GUILTY MO - Rowan Ford, 9, raped & murdered, Stella, 3 Nov 2007

[raisincharlie]

For Rowan - it is her favorite:

http://www.homestead.com/deecross/ruggedcross.html

 

[Sabal]

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/361276.html

 

[pedinurse]

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/361276.html

You know... not to start a religious debate... but you know Rowan was religious. Showing up like she did to church. Finding refuge there from her crappy home.
Makes you wonder where God was when those horrible things were happening to her. Poor Rowan. It just makes me ask why?

 

[philamena]

You know... not to start a religious debate... but you know Rowan was religious. Showing up like she did to church. Finding refuge there from her crappy home.
Makes you wonder where God was when those horrible things were happening to her. Poor Rowan. It just makes me ask why?

I don't think that question will start a debate pedinurse. It won't with me anyway. I said the very same thing earlier today when I read about Rowan and how religious she was. I know I shouldn't question God's presence, but I did. Where was he when this nasty, horrible, demented thing happen to her?

 

[indigomood]

http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071113/BREAKING01/71113026

OK, I've heard it all now. These men have pleaded NOT GUILTY!!! :behindbar So, does this mean a lengthy trial at our cost? What is this world coming to?! UGH!!

There is a lot of talk about how the Joplin Globe (link above in quote) has stepped over the line in detailing how Rowan Ford was found and the condition of her body. It is a graphic article; however, it is also the truth. What do you think? Should these details have been left out?


Swannie

At the risk of sounding prudish, I felt it was in poor taste. Not because I am a prude, I assure you I am not, but because I felt it diminished Rowan's dignity.

Most reasonable adults should be able to deduce the ravages and the trauma inflicted when two adult males (animals) forcibly rape a young child.

It was unnecessary and salacious, IMO. Rowan and her family deserved better.

 

[KansasCutie]

I think they definitely could have left the blood running down her legs part out. Kids at her school wouldnt understand that & i think its a little disrespectful to Rowan herself.

 

[twinkiesmom]

You know... not to start a religious debate... but you know Rowan was religious. Showing up like she did to church. Finding refuge there from her crappy home.
Makes you wonder where God was when those horrible things were happening to her. Poor Rowan. It just makes me ask why?

I disagree with the pastor's premise that we're supposed to set aside our anger because Satan wins. It is righteous anger and properly focused (protecting the next kid rather than stringing up these two wastes of skin) it is entirely Godly anger. Jesus himself physically tossed out the money lenders out of the temple...I can't imagine Him being less angry at these two.

 

[SewingDeb]

I disagree with the pastor's premise that we're supposed to set aside our anger because Satan wins. It is righteous anger and properly focused (protecting the next kid rather than stringing up these two wastes of skin) it is entirely Godly anger. Jesus himself physically tossed out the money lenders out of the temple...I can't imagine Him being less angry at these two.

Amen twinkiesmom. The bible speaks about those who harm the little ones.

 

[Swannie]

This is possible KatK.

In a follow up - we will have to see where this leads:

http://www.kspr.com/news/local/11250846.html


"The East Newton School District superintendent confirmed that someone from the district made a hotline call about Rowan and that the district followed procedures required for mandated reporters.

KSPR has filed an open records request with the state for the file on Rowan Ford.

Today, the Department of Social Services would not confirm or deny Rowan having a file.

The state has 3 days to respond, but could still turn down our open-records request."

I am watching the 5PM news on KOLR10. Apparently, there were two incidents in which phone calls were placed to the DSS regarding Rowan. One in 2000 for neglect (when she and her mother were living in Neosho - Spears was not in the picture) and another in 2006 for chronic lice (when they lived in Stella and Spears was in the picture). Once the link is up online, I will edit to add to this post.

Here is the link: http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=14109


Swannie

 

[raisincharlie]

I am watching the 5PM news on KOLR10. Apparently, there were two incidents in which phone calls were placed to the DSS regarding Rowan. One in 2000 for neglect (when she and her mother were living in Neosho - Spears was not in the picture) and another in 2006 for chronic lice (when they lived in Stella and Spears was in the picture). Once the link is up online, I will edit to add to this post.

Swannie

Same report on KY 3 - all complaints related to hygene and concluded that none of the children of Colleen Spears were in any danger.


http://www.kspr.com/news/local/11384626.html



A case investigator visited Rowan's school and spoke with Triway Elementary's school nurse. The nurse indicated that Rowan was sent home at least every month with lice problems and contact had been made with Rowan's parents to correct the problem.

At one point Rowan was asked several questions. The investigator wrote: "Ms. Ford came and say down. I observed her to be quite and shy. She explained where she lived in Stella and said her mom has fix her head lice problem. She told me who her mother was and that she worked at Wal-Mart. I asked if she had a sister and she said yes, but she is at home today...I observed this little girl to be dressed appropriately to the weather conditions outside."

 

[pedinurse]

How sad. Poor Rowan.

 

[pedinurse]

I disagree with the pastor's premise that we're supposed to set aside our anger because Satan wins. It is righteous anger and properly focused (protecting the next kid rather than stringing up these two wastes of skin) it is entirely Godly anger. Jesus himself physically tossed out the money lenders out of the temple...I can't imagine Him being less angry at these two.

ME TOO!!!!!!!!!!

makes me kind of want to :slap: that minister a bit. but i guess he was trying to make poor little Rowan's funeral a nice one rather one a grevious one. looking at the entire article as a whole.
i have been to funerals where the funeral is a sad, mournful one. and i have been to ones where the funeral is like, in a way, a celebration. the people there are sad, but in a way... they are happy. they miss their loved one, but they know that their loved one is in a better place, and that their loved one was looking forward to going there. maybe that was what he was getting at.
but i am sorry, there is no way to get around having a mournful funeral at the burial of a 9 year old child who was put to death in such a horrendous manner. and to say "try to put aside your anger at the murders" - THAT is the wrong thing to say to a group of people who are in shock. especially the mother and family of that baby!

 

[raisincharlie]

I have no problem with a pastor asking for anyone to remove hate and anger from their minds and lives. Might actually help stop a lot of things. For me, what the pastor said was exactly what I needed to hear - to make me stop thinking the mean things I was thinking - otherwise the anger was going to eat me alive.

The service was meant to honor a dear sweet little girl not speak of or think of the two monsters who took her life. More than appropriate...

 

[Swannie]

I have no problem with a pastor asking for anyone to remove hate and anger from their minds and lives. Might actually help stop a lot of things. For me, what the pastor said was exactly what I needed to hear - to make me stop thinking the mean things I was thinking - otherwise the anger was going to eat me alive.

The service was meant to honor a dear sweet little girl not speak of or think of the two monsters who took her life. More than appropriate...

I totally agree with you, raisincharlie.

What the pastor said is actually an online poll with the NewsLeader today - whether if you could make such an effort to put away anger and hate regarding these crimes against Rowan. The results thus far? 48.1% said they would try; 51.9% said they couldn't do it.
http://poll.ozarksgateway.com/pollgadget/cgi-bin/poll.pl?view=news111607

Holding on to anger and hate will destroy a person. I've seen it happen.

Swannie

 

[raisincharlie]

I totally agree with you, raisincharlie.

What the pastor said is actually an online poll with the NewsLeader today - whether if you could make such an effort to put away anger and hate regarding these crimes against Rowan. The results thus far? 48.1% said they would try; 51.9% said they couldn't do it.
http://poll.ozarksgateway.com/pollgadget/cgi-bin/poll.pl?view=news111607

Holding on to anger and hate will destroy a person. I've seen it happen.

Swannie

Its a hard thing to do Swannie, especially when a child is involved. But, having learned about Rowan and the things special in her life - it is necessary.

 

[believe09]

I agree that a funeral is not the time for hate and anger-it does not honor or respect Rowan's very short life.

I am waiting to hear if step-grandma has been charged or has confessed her knowlege or role. Perhaps Spears is protecting her or will make a deal to plead guilty as long as she isn't charged. The two perps aren't even on the radar screen for me anymore-it is so weird...it's like I buried them with her. I hope that Rowan's death is not in vain and that any parent in a similar situation who is clearly having trouble meeting the needs of her precious child looks deep within for solutions before bringing someone else into their lives.

I have been in situations where renting out a room or leaning on a new relationship would alleviate a number of different stressors for me, but the idea of exposing my three lovelies to a stranger makes me slam the door in my mind....and so I do a little more coupon clipping and I sign on to WS for some company, lol!!

 

[raisincharlie]

I agree that a funeral is not the time for hate and anger-it does not honor or respect Rowan's very short life.

I am waiting to hear if step-grandma has been charged or has confessed her knowlege or role. Perhaps Spears is protecting her or will make a deal to plead guilty as long as she isn't charged. The two perps aren't even on the radar screen for me anymore-it is so weird...it's like I buried them with her. I hope that Rowan's death is not in vain and that any parent in a similar situation who is clearly having trouble meeting the needs of her precious child looks deep within for solutions before bringing someone else into their lives.

I have been in situations where renting out a room or leaning on a new relationship would alleviate a number of different stressors for me, but the idea of exposing my three lovelies to a stranger makes me slam the door in my mind....and so I do a little more coupon clipping and I sign on to WS for some company, lol!!

I have heard from a couple of sources that step granny has been brought in for questioning at least twice since Collings and Spears were arrested. Rumor has it she was threatened with aiding and abetting and the only way out is truthful testimony. Can't verify this info but I can say I have seen this kind of thing done before.

IMO step granny knows something.

 

[believe09]

I have heard from a couple of sources that step granny has been brought in for questioning at least twice since Collings and Spears were arrested. Rumor has it she was threatened with aiding and abetting and the only way out is truthful testimony. Can't verify this info but I can say I have seen this kind of thing done before.

IMO step granny knows something.

Thanks raisincharlie. It will be interesting to see if she just spits it out-cleanse your heart and soul is what I would tell her. It is clear to the world that something is amiss with her role in this story. She might actually draw some sympathy and not be a pariah if she tells it straight.

 

[colomom]

My concern with this "let go of the anger" approach is, how are we supposed to send a message that this type of behavior will no longer be tolerated? With our criminal justice system as convoluted as it is, a sentence is not a deterent to those who might commit these types of crimes in the future.

Oh, we will hear, VOTE for the hard-nose judges, yada, yada, yada, but to me, that is a load of

. Too many greased palms....

I have this "feeling" that the only way we will get this message across is to storm the jails and drag the bas**tards out and publicly destroy them. Make them afraid to ever commit this type of crime. Am I wrong? How else should we make it clear that IT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED?

If I did not have children, family and a mortgage, I would do it.

Just call me "vigilantemom".....

 

[Reannan]

Colomom, I am there with you!