Allen Learst

The murder of my son, Jason Allen Learst, has haunted me for more than 26 years. I began writing "The Blood of Children" to express my loss and frustration with the parole board system in Kansas. Danny Rouse, the man who murdered my son, was released on parole last March. On October 31, 2006, he allegedly killed a sixteen-year-old girl from a small town in northern Indiana, leading police to a corn field where they found her body..

I wrote this essay in the early part of 2006 as a way to honor the memory of my son, and as an attempt to understand how a cold-blooded murderer like Danny Rouse could be released. I had no idea my worst fears about his release would soon be realized. Rouse had received a life sentence for the murder of Jason and 10 to 20 years for aggravated assault against my former wife. He served 25 years.

Throughout the years my family wrote letters to keep Rouse in prison, but those pleas were ignored. My experience as a crime victim isn't new or unusual. Victims often feel powerless against institutional forces. They often feel in the dark about matters concerning the law. I wrote this essay to help others understand loss and to alleviate frustrations victims feel when dealing with crime. Since writing this essay I have been contacted by the Indiana girl's family and I have tried to lend my support, but I understand something about loss and grief. It's a solitary activity.

"The Blood of Children" was published in the Water~Stone Review in October 2006.