Poutre Family Sees Haleigh for First Time in Two Years

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By Matthew Campbell

It's been more than two years since the family of 14 year old Haleigh Poutre saw her, but Monday, they were reconnected through images shown in court.

"I happy and sad. I'm sad that she's in that condition, but I'm happy that she's doing so much better and that she's alive," says Haleigh Poutre's biological grandmother Sandy Sudyka.

Watching courtroom video was the first time she's seen Haleigh in more than two years.

"She's moving around a lot more. She used to have a brace and I notice she didn't here," she says.

No neck brace, better movement, and longer hair. That's the progress and change the 14 year old has made in her grandmother's eyes in the last two years.

DSS restrictions prevent Haleigh's biological mother and grandmother from visiting or even sending Haleigh cards. The video that she's watching is what was shown in court Monday. A courtroom, Sandy can't be in because she's not allowed inside.

"I would give anything. I would give my life to be able to reach through the screen and touch her," Sudyka says.

Haleigh still can't walk without support and uses a letter board to communicate. It's something her family would never know. While Haleigh rehabs each day in Brighton, Sandy is 100 miles away in Feeding Hills, keeping up with the news. That's the only way she gets updates.

"It's tormenting. You just watch TV, read the papers, find out whatever you can find out," Sudyka says.

This video was used in the trial of her stepfather and alleged abuser Jason Strickland. He sat emotionless, while Grandma Sandy sits in tears, hoping for the day she and Haleigh will have the proper reunion.

"Closure won't be until I see her and hopefully get her home," she says.

Saturday, Nov 22 at 2:54 AM Rosa wrote ...

Loot at his eyes (J.Strickland) When a person lies according to NLP his eyes moves to the left down.Does nobody know how was the real personality of Haleigh? no friends? her dance teacher? Avrett? Looking at her photos she looks so nice before she was under the cruel abuse of her stepmother. I can?t believe she hurts herself on regular basis without the hate and the pression of her stepmother. Maybe this was the only way she got some attention and I´m not sure she abused herself.

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