Post #559 in the last thread, you said:
"We still do not have all the facts. It does not look good for TG and RF .. but I'm willing to wait for actual facts before I grab a bat."
...The not so subtle implication being that those (many) of us who disagree with you and are unable to give mom a pass are a bunch of lynch mob rubes.
I don't care what this woman knew or didn't know about JR- though I suspect she knew plenty more than even we do now. I'm not sure which "story" is accurate, but she either left two minors home with a soundly asleep adult who was not supervising them OR she left them with a 24 year old kid just out of rehab at 11:00+ p.m. on a school night.
Perhaps she could not have predicted that JR was capable of what happened to Bella (although, again, I think she was well aware)- but regardless, children that age need solid supervision. Kids don't always make good decisions. They need sober, alert adults to make sure they don't cut each other''s hair off, spill nail polish on the carpet, or burn themselves on a hot stove making a snack. They need sober, alert adults to remind them to brush their teeth, get to bed at a decent hour and pee before they sack out. Even the most watchful, dutiful responsible parents can't prevent all the potential bad things that can happen to our children, but you can bet your *advertiser censored** I spend all day every day trying to minimize the risks. I have my daughter look both ways when she crosses the street to reduce the likelihood that she gets hit by a car. I've taught her how to carry scissors so she doesn't accidentally stab herself (or someone else.) She gets a timeout for running on a wet pool deck. She has to wear a life vest when we're on a boat...My point is parental culpability doesn't require a crystal ball. As adults, we should be able to anticipate consequences. IMO there was PLENTY of bad things that could have happened that night as a result of TG's decision to leave those kids in that situation. It could have just been burnt microwave popcorn or a temper tantrum in the a.m. from two tired babies who should have been asleep well before 11. In this case, we saw the worst case scenario and a baby is dead.
When my kid wakes up cranky and tired, I take responsibility for that- not enforcing an appropriate bedtime is my fault. If I left my daughter with someone (Santa, Jesus, Mary Poppins) and she wound up dead, I would hold myself responsible and I would fully expect everyone else to do so as well. I am responsible for her well-being, no matter the circumstances, but ESPECIALLY when there are clear indicators of at LEAST poor supervision, if not all out danger.
As a single mom, myself, I try very hard not to judge other parents. I know I am judged plenty and I don't like the way it feels, but at the end of the day, it's not about me. It's not about Tania either. It's about making safe decisions for our children or admitting that we're uninterested or uncapable.
And lastly, I don't even own a bat, but we live in a civil society with rules and expectations and I take issue when I see someone flaunt them, particularly at the expense of a child's life.