I think one of the things that would be really helpful is educating the public in what to look for in a potential abuser. As mothers, we all have seen mothers who are terrible and heartless. My guess is, it was pretty obvious to everyone around her that she didn't want to be bothered by this child. She may have had her moments of tenderness, but it sounds like in general, he was irritating to her. That pic of him in the bathtub - what did she see when she looked at that pic? That is one sad, sad little boy. When she looked at that, did it look cute to her? So the more proactive the community is, at spotting that and seeking help when it's warranted for abusive and neglectful parents, the better. And this sweet baby may not have died completely in vain.
But what's weird about it is, according to her friends (I have been reading FB posts and watching clips), Tyler was very bonded to Shelby, would cry like mad if she left the room for a moment. They also claims she loved her baby like mad.
Then again, that's what people said about casey anthony and Caylee. Maybe sometimes kids who detect their parents' indifference to them, cling harder, desperately seeking the love they need and deserve. I had that thought about Caylee when people stated Caylee could not stand to be away from her side.
I took a break yesterday after learning that this woman would be charged with second degree murder instead of first degree murder. I was so upset that once again a "mother" is treated differently than if a "father" had beaten the innocent baby to death. This woman deserves to be charged the ultimate charge for brutally beating Tyler Dasher to death. It isn't that she just hit him once out of anger and he died from that one blow. She continued to beat him until IMO, she either got tired of beating him or he was no longer making a sound, meaning he died. Why is this not premeditated murder? :maddening:
It's a fine line. If it was a felony murder state, she could be charged with 1st degree murder. In MO, you need premeditation and that is usually set aside for people who actively think: "I want to end this person's life. How can I do it? let me plan this out." Of course, that can happen very quickly. To me, it is common sense that if you beat a baby, especially on their head, they are going to die. But it doesn't seem that she was trying to kill him, more like she didn't give a carp if he died or not. And that is second degree in MO, not first.
But I am not displeased with second degree. She is eligible for LWOP in MO if she is convicted of second degree murder.
That is a devastating statistic--- 80% 0f homicides for infants involve 'fatal battering.' That is so pathetic and sick. I cannot wrap my head around the act of beating up an infant. Seriously. I can understand taking an angry punch at an insolent, swearing teenager. My husband and teen son nearly came to blows one time. BUT AN INFANT? I just cannot imagine beating a tiny little baby like that. It is hard to imagine how cold and cruel and evil one has to be to kill a tiny baby by beating them.
:rose:
I just don't get this either. I am so gentle with children, babies, animals. They are fragile, dependent little things. How can a person ever think of beating a baby like they are in some kind of bar fight with a grown man?
I think that we are all going to be devastated when we find that she makes a plea and gets less time than if she abandoned a puppy. Mothers who murder have been getting slaps on the hand. Some people refuse to believe that a mother could actually harm her child unless there is something mentally wrong with her. I think it is time that people realize that evil does exists and that just because a woman can open her legs for a man that does not mean that she is a mother.
I seriously hope you are wrong. We need to value our kids more than this. We can all express our feelings to the DA and tell them that a light sentence would be a such an indignity to the beautiful soul that is Tyler. If enough people let their feelings know, it will help. The DA is a political position and public sentiment can sway things.
Sorry, waaaay behind on this thread. Can't post from work and then when I get home, I'm way behind again. :banghead:
Anyway, I've seen some posts here speculating that 'mom' maybe snapped, was drunk, on drugs, whatever, prior to beating this beautiful boy to death.
My comment is, if any of the above were true, wouldn't you just be beside yourself with grief the next day? This 'mother' walked around like nothing was wrong. I would think the guilt, alone, would be incapacitating. Add in that your baby is dead. How would you walk, at all? Much less with a smile on your face?
If I ever snapped and did anything to harm one of the babies in my family (don't have any of my own but my siblings have filled in for me), I would eviscerate myself from sadness and guilt.
Yes, and usually when someone "snaps" that is the case--they are afterwards overwhelmed with grief and guilt. Shelby is atypical in more ways than one, it would seem.
That's true. I saw the video. She seemed as calm as can be, not a care in the world. Her conduct belies her supposed love of her baby.
I guess she fooled a lot of people.
