Wilbanks Enters Treatment Program

WXIA-TV/DT Atlanta ^ | 5.10.05 | Ian Stinson

[Kenny Bunkport]

I wouldn't want the earlier pastor representing my church publicly.

Apparently, the family didn't want him either, in that I got the impression that when he appeared before the national news cameras, he was doing it at his own initiative, not at the request of the family.

[twigs]

I feel sorry for her indeed, and I believe that she needs complete forgiveness. But that doesn't mean that she should be without consequences. I have a lot of questions about how this should be handled, but that's not because I feel sorry for her. I just don't see what she has done that's criminal in running away. If her initial lie is definitely criminal under NM and/or GA law, then by all means charge her. But don't charge her just because people are angry with her.

I have mixed feelings about repaying the county for monies expending for her search. The authorities were doing what they should have been doing. As a policy question, then when do you draw the line? On the other hand, she did cost the locality a lot of tax-payer money and who better to pay than the families? I think that her family should quietly approach the authorities and agree to pay some restitution in some form.

[twigs]

I got the same impression. I was embarrassed for him, the church and the families involved just listening to him.

[freespirited]

Entering treatment? For what?

If you ever get an answer, I predict it will be something along the lines of "disordered impulse control."

Let's start with the shoplifting. You might think of it as stealing, but psychologists know better. Shoplifting is an "impulse control disorder." Jennifer shoplifted repeatedly--even after being arrested, prosecuted, and going through a fancy professional treatment program.

What to make of this? Jennifer might be a tough case. But psychologists are always optimistic about their ability to help the tough cases.

So do not fret. There will be plenty of billable hours here and at least a dozen doctoral dissertations. Mark my words.

[Phantom Lord]

I just don't see what she has done that's criminal in running away

Nothing was criminal in her running away. Her telling people she had been abducted was criminal. And her filing a false rape charge was criminal.

I have mixed feelings about repaying the county for monies expending for her search. The authorities were doing what they should have been doing.

The college girl who faked her abduction a couple years ago and was national news for days on end was forced to repay the cost of the search, so it would be nothing new if Wilbanks had to.

[RexBeach]

Thanks for the post.

[maggief]

Leaving her hair trimmings behind was also a nice touch.

She has five prior arrests. It's about time she's held accountable for her actions.

[twigs]

She allowed that search for her abductor to go on for days. Although Jennifer lied, she quickly retracted her statement. If as you say her statements were criminal based on laws on the books, then she should indeed be charged. I really don't think that Jennifer realized what her actions was going to cause and I certainly don't think she wanted this publicity. I know that can be debated. That's why I think that her family should quietly volunteer to help pay for the costs. They apparently have the money and it would be the right thing for them to do. And Jennifer needs help. I hope she gets it where she's going.

[Blzbba]

"What's with the pastor being so involved in this?"


I was wondering the same thing.

[Blzbba]

"He's their pastor and also a friend. What's the problem?"


No problem - he just comes across as a media whore.

[LYSandra]

The only problem I see is that the whole lot of them have been enabling this grown woman for too long! Maybe a little tough love would have been the answer not treating her like she is a 15 yr old who doesn't get what she has done-like saying she didn't realize so many would be searching for her? Is she really that stupid? Thank God no kids were produced by this blithering idiot. Quit coddling her and let her take her lumps as should have been done with the first arrest not let it get this far at her age!

[Blzbba]

"The Cult of Hetfield.
James?"



"Welcome Home, Sanitarium" certainly comes to mind regarding Wilbanks...

[Blessed]

> They apparently have the money and it would be the right thing for them to do. <

I think this is assumtion a lot of people have made without any evidence it is true.The $43,000 Duluth estimated it spent would be a dent in anyones pocket especially a middle class family like she appears to come from.I also find it interesting that all the Libertarians and rugged individualist on FR think the parents should make restitution for a 30 year old daughter who has obviously been on her on for 7 or 8 years.

[Froufrou]

Hey, Mad - I thought it was 'balmy' but you say it's 'barmy' eh? This really paints Americans in rather a poor light, I suspect. We are not all that way. ~shutup~ No, I won't.

[Froufrou]

Hey, Mad - I thought it was 'balmy' but you say it's 'barmy' eh? This really paints Americans in rather a poor light, I suspect. We are not all that way. ~shutup~ No, I won't.

[sandydipper]

I hope they can cure jerkism!

[MadIvan]

I wouldn't say that. Here in Britain we have our own lunatics and perverts. The most obvious ones simply work for the BBC.

Regards, Ivan

[Raycpa]

Psychological Studies on Shoplifting and Kleptomania


Shoplifting is clearly a psychological issue for many people. Shoplifting for most individuals is rarely about greed or poverty. It’s about people struggling with their own personal conflicts and needs.

The single largest psychological factor found in approximately 1/3 of shoplifters studied is “depression”. This helps to explain why so many individuals steal from stores on their birthday and/or around holiday times.

The more intense form of shoplifting is classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) as an “Impulse Disorder” known as Kleptomania. For this classification, the patient must meet the following five criteria to justify this diagnosis.

1. Recurrent failure to resist impulses to steal objects that are not for immediate use or their monetary value.
2. Increasing sense of tension before committing the act.
3. An experience of either pleasure or release at the time of committing the theft.
4. Stealing is done without long-term planning and assistance from, or collaboration with, others.
5. Not due to Conduct Disorder or Antisocial Personality Disorder.

Today, kleptomania is considered far more prevalent than originally believed.

The purpose of this section on our website is to help individuals, family members, therapists and researchers better understand this common psychological issue by continually providing an updated reference to a variety of published psychological studies (most current first), with a brief summary of

Findings or conclusions, when available. In addition, NASP has posted and will continually post on its website, a variety of articles on shoplifting which you can read by clicking on “Articles” in this National Learning and Resource Center.

To search for a study abstract, review the full study or seek other psychological studies, you may access the following common websites:

* www.proquest.com
* www.questia.com
* www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi

You may be pleased to know that NASP uses these and other psychological studies to develop and update its various assessments and programs. Here are relevant studies we selected which may interest you.


http://www.shopliftingprevention.org/WhatNASPOffers/NRC/PsychologicalStudies.htm

[twigs]

I said that they should pay SOME of the cost. I have real questions on whether or not the county should be handing a bill to them because they were doing what localities should be doing in a missing-person case. That's the reason why I think that the family could quietly help by making some restitution. You're entirely right about her being on her own, but I don't see her right now as capable of much. Hopefully that will soon change for her. Her family has been standing with her (good for them) and it just seems to me that she really needs them. You're also right that their having money is an assumption, but it is one based on some evidence. A wedding for 600 people is not inexpensive. Whether or not Jennifer or her family or even John's family helps with these expenses is something that could be privately worked out among themselves. It just seems to me that it's not entirely fair that the taxpayers should pay the entire burden. I don't see it as a punishment for either her or her family. Just looking for a fair and just solution without all the rancor I've seen on these threads.

[Blessed]

I agree with you .The statement about assuming they are wealthy was not aimed at you.By the way a Church wedding for 600 people with a reception at the Church could easily be done for under $10,000.It is amazing that everyone automaticly assumes an expensive dinner dance will follow a wedding.600 people is actually a limited guest list where 3 churches with over 1500 members each are involved and the groom is active in a youth department of 200 teenagers.