DEAR ABBY: My brother-in-law remarried a year ago. His new wife has a teenage son, "Josh," from a previous relationship, and my brother-in-law is in the process of adopting him.
Recently my husband and I invited the three of them to our home. It was the first time we had met our new sister-in-law and Josh. They both seemed nice, but my husband and I sensed that there was something about the boy we weren't being told.
Last night, my husband's mother confided in him that four years ago Josh was caught in the act of molesting and sodomizing his 9-year-old female cousin. He was convicted by juvenile court and sent away for three years.
The next time we saw Josh after learning this information, we were at the home of some other relatives. The family had gathered to celebrate an uncle's birthday. During the course of the party, Josh spent time alone with several young cousins of both sexes in the basement playroom.
I told my husband that the other parents in our extended family should be told about Josh's history, but he strongly disagrees. What do you think, Abby? Should I keep my mouth shut, or make sure that the next time Josh attends a family gathering, the parents are forewarned? I'm afraid to let this go, but I will abide by your answer. -- WORRIED SICK ON THE EAST COAST
DEAR WORRIED SICK: I disagree with your husband. The parents should be told so that they can be sure their children are adequately supervised in their interactions with Josh. To pretend that the boy has no history of molestation would be both irresponsible and risky.