Aaron was arrested on 2/8/09 for allegedly killing the man who sexually and psychologically abused him for 20 years. The abuser, Darrell McNeill, abused many children in the small community of Fort Bragg, California. The abuse was reported to the police by victims, and by a former wife of McNeill, but no investigation was done - McNeill was never even questioned.

Aaron is a kind, caring, selfless person, as well as a loving father. I do not believe that he sought to kill anyone. Aaron was traumatized in a way that we can't imagine. He needs help, not punishment.
Photo of Aaron taken by McNeill during a fishing trip in Oregon, which is when the abuse began. The abuse is written all over his face.

Aaron is my brother. I launched this website as part of my effort to save him from serving a life sentence in prison, and to raise awareness about child sexual abuse.

Aaron is only one year and nine months older than me, and we have always been very close. Aaron was the kind of brother who included his little sister in everything. He taught me how to ride a motorcycle and how to fish. When I'd crash on my bike he'd make sure I was alright, pick up my bike, and encourage me to get back on. I looked up to him and admired his adventurous spirit and bravery.

Somewhere along the way everything changed - Aaron changed. I no longer saw that twinkle in his eye or mischievous smile. My big brother didn't want to go on any adventures, he just wanted to be left alone. I saw so much pain in his eyes, and he'd sometimes hurt himself. I knew that something was terribly wrong - I seen it and I felt it, but I wasn't able to identify what it was. I just knew that a darkness had closed in. I wanted to help my brother but I didn't know how to help him or what he needed protecting from.

On February 8, 2009, I found out that our childhood neighbor was a pedophile and that he had raped Aaron for years. All of the questions that I had been asking myself since childhood had finally been answered. I finally knew why I had those feelings of sadness, anger, and fear. That was just how I felt, as the sibling of a child sexual abuse victim. I can't imagine how Aaron has felt all of these years. I can't imagine how Aaron survived that living hell - sexually abused for many years, then stalked and harassed by his abuser.

Now Aaron is being abused by our system - the same system which did not protect him as a child. Please join me in showing Aaron that he is worth protecting and fighting for. Please help me bring Aaron home to his fiancee and little girl, where he can begin to heal from the hell that he has been through. ~ Mindy

 
Aaron, Bobby, & Mindy