal.
“If you’re mad because you got your phone taken away, let’s say that now and be done with it,” Detective Melissa Turnage can be heard saying to the teenager.
“Do you want to go live back in foster care? Because more than likely, if he’s arrested, they’re not going to let you stay there,” she continues.
Detectives determined that Taylor was making it up, and charged her with lying to law enforcement. She had to write apology letters to her abuser and the sheriff and was sentenced to a year of probation.
Two months after her plea deal, Taylor contacted authorities again. This time, she had collected her evidence.
“She reported she was riding in his truck that afternoon when he pulled off the roadway, and she secretly videotaped him,” according to The Ledger.
The teenager photographed him as he exposed himself at the open passenger door, with her lower body visible in the picture. She continued to secretly take photographs as he abused her, The Ledger reports.
Taylor also led law enforcement to two condoms her abuser had tossed from the window.
Finally, in 2017, Henry Cadle was sentenced to 17 years in prison for sexual battery of a minor.
The appalling story has led to scrutiny of Polk County’s longest-serving sheriff, Grady Judd, who is beloved for his tough-on-crime rhetoric and large media presence.
“As you know, one of my top priorities is to look after the children,” Judd said in 2020, after receiving a presidential appointment from Donald Trump to oversee programs related to missing and exploited children.