By Mary Beth Marino

“There is compassion in the courtroom,” said DeKalb County, Superior Court Judge R. Keegan Federal Jr.

Judge Federal was referring to child abuse cases which have been on the increase over the last year, and are showing up with greater frequency in the courtrooms.

The courtroom is probably the only place you will ever find an autopsy of child abuse Judge Federal presided over occurred a couple of years ago.

Parents of a teenage girl were charged with child abuse in a civil suit. Once in the courtroom, the child gave testimony that explicitly detailed sexual abuse involving both parents. The child became pregnant with no evidence established as to whether the father was also the paternal father of her baby. The girl had the baby. Her parents adopted the child, but after the child abuse allegation was investigated and proven, the adoption was revoked. Both parents are now serving time in federal prison.

As Judge Federal recalled the case, it became obvious that during his term as a judge, this tragic case had not been forgotten, nor would it likely ever be.

Judge Federal was asked if he ever mandates counseling in a child abuse case. “Often, I recommend counseling, but only as a recommendation.”

“It cannot be mandated because people have to want the help themselves,” he said.

Judge Federal said the expense of counseling is not an issue or excuse because the state provides counseling and almost all insurance companies now carry provisions for counseling.

“Any parent that comes into my courtroom won’t be recommended for counseling…they better get the help BEFORE a teacher comes to me or I’ll be sending them straight to prison,” the judge declared with conviction.

He was quick to add that prisoners do not accept or associate with child abuse offenders.

With a keen insight, Judge Federal said other prisoners realize the degradation of that crime and isolate the abuser in prison.

The concerned judge also commented on the vast increase in child abuse. He said the tragic crime needs to be investigated and dealt with. His recommendation for parents is not to stick their heads in the sand nor ignore the possibility of relatives molesting the child. He feels the child needs to know that he or she can come to a parent for help and support, relieving the child of the enormous guilt that follows such an incident.

“Parents need to have a free and trusting relationship with their children,” the judge stated.

The judge, sensitive to children’s needs, indicated that this was the only way the child would feel free to go to someone for help and support.

There is also a clear indication that more people than just the parents need to be approachable. Teachers, priests, nuns, coaches, nurses and all professionals need to be sensitive to children who may be victims of child abuse.

Judge Federal has served in the DeKalb County Superior Court system for eight years.

The 40-year-old judge has three children, Megan, 11, Kelly, 13, and Cameron, 9. He and his family are members of St. Thomas More parish in Decatur.

Judge Keegan Federal is retiring from his seat to go back into law practice. He will head up a litigation office for the Washington-based firm of Daw, Lohnes and Albertson who will open an Atlanta office in June.

Looking out the window of his Decatur office, the thoughtful judge remarked, “You see the best and the worst of people in this job…it’s time for a change.”

Clearly, the people will miss the judge whose compassion in the courtroom was obvious, but who brooks no nonsense when a case of child abuse comes into his court.