All language subtitles for Just Ask My Children DRAMA Full Movie in English

Don't get frustrated now. You won't get
it. Just keep trying. You'll get it.

Good.

All right.

Oh!

I can't believe you just did that. That
counts.

You'd be out.

The glove has got to be on your hand.

Where does it say that? Oh, you kiddo.
Where does it say that? Where? Show me.

can't believe you just did that.

Hi, Brenda.

Hi, Debbie.

Let's get together and play some cards.

That'd be great, but not this weekend.
We've got soccer, the Little League, and

two birthday parties.

Plus, I told them I'd help out at church
on Sunday. But next weekend might be

all right.

Girls, play nice.

You look exhausted.

Yeah, I've been really getting into it
with my stepmom.

Marianne doesn't like the way I'm
raising my girls.

Oh, I'm sorry.

So lucky your family's tight.

Oh, God.

All right, I'll call you. Okay.

Okay, Mom.

Look, Jenny, Carolyn, girls, come on. I
told you.

You see, it went much farther that time.

All right, I'm done. Yeah, yeah, yeah,
it did, didn't it? Yeah. It's going to

soar across the park.

Watch this.

This one's the one.

Okay.

You ready?

Oh, yeah.

Not that way.

Good job.

Good job.

Janet, Marianne Barber is on the phone
again about her granddaughter.

She sounds upset.

Should I get the McKeown file? I've got
it.

Mrs. Barber, what's going on?

Of course.

Of course we're concerned.

You sure you don't want to stay and play
cards?

No, thanks. Honey, Dick wants to work on
the taxes tonight.

Oh, I'm sure that would be much more
fun.

Oh, Frank, I can hardly contain myself.
He whips out that calculator and I am

just putty in his hands.

Thanks for dinner, Brenda.

Anytime, Dick.

Scott, your parents are leaving.

Bye.

Here take go both of you and separate I

See you What

Kids say their prayers. Yeah.

We send them to bed early.

Yeah. And then we muggle up in front of
the TV and see which one of us can stay

awake long enough to make love.

Now, while that might be a very tempting
challenge, that would be the

McEwans.

Tonight? Honey, I told you about this
weeks ago.

Oh, God, I don't want to hang out with
them tonight. All you have to do is play

cards and smile.

Hi. Hi.

Come on in. Hey.

Hey. Hi. Hey, buddy. How are you? All
right.

So where are the girls?

Uh, they're not with us.

Oh, the boys will be disappointed.

Yeah. Sorry, they're just sleeping over
at my dad and stepmom's.

Oh, I know. Our boys live for staying
with their grandparents.

Actually, uh, Mary Ann's been giving us
a lot of grief lately.

Really? She's had some psychological
problems.

Well, it's nothing serious, I hope.

Probably not. No, we're dealing with it.

Well, you know, let us know if we can do
anything.

Watch the girls.

Great.

We told Marianne we had lots of friends
who would stick up for us. Good people

like you guys.

Actually, Scott, I was wondering if
you'd be a character witness for us.

A character?

What, is she taking you to court?

We can't predict what she'll do next.
Yeah, of course, if you're uncomfortable

with that. No, no, no, no, no. It's
fine.

Hey, let's play some cards, huh?

Hello, yes? This is Mary Ann Barber.
Now, you will not believe what the girls

are saying now. This is bigger than
anyone realizes.

The girls have been threatened if they
talk. Now, they are ready to accuse all

the others involved.

So we need protection.

We need protection now. Okay, I'll send
you an escort to the DA's office in the

morning. I'll coordinate everything with
Vera Bradley, the child abuse

counselor.

Vera and I gathered the names of the
other people the McEwen girls say

them. Besides the parents? Yes.

And who are these people?

Friends of the McEwens.

They're in on it together.

Sam, it may only be the tip of an
iceberg.

The accusations include orgies, being
hung from hooks and beaten, being sold

motels, made to watch snuff films and
perform in front of cameras.

What kind of monsters do these things to
children? Well, some of these charges

do seem kind of unlikely.

Unlikely?

Do you think these kids could make this
up?

I don't know what goes on in your house,
but my kids don't know this stuff.

No, of course not.

Evidently, there's a whole lot of shit
to be stashed in these homes.

Thank you, ladies.

So, Bob, what do you think?

I think we should move as quickly as
possible on this one.

We can have the search and arrest
warrants in a matter of hours.

Let's show Kern County what we can do.

We took a real beating in the press for
the way we handled the Dana Butler

murder. I want a highly coordinated,
very public effort this time around.

one's going to go like clockwork.

Get me the editor of the Californian.

I want all the media in on this.

Brandon Niffin? Yes.

Ma 'am, you are under arrest.

Oh, you're making a mistake.

Where is your husband?

Stop that.

Where is your husband?

He's at work. Where does he work? Stop
that. Where does he work? He's the

inventory parts manager at Delaney and
Al.

But stop.

My little boys are asleep back there.
Your boys?

All right, well, let's wake them up.

Brandon? Come on.

Ryan, time to wake up.

It's okay. It's just a big mistake. Your
dad's going to sort it all out.

My stuff!

My stuff! No, no, Brian. Just let him
look around.

Did I do something wrong? No, no. Of
course not. Get dressed, ma 'am, or

take you down like that.

You can pull us out from there. That's
all right. Here.

All right, Sona.

Let's go get dressed.

Okay.

All right.

We have to get dressed.

Go ahead.

Okay, let's see. These are yours. All
right.

Here you go, sweetheart.

There's

nothing here.

Come with me, boys.

Wait, where are you taking them?
Shalimar Children's Center.

Let me call their grandparents.

They need to come with us. They can stay
at the neighbor's. They need to come

with us.

Okay, all right.

What's happening, Mommy?

Okay.

I want you to go with these nice
policemen and do exactly as they say,

And I'll be about to pick you up as soon
as I get everything worked out.

Okay. Just be a good boy and you'll be
fine. Come on, son.

Mommy! Take care of your little brother.

I will, Mom.

You're scaring them. We'll take care of
them. Well, you know, in any case as

disturbing as this one, I feel it's
incumbent upon the district attorney's

office to move quickly and efficiently
to excise this tumor,

basically, if you think of it that way,
on the community.

I mean, just like with the doctor, we
have to do what's prudent.

We have reports indicating that photos
were taken during the activity, and with

this surprise search, We expect to
confiscate all of the evidence. We want

people of Kern County to know that their
children are safe.

Got nipping? Yeah. You're under arrest.

You have the right to remain silent.

You have the right to an attorney.

If you cannot afford an attorney, one
will be appointed to you.

What are you doing in a squad car?

Child endangerment.

Jenny and Carolyn are queuing. What are
you, crazy? I'm particular.

Get in the vehicle.

Get in. All right, all right.

Brandon, what is going on? Are you okay?

They burst into the house, and they took
the boys.

What? I forgot what's happening.

I don't know.

I sure as hell am going to find out.

Okay, I guess it boils down to you tell
me where the photographs and the

pictures are.

If you can find some, have at it.

Because I have never done anything of
this nature in my entire life with any

child. These allegations are absurd.

Debbie

and

Alvin's girls are saying we did those
things to them?

I don't even know what some of those
things are.

We want to know where the pictures are.

Is that what you were looking for in my
house? Dirty pictures?

You won't find anything.

None of this happened.

The McCune girls are lying.

What would you say if I told you that
your children are talking with one of

counselors right now and making the same
claims?

Never.

They would never say that.

Ask them.

Just ask my children.

Never. You just ask them.

Ask my kids.

Jenny and Caroline just told me about
what's been happening to you.

So I already know.

And it's okay for you to tell me the
truth.

Nothing happened.

I know that people have been touching
and hurting your body.

No.

You can trust me, Brandon.

I want to help you.

And I want to help your parents.

Are they in trouble?

Yes, they are.

And if you help me, then we can help you
and your brother.

We can make it all stop.

We know about the motel rooms and being
hung from hooks and about the strangers.

I want to make it easy for you to talk
to me.

You think you can talk to me?

Okay.

Okay.

Have your mom and dad and the McEwans
been touching your body, your

privates, in ways that hurt you?

No. Brian, it's very important that you
tell me the truth.

You're safe in here.

If Brandon is saying that these things
happened, is Brandon lying?

Um... No.

So what happened?

Okay.

They are calling it the Niffin McEwen
molestation ring.

The parents have been charged with
multiple counts of heinous crime

against their own children.

Brendan Hinton, 29, and mother of two
young boys, is being held here in Kern

County along with her husband, Scott.

They are expected to make bail this
weekend.

There have been unsubstantiated reports
of traffic materials found.

And so, after a long investigation... I
didn't even know where I worked.

Brenda said when they got there, they
didn't know that we had children.

What kind of investigation is that?

Two little girls tell lies and we're in
jail.

My children will never say these things.

That's what I thought.

Debbie, what's going on?

Marianne has my girls believe in all
this crazy stuff happened to them.

Now she pulled you into it, too.

Well, why? What do we have to do with
it?

Marianne wants custody.

She believes this happened.

I guess when we told her that you were
going to help us... I'm so sorry she

pulled you into this.

But who would believe these things?

I mean, hooks and fishing line and
cameras and hotels. I mean, my God, it's

sickening.

How can anybody get your little girl to
say these things?

My stepmom's obsessed with molestation.

Who knows what she's got my girls
believing now that they're living with

They're living with her?

She's got temporary custody.

You didn't tell us that.

When you asked Scott to be a character
witness, why weren't you honest about

this? Dear God, Brenda!

I didn't think anyone would believe
this. Who would believe all of this?

Did you ever see other children at the
hotels?

No.

Well, you told Vera when you talked to
her that...

Sometimes there might be another child.

Was that a mistake?

Kids... might be there.

Okay. Good, Brent.

Now, did they ever... I mean, did the
grown -ups at the hotels ever make you

touch their privates with your mouth?

No.

Are you sure?

Brian told us that both you and he were
forced into it.

Is that true?

No.

Well, was Brian telling us the truth
when he said that? Did that ever happen

you?

Did anyone ever... Did you ever have
anyone...

Do anything to your bottom?

No.

You didn't do anything wrong.

Okay?

We need you to remember.

So it did happen.

Please, I want to go home.

Don't get scared.

Don't get scared on me, Brian.

We told you that we wouldn't lie to you,
Brian, and we won't.

I miss my mommy.

Of course you do.

You did really good, Brian. I know it's
hard to keep going over this.

You're a really good boy.

Now, this is Dr. Woodling.

And he's going to do a physical, you
know, check you out a little bit.

We're going to help you move.

I'm moving?

So you're the b**** that likes the
mouths of little kids.

Janie, give her a hand with that
mattress.

Brenda, are you all right?

Brenda. Mom.

I think I took the first flight.

Where are the boys?

Do you need a doctor? What the f*** is
going on here?

Where are my children?

They're at the Chalamar Center. Let's
get out of here. I want to pick up the

boys.

Dad's got the car.

Here it is!

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Can you get out of the way? Excuse me.

Oh,

my

God.

I want to be certain that Kevin Conway
is the best attorney we can get. I want

this over with fast.

I don't understand this.

I thought we were innocent until proven
guilty in this country.

What have they done?

How can they keep our children?

We're trying to get a visit with the
boys. So far, none of us has been

to see them. They're in protective
custody.

They're protected from who?

They can just take them.

Anytime they want, they can just take
our children.

They keep asking me over and over, and
when I say no, they just ask again and

again, and they won't stop, and they
yell at me when I answer wrong.

Don't answer wrong.

You have to do what they say. They can
come and get us any time. Just take us

away.

I want to go home.

What do you think they did to Mom and
Dad?

I'm worried about him.

Me too.

The court has ordered the welfare
department to hand over the Niffin

for interviews with the attorney for the
defense.

I don't think that's good for the
children.

They're very fragile.

They've already been through so much.

Deny access.

It's a court order.

Ignore it.

What about the family visit with just
the grandmothers?

One visit, supervised.

Anyone mentions the case or the parents,
and it's over.

How are you? Oh, we missed you very
much.

What did they do to Mom and Dad?

When can we go home?

We're trying to work that out.

So come on now, you tell me, how's
school?

Did you do your fractions?

Are you on the hip? Oh, it's so good to
see you. I miss you so much.

You're nearly as tall as me.

Honey,

these are for you.

There's one for you and one for your
brother.

Brandon, the things you said about your
mom and dad, were they

true?

No. Then why did you say them?

They kept saying they wanted to tell the
truth.

But then they don't believe us.

They keep us in the room for hours every
day and ask us over and over until we

agree with them.

I'm really scared.

Let's go find Brandon.

I'll be right here.

Oh, God, Corrine.

I don't know how Scott and Brenda are
staying through all this.

Brenda said she'd kill herself before
she'd go to prison.

Bye -bye, honey. Bye -bye. See you soon.
I love you.

So, if I can't be with my parents right
now, then...

Why can't I stay with Grandma and
Grandpa Nevin?

Well, it's really complicated, Brian.

Everyone's just trying to do the right
thing.

Brandon.

Brandon, what's wrong?

Is my mom gonna die?

Corrine Oliver told Brandon that his
mother's going to kill herself.

I knew this was a bad idea.

He's a basket case.

Have we lost him as a witness?

I don't know.

I want an arrest warrant for Corrine
Oliver.

Witness tampering.

I want her in jail now.

No more visits.

Those kids stay under wraps. Period. No
one sees them but us.

Brenda.

Mom.

Are you okay?

This is Kevin Conway, our attorney.

I'll be representing you in your case as
well, Miss Oliver.

Can they just arrest people at their
whim?

Yeah, they can, and they are.

There's no one in Bakersfield right now
who's above suspicion.

They're intimidating everyone who tries
to help us.

People are afraid to speak out because
then they're branded child abusers.

Once Brenda and Scott's trial is over,
I'm sure I can get the charges against

you dropped.

But till then, for your own good, you're
going to have to stay away.

Can't I at least testify about what
Brandon told me?

No. Not unless you want to incriminate
yourself and taint your own case. No.

I'd advise against it.

Can't I... Can't I help?

No.

Go back to Mississippi.

Because then at least I won't have to
worry about you.

And this is all going to be over soon.

Has to be.

Vera, this is Andy Gindis.

I've appointed him lead counsel on a
different McKeown case.

I hope you have a strong stomach.

When you hear what's been done to these
sweet children.

Well, I've read all the reports.

It's sickening, the things these kids
have said. You've done a great job,

Oh, thank you.

It's not easy.

It requires persistence.

None of them want to talk about it.

Sometimes it takes all day, sometimes it
takes many days.

But it's too important to give up on, no
matter how long it takes.

I won't give up either.

Well, Vera has a great talent with these
kids.

She'll help you in whatever way you
need.

Yes, please, let me know.

Great. I'll be in touch.

All right. Thank you.

This is a big case, Andy.

A big case.

Everyone's watching.

It's a career maker.

Well, Sam, it's a case I can really
believe in.

We have leads on at least two more huge
molestation cases.

I don't have to tell you how public this
is going to be.

Sam, it's going to take some time.

Okay, to make this case solid, we have
to take care.

These are children.

Oh, they're safely in custody. No one
can get to them. So take all the time

need.

Don't lose this case, Andy.

Not a chance.

Okay, okay.

Easy, breathe now. Breathe, breathe,
breathe.

Shh, shh, shh. Okay.

I thought I heard him, but I can't. Oh,
baby.

I can't, I can't.

I keep trying to go on, but I can't.

Come on, boys, just keep it together for
the boys, huh?

Kidnap their children.

And every night I pray to God. And every
day I wake up to this empty room.

And what are they thinking about it? Do
they know that we still love them?

That we're trying to get them back? I
mean, God, what do they think?

We're going to win.

I'm going to win.

God, how do we get back the last year
and a half of our lives?

I mean, how do I get back at Christmas
and their birthdays and theirs?

All programs.

How can we win, Scott?

God, it kills me that I can't protect
you.

And I couldn't protect them.

No.

I just can't stand feeling this
helpless.

It's happened to us.

The trial is finally starting.

Okay, and we're going to get up. in
front of that jury, and they are going

see that we are innocent.

You know what?

Forget about cooking. Let's go out to
eat.

Oh, I don't know, Scott.

Listen, I know we owe it to ourselves,
huh?

I am not staying cooped up in here
forever.

That's it. Get your manager. Now.

Are you okay?

It's okay.

You all right?

Yeah.

What's the problem? You listen to me.

For a year and a half, we've been
putting up with the stares and the

Right here, right now, it stops.

And we've been coming to this restaurant
for over ten years.

I don't give a damn what you think of
us, but you will treat my wife and me

respect.

I insist! Donuts.

Protests continue alongside this
sensational trial.

There are new charges of molestation and
satanic cult worship, not only here,

but all across the United States.

A Pandora's box has been opened and hell
relieved.

Dr. Woodland, what does your wink
response test show?

Based on case history and medical exams
of the boys...

I would say that the positive wink
response is caused from multiple

of the anus with an erect finger.

Brandon Niffin, Your Honor.

Okay, Brandon, you remember when you
told me about the nasty things that your

parents did to you?

Yes.

Okay.

Well, let's talk about the times your
mom and dad and Debbie and Alvin McEwen

hung you from the hooks in your house
and put their fingers in your butt.

Objection. Leading.

Your Honor, these are little children.

I have to lead a little.

Overruled.

Be careful, Mr. Guindas.

Brandon, you told me they hung you from
hooks.

Yes.

What have they done to him?

I'd like to call Brian Niffin, Your
Honor.

Brian, this way.

Your Honor, please.

Brian, let's take what he says.

Did you see him? Did you see him? He
looked worse than Brad. Oh, God, our

little boy. Oh, God. Oh,

I just want to hold him.

Brian, look at me.

Look at me.

I know you're embarrassed.

You can do this, okay?

Brian, you need to help us.

Don't you want to help this be over for
you and for Brandon and for

your parents?

Yeah? Okay.

Me too.

Look at me, Brian.

Look at me.

Now you just do what we talked about.
You tell the truth.

In a couple of days, I promise, this
whole thing is going to be over.

Okay?

You were touching their private parts.

Yes.

What, with your mouth or your hand?

Objection, Your Honor. He's leading.

Overruled.

With your hand or with your mouth?

My hand.

Okay, okay.

Now, when you were hanging from the
hook, what did your mommy do to you?

Objection, Your Honor. Foundation.

Overruled. These are children, Mr.
Conway.

When you were hanging from the hook,
what did your mommy do to you?

Stick her mouth on my... Stick her
finger in our bottom.

In your bottom?

Yes.

Now, let's talk about the strangers and
the pictures, okay?

Okay, Brian, you can go.

You did very well.

You're a very good boy.

There you go.

You can just go off with the officer
there. You did very well, Brian.

Absolutely not.

Never.

Never.

It's been torture being without my boys.

I love my children more than my own
life.

These things did not happen. I don't
know why they're saying this.

But I love my sons.

So?

Denied. Denied?

Judge Ferguson just ruled that Marian
Barber's psychological history was not

relevant. Not relevant? It's what
started this whole thing.

She's the one who told those little
girls what to say in the first place.

We've got ourselves quite a perfect
score here, don't we?

Request for pretrial interview with the
children, denied. Our own physical with

the children, denied.

Statement by their regular pediatrician,
denied. Statements from their teachers,

for God's sake, denied.

Irrelevant, irrelevant, irrelevant.

You know.

That Judge Ferguson lost his election
bid for district attorney because he was

painted as soft on child molesters. Yes,
I know that.

Oh, God, what can I do to make this
right?

You understand.

My son.

My son and Brenda, their lives are on
the line. What else can we do?

I've tried everything.

couldn't defend these people right now.

There is nobody here, nobody, who has
the power to make these children lie

against their parents.

They got up on the stand, one after the
other, and they described scenes of

horrendous perversion and abuse, and
they stuck to those facts no matter how

many times the defense attorneys
questioned them.

They told the truth.

This case is strong because guilt has
been proven beyond a reasonable doubt by

four children and by substantial and
very powerful corroborative medical

evidence.

For these children, what

horrors existed for them at night?

You are the only people who have the
power to put an end to that night.

Children don't lie about sexual abuse.

Children don't lie.

Thank you.

These children have been in the custody
of the welfare department since they

were taken forcibly from their parents
over two years ago.

The district attorney's office has had
unlimited access to these children.

The defense has had none.

In Salem, two little girls pointed their
fingers and said, those people are

witches.

And those people were taken before a
jury, and 20 of them were hung.

What went wrong there is going wrong
here.

Hysteria.

Please, do not put down your reason, as
Mr. Guindas has asked, and just believe.

Use your reason. Ask yourself, is what
these children are saying

reasonable?

For the sake of these children and their
families, please, use your reason.

Thank you.

Damn paper, Carolyn.

Really, Brenda, they're part of the
hysteria. They wrote about it day after

because it's those papers.

You wrote big.

Dory.

I haven't held my children in over two
years.

It's almost over. We're nearly there.

What if they've forgotten me?

This may be the largest in the current
wave of molestation cases to be

indicted nationwide.

More victims?

Yes, hello?

Thank you.

The jury is back.

Okay, okay, all right.

All right, at worst, we'll get a hung
jury, all right?

I mean, come on, these stories of kids
hanging from hooks all over our living

room, it's...

A load of Christmas. It's not visibly
possible.

No one person could believe these
stories, let alone 12.

Okay, two years and one month.

And it ends today.

Will the defendants please rise?

Have you reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

We, the jury, in the above entitled
case, find the defendant, Scott Niffin,

guilty in violation of 69 counts of
child abuse.

We find Brenda Niffin guilty on 70
counts of child abuse. We find Alvin

McCune... Guilty. We find Deborah McCune
guilty in violation of 69 counts of

child abuse. Guilty.

Guilty. Guilty.

Guilty. Guilty.

Brandon Niffin, you are hereby sentenced
to 240 years.

Scott Niffin, you are hereby sentenced
to 240 years.

You are both remanded into the custody
of the state of California.

Oh, hey, help me.

Judge Ferguson's sentence was harsh and
swift.

Alvin and Debbie McEwen will each serve
more than 250 years for their crimes.

Scott and Brenda Niffin, 240 years
apiece. The sentences are the longest

imposed. Here in Kern County.

The welfare department feels it's best
for the children to say goodbye.

The kids need closure.

We'll allow one 15 -minute visit, no
crying.

If you cry, we will end it.

Okay.

Okay, boy.

Oh, my God.

Look at you.

I can't believe it.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God, you got so tall.

So, can we all go home now?

Dear Brandon, I want you to know that no
matter what you've been told, your

mommy loves you with all my heart and
soul.

I know you were forced into saying those
things in court, and I don't want you

to ever blame yourself.

You and Brian will always be the most
precious things in our lives.

Dad and I tried so hard to get you back.

Help Brian to understand that.

I want you guys to know that I'm okay.

And I believe that someday we will be
together again.

What we have as a family will always be
in our hearts.

No one can take that from us.

I want you to grow up and be nice young
men, to go to college and love a girl as

much as I love your daddy.

All we can pray for now is for God to
step in.

Don't ever forget he exists because he
does.

What is most important to me is that you
boys stay together and that you take

care of each other.

Remember, I love you guys.

I always will.

Mommy.

Mom, I'm in protective custody here at
San Quentin.

Evidently, guys like me don't last long
in here otherwise.

I'm not far from Sirhan Sirhan and
Charles Manson.

Remember when I was a boy and used to
worry about the company I kept?

It'd be funny, but it's not.

Keep trying to get custody of the boys.

It's all we hope for.

I'm so worried about Brenda.

So, Brandon, could you tap me the beat?

Thanks. How was your day, Brian?

It was fun.

Yeah? Not good.

What'd you do?

Nothing, Mr. Black.

You know, Brian, you can call me Dad.

Um,

that's okay, Mr. Black.

Brian!

Stop!

You ought to call him whatever he wants.
Why?

He's not my dad!

And I'm not calling anybody dad, but
dad.

Come in.

Andy.

How's the Pitts case coming?

Just like Niffin, only more of them.

Look, Sam, the court's revealing Marilyn
and Dick Niffin's petition for custody

of Brandon and Brian. Look, there is no
reason not to place them with the

grandparents.

Dick Niffin as much as called these boys
liars in the press. But shouldn't they

be with family?

They are just going to pressure these
poor boys to recant. Now, they've been

through enough.

It's not good for the appeal.

Certainly not good for the kids.

So, go to juvenile court and fight
custody.

Thanks. You bet.

We're good.

Really.

I've settled in some.

What about you, Marilyn? Are you okay?

Yeah, but... What?

He didn't just show up at the custody
hearing.

No.

He had all kinds of paperwork.

And he fought us, and he won.

Oh, no.

I am so sorry.

We tried so hard.

I know, Marilyn.

I know you've done everything.

Sold everything, mortgaged everything.

I know.

Perfect.

You're in prison and you're comforting
me.

Where are they?

They're with a really nice foster
family.

And they're both doing great.

Although, Ginda shows up every week or
so and takes them out to talk about the

case so they won't forget for the
appeal.

Oh, I spoke to your mom yesterday.

She's doing her best to get up here when
she can.

Have you seen Scott?

Yeah.

He looks okay.

He's trying to get his own radio.

Oh, that'll help.

240 years in prison is a long time to be
without a radio.

From the foster mom.

Bryant's baby tooth.

She thought you might... Well...

So much, isn't it?

My darling Scott, I get a lot of letters
from my mother.

She sounds so sad.

I'm worried about her.

Writing to you is my only relief.

The days are so very long and the nights
are longer.

I will continue to write every day,
every single day, until we are together

again.

Do you think the boys get our cards and
we're missing their birthdays, their

soccer games, their heartaches?

Who takes care of them when they're
sick?

I wonder if they still think about us.

Mommy.

Ryan?

I don't know what's true anymore.

No appetite?

Or just the wrong kind of meat?

I know you like it young and tender.

I'm innocent, Landry.

My kids will tell the truth.

And I'm going home to see you.

You're up for parole in a short 104
years.

We came to you because you're not from
Kern County and because we believe that

your past as a police officer will help.

For 12 years I'm a PD and 20 years
private.

I've seen my share of parents who don't
believe what their kids have done.

We know our children, Mr. Dunn. We want
you to help us figure out how this all

happened. I won't spin my wheels trying
to get guilty folks out of prison.

I have been a respected member of this
community my entire adult life. I've

served on the grand jury in this county.

Something went terribly wrong with this
case.

It's ruined all of our lives.

I'll tell you what I'll do.

I'll investigate.

You pay me my rate.

But if at any point I become convinced
they're guilty, I'm gone. And what you

paid, you paid.

Mr. Dunn?

Ma 'am.

So I've been reading the newspaper
articles.

It all seems a bit frenzied.

A bit?

How do you think this happened to you,
Mrs. Neff?

I think Debbie McCune's stepmom became
convinced that her granddaughters were

being molested.

She wanted to discredit anyone who could
help Alvin or Debbie, anyone who would

get in the way of her getting custody of
those little girls.

And she decided we were in the way.

Pretty drastic dragging you into this.
Seems like there are a lot of kids all

over the place accusing people now.

Why do you think that is?

I have no idea.

We were so naive.

We never believed we could be found
guilty.

It wasn't possible.

And why do you think your boys did what
they did in court?

That is the only thing I want to know.

Mr. Dunn, find out what they did to my
little boys.

Okay.

I'll warn you, though.

I'm not going to lie to you.

It could take years to unravel this.

You know where to find me.

Dear Scott, another lonely Christmas.

I prayed.

The cafeteria made turkey, which wasn't
half bad. Dear Brenda, I got to work in

the yard.

It was so wonderful to be outside and
see the sky.

I wish we were somewhere where the
seasons changed.

Then at least I could watch the time
pass.

Darling Brenda, I spent time with the
chaplain today. We prayed and talked

and... Happy anniversary.

Maybe this year will be the year we get
to see each other.

Don't lose hope.

I love you.

Well, look at this.

And here I thought you only liked
playing games with kids.

When are you finally going to leave me
alone, Beth?

Some people wanted the death penalty for
you, Nissen.

Yeah, and some people wanted life.

Lucky for me, I only got 240 years, huh?

Ain't long enough for your type.

You know, in case you haven't noticed,
there's a lot of my type here.

In fact, there's 26 of us here on Child
Molest, all from the same county.

That seems kind of odd, doesn't it?

Or don't you think the system makes
mistakes?

Nah. Gee, the system's been my best
friend.

Just keep watching your back, Niffin.

Hey, it's got nothing to do with you
guys.

The Blacks just had to move, and the
Walkers are getting divorced.

And the Platts had a family problem.

But listen, you're gonna like the
Sayers. They've got a boy your age, and

they're really nice, and they really
want you guys.

Come on.

Don't touch my stuff. The real fun
always gets the top drawer.

Watch out, kid.

Stay away from me.

What's wrong with him?

Nothing.

Well, don't take it out on me just
because your parents didn't love you.

Hey, hey, boys. Okay, all right. Brian,
that's enough. John.

Okay, easy, easy.

Dear Brenda.

I've been studying the legal journals,
and there's a lot of trouble brewing for

the Kern County DA's office because of
the way they've handled these cases.

There are questions about a lot of them
all across the country.

McMartin in Los Angeles, Amaral in
Massachusetts, Michaels in New Jersey.

That's got to help us.

I'm sorry, Bess. I think this lady
wanted that.

You wanted that, right?

You starting something with me?

No, I'm ending something.

You get into it with me, girl, you'll be
in pieces. I'm already in pieces.

And if you want to get into it, just
come on. Because I've got nothing left

lose and I'm done taking your crap.

Wasn't hungry anyway.

Come on.

Best take those getting used to.

Maybe I can get the courts of the DA's
office to take a look at these results.

They're usually the ones to order a lie
detector test, but they wouldn't do it.

And with years and years of dead ends,
we try everything.

You said you were going to look over the
old police reports?

Oh, I did, yeah. It took me weeks to
wade through them all again.

Anything? Yeah, when, uh... When I took
a look at the dates, I found something

odd.

It seems that some of these reports were
written weeks after the interviews with

the boys, and I got to tell you...

That's not police reporting. That's
creative writing.

Yeah, it's one long fairy tale.

Well, look, uh... I didn't come without
any good news today.

Oh? Because of time and pressure from
Dick and the other families who were in

the same boat, an investigation has been
launched by the state attorney

general's office.

They're looking into Kern County's
conduct of these molestation cases.

Really?

Listen, Andy, it's not looking good for
us. I'm proud of my work, Sam. I did the

right thing for these kids.

There are court reversals now in a
number of East Coast cases. The papers

questioning whether these kids told the
truth. Well, I believe the children, all

of them.

For God's sake, Andy, we've had kids,
you know, accuse people in our own

They had the sheriff's department
digging up backyards looking for bodies

weren't there.

Over time, public opinion has taken a
nasty shift on this thing. I don't care

about public opinion, Sam. These kids
did not make these things up.

We have saved them from lives of abuse
and degradation, and I am proud of that.

Listen to me, Andy, that's fine.

But I have to pull us out of this
tailspin.

We've got one of the kids from the old
Pitts case claiming that she was

pressured by us to testify against her
family. Please, that didn't happen.

These cases go down the drain.

You go down the drain.

Everything you touched will be reversed.

The court will tear you to pieces.

Now look.

You and I have had problems on a number
of cases You're not a team player

I'm

not sure we'll be able to find anything
much for you to do around here

Can't keep talking about this.

Brandon, how do you explain that I don't
remember any of it if it happened?

Do you remember your first day in
kindergarten?

No, so what?

Grandma said you cried and tried to take
your bear with you.

So?

So even though you don't remember it,
you know what happened because everyone

said so.

That's the way it is with this.

Everyone said it happened, so it did.

I just don't believe it.

What, the whole world is lying to us?

The courts?

The police, the social workers, foster
parents, they're all lying to us.

Why?

You see, it doesn't make sense any other
way. It must be true.

It can't be true.

You just don't want to believe it.

Not again. That's it. All right, Brenda,
stop it. Stop it, you two, stop it.

One of you has to go.

I cannot have you both here any longer.

Honey, I know it's harder for you this
week, with it being Brian's 13th

birthday.

But soon we will all be together.

We have a lot to look forward to now
that our appeal gets closer.

I hang on to the thought that soon we
will be in each other's arms again.

Love forever, Scott.

Mommy loves you.

time okay you're up scott hey

how are you i'm good oh it's so good to
hear your voice

it's been so long this time i'm so
lonely for you

yeah they treating you okay actually
better all the time yeah your

sparkling personality's wearing them
down huh

Learned a few things.

Yeah, me too.

It's a very good day for us.

Yeah, now that Gindas has resigned from
the DA's office, there's no one fighting

us. Yeah, Mom and Dad can finally get
custody of Brian.

Yeah, Brian.

But, you know, just Brian.

Scott.

You know, it's been eight years.

I don't know, sweetheart.

I don't know what he's thinking. I
don't.

What if... What if he believes all the
lies?

What if he thinks that we're the
monsters that they say that we are?

What if we get our appeal and I get out
of this hell only to find out that my

son's... He... Ty.

No.

Brent?

In a 367 -page opinion, Gindas was
blasted for being an overzealous

who, in his blind quest to convict,
forgot or ignored his constitutional and

ethical duties as a representative of
the people. Every time we got ready for

appeal, something got in the way. But
now that Gindas is gone, we're going to

win this time. I can feel it. It's
turned.

Did they really get out?

We're not allowed to talk to you about
this. We could lose custody.

All right.

I'll get it.

But that's just what Dick needs.

He hasn't been well.

We don't know how long it will be before
the court makes a determination.

There's been a lot of harsh criticism
over the DA's office during these

molestation trials of the early 80s.

A number of these cases have been
reversed and people freed.

We wait now for word on the fate of the
Niffin McEwen trial.

know i was a good mother you know it
what have i ever done how could you let

this happen i prayed and i believed

It's all too much.

It's really too much.

Thank you for sticking with us through
all of this.

There's this lawyer, Michael Snedeker.

He's very active and vocal.

Victims of child abuse legislation.

He's one of the attorneys that won the
appeal for the Pitts family.

I'm gonna get to him.

Will he take us?

I thought I'd camp on his doorstep.

Hey, Mr. Dunn.

All right, Brian.

Look, son, technically you're still
under protective custody because you're

underage.

And I know I'm not supposed to be
talking to you, and all hell is going to

loose when I do, but I think it's time
that we talked about your parents and

what went on back there.

I want to.

And your brother, too. I understand he's
with the Marines now.

We don't talk much.

Not in a while, though.

Jenkins is back to punch for Hart.

Okay, here's the kick.

And it's a good one.

Takes the ball at the 23.

Cuts back across the green and finds his
blockers.

He's down the sideline and only the
punter to beat.

The 30. The 20. The 10.

Touchdown!

He'll take the lead in the state
championship.

13 -7.

Oh, what a game we've got here, folks.

Now the coach is on the timeline.

For 10 years, I've had a perfect record
in here.

Doctor, please try and appreciate how
desperately I want to visit with my son.

I don't doubt that you do.

They're grown.

They're 16 and 19.

What could I possibly do to hurt them?

Nothing. Then why?

Why can't I see them?

Because you're in denial.

I'm not in denial.

You can't make any progress or receive
any benefits from that progress until

first admit your problem.

You know, I don't have a problem, except
for I've been in prison for ten years

for something that never happened. I
will not okay a family visit while

in denial.

If you could admit

to even one small act of molestation,
I'd see that as a positive step.

And then I could recommend for the
visit.

If I say I molested my boys, you'll let
me see them?

Yes.

There is no force, or pressure,

or bribe, or...

that would ever make me say I did that
to my children.

I would rather die here alone than ever
have them think I did such a thing.

Hey, Grandma.

No sleeping at the table.

Grandma.

Grandma!

Grandma.

Grandma.

God, please bring Marilyn the peace she
so deserves.

Killed him.

The whole thing, it killed him.

Will you keep working to free my
parents?

Till they turn off my light.

I'm sorry, Brian.

I know you were closer.

Yeah.

And I'm sorry I didn't make it to the
funeral on time.

How's Grandpa taking it?

Tried to reach you last night.

It's just so hard without Grandma.

What?

Last night in his sleep.

I think he died of a broken heart.

Stress all these years.

I wish I could have protected you more.

Been a better brother, somehow.

We have to make this right.

We have to get Mom and Dad out.

Brian.

Do you understand?

If it didn't happen...

If none of it ever happened, then how
can I live with what I've done?

Dear Scott, I have resigned myself to
the fact that I'm going to spend the

of my life in prison.

The worst part is knowing I'll never see
you or my precious boys again.

This is no longer a nightmare I expect
to wake from, or a mistake I expect to

fixed.

I look to no one for help, not even God.

Our son's childhoods have already passed
us by.

I hope that they have found happiness
without us.

It is now the only thing I hope for.

Always your loving wife, Brenda.

Oh, you must be Mr. Dunn.

I'm Michael Snedeker. This is my wife
and law partner, Lisa Shorts. Thanks.

ma 'am.

I took the liberty of driving up the
files, along with my investigative

and such, so that you two could get a
real idea about the case.

Well, I'm sorry you made such a long
drive. As I told you on the phone, we're

very busy now with other cases.

Yep, long drive.

Can I get a cup of coffee?

So the younger one recanted, signed a
declaration that he'd lied and is

to testify to that?

Yeah. That's Brian. Nice kid. He's been
in 16 foster homes.

Oh, no.

And the older boy?

Well, I'm working on it, but there's
more guilt there.

We need him because he was older.

The grandparents?

Good people.

Scott's parents gave it everything they
had.

It killed them both.

Look, I know you helped get the Pitts
family freed. This is the same thing.

I know why you came to us, but it
doesn't change our work. Before you make

decision, listen to this.

I can't tell you where I got it or who
gave it to me.

All of the original interview tapes have
been misplaced.

And I promised my source that they'd
remain anonymous.

The jury never got to hear the whole
tape.

You should.

They walked into their home, and they
took their children away.

There was the grace of God.

The inventory lists at least 26 ,000
pages of case documents. It'd take a

to read.

Lisa, we can barely meet our commitments
now.

I want to go home. No, don't get scared.

Don't get scared on me, Brian.

We told you we wouldn't lie to you,
Brian, and we won't.

I miss my mommy.

Well, of course you do.

Sounds like the Marine Corps has been
real good for you.

It was the right thing at the right
time.

Hey, you're over 18 now, Brandon.

Hell, you're a Marine.

You're, uh, free.

Just say whatever you want now.

Brandon, we need you.

I've been confused for a long time about
what went on.

What I said.

What really happened.

Who told me what.

And now?

I'm so confused.

Now, when I think about it, I know only
one thing for sure.

If those things had been done to me, I'd
remember.

What I do remember is that one day,

they walked in and they stole my
parents.

The two most powerful people in my
world.

That terrified me beyond words.

What do we do?

We're going in on a writ of habeas
corpus.

Which means we have to have new
evidence.

Exactly. Things not handled in the
original trial.

We intend to prove that you were
unjustly incarcerated for crimes that

happened. Well, what do we have?

Well, first, we have all the new
research data.

Unsuggested questioning, brainwashing.

Second, we have declaration.

From both your sons, recanting their
prior testimony, they stated

they were never molested.

They know.

They know.

There's no denying it's going to take
time getting this case together.

We need experts.

We need reports on doctor's testimony.

We coordinated with local counsel Stan
Simran.

He knows all the players in Kern County.

He's a very fine attorney.

Mr. Snedeker, look,

I genuinely appreciate everything you're
trying to do, but please understand,

we will never, ever get a fair hearing
in Kern County.

It's a different time now, Scott.

All right.

Are you sure?

Yeah.

How beautiful you still are.

Liar.

Hey, stop. You're not supposed to do
that. No, come on. What are you going to

do, arrest us?

They know.

They know none of it happened.

I can live with anything else.

Since May 16th, 1984, and for the past
12 years, Brenda Niffin and Scott Niffin

have been illegally confined in the
custody and control of the California

Department of Corrections.

The accusations against the Niffins
arose through one woman, Mary Ann

during an episode of a recurring
psychosis while she was caretaking for

granddaughters, Jenny and Caroline
McEwen. Your Honor, in order to find for

writ, the defense has to bring in new
evidence that was not known or

during the very lengthy original trial.

Now, the trial addressed the Mary Ann
Barber issue.

That is true, Mr. Snedeker.

No one now in the medical community
believed the wink response is indicative

of... Again, Your Honor...

Experts disagreeing on this was
presented in the original trial.

Your Honor, you have just heard a series
of experts testify that Brandon and

Brian were subjected to what we now
know, due to recent research, is

and suggestive questioning by officials
who were already convinced that the

abuse had occurred.

It is this new research into the area of
brainwashing and coercion that explains

how this happened.

The district attorney's office was
unwilling to accept any answer other

what they sought.

They whipped up a witch hunt frenzy.

Look at him. He's wonderful.

Brandon, when you were nine years old,
during your first taped interview, you

were asked 340 leading questions.

What happened during that questioning
when you told them there was no abuse?

They'd get mad, and they'd ask me over
and over, accuse me of lying or of

calling my brother a liar.

I was terrified.

Your Honor, in the reports of the
interviews with these little boys, no

was ever made that they both initially
denied that they were abused.

The interviewers described things and
then badgered the boys until they

Brandon, how many times do you think
someone from the district attorney's

talked to you between the time you were
taken and the time of the trial?

Fifty.

Maybe more.

And if I didn't remember it just right,

they'd get really angry.

They would lock the door, trap me in
there for hours.

Sitting there alone, I would have said
anything to make it stop.

Do you remember what you thought was
going to happen?

I thought if I answered the questions
the way they wanted... I could go

home with my parents.

For that, I would have done anything.

I would have said anything.

Their right to due process was violated.
Their right to present witnesses was

violated.

The prosecution failed to preserve
evidence in the trial.

They failed to turn over exculpatory
evidence.

Your Honor, these two boys, now men, do
not want to live with the stigma of

child molestation.

That is understandable.

But there has been no new, unconsidered
evidence presented.

Everything the defense has offered was
considered in the original nine -month

trial where 12 citizens found these
defendants guilty.

Look at our boy.

He's a man.

In the words of Justice Brandeis, the
greatest dangers to liberty lurk

in the insidious encroachment by men of
zeal.

Well -meaning, but without
understanding.

Listen to the interview tape in its
entirety.

Witnesses concur that there were many
interview tapes of these two young boys.

Only this one, located by Denver Dunn,
has survived.

Listen to it, Your Honor.

We wouldn't lie to you, Brian, and we
won't.

I miss my mommy.

Two little boys were ripped from their
loving home, isolated, frightened,

bounced from foster home to foster home,
while being used to convict and

imprison their parents.

Two little boys, all the while believing
that when this was over, they would be

reunited with their parents and go home.

Were these kids abused?

Yes, Your Honor.

They sure were.

Well, what do you know, Niffin? You were
right.

You're going home.

Hold it, boy.

I can finally call someone, Dad.

I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry.

No, no.

Brandon, you were just a little boy. It
wasn't your fault. It was never your

fault. We always knew that.

Always.

I celebrated every single one of your
birthdays, sweetie. Every one.

I missed you so much.

Finally.

Finally.

Congratulations. Thank you.

Oh, Mom.

Let's go home.