Jerry Sandusky: Mother of Coach's Adopted Son Further Demonizes Alleged Abuser

Debra Long, the biological mother of Jerry Sandusky's adopted son, Matt, is the latest of many who have spoken out against the former Penn State defensive coordinator in the wake of 40 counts of sexual abuse against children being filed against him.

Long said that Sandusky became a mentor to Matt when he was 10 years old through Sandusky's The Second Mile Foundation. While his presence was initially welcome, Long believes Sandusky manipulated Matt in order to essentially gain ownership of him.

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It was Jerry Sandusky, you know? Any 10-year-old kid is going to be impressed by Penn State football. And then it was the gifts. You know, money and clothing and whatever…It was as if Jerry owned Matthew.

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After an incident in which Matt burned down a barn in 1995, he was sent to juvenile hall. This prompted Sandusky to take Matt in as a foster child and eventually adopt him. Despite Matt's continued support of Sandusky, Long thinks his loyalty has stemmed from fear.

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My son was afraid of Jerry. If Jerry said don't talk, he didn't talk. I would sit back and watch when Jerry would show up, how excited Matt was. And then, as time went on, I would watch the same kid hide behind the bedroom door and say, 'Mom, tell him I'm not home.'

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While there is no way to back up Long's claim, Matt did attempt suicide just four months after moving in with the Sandusky family, according to The Patriot-News. This caused a police investigation into the dynamics of the Sandusky household, but nothing came of it.

There is no indication that Matt Sandusky was ever sexually abused by Jerry Sandusky, but Long's evaluation of Jerry Sandusky's character is quite damning. While it is Long's personal opinion, the overriding thought throughout this case is that Sandusky allegedly used his position of power to manipulate children.

The fact that Matt Sandusky still supports his adopted father could be viewed as something in Jerry Sandusky's favor, there is simply no way of knowing if Matt is doing so out of love, or out of the fear that Long maintains he has harbored for so long.

If whatever evidence the prosecution is able to come up with isn't enough to convict Sandusky, you have to wonder if the recent assault on his character from all angles will influence the jury. Long certainly isn't the first to paint Sandusky as a manipulator, and at this rate, she probably won't be the last either.