| There are times when I just can't forget a song, | | | | help Lisa and was not involved in her abuse other |
| especially a song with a real message. This song will | | | | than not reporting it. |
| move anyone to tears--I guarantee it. | | | | Following Lisa's birth, her biological mother, paid Joel |
| It was around the Christmas holidays in 1989, that I | | | | Steinberg, an attorney, $500 to find an adoptive |
| recorded this song off the radio. This was before I | | | | home for her. A home was never found and although |
| discovered CDs. I did a lot of recording off the radio | | | | he never adopted Lisa, she lived with Joel for her |
| back then. | | | | entire short life. |
| The song I am referring to is entitled, Dear Mr. Jesus. | | | | Lisa's biological mother, was awarded $15 million in |
| It was written by Richard Klender and sung by a nine | | | | damages in September 2003 from a civil lawsuit she |
| year old girl, back then, named Sharon Batts. | | | | originally filed against Steinberg, Nussbaum and various |
| Before I display the lyrics of this poignant song of | | | | city agencies. The city of New York, settled without |
| immense emotion, I will give you the facts about the | | | | admitting any wrongdoing in 1999 and paid $985,000. |
| song. It is a true story about child abuse. | | | | For more information on this horrendous crime, log |
| In New York City, on May 14, 1981, a baby girl was | | | | onto Lisa Steinberg in your search. Also, by logging |
| born by the name of Elizabeth Lisa Launders. By | | | | onto the title of the song, Dear Mr. Jesus, the song is |
| November of the year 1987, the entire world came | | | | able to be downloaded. |
| to know her as "Lisa Steinberg." | | | | Lisa deserved to live a long and happy life. She also |
| On November 1, 1987, Lisa Steinberg was beaten to | | | | deserves the recognition and attention of child abuse |
| death by a New York attorney, named, Joel | | | | awareness. I will leave you with the lyrics of this |
| Steinberg. This brutal, inhumane crime happened at 14 | | | | special song that is definitely a moving story of Lisa's |
| West 10th Street, in Greenwich Village. It would later | | | | short life of gross negligence and deadly abuse. |
| be a wake-up call to child welfare authorities and the | | | | Dear Mr. Jesus |
| law concerning how they would handle such | | | | (words and music by Richard Klender and sung by |
| unimaginable crimes as this one. | | | | Sharon Batts) |
| First, he savagely beat his live-in lover, Hedda | | | | Dear Mr. Jesus |
| Nussbaum. Then he delivered several blows to Lisa's | | | | I just had to write to you |
| head. Her baby brother was found in a back room, | | | | Something really scared me |
| laying on the floor, tied to his crib with a short length | | | | When I saw it on the news |
| of rope, dressed in filthy clothing. | | | | A story about a little girl |
| If that wasn't bad enough, they both waited over 12 | | | | Beaten black and blue |
| hours to call for help. Lisa did not die that day, she | | | | Jesus thought I'd take this right to you |
| died three days later from severe brain injuries. | | | | Dear Mr. Jesus |
| When Hedda later found Lisa was no longer | | | | I don't understand |
| breathing, Joel still didn't want to call for help, but | | | | Why they took her mom and dad away |
| eventually did. Lisa was in a coma for three days. | | | | I know that they don't mean to hit |
| This low-life, child killer, deserves no name--only | | | | With wild and angry hands |
| shame, and a ticket to hell. And his live-in lover, | | | | Tell them just how big they are I pray |
| deserves more than what she got. He got off easy | | | | Please don't let them hurt your children |
| in the eyes of the law. In 1989, he was convicted of | | | | We need love and shelter from the storm |
| first-degree manslaughter, then released after serving | | | | Please don't let them hurt your children |
| only 15 years. | | | | Won't you keep us safe and warm |
| Many others should share the responsibility of this | | | | Dear Mr. Jesus |
| crime. Child welfare workers, police officers and even | | | | They say that she may die |
| a teacher who had seen the evidence of abuse on | | | | Oh I hope the doctors stop the pain |
| Lisa's body, failed to report this or do anything about | | | | I know that you could save her |
| it. So we have another case of a child who could | | | | And take her up to the sky |
| have been saved if someone had only been willing to | | | | So she would never have to hurt again |
| help her. | | | | Please don't let them hurt your children |
| Hedda Nussbaum, was abused by her boyfriend, Joel | | | | We need love and shelter from the storm |
| Steinberg, for years and was beaten by him just | | | | Please don't let them hurt your children |
| before he delivered the blows that killed Lisa, | | | | Won't you keep us safe and warm |
| therefore, she was not able to help Lisa. She was | | | | Dear Mr. |
| not prosecuted since she had been found unable to | | | | |