My name is Angela Otoya. I am 27 years old and have lived all my life in The Family. I am writing because I can’t just sit here while some hostile former members are vocal and do all the talking and get only their side of the story out there.

I love the Family! I have grown up in many places and have witnessed and helped many poor and disadvantaged people both physically and spiritually and I have in return gained a wonderful sense of purpose in life and reward in living for others. I am outraged that this “cult expert” Michael Trauscht has the gall to say such things about us as he did like, “Every one of these groups are potential Manson families” and him calling us “a vicious group”. Does he know?! Has he lived among us? Where are his credentials to say such sweeping statements apart from getting his information from one side of the story? I am sorry, but I have earned the right to speak out here! I am a young person, like Daniel Roselle whom I lived with. We both had very similar experiences growing up in the Family and I have not once seen any abuse and I have not experienced any either!

I also know Angela Smith that was tragically and cruelly killed. She was a wonderful person! Anyone who knew her will agree with me on this. I am disgusted and furious that people who didn’t even know her would slander her (she was just murdered, by the way!!) and drag her name through the dirt. –As if to insinuate that she deserved that. When I first heard about it, I had shock, then sadness, then anger. She did not deserve to die that way! She had such a loving and caring spirit and disarming smile and “bubbliness” about her, she loved and cared for anybody she came in contact with. –And that’s the TRUTH!

She also had a wonderful gift of “helps”, as well as the gift of healing. I got really sick in 2000, with a kidney infection (for being lax and not drinking enough water) and had to go to the Dr. After, when I was recovering and my kidneys were still quite sore and tender, she laid her hands on my lower back and prayed for me and I could feel a tingling, warm sensation go out from her hands, starting at my lower back (kidneys) and go throughout my whole body! –And there was a tangible difference in my speedy recovery, it was the most amazing and miraculous thing that took place! I felt so much love and I knew she walked with the Lord! The way that she is painted and made out to be is so opposite, it just irks me!

I have a few things to say: Are you former members who are bitter and hateful happy about this?! I sure am not! I tell you what; this is where hatefulness and bitterness leads you! You know what the Bible says, “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” –Heb.12:15

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment …It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God! –Heb.3:12, 13, 26-27, 31

I have friends who are no longer in the Family and I respect them. –Everyone has a choice in life in what they want to do. I just ask that I receive the same treatment. If this was an unsafe place and/or I wasn’t happy, I wouldn’t continue with what I am doing.

This is on the fourth of July, 2001. –Enjoying the fireworks out at a park in Dallas, TX. (Angela and Angela)

Angela Otoya is a second generation member of the Family International.