I've shared a lot of information about Alva Campbell's current physical condition, but we should also consider his background - a childhood filled with abuse and neglect. It's a horror story that's all too real among death row prisoners. Thread:
According to the Ohio Supreme Court, Alva Campbell was "one of six children raised in an abusive, loveless, amoral, and unstable environment." His parents were both alcoholics and often fought physically and verbally.
Alva's father beat his mother "like he was in the boxing ring" while the children watched. He would throw Alva's mother out of the house in cold weather and threaten to kill the children if they let her back inside.
Alva's father also beat Alva and three of his other siblings severely. Only two of Alva's sisters were exempted - one, who suffered from Down Syndrome, and another who has his favorite child.
Alva's father subjected his children to sadistic games. He would stick his finger into a live electrical socket and then force the children to join hands with him and feel the electricity course through their tiny bodies.
Alva's father sexually abused two of his daughters. The entire family was aware of the abuse and Alva actually witnessed it. Years later, Alva finally admitted that his father had sexually molested him as well.
Alva's father encouraged Alva to steal when he was only 6 or 7 years old. Alva's father was a proficient thief himself and this was the only way Alva could earn his father's approval as a child.
Alva and his siblings had no positive influences in their young lives. Their father completely isolated them, never allowing them to have friends or socialize with other children.
The only person Alva was close to was his younger brother, Dennis. Alva took care of Dennis and tried to protect him, but Dennis died in his crib at the age of three.
Alva's father was eventually removed from the home and prosecuted for sexually abusing his daughters. Things didn't get much better. Alva's mother was unable to care for her children due to alcohol addiction. Alva became a ward of the state at 11 years old.
The horror story continued as Alva was shuffled between 13 foster homes and juvenile detention centers over the course of 6 years. I will share more about the abuse Alva suffered at those placements in a future thread.
