Internet Host’s Supporters Trying To Raise Bail Money
By KSPR News
http://www.kspr.com/news/local/90902819.html
Story Created: Apr 14, 2010 at 10:23 PM CDT
Story Updated: Apr 14, 2010 at 10:52 PM CDT
Supporters of an internet talk-show host, the self-proclaimed former "minute mom" or "psycho babe," are raising money to get her out of the Taney County Jail.
On Tuesday, prosecutors charged Christie Czajkowski with two counts of felony child abuse and two counts of felony child endangerment and resisting arrest.
Officers say Czajkowski kicked her two young girls out of the home for at least two days. They were reportedly staying in an abandoned barn. Investigators say the girls told them their mother would order a man who lived next door to tie them up with rope and leave them in a room for hours.
“One girl stated she would break free sometimes and climb out through the upstairs window until they found out how she escaped,” according to court documents.
Unless they follow her internet show, many Ozarkers might not know who Czajkowski is. The Southern Poverty Law Center tracks extremist groups. The organization is very familiar with her.
"She was involved in of the most militant anti-immigration movements the San Diego Minutemen,” SLPC Spokeswoman Heidi Beirich said. “She was one of the most aggressive. She taped everything, including a fight with her boyfriend who then ran the group."
At americanfreedomradio.com, a smiling Czajkowski poses with her two daughters kissing her cheeks. Her supporters paint a different picture of the woman. The caption below the family photo reads "Child abuse. Give me a break. Please help Christie.”
Beirich says a video of Czajkowski fighting with her then boyfriend and leader of the San Diego Minutemen has circulated for years. The SDMM’s website says Czajkowski was kicked out of 8 minutemen groups for insubordination, drug use, unsafe weapon use and many more allegations.
"We didn't know she left San Diego she was fired from the group and fell off our radar," Beirich said. "She was a very unpleasant presence in San Diego and she may bring her militant tactics there."
Czajkowski's show continued without her. A fill-in host took calls from angry supporters Tuesday night. "I'm freaking beside myself," one of the callers said. Supporters wrote on a chat board “mighty forces are coming to her (Czajkowski) aid."
As of Wednesday night, the internet radio site raised $624 for Czajkowski's $50,000 bond. Online court documents show the court referred her to the public defender's office. A bond reduction hearing is set for Thursday morning.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the number of anti-government groups, militias and extremist organizations rose 244% last year. They report 149 groups in 2008 increasing to 512 groups in 2009.