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Protecting Reiker and Mathias
Reiker and Mathias have asked their family and friends to help keep them safe from their abusive mother.
The boys are learning firsthand that the system is not adequately designed to keep them safe and, in their frustration and fear, have asked to speak out because they feel like their pleas continue to fall on deaf ears. They do not want to fall victim to being abused again or, worse yet, killed by their violent mother for reporting the abuse.
In October 2022, Novum attempted to pick up the boys in the middle of the day at St. Albans City School. Mathias expressed his fear to school officials and the police were called.
After speaking with Novum and the children separately, the officer deemed it safer for the boys to return home with their father. In the days following, Mathias was terrified to go back into the school building. There were instances that even when the school counselor came to the car to reassure him of his safety, he still refused to get out of the car because he was so terrified.
Franklin worked with the school so that he could complete his assignments at home for a period of time.
UPDATES: TIMELINE
February 12, 2024
Ensuring Protection
A significant win is had in Pennsylvania in the effort to keep Reiker and Mathias safe and protected. There is still a long road ahead and the team is working with multiple non-profit child safety organizations to ensure continued physical, mental, and emotional safety for the boys.
February 9, 2024
Back to School
After going through the temporary custody process in Vermont, Franklin is able to re-enroll the children and they return to school.
February 1, 2024
School Withdrawal
Novum withdraws the boys from school. Franklin is also notified by the police that she has been calling 911 and hanging up.
January 29, 2024
Legislative Forum
Reiker and Mathias attend the KidSafe Collaborative Legislative Forum in Vermont to share their story with multiple legislators and request that new legislation be introduced and current legislation reformed to help keep children better protected.
January 28, 2024
False Kidnapping Report
Even after including Novum in the email correspondence with law enforcement, including the most recent court order, Novum proceeded to call the St. Albans PD to report the children kidnapped.
January 27, 2024
False Missing Kids Report
Franklin is notified that Novum made multiple attempts to file false police reports in Vermont that Reiker and Mathias are missing and kidnapped. Additionally, she misuses police resources in California as part of this endeavor to stalk and harass Franklin, Reiker, and Mathias.
January 26, 2024
Confidential Address
In spite of a Confidential Address Motion in place, Novum used police resources in an attempt to locate the boys in Pennsylvania and request a welfare check in spite of not contacting them directly for a month. Had she agreed to cooperate and help coordinate the supervised virtual visits as ordered by the court, which was at her own request, she would be able to visit with them online. She has not been blocked from doing so.
January 5, 2024
Legal Services Withdrawn
The Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence withdrew its pro bono legal representation of Novum, child abuser and long term domestic violence offender. This is a huge win for the safety and protection of Reiker and Mathias and we thank the VT Network for standing by its mission.
December 21, 2023
Court Hearing
There was a court hearing that, thankfully, resulted in a 90-day extension of supervised visits (this time virtually), offering a temporary shield of safety for the boys. Unfortunately, at this time, the Vermont Network was still providing free legal representation to Novum in spite of repeated email requests from Reiker as well as family and friends who have witness Novum’s violent behaviors many years prior to the current court case.
December 7, 2023
Campaign Launch
We launched this website, an online petition, and a social media campaign to raise awareness and help prevent forced reunification with violent abusers for Reiker, Mathias, and children everywhere. The petition also called for the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence to withdraw its pro bono legal representation of their mother, who abused Franklin for 20 years and physically, emotionally, and mentally abused her 2 youngest sons. There are many gaps in our legal system and the most vulnerable are the ones suffering as a result.