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Published Friday, June 27, 2008 | 5:13 p.m.
Updated Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008 | 10:15 a.m.
Deborah Edmonston
New information about the arrest of Clark County Senior Family Service Specialist Deborah Ann Edmonston has surfaced - though there are still several questions to be answered.
Edmonston, who was charged with two counts of battery with a deadly weapon related to domestic violence, child endangerment and malicious destruction of private property, was driving her 14-year-old daughter to her father's house and pulled the girl by her hair back into the car when she tried to get out, according to an arrest report.
Back in the car, Edmonston steered her own pickup truck directly next to her the girl's father, so that the rear-view mirrors of the cars were touching, and the 14 year old could only barely squeeze out of her mother's car. When she was out, and wedged between the two cars, Edmonston reportedly began pulling forward, "endangering (the teen) by pushing her body with the door frame and making her afraid of being crushed between the vehicles," the arrest report said.
The teenager got into the passenger seat of her father's car, and the parents reportedly exchanged angry words. Then Edmonston drove her truck into the father's car and chased him as he sped away. He called the police, and she apparently gave up chase.
Since when did ALLEGATIONS or ACCUSATIONS of an angry and vengeful ex-spouse become fact? Someone should really look into the background of the situation and report both sides. Let this be an example of how a life can be ruined when someone can report anything to the police regardless of whether or not it is based in fact. What happened to innocent until proven guilty????
The shocking part of this terrible situation is the fact that Deborah Edmonston was a senior case worker! She made decisions regarding the lives of children, yet endangered her own child. Perhaps this is why the Clark County Family Services is in such a shambles. Divorce is ugly, but violence is never warranted. Her behavior is over the top. How many other children's lives may have been affected by what appears to be her violent nature. Regardless of the legal outcome, this person should never be allowed to cross the path of another child.
Dorthynasson,
you seem to have been present when these allegations occured because you speak as if the police report is FACT. I am sure she was a senior case worked because she worked her way there. Yes, divorce is ugly. Violence is Never warranted, yes, and neither is going to the police to make a false report in the hopes that your ex-spouse gets humiliated. Think about what you say - Ms. Edmonston may be the angel in a lot of children's eyes, children who have been helped greatly by her expertise in her field. I'm sure your parents may at some point have said to you - DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ I THE NEWSPAPERS OR SEE ON TV.
astro532turf, The report is based on 'present' facts as obtained by police investigations that led to her arrest. The courts will ultimately decide what the true facts are and if she is guilty or not.
This incident ceratinly questions Deborah Edmonston's ability to make judgements regarding other peoples lives with regard to family matters, as well as it questions her ability to maintain self control.
Your post's make one wonder just who are you protecting her or yourself? Are you vicariously making arguments for yourself through Deborah Edmonston? Do you have personal knowledge of her behavior? Just how involved are you with Deborah Edmonston to make such ugly,personal attacks on somene who is exercising their right to post? Are you the post cop? I for one based on the 'facts' that led to her arrest question her ability to make decisions regarding other families and their problems.
Yes, I guess you could say I feel her pain. I would just like people to know that it is VERY POSSIBLE for someone to be dragged through the mud on nothing more than an accusation and very little investigation. It happens, believe me.
I have such a hard time believing that people are so closed minded. Yes, police do arrest people for things they did not do, yes, people do lie to the police and make up charges to destroy people and their lives. How do you know it is not the ex-husband that needs the mental help??? How do you know that he doesn't have the violent tendencies??? Were any of you present when this took place?? Do you know any of the parties involved?? When getting a sherrif's card, I have to list my aliases which include my married name and my maiden name. Could this be the case with Deborah having aliases?? Think about it--do you or anyone in your family have aliases?? Debbie would be an alias to Deborah, imagine that. Just because she has an alias, does not mean she is hiding anything. I would like to see any other charges filed against her. Can you tell me where to look?? You say her name was brought up before-when, where?? I for one want to see all the facts. I still believe innocent until proven guilty. Let's see the outcome of the court case. In the meantime, she is being persecuted. What about her child?? Does anyone care that what is written here, about her mother, can destroy her too? I would not want to see her hurt by all this. Think about that before you post that she is a mental case that should be locked up. She is the one in the middle and what happened to protecting our children, seems you are all out to destroy her life also.
Apparently, you have read a police report no one else has seen or read and/or spoken to the child yourself. I have never read anything that said the child said any of this. All I have read or seen is what the father reported to the police. We all tend to blow up and lose it?? Maybe you should never be in contact with any child! Maybe you need mental help and should be locked away. Yes, we are all human and make mistakes, just as the police do and supposed doctors like yourself. And that is only one thing you were attacking her for. You also attacked her for having aliases and saying that she must have something to hide. I guess all married women that change their last names must have something to hide? What about your other statement saying her name has been brought up before? Where is the proof?? And again, what about protecting her child and/or children against the kind of attacks you are making here?? Yeah, I really believe you are a doctor. Now I am LMFAO!!!
Astro
True, I wrote my comments based on the news article. Do newspaper reporters get information wrong? Sure, but I am certain the police checked with the 14-year-old child before making their arrest. Believe it or not, police really don't like seeing this type of domestic situation. In many cases they attempt to do whatever they can to resolve the issue without making an arrest..I would bet you anything-- the police have more information than that which appeared in the newspaper.
You claim she may be an angel to other children, however, common sense dictates that if she can treat her own child with such cruelty, she's capable of doing far more harm to both foster parents and foster children not related, who have come across her path.
I've personally only known a few people who have had such claims lodged against them. In each case, the person had a past proclivity toward temper tantrums. Let the courts hear the witnesses and let the judge decide who is telling the truth.
Dear Dr. Brooks,
Thanks for the kind words. This story means a great deal to me because I can’t believe this is a new behavior on the part of Debbie Edmonston-Aoyama.
If I were in charge of this agency, or in a position with the State of Nevada, I would pull all of her cases to see how her temper and vindictive nature may have interfered in her judgment over the years as relates to the foster parent program. Let’s hope someone out there is able to connect the dots.
Dorthy Nasson
Dorothy and "Dr." Brooks
You have already made yourselves judge and jury. We will see how this plays out and you will see how one person can destroy someone's life by filing false charges.
I know that the newspapers only tell the "truth and only the truth", yeah right. And I would never kiss anyones black a$$, but that's from the s--t you keep pulling out. And by the way Mr. Aoyama, when I see the "proof", I might believe it. You say you have proof, let's see it. You can't show it, because there isn't any. Newspaper accounts aren't proof!! Oh, and by the way, it's only 2 felonies that she is being charged with. Even I can find that on the internet.
I did not say that was any better, I am just saying that things can get blown up and how statements may be taken as "fact". You are blowing up the facts, printing them here and some people may take it as fact. Again, nothing you say is doing anything to help the child involved. All you are doing is making things worse. Get your so called "facts" correct before posting.
I've read all of these comments about Debbie Aoyama on this blog and feel its time I chime in. I am not only an employee at the DCFS offices, but also Debbie's close friend for over 5 years. We not only enjoyed each others company in the workplace, but we've become very close friends.
What most people on this blog don't realize is that just a few short years ago Debbie suffered an emotional nervous breakdown. She took a personal leave of absence and tried to get herself together, but I must be honest, she was never the same person. During her leave she experimented with drugs and alcohol. This was in my humblest opinion Debbie's downfall.
She attended regular counseling sessions in an effort to regain her mental strength, patience, and kick her bad habits. It just wasn't meant to be. My good friend and fellow co-worker had lost all of the qualities that made her such a good friend and outstanding employee. I'm sorry to say, after the breakdown and periodic use of drugs and alcohol, Debbie was not the same person that we all came to know and love.
Over the past several years, she became a problematic employee too. One who started making poor administrative decisions regarding the welfare of children. We had several meetings and discussions about it. She became confrontational, angry and abusive often times using expletives and referring to foster children as 'bitches' and 'bastards.' That is when I knew that Debbie was mentally ill.
I tried helping her any way that I could. I even went above and beyond my limitations as a friend and co-worker by trying to cover her tracks. It got to the point where I just couldn't do it any longer and jeopardize my own hide. She got mad and cursed me out simply because I would not cover her screw-ups any longer. In my own opinion, I still believe that we (the DCFS), is being sued up the ying-yang as a result of some of her poor administrative decisions. I will say on Debbie's behalf, she was not thinking with a clear and unbiased mind at that time.
It kills me to have to say this because Debbie was, and is still my friend, but she needs professional help and anger management so that she can once again be the good person that she used to be. How about a little compassion and sympathy instead of all of the name-calling and harsh judgments.
On a positive note, some of Debbie's co-workers and I have started up a collection at the DCFS office to help with her legal defense and finances. If anyone would like to donate, please call the DCFS office and tell them you would like to make a contribution to the Debbie Aoyama legal defense fund.
Debbie is not a criminal, she is a person who was under a lot of stress at both, her home and work. She lost control and allowed her angry temper to win out and get the best of her. It can and does happen to the best of us.
I know that Debbie is facing termination because of her actions. She is in financial pickle and needs help. What's done is done, but let's not beat her up any more than she already is. It’s very sad because this is a good person and someone who I was proud to call my friend. I understand the rules of employment at the DCFS and firmly agree that Debbie should be fired. But I also think we should try to find her some professional help so that she can once again be Debbie and not some angry maniac that none of us know.
I just think that some of the people on this blog are being a bit hard on her. As her friend and confidant, it hurts to see this stuff posted. How about we all agree with the termination, but stop with the snide comments? Let Debbie leave the DCFS office with a little pride and dignity. Is that asking too much? Danielle DCFS
is the Dr. really a Doctor? Or is he/she someone whose kids Debbie removed? Think about it!!!!
is the above poster Deborah Edmomston/Aoyama or her friend that works at the DCFS office Daniele? You can't cover her tracks anymore.
Debroah was arrested and is now considered a criminal. Too bad!! July 24th is her court day and lets hope justice is served and Edmonston/Aoyama is placed in the Clark County Detetion Center with all of the other criminals and misfits. Ha ha Karma is a BI--H, sooner or later it catches up with you. HA HA HA
Dr. Patrick Brooks
Hey "Doc"
When did Deborah take your kids? You sure seem bitter. You sound like you would be a former client of hers.
I'm so glad to see all of "Dr." Patrick Brooks messages erased! What a quack!!! Deborah is an amazing Mother, an incredible Friend and a wonderful Person!!! Justice will prevail...And as for "Dr." Patrick Brooks you said it...."Karma is a B----"!
Excuse me, Justicewillprevail, but wasn't this "incredible" friend and "amazing" mother arrested for something to do with attempting to harm her daughter? I can understand defending oneself or even a friend when the charges aren't related to abusing one's own child, but aren't the words, "Amazing" and "incredible" a bit over the top considering the charges against her are directly related to her relationship with her child?
Dorthy Nasson
After going back and re-reading the newspaper article and considering this woman's position, one must question two things that stand out in this article. 1. She pulled her 14 year old daughter by the hair--back into her car and 2. She drove her vehicle into the father's car. The police would obviously be able to tell if one car struck the other and I believe a 14 year old girl would be well-able to explain what happened.
Surely these charges were not filed without a thorough police investigation. How difficult would it be to determine if a vehicle had been struck. So, ex-hubby is lying and daughter is lying?????
Would the average person feel comfortable knowing this type of county employee might be investigating him/her?
DN
Dr. Brooks.
When they took your kids, were you mad? Did you have to sit in Jail for a long time? Is that why you are so upset now? Because of the preferential treatment Debbie is getting. Have you got your kids back yet? Sour grapes!!!
I read the blogs and it was very disturbing to read the critical judgements regarding Debbie. Although I don't know the actual events, I beleive that anyone who has parented a teenager knows that it can challenge every emotion, knowledge, and skill. I didn't say that I agree with her behaviors, but I understand reacting without thinking. I'm sure if you're honest with yourself you can recall something you wish you handled differently.
Danielle, you say you're Debbie's friend. I don't think so. If you were really her friend you would NOT have told everybody about her personal problems. Even if the two of you were having problems in your friendship you should have kept that information private. Amazingly, you continued to say that she is your friend. What is your definition of friendship. Oh, please tell us your last name so we don't share any of our business with you.
signed
sad and disillusioned
Justice has prevailed!!! All charges dropped, things aren't always what they appear!!!!
Justice has Prevailed!!! I believe the Las Vegas Sun should write another article about the REAL Debbie Edmonston/Aoyama! If they did you would read an article that stated what an amazing Mother Debbie is and how she always puts her children first. What a wonderful friend she is and how she is always there for her friends and family. What a dedicated person she is in everything she does AND what an incredibly strong person she is to have experienced all that she has and yet comes out fighting strong with a smile!
AMEN!!! I am also alerting the news.