Jessica McClure’s 58-Hour Ordeal Captivates the Nation

I’m writing in response to all the publicity generated by the near-tragic fall of Jessica. I found myself reading right along, feeling the emotional plight as so many others obviously did.

I recently began work at a home for abused teen-age girls--50-plus girls who also unfortunately fell in a well, yet for some reason do not receive the same outpouring of concern that Jessica received.

We as a nation open our hearts and emotions to a single child yet do nothing for the countless others. I feel that it’s imperative that we continue to demand that our legislators clean up our social system in order to halt the abuse of innocent children.

This letter is a cry from the well of abuse we as a nation turn our backs on. Jessica sang about Winnie the Pooh; I see girls who hold on to teddy bears because there’s no one to hold on to them.

NICOLETTE JAHNKE

Sherman Oaks