Voices -- Christine Collins, November 10, 1930

From the California State Archives

The Christine Collins letters The woman whose tragedy inspired the Clint Eastwood movie "Changeling" tells her story in her own words. 2614 N. Griffin Ave. Los Angeles, Cal. Nov. 10, 1930 Mr. Charles L. Neumiller Pres. State Prison Board % Mr. Myron Clark, State Clerk Reprisa, Cal. Dear Mr. Neumiller, I have been informed that the case of Walter J. Collins, who is at Reprisa, comes up before the Prison Board next month and as a sister of Mrs. Collins will you permit me to present my personal knowledge of the circumstances upon which the application for parole is based, which I sincerely request and hope will be brought to the attention of the board for consideration. It is not necessary to go into detail about the hardships inflicted upon Mrs. Collins since the disappearance of the child of Mr. and Mrs. Collins, as the case has been given wide publicity, but the mental anguish and consequent loss of health has rendered Mrs. Collins absolutely unable to seek employment and the support of her husband is urgently needed. I assisted her financially for a period but was forced to resign from my position, my only source of income, on account of my own ill health and for the past nine months have been unable to render any further assistance in this direction. This appeal as presented is not intended, and I trust will not be construed, to be upon the personal sympathies of those empowered to adjudge but as a statement of fact as it is felt that the granting of a parole to Mr. Collins is warranted and justified under these special circumstances. Whatever can be done for Mr. Collins in this regard will be gratefully appreciated. Yours very truly, Aimee G. Dunne