Girl dies on cold walk; Dad charged with murder...
By gwoman2
@gwoman2 (710)
United States
December 30, 2008 1:28pm CST
This from Comcast.net:
An 11 yr. old girl died (likely) of hypothermia after trying to walk 10 miles in knee deep snow on Xmas Day...she actually was found 2.7 miles from the truck...the father has been charged with 2nd degree murder and felony injury to a child.
Facts: Father taking both 11 year old and her 12 yr. old brother to visit their mother. Truck got stuck in the snow and allegedly the father had the children walk to their mom's house while he and another adult stayed behind to free the truck...
this actually makes no sense to me...if in fact there was another adult...why didn't one go with the children? The story goes on to say that he, the father, after freeing the truck, went back to Jerome, where he came from...
Kids got separated because according to the son, who survived, they argued over continuing or going back...she opted for going back.
In Blaine county the maximum penalty for 2nd degree murder is life.
I think this is a bit harsh...I don't think the father intended for the children to be hurt or die...Yes, he used some really bad judgement and some kind of punishment, parole or fine should be imposed, but to give the man life is purely unrealistic...how many people have left children in cars to die and have spent not one day in jail?
this is ridiculous...although a precious little life has been lost, my prayers go out to this distraut man who in court was banging his head against the defendent's table where he sat, I can't even imagine what he is going through, I say he is a pretty good candidate for suicide...the judge also would not lower the $500.000 bond!
what do myLotters think?
~G~
5 people like this
8 responses
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
30 Dec 08
I think the father was crazy for sending to young kids out in that weather by themselves, period!! Why didn't he and the other adult go with them? Then they could have seen that the kids made it okay and got help there. Or, if they thought they could get the truck fixed, why not let the kids stay in it? And, why didn't he go after the children the way he sent them? Sounds a little funny to me!
@gwoman2 (710)
• United States
30 Dec 08
Hi Barb42,
thanks for your response. The man used bad judgement, as far as I've read, they don't mention anything that would lead me to believe that his intentions were to kill.
while we're here, what about the mother? She knew they were coming...I would have gotton in my car and would have driven along the road he would be coming on just to check...again...both she and he used very bad judgement, this is no reason to give this man life in prison.
G~
1 person likes this
@fasttalker (2796)
• United States
30 Dec 08
Hmmmm..Sounds more like child neglect or maybe even endangering a child than murder to me. As they say there are two sides to every story and I'm sure the girls mother and family have a different view than I do but it does sound a little harsh to me.
Certainly not a smart decsion but attempted murder? This will be interesting to see the outcome of.
@onlydia (2808)
• United States
31 Dec 08
Hey Fasttalker how have you been and how is the Dog? And the young man how are things working out with him.
You have to let me know about this story as well, I feel worse for the brother then the father. But what about the other adult that was there? They should be charged as well. Your friend onlydia. HAPPY NEW YEAR
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
31 Dec 08
Who in their right mind would send any one to walk 10 miles in the conditions you describe. I would be difficult for even an adult to navigate in those conditions. The father should have kept the kids in the truck as he and his friend or him self worked at freeing the truck. I don't know what he should get for sending his children off like that. It doesn't matter whether he intended for his child to die but he sure didn't act very responsible.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
31 Dec 08
I don't know what the right sentence would be but it was too cold and too much snow for a girl to be out in knee socks, they children should have stayed in the car, it was negligence, after the car got fixed he should have went out looking for them by going back home showed he didn't care if they arrived safely or not.
@maidangela7349 (1191)
•
30 Dec 08
the law is the law and must apply to everyone even very stupid people like this guy. However I think 2nd degree murder is similar to our manslaughter and if I am correct the judge can take into account the man's lack of intelligence and no doubt reduce the sentence. There is of course no sentence which is as bad as the terrible effect this is going to have on this family
1 person likes this
@tammytwo (4298)
• United States
30 Dec 08
The charge is wrong but parents do nee to think before sending their kids out into harsh weather. Once the truck was freed it was the father's responsibility to check on his children. Child endangerment or neglect sounds more appropriate but he is responsible to some degree.
@onlydia (2808)
• United States
31 Dec 08
Oh mine gosh. I guess he wasn't thinking. They weren't dressed for the weather then. As we used to do that all the time as kids. I live in MN and it gets cold. I would never do that to my child. Now as for What someone said that you can't let a child walk over a mile to school. well, in SD if you live over 5 miles they will bus you but your parents have to pay. And if you live 5 or under you have to walk. Or your parents have to bring you to school. Where do they live? I feel bad for the parents. Who found her the mother. The brother must feel just ever so bad. Poor kid. Let me know what happens. He mite get 4 years or less what about the other adult? They should be charged as well.
