Cabbage Patch Preemie Brings Charges Against Foster Family

Oxford, Massachusetts - June 27, 2004

A cabbage patch preemie doll sporting Ray-Bans triumphantly strolls down the steps of the MedTrans Office Courthouse on a sunny New England day accompanied by an entourage of attorneys. It was quite a scene in the courtroom today where this preemie levied charges against his foster family of 19 years. His foster family, the Rossis, were tried on counts of neglect, abuse and 11 counts of manslaughter.

These charges come only after the preemie was released by the family's grandmother, having held him hostage for the past 19 years. "I was kept in a dark closet with no food and water. Fortunately I don't need those things, but I was also without any love and attention for what seemed like an eternity," remarks the preemie on being held hostage. He blames the Rossis for allowing the kidnapping to occur in the first place. He has not pressed charges against the grandmother.

...they put Oscar the Grouch over a bare light bulb, burning him to death...

The preemie claims that by losing his birth certificate the Rossis deprived him of his own identity. "I don't even know my own name, " he said in an emotional testimony. It was, at moments, too emotional for the good of his case. In one statement, he recounted that before he joined the Rossis he had heard that, on one occasion, they put Oscar the Grouch over a bare light bulb, burning him to death. However, the statement was stricken from the record as heresy.

The one charge that has the public in an uproar, however, is that of manslaughter. The preemie recounted the day he was taken hostage by the Rossis grandmother and watched as his dear friends were placed atop a moving car that was destined for the highway. He knew their fate. "I will push for the maximum sentence," he says regarding the 11 counts of manslaughter that the Rossis have been charged with. Among the 11 victims were 3 stuffed animals that had only joined the Rossi family a week prior to their demise.

If the Rossis are convicted, a civil trial is expected to follow where the preemie will sue for pain and suffering. After being held hostage and then returned to their custody, the Rossis forced him to pose for photographs (left) that they would later post on numerous Internet websites offering to give him up to anyone willing to take him. "It was so demoralizing, " the preemie says. A local philanthropist, named Sheri, has offered to adopt him and begun to take the necessary legal action.

With a level of publicity rivaling that of the Michael Jackson abuse trial, it has been difficult for the preemie to keep a low profile. "I've gotten over 600,000 letters and I receive hundreds phone calls daily that my attorneys are now fielding. [The support] has been overwhelming." Not all of those letters and phone calls are supportive, however. The preemie has received death threats and other disturbing messages from several right-wing, anti-rights-for-dolls activist groups.

He has been offered special protection from the local authorities, but has refused. "If I hide from the public's view then so will my cause, [and I] don't want that." He told reporters that he does not wish to take vengeance or be a public spectacle, but he will take action where he can to stop others from being so neglected.