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Lawyers: Teen suffered ‘numerous’ acts of violence

By WTOP Staff

CONWAY, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire teenager who returned nine months after she vanished on the way home from school was violently abducted by a stranger and “suffered numerous acts of unspeakable violence” for many months, her lawyers said in a statement.

The three lawyers put out a statement Tuesday on behalf of Abigail Hernandez and her mother. It was featured on the “Bring Abby Home” website created after the 14-year-old disappeared Oct. 9 on her way home from school in Conway, a small tourist town in northeastern New Hampshire.

“For many months, she suffered numerous acts of unspeakable violence,” the statement said. Now 15, she’s home with her family “through her faith, fortitude and resilience.”

“Abby needs and wants some time and space to physically and emotionally heal,” said the statement issued by attorney Michael Coyne, dean-elect of the Massachusetts School of Law, and two other lawyers. “It is going to be a long process in pursuit of justice for Abby and for Abby to get physically and emotionally stronger. We do not intend to have this case tried in the press.

“As the justice system moves forward, and the evidence is revealed, questions about this horrific event will be answered,” the statement said.

Coyne told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he “would expect that there will be further charges consistent with the evidence in the case.”

Coyne said they put out the statement to shield Hernandez and the family from the intense interest her case has generated.

“They’re being inundated with media requests and many up to now have not respected her desire to deal with this privately,” Coyne said.

Coyne said Hernandez is getting professional help, but he declined to discuss details.

Authorities launched a wide search for the teen and offered rewards. Missing posters went up through the region, but for nine months the only trace of the girl was a single letter she wrote to her mother.

She came home July 20, but the circumstances of her return are just as murky as the details of her disappearance. On July 28, police charged Nathaniel Kibby of Gorham, 34, with kidnapping her. He is being held on $1 million bond.

Kibby’s lawyer, public defender Jesse Friedman, declined to comment on the statement.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young would not comment on the specifics of the statement but repeated that the criminal investigation is ongoing and any further charges would be based on what that investigation reveals.

A judge recently ordered investigators to leave in place a trailer and a large storage container belonging to Kibby in Gorham, about 30 miles north of Conway.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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