A few years ago, we were tasked with assisting a family in preparing their late mother’s home in the Wallingford area for sale. The home had been a multi-generational residence, with the mother living upstairs and her adult son in the basement—a common arrangement, though one often accompanied by unique challenges. The family had a strong connection to the church located just across the street, where both the mother and son were active members.
After the mother’s passing, her son continued living in the house until his own passing a few years later. With no one left in the home, the family entrusted us to handle the clean-out process. To help facilitate the work, they asked the pastor from their church, a kind and caring man, to act as a point of contact. He often stopped by to check in, offering support and sharing heartfelt stories about the family’s deep ties to the church. His anecdotes painted a picture of two individuals who were cherished members of their community.
The clean-out of the mother’s space was straightforward. Aside from an impressive collection of over 500 decorative plates, her belongings were sorted and removed without any issues. But when we moved to the basement, the situation took a troubling turn.
As we began sorting through the son’s belongings, we made a deeply upsetting discovery: a significant amount of child pornography. This revelation was profoundly disturbing. Recognizing the severity of the situation, we immediately destroyed every piece we found.
The next time the pastor visited, his continued praise for the son was difficult to hear. While we remained professional and respectful, it was a painful reminder of the stark contrast between the person he described and the harmful materials we had uncovered. It was a sobering moment, underscoring the importance of discernment in our work.
In this line of work, discretion is paramount. We often face situations that require us to make tough decisions—whether to speak up and involve others in cases of danger or illegality or to quietly complete the task at hand. In this instance, had the individual been alive, we would have immediately reported the findings to law enforcement.
This experience was a stark reminder of the unseen complexities people carry and the responsibility we bear in navigating them with care and professionalism. While some moments challenge our resolve, they also reinforce the importance of maintaining integrity and doing what’s right, even in the most difficult circumstances.