I was at a home and garden show, working there. I was at a booth handing out water, when a man and a little girl came by for some water. The little girl was around 8-10 yrs old. When I looked at her, I was shocked to see very dark circles around her eyes. As if she has never slept a day in her life ever. Her eyes were sunken in, she was very skinny, and inappropriately dressed for the cold weather. Big baggy T-shirt with loose baggy pajamas type pants, no jacket, and it was 40 degrees.. We were indoors but still. But it was the dark circles under her eyes that caught my attention. As a sleep specialist by trade, I know that dark circles is an indicator of extreme sleep deprivation for long periods of time. Plus she was so skinny.
Then I looked at her father, there was no mother around, and I just KNEW he was molesting this child. Often and frequently probably since very young. There's absolutely no reason why a child should be this exhausted at such a young age. He looked like a slime ball pedophile.
It was so disturbing to witness this in the wild. I didn't know what to do, or if I should do anything. They got water then walked off. I stared at that little girl as she disappeared out of view.
My heart breaks for her, and I am beating myself up for not saying anything. But what could I truthfully do?? I was molested by 5 different men from ages 6-13. I wished someone had saved me too. I wanted to save her.
I just needed to get this off my chest.
Her eyes will haunt me for forever.
Technically she could have been battling cancer or something (very thin, dark circles, pyjama like clothing)