I was so horrified by a tiny article buried in the back section of the paper that I could barely breathe. It seems Teddy O. Van Lerberghe sexually assaulted a 5-year-old girl and then was charged with continuing to sexually assault her for another four years. Four of the charges carry mandatory 20-year prison terms, the other punishable by up to five years in prison.

But get this. The headline for the story said, in big black letters, “Ex-HPD officer to get probation for sexually assaulting girl, 5,” (Star-Advertiser, May 29).

Apparently he made some kind of deal with the state where he pleaded guilty and they gave him probation.

Are the cops protecting their own? Is the judge his uncle? Can anyone explain this to me?

This is a shocking miscarriage of justice and should be rectified.

Linda Carlson

Palolo Valley

Click here to read more Letters to the Editor.