Ep 12. Dear Savana
- December 8, 2018
In season 31, episode 12 of 48 Hours Mystery, titled "Dear Savana," viewers follow the heartbreaking story of a mother who fought tirelessly to protect her daughter from abuse.
Savana Guthrie, an innocent 4-year-old girl, was placed in the care of her father, Miles Harrison, when her mother, Katie Tagle, asked for a break in their relationship. But what was meant to be a temporary arrangement turned into a nightmare for Savana.
Katie began receiving alarming messages from Savana, who reported that her father was hurting her. Katie immediately sought legal help and filed a request for a restraining order to keep Miles away from Savana. However, the court denied her request without a proper hearing due to Miles' counter-claim that Katie was making false allegations.
Katie became increasingly concerned for Savana's safety as Miles continued to have unsupervised visitation. She contacted law enforcement multiple times, but they were unable to intervene due to the court's lack of evidence to support her claims.
Katie's world shattered on December 10, 2008, when she received a text message from Miles. It read, "You've caused enough problems. You're about to have a lot more to come. Bye." Miles then proceeded to murder their daughter before taking his own life.
The episode explores the events leading up to Savana's tragic death, including the flaws in the legal system that failed to protect her. Viewers hear from Katie, who recounts her struggle to save her daughter, and her frustration with the courts that failed to listen to her cries for help.
Additionally, the episode features interviews with experts who shed light on the issue of domestic violence, and how it can be difficult to prove in court. The episode also provides resources for those who may be experiencing abuse, and encourages individuals to speak up and seek help.
Through "Dear Savana," 48 Hours Mystery aims to raise awareness about the importance of protecting children and victims of domestic violence. It is a poignant reminder that more needs to be done to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.
