Latest news with #Julio
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Daily Maverick
‘He died in pain, but not in vain' — mom transforms personal loss into a fight to protect SA's children
When Teresa Mordoh's son, Julio, died by suicide after allegedly being sexually assaulted by a teacher at St John's College, her world was shattered. But in the depths of grief, Mordoh found a new purpose: to ensure that no other child or family would suffer in silence. She founded an organisation dedicated to child protection and systemic change in South African schools. 'The one and only promise I made to my son at the funeral was that he died in pain, but not in vain. I didn't know what that meant at the time, I just knew that it couldn't just end there. There are too many children suffering, and I just felt that I needed to do something.' These were the words of a tearful Teresa Mordoh as she sat down for an interview with Daily Maverick to discuss what inspired her to start STOPS (Stop Trauma of Pupils in School), an NGO dedicated to child protection and systemic change in South African schools. Teresa is the mother of Julio Mordoh, who tragically took his life after years of suffering from anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following alleged sexual abuse by a former teacher at St John's College in Johannesburg. Julio's story: Grooming, abuse and systemic blindness Julio's ordeal began in 2011 when he transitioned from pre-prep to prep school. 'He was groomed from the time that he moved from the pre-prep into the prep,' Teresa said. The teacher, who also ran the school's rock-climbing club, allegedly targeted vulnerable boys – often those facing family difficulties or perceived as outsiders. Soon after the alleged abuse Julio became withdrawn and started showing signs of anxiety and depression when he was 12 years old. 'We tried everything in our power to get Julio help. He was such a bright, loving and happy boy, then all of a sudden he just became so anxious and depressed when he was in Grade 6. We knew something was wrong, but the last thing that would have occurred to me was sexual abuse,' Teresa said. It was only in 2021, when St John's disclosed that a pupil had come forward to allege that the teacher had sexually assaulted him, that the Mordoh family finally learnt the cause of Julio's pain. 'I remember reading the letter from St John's… Julio said, 'I didn't know there were other boys. I thought I was the only one',' Teresa said. Even in a family where open discussion was encouraged, the shame and silence imposed by abuse were overwhelming. 'He was so ashamed. He just couldn't bring himself to talk about it,' Mordoh says, highlighting how even supportive environments can't always break through the barriers of trauma and stigma. The details of how much St John's knew about the abuse before the accused was eventually forced to resign, following complaints from staff members, remain unclear. However, Teresa says the prestigious boys' school received a number of complaints from concerned teachers against the accused, which St John's allegedly ignored and failed to properly investigate while the former teacher was still employed at the school. St John's has claimed that it only became aware of the allegations in 2021, following which the school undertook an independent investigation and laid criminal charges with the police after the investigation was concluded. Julio's inability to speak out about his abuse and the alleged lack of transparency from the school led Teresa to found STOPS. How Julio's story shapes STOPS' mission Julio's tragic experience is at the heart of STOPS' work. Mordoh's advocacy is driven by the lessons learnt from her son's suffering and the systemic failures that compounded his trauma. STOPS focuses on: Creating safe reporting channels: Recognising that children rarely disclose abuse to parents or authority figures, STOPS is working to establish confidential avenues for pupils to report concerns, so that no child feels alone or unheard; Mandatory reporting and accountability: Mordoh campaigns for strict enforcement of mandatory reporting laws and for holding schools legally accountable when they fail to protect children. She stresses that a Form 22 report is not an accusation, but a necessary trigger for investigation; Specialised children's courts: After experiencing repeated delays and a lack of expertise in the justice system, Mordoh is calling for dedicated children's courts with trained professionals, private rooms and psychological support, ensuring cases are handled with the sensitivity and urgency they deserve; and Community education and breaking the silence: STOPS runs awareness campaigns to educate parents, teachers and students about grooming, abuse and the importance of listening to children. Mordoh believes that 'we fail children not by what we do, but by what we don't do. We don't listen to children.' Mordoh said that creating safe reporting channels is one of STOPS' most important initiatives. The NGO has partnered with Lyra Southern Africa to create a platform, independent from schools and parents, where young people can report abuse and depression, offering them round-the-clock, confidential counselling and support from registered clinicians. Mordoh is consulting with schools to roll out the platform to children. The next step is to engage the Department of Education to ensure that all South African children have access to the platform. 'This is about putting power back in the hands of young people, so they can feel in control of whatever it is that they are going through,' she said. Looking forward For Mordoh, the true heroes of child protection are the children themselves, who show courage in the face of unimaginable adversity. She urges adults to reclaim their humanity by caring enough to notice, to ask questions and to act when something is wrong. 'All we need to be as adults is human. I'm not a hero, I'm just human. The real unsung heroes are the children. If we could just find our humanity as a community and start caring for children, that would go a long way in addressing this crisis,' she said. As Child Protection Week shines a spotlight on unsung heroes, Mordoh's message is clear: systemic change is possible, but it requires honesty, accountability and collective action. Through STOPS, she continues to fight for a future where every child is safe, heard and protected – a legacy that ensures Julio did not die in vain. DM
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
2nd arrest made in connection to missing French Bulldog ‘Julio'
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A second arrest has been made in connection to the theft of a French Bulldog, court records show. 20-year-old Tahari Taylor was booked into the Mecklenburg County Detention Center on May 30 and charged with felony possession of stolen goods. According to an affidavit, on April 6, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police were called to the 3000 block of Barrow Road in reference to a stolen vehicle. Inside the vehicle was the victim's French Bulldog 'Julio'. MORE | The car was found on April 11, and a juvenile was charged, but Julio was still missing. While investigators were investigating an unrelated incident, data from a cell phone was reviewed and found to contain evidence from this case. The phone data contained text messages between two people on April 7, less than 24 hours after the victim's car and dog were stolen. The text stated that Taylor had the dog and was bringing it to the co-defendant's home. Further evidence on the phone confirmed that the dog and vehicle belonged to the victim. There were also photos and videos of the victim's car and dog. On May 14, a 37-year-old woman, Kendra Hunter, was also charged with felony possession of stolen goods in relation to this case. Both are being charged with felonies because the dog is worth $5,000. Court documents say that the dog's owner contacted investigators on May 1 to say that Hunter called her about the dog. It was communicated that the dog 'may be with someone's uncle who breeds French Bulldogs.' Investigators also reviewed Hunter's teenage son's cellphone, finding a photo of Julio that was taken at their home less than a day after the dog was stolen. Officials have not said if Hunter's son was the juvenile who was arrested. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
3rd person charged in theft of French Bulldog
A third person has been charged in connection with the theft of a French Bulldog. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 'Incredibly frustrating': Group to speak at city council over stolen French bulldog In April, Julio was stolen from his owner, Jayla Gittens, while she was moving from her north Charlotte apartment complex. Her car was also stolen. On May 22, a juvenile and his mother were charged in connection with the theft. Gittens' car was eventually recovered, but Julio hasn't been seen since. On June 2, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department announced that 20-year-old Tahari Taylor had also been identified as a suspect in this case. Taylor was arrested and charged with possession of stolen property. VIDEO: 'Incredibly frustrating': Group to speak at city council over stolen French bulldog
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Charlotte woman whose dog was stolen calls for reform in juvenile justice system
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The Charlotte woman whose car and dog were reportedly stolen last month took aim at the juvenile justice system at Tuesday night's City Council meeting. An adult suspect was arrested in connection with the thefts, and court documents show a juvenile was charged while others were questioned in the investigation. But Jayla Gittens is still without her 6-year-old French bulldog, Julio. Gittens claims that after the theft occurred, she received 'taunting and threatening' calls and messages from the juveniles involved. Juvenile arrested after three-alarm fire at north Charlotte Harris Teeter 'I want to talk to you about a crime that has left me heartbroken and frustrated with a system that seems to protect perpetrators more than the people they hurt,' she said. The incident occurred on April 6, and on May 14, 37-year-old Kendra Hunter was booked into the Mecklenburg County Detention Center and charged with felony possession of stolen goods. Court documents say that the dog's owner contacted investigators on May 1 to say that Hunter called her about the dog. Investigators reviewed her teenage son's cellphone, finding a photo of Julio. 'This isn't just a petty crime, this is cruel, deliberate and calculated behavior,' Gittens said. 'Yet most of the kids involved were sent home with no real consequences from parents or the law, and no accountability.' In December, a new state law took effect where 16- and 17-year-old juveniles charged with Class A-E Felonies now begin their cases in adult court. Gittens claims to be shielded from the identities of the juveniles. 'I feel like I was left in the dark while the kids who stole from me went back to school like nothing ever happens,' she said. 'These are patterns that the system is allowed to continue. That's the reality that we're living in… We need stronger protections for victims and real consequences for juvenile offenders, especially repeat offenders.' A $5,000 reward is being offered by Crime Stoppers for information leading to an arrest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Incredibly frustrating': Group to speak at city council over stolen French bulldog
Amanda O'Hara is leading a group of people to Tuesday night's Charlotte City Council meeting with one goal in mind: get answers. 'The fact Julio is still missing nearly two months later is incredibly frustrating,' O'Hara told Channel 9's Eli Brand. She's demanding action to find Julio, a French bulldog. Channel 9 reported when Julio was stolen from his owner, Jayla Gittens, while she was moving from her north Charlotte apartment complex. Her car was also stolen. That happened in early April. Since then, a juvenile and his mother have been charged in connection with the theft. Gittens' car was eventually recovered, but Julio hasn't been seen since. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Woman says man stole her French Bulldog while she was moving Cash reward offered for help finding missing French bulldog Charlotte mother accused in theft of French Bulldog 'We want answers and since city council isn't answering us, we're taking it to their footsteps,' O'Hara said. O'Hara says she and multiple others have been emailing councilmembers and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department looking for help. They've even taken their own steps. 'We have taken action ... we have been driving around; sometimes I spend two hours driving around different neighborhoods looking if I can see anything that would give me an indication of where Julio is,' O'Hara said. Last week, police arrested the teen's mother, accused of sending pictures to the dog's owner and demanding ransom in return. The group's goal Tuesday night will be to get answers before more crimes can be committed. 'It's a dog now, it could be your kid later. So we really want to make sure these crimes are not going unchecked,' O'Hara said. (VIDEO: Robber holds Charlotte woman at gunpoint in home, steals French bulldog)
