Child’s Justice

By Jessica Taloney Reporter

An 11-year-old sexual assault victim is killed in a car crash, and her family fears her accused molestor will walk free.
A News Five viewer reaches out to help. Child’s Justice

Published: Mon, March 24, 2008 - 6:13 pm Last Updated: Thu, August 14, 2008 - 6:22 pm

Jessica Taloney

The family of a little girl who lost her life in a car crash fears they may lose their chance at justice too. We first told you about Rebecca McEvoy on News Five last week.
The 11-year-old was preparing for a sexual assault trial when she was killed earlier this year.
The suspect, Bob Ingle, was Rebecca's stepfather and at the time worked as a Chickasaw police officer.
Prosecutors say because Rebecca died before the case went to trial, a judge must decide whether there's enough evidence to move forward without her testimony.
"She's only a baby. If anyone in this world has a heart they'll help us," cried Rebecca's sister, Nina Tucker.
A News Five viewer is hoping to answer that cry for help. She says Rebecca's story was painfully familiar.
The Foley mother, who doesn't want to be identified, says like Rebecca, her 8-year-old daughter unexpectedly died just months after bringing charges against a man who the family says sexually assaulted her daughter. She says a judge had to decide in their case too whether there was enough evidence to go forward without her daughter being there.
"Immediately his attorney started telling the court that they had no one there to testify against him, that she was deceased, that it was his word against hers," said the mother.
But, in the Foley case, a judge allowed the little girl's statement, which she gave to investigators and counselors before she died, to be admitted as evidence, and she hopes a Mobile County judge will make the same decision.
"They used her statement as if she was there," said the mother. "Just don't give up, and I'l be praying for them," she said.
The hearing to determine if there is enough evidence has already been postponed twice, but Rebecca's family says they will be in court April 2nd.