Woman Blames Mother in Abuse Tragedy

WEST PALM BEACH (CN) - A woman claims in court that her father raped her two children for years, and her mother failed to report it.

S.D. and J.D., the parents of the minor children, sued Mary Ann Reina, the children's maternal grandmother, in Palm Beach County Court.

The complaint states: "Over a course of time spanning from approximately 2004 to early 2011 the (D.'s) minor children were sexually assaulted, battered and raped by their maternal grandfather, Anthony Reina.

"Their grandfather is spending his remaining days in prison - plea entered May 1, 2012."

The parents add: "Plaintiff parents did not become aware of the assault and the negligence until on or about May 2011. They had no information or knowledge that their children were being raped by their grandfather - as is often the case with child rape, that it is a secret kept by the victims and perpetrator.

"Reina had an obligation and a duty to insure the safety and protection of her grandchildren at any time they were near or around their dangerous grandfather, and so to protect them from such horrific acts as were perpetrated upon them; and she failed to do so."

The parents add: "The older child was raped at least twenty-five 25 times, and the younger child was raped at least two (2) times."

The family seeks damages for pain and suffering and cost of medical and psychological care.

They are represented by Steven Pesso, of Boca Raton.

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