1/ Since our story with PBS NewsHour came out last month, comments flooded into Polk County Sheriff’s social feed demanding consequences for Det. Melissa Turnage, who sought criminal charges against Taylor Cadle for lying. We recently learned she was disciplined after we started asking questions. - ThreadSky

raeoflion.bsky.social • 93 days ago

1/ Since our story with PBS NewsHour came out last month, comments flooded into Polk County Sheriff’s social feed demanding consequences for Det. Melissa Turnage, who sought criminal charges against Taylor Cadle for lying. We recently learned she was disciplined after we started asking questions.

Comments

djjakej.bsky.social•88 days ago

Disciplined? Fired and Charged would be true Justice! She caused more harm!

grandmagayle.bsky.social•89 days ago

I lived there for 17 years, and this horrific situation doesn't surprise me at all.

amptsuper.bsky.social•89 days ago

Yet another example of why the #PressAct needs to be passed. Contact your elected representatives and tell them to get this done.

Now. #FourthEstate

https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-lee-and-durbin-introduce-press-act-to-protect-reporters-first-amendment-rights-against-government-surveillance

jacy200.bsky.social•91 days ago

📌

donkeywoman.bsky.social•90 days ago

Read it and weep. This is the female experience once raped. But this is so much more egregious. She was a child. It was intercourse. I am so sorry we failed you…till now?

dobetterusa.bsky.social•92 days ago

Thank you

earp1880.bsky.social•90 days ago

Thanks for the article. 20vyrs as a State Probation officer. The increase in sex offender crimes in our state showed how proper training and investigation can improve arrest rates in these cases. Victims don't need to be made offenders.

3v1l1ns4n3.bsky.social•90 days ago

I still don’t understand why these “gangsters with badges” are aloud to continue that job when they obviously have no clue what they’re doing. It’s gross and most certainly causes many kids to be afraid to tell. This is fkin insane. How she’s still a detective is beyond me, threatening a kid. Omfg

rosaluxlux.bsky.social•89 days ago

That's why there need to be criminal charges, so the officer loses her POST certification and can't just get another police job

3v1l1ns4n3.bsky.social•89 days ago

For real tho. Like scaring a kid to not tell on a man hurting her. Like she’s a woman too. Just blows my mind. I totally agree they should not be aloud to stay in a position of power when they have a clear distain for the law and human rights. Let alone children. Makes me sick

rosaluxlux.bsky.social•89 days ago

It would be great if there was real discipline and if police HR didn't hire people with a bunch of complaints against them. But since departments won't do that we need prosecutors to prosecute

3v1l1ns4n3.bsky.social•89 days ago

Yes the sad truth is when you have police that police themselves. We will never get accountability. The “Thin” blue line is like miles thick in reality. It’s all disgusting.

bbgolf2755.bsky.social•90 days ago

https://x.com/heerjeet/status/1861192463903240407?s=46&t=J5sMatiGR_pSlXaUYUZ1Ug

alwaysthinking.bsky.social•89 days ago

No justice, no peace.
The world hates females.

dpottery.bsky.social•90 days ago

What is worst of all when considering police attitudes towards victims of sexual assault, it’s no wonder it is under-reported. BUT, a police report is necessary if the victim is impregnated by her rapist and wants to terminate. Florida has made it impossible for girls and women.

mynahleague.bsky.social•92 days ago

I read the article with horror and rising nausea. The system totally failed Taylor Cradle. Brave child, brave woman. I donated to MJ, please support independent news articles.

dask24.bsky.social•90 days ago

Children are being accused of false allegations by law enforcement, on top of being molested. How sick is that?
Expect even more of this under Republican rule. Many of tRump's nominations allow or have sexual abuse allegations.

talk2mom810.bsky.social•90 days ago

If a 12 yr old was pissed at her dad AND was cunning enough to lie about something like this, she’d say he touched me once. She wouldn’t say he’s been having sex w me since I’m 9. Because kids don’t think adults would do such a thing.

talk2mom810.bsky.social•90 days ago

Amazing story. What a brave young woman!

lauraapollo.bsky.social•90 days ago

That was a hard read. What a brave young woman.

pauldevine.bsky.social•93 days ago

Good 'Ol Boy mentality, the mentality shared by most LEO, immediately sides with men. Even female LEO.

djjakej.bsky.social•88 days ago

Lol stays at 142 followers! Evil X awaits!

caramia13.bsky.social•92 days ago

Women who have adapted to the patriarchy and internalized the misogyny will do this.

She didn't care about helping that little girl. She was trying to curry favor with the male bosses.

honeyprime61.bsky.social•93 days ago

This is nothing but a disgusting cop hater lie.

thesamedevice.bsky.social•90 days ago

Someone's in hideous denial of the Blue Wall of Silence.

Feel free to read the case of Adrian Schoolcraft (like, ACTUALLY read it), then get back to me

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_Schoolcraft

quilter6561.bsky.social•90 days ago

Sources? Oh, that's right. You have none. So who, or what, is disgusting now?

petenaps.bsky.social•90 days ago

You sound very smart

kcnola.bsky.social•90 days ago

Pig says oink. The LEOs in this article who actively and repeatedly protected a child molester were sh*t. I hope she sues and wins what she’s owed.

picksnifflick.bsky.social•90 days ago

Cops have earned their reputation and bootlickers like you continue to allow them to get away with it.

seedysong.bsky.social•92 days ago

Oink

honeyprime61.bsky.social•92 days ago

Grow up.

seedysong.bsky.social•92 days ago

I'm 50 you boot licker

quantum-steep.bsky.social•91 days ago

lol that 12-year-old has no comeback

eagsquared.bsky.social•92 days ago

This is literally a well documented fact, bootlicker.

honeyprime61.bsky.social•92 days ago

Grow up.

eagsquared.bsky.social•92 days ago

Take the boot out of your mouth and read a single study about cops and DV, pig.

hemlockautumn.bsky.social•90 days ago

We found a rapist, I think.

quantum-steep.bsky.social•91 days ago

sounds like you're the one who's not grown up if you haven't done any reading about the reality of modern-day policing in the united states

beallyoucanbop.hellthread.cc•90 days ago

who dont hate disgusting cops?

danziginthedark.bsky.social•90 days ago

yeah it’s not like they have catchy little names for the phenomenon like the Blue Wall of Silence or the Thin Blue Line, that guys just talking out of his ass

5dintuition.bsky.social•90 days ago

You’re right not all cops are like that, I know some genuinely good ones. But in certain areas it can be an entrenched behavior.

mrfox.bsky.social•90 days ago

I'm very interested to hear what your friends have to say about why they're allowing police departments to behave this way considering they are representatives of the same organization. Doesn't it make them angry that other police are murdering kids with impunity? why aren't they doing anything?

mrfox.bsky.social•89 days ago

(I’m not joking or being snarky I’m sincerely curious, can you please ask them?)

5dintuition.bsky.social•89 days ago

Yes it does anger my friends, myself included. That’s why I am against giving police even more immunity. I would advocate for more cultural training & higher standards for psychological testing.

mrfox.bsky.social•90 days ago

You do not know any genuinely good cops. If there were any genuinely good cops they would be arresting the bad ones. You know good people who do an evil day job

5dintuition.bsky.social•90 days ago

I think there are ones who genuinely set out to be good police officers. But yes due to the entrenched brokenness within a lot of departments it would be impossible to arrest the bad ones. But I agree with your overall opinion

mrfox.bsky.social•90 days ago

it's not a lot of departments. it's every department. the US policing system has NEVER been anything but evil, going back to its origins in slave catching patrols and union gangbustiung outfits. It's designed this way.

dysamoria.com•90 days ago

Why would you voluntarily position yourself this way? What’s your goal here?

fearjunkie.bsky.social•90 days ago

The only thing pigs are good for are bacon and sausage.

lordmagma.bsky.social•89 days ago

Truly cannot imagine going into the replies of this story and wanting to defend cops. What is the thinking here? Cop does something pretty undeniably evil and faces zero consequences and you just need to jump in to say that not all cops are bad. Why? What would it take for you to not like cops?

metooeither2.bsky.social•93 days ago

This wasnt her first time she fucked up a child sex abuse case, she needs to be arrested

latiathia.bsky.social•92 days ago

Unthinkable behavior, inexcusable collapse of protective and police organizations. How many counties just like this? Where do all the other kids end up?

hardwatercharlie.bsky.social•93 days ago

My Goodness!

Thank you so much for sharing this story. That Sheriff and Detective suck ass.

Both should look for another line of work.

What the ever loving F_ _ _!

mark-laustrup2024.bsky.social•92 days ago

Wonder where she picked up that cavalier attitude?

lauraover.bsky.social•93 days ago

I have no words. Only deep feelings of pure disgust for those who emotionally raped a child who had been raped.

2charlotte45.bsky.social•90 days ago

My goodness the things we do to women are just horrific.

drdmb20.bsky.social•90 days ago

Thank for sharing her story. I hope she sues them for their incompetence.

newlevelofhell.bsky.social•93 days ago

Abuse causes trauma.

grace55.bsky.social•90 days ago

It’s the 21st century & children of sexual assault are being traumatized by the very ppl that should protect them. Taylor is beyond brave. To be repeatedly sexually assaulted then bravely telling an adult only to be intimidated, by a special victim detective into recanting the TRUTH is repulsive. 1/

grace55.bsky.social•90 days ago

Then the authorities punish Taylor, the victim is unconscionable . Followed by more trauma from authorities, who send her back into that environment, to be sexually assaulted AGAIN. For Taylor to have the wherewithal to gather evidence as a child & victim is phenomenally courageous. 2/

grace55.bsky.social•90 days ago

Not only should Polk County publicly apologize for the travesties inflicted upon Taylor, she should be given-at least, a public accommodation for her heroic actions. Her actions (as a child no less!) most likely saved other young girls from the rapist and lifelong trauma.

djjakej.bsky.social•88 days ago

I assume the civil suite will be 7 figures. Settled immediately!

dysamoria.com•90 days ago

That county’s law enforcement should all be fired and the system rebuilt from outside.

mrfox.bsky.social•90 days ago

The United States policing system needs to be entirely dismantled and replaced with a community safety system

embeessem.bsky.social•90 days ago

And then the officer traumatized her 🤬😭

beturpin.bsky.social•90 days ago

This young person deserves a Profile In Courage award, full stop. The detective meanwhile should be fired for dereliction of her sworn duty to serve and protect the innocent.

jeffjanis.bsky.social•90 days ago

Astounding reporting. Thank you for your work.

puppyraiser.bsky.social•93 days ago

It’s Polk County. It’s Grady Judd. Florida folks: this is my not surprised face.

lauragrey.bsky.social•90 days ago

You nailed it. “Not my surprised face” - I’ll be using that. But …sigh…Florida

puppyraiser.bsky.social•89 days ago

Every damn day here!

boldhamster.bsky.social•93 days ago

This is so infuriating. Good job by Taylor for doing the work that the police should have done. Turnage needs to turn in her badge.

nohvah00.bsky.social•90 days ago

Well, it's Polk county. She's definitely not the first and far from the last. All of the cops that work in that county are a mixture of incompetent and corrupt.

assfarter.bsky.social•90 days ago

Cops treat child molesters gently because they sympathize with them and want to receive similar treatment should their victims speak up.

apunkassunicorn.bsky.social•91 days ago

ACAB

raeoflion.bsky.social•93 days ago

2/ A captain from the sheriff’s office sent Turnage a “Letter of Retraining” writing that some of Turnage’s questioning were “simply unacceptable”. But made no mention of the fact that Turnage’s investigation led to Taylor being charged with false reporting and going on to prove her innocence.

raeoflion.bsky.social•93 days ago

3/ Ultimately, the captain’s demands of Turnage were minimal: Within a week, she was required to complete an online course on interview and interrogation techniques.

raeoflion.bsky.social•93 days ago

4/ The letter ends: “I am confident you will take the appropriate steps to prevent any similar events in the future.” This same captain defended Turnage’s work to State Senator Lauren Book in a different letter, calling the first investigation “thorough”.

jacy200.bsky.social•91 days ago

Barely even a slap on the hand. Disgraceful.

katijkertesz.bsky.social•8 days ago

TY for your story on Taylor Cadle in MJmag. I’ve watched Victim/ Suspect 2x.
Turnage should be fired.

FYI “Paralyzed” 8.27.23 NYT mag, Jen Percy, recommend reading.
@motherjones.com
@nytimes.com

gangstayid.bsky.social•90 days ago

Pigs gonna pig.

trychick.bsky.social•93 days ago

She should have been fired. There were other cases that she also fucked up. She has no business being in law enforcement.

anikisk.bsky.social•89 days ago

Completely agree!

johnedwardxo.bsky.social•90 days ago

That captain should be fired too.

urbandragons.com•92 days ago

That describes a lot of cops in
Polk County I’m afraid.

cliosfanboy.bsky.social•90 days ago

That describes a lot of cops, period.

massdisillusion.bsky.social•91 days ago

@antifaoperative.bsky.social

mindfulmatters.bsky.social•92 days ago

This story is absolutely gut-wrenching. The sheer incompetence of the adults appointed to protect this child is almost incomprehensible. How can you be a special victims' detective & receive no training on interviewing trauma victims? Sick to my stomach...

allanwood.bsky.social•86 days ago

It is not "incompetence". Even someone with zero training but simple empathy could do a better job. This is DELIBERATE.

drewharwell.com•90 days ago

This is incredible journalism. Taylor's courage is amazing and I'm so grateful she had you all to tell her story in a powerful way

doug5301.bsky.social•89 days ago

kjbrowning.bsky.social•93 days ago

Infuriating! She should not have that job anymore. And Taylor deserves compensation.

redevilrach.bsky.social•93 days ago

I was just horrified by this officer’s incompetence. Poor Taylor failed at every turn.

slackergeorge.bsky.social•92 days ago

Great writing, Rachel.

dysamoria.com•90 days ago

Well this starts my day off incredibly pissed.

No fucking accountability for the assholes who made a suspect out of the victim. Policing systems are shit and invulnerable to meaningful correction.

pkmb.bsky.social•90 days ago

Turnage's superiors are as much to blame as she. Why the HELL do they continue to make excuses for her?! (Rhetorical question.) Bless you, Taylor. You survived, in spite of them.

out5p0ken.bsky.social•93 days ago

This “letter of retraining” is hardly discipline for having re-victimizing Taylor. Is the captain not Sheriff Grady Judd? Feel like more needs to happen and since Judd has a 700k tiktok account, comments should flood in, his “top priority is protecting children from sexual predators”..

jlstudt.bsky.social•90 days ago

Grady Judd’s top priority is hearing himself speak. He is an attention seeking idiot.

wutzerfayce.bsky.social•91 days ago

He should be behind bars himself. He allowed the abuse to continue.

maybell.bsky.social•90 days ago

📌

getdewey.bsky.social•90 days ago

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nickelarski.bsky.social•93 days ago

Such a sad story. Sexual assault of a minor is such a terrible crime. Why so many in this upcoming administration have done the same thing.

ritaj.bsky.social•93 days ago

Everything about this is horrific. For Taylor and all of the other children. Turnage shouldn't have any place in these situations, she came ready not to believe Taylor from the beginning. That whole department owes a huge apology to Taylor at the very least.

e-vassar2.bsky.social•90 days ago

Please pass on to Taylor my heartfelt RESPECT & ADMIRATION for her, her children are so fortunate to have her as their mom! & We are all encouraged by her STRENGTH & MATURITY.

jaimej40.bsky.social•93 days ago

This story is tragically insane. Did you do the investigation for the Netflix documentary Victim/Suspect?

mel2lou.bsky.social•92 days ago

first thing I thought of when hearing about this. That movie, Unbelievable, was so powerful. That this is still happening is infuriating.

jaimej40.bsky.social•92 days ago

Looks like she was involved in Victim/Suspect. I’m glad she’s doing this work. These ladies deserve some vindication and justice.
Unbelievable definitely lived up to its name as well.

firstconsul.bsky.social•90 days ago

People forget that cops, by and large, are not hired for intelligence. In fact, it works against them in hiring. What they want are mindless rules followers who won't question anything.

An ugly truth.

trychick.bsky.social•93 days ago

Sheriff Judd is tough on crime unless a case shows his crew’s incompetence. Then it’s fuck the innocent child victim.