2010.04.20 - Funeral plans?

[Donjeta]

The way it's phrased, "LE presented two options", sounds like they came out and told the parents she's dead and you have to have her declared dead now, but I suppose could have been a response to a question or just a FYI discussion about the relevant Florida law. Maybe somebody asked them what they should do in case Haleigh's body is never found.

 

[TxLady2]

One question... If they don't have any proof WHY did Hardy announce this case is a homicide....JMO

Exactly! Makes me wonder what they did find besides a cinder block and a piece of rope. That's not exactly proof of death... much less homicide.

 

[Justin Tyme]

What about the family being given options on how to declare a person legally dead? Is that true or not?

Not sure about being given the options. I always thought that they had to be missing for seven years before they could be declared dead but I'm probably wrong. Does anyone know if anyone in the family had a life insurance policy on Haleigh?

 

[atherella]

Not sure about being given the options. I always thought that they had to be missing for seven years before they could be declared dead but I'm probably wrong. Does anyone know if anyone in the family had a life insurance policy on Haleigh?

A person can file a declaration of presumption of death with the Court and receive a death certificate without waiting the 7 years (that the Court's use to "presume" death).

As for life insurance, there was an article from right after HaLeigh went missing that said Crystal had life insurance on herself and the kids. Whether or not that is true - who knows. There has been so much horrible reporting in this case.

(This is dated February 13th, 2009)

Haleigh's mother claimed to have purchased a whole-life insurance policy for her and the children. However, investigators said they have no information about the policy.

http://www.wftv.com/news/18706639/detail.html

 

[KSH352]

KSH I read an article it was posted here at WS that stated Merchant did meet withRon and Crystal.. I am not saying he discussed a funeral with them.. Only that it was stated he told them they had two options...They could either declare her deceased or wait seven years. Are you saying Ron and Crystal did not meet to discuss whether or not to declare Haleigh deceased...
I'm certain you would know, but as I stated it was revealed in an article I read...

Ronald and Teresa were the ones that wanted a funeral. Crystal met with Ronald at her attorneys request after Marie called PCSO and asked if PCSO had advised Ronald to make funeral arrangements. They said NO, they never said anything about a funeral. The meeting was attended by Crystal, her attorney, Ronald and Merchant. Crystal went to talk to Ronald to put a stop to the rumors.

 

[atherella]

John Merchant did not meet with Ronald and Crystal or tell them anything.

The claim that PCSO told the family to make funeral arrangements is totally false. This was stated by the PCSO not too long ago.

The funeral "thing" was just a total untruth.

Ronald and Teresa were the ones that wanted a funeral. Crystal met with Ronald at her attorneys request after Marie called PCSO and asked if PCSO had advised Ronald to make funeral arrangements. They said NO, they never said anything about a funeral. The meeting was attended by Crystal, her attorney, Ronald and Merchant. Crystal went to talk to Ronald to put a stop to the rumors.

BBM (in 2nd post)

Maybe it's just me... but just want to make sure I'm sure I'm clear. A few hours ago you stated that Crystal didn't meet with Ronald and John Merchant. Now you are stating that Crystal did meet with Ronald and John Merchant in order to put a stop to rumors?

Thank you.

 

[KSH352]

BBM (in 2nd post)

Maybe it's just me... but just want to make sure I'm sure I'm clear. A few hours ago you stated that Crystal didn't meet with Ronald and John Merchant. Now you are stating that Crystal did meet with Ronald and John Merchant in order to put a stop to rumors?

Thank you.

Yes, I did say that please excuse me, I didn't have the correct information at the time. I made a mistake because I didn't know that John Merchant was in attendance at the meeting between Crystal, her attorney and Ronald.
I did not lie... or try to twist anything,. Just didn't know that fact.

 

[atherella]

Yes, I did say that please excuse me, I didn't have the correct information at the time. I made a mistake because I didn't know that John Merchant was in attendance at the meeting between Crystal, her attorney and Ronald.
I did not lie... or try to twist anything,. Just didn't know that fact.

Thanks KSH for clearing that up for me!

(I didn't think you were lying, I hope you didn't think I meant that. I just didn't know if you had updated info now. Thanks again!)

 

[passionflower]

One question ............why was John Merchant there?????

 

[lorann]

Ronald and Teresa were the ones that wanted a funeral. Crystal met with Ronald at her attorneys request after Marie called PCSO and asked if PCSO had advised Ronald to make funeral arrangements. They said NO, they never said anything about a funeral. The meeting was attended by Crystal, her attorney, Ronald and Merchant. Crystal went to talk to Ronald to put a stop to the rumors.

Thank you for telling us. Crystal, Butterbean and Marie are often in my thoughts. They sure don't need any extra drama.

 

[4Jacy]

Not sure about being given the options. I always thought that they had to be missing for seven years before they could be declared dead but I'm probably wrong. Does anyone know if anyone in the family had a life insurance policy on Haleigh?

Yes, I asked this a long time ago about the insurance policy.

About the seven years: someone in my family married a girl from Germany. It was a bad marriage; she disappered. He could only declare her dead after seven years, plus many posting in the newspapers.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Yes, I asked this a long time ago about the insurance policy.

Respectfully edited. I mentioned "insurance policy" earlier in this discussion as a possible reason for family members to have an individual declared deceased without physical proof. To my knowledge, there has never been any indication that there was a life insurance policy for HaLeigh.

 

[KSH352]

Thanks KSH for clearing that up for me!

(I didn't think you were lying, I hope you didn't think I meant that. I just didn't know if you had updated info now. Thanks again!)

Just to let you know Crystal's attorney called the meeting not John Merchant.
And the discussion was between the attorney, Crystal and Ronald.
Not sure where the info came from the Merchant called the meeting?
It was clearly discussed, at the meeting, that PCSO never told anyone to proceed with a funeral.

No offence taken. At the time I posted I knew about the meeting but didn't know that Merchant was there also. Sorry

 

[KSH352]

One question ............why was John Merchant there?????

Your guess is as good as mine. He was just "there" Not part of the meeting.

 

[cj1132]

Your guess is as good as mine. He was just "there" Not part of the meeting.

Personally, I think that's a little odd but I'm sitting here and don't know everything going on.

I hope Crystal is doing okay and just let her know that even though many of us don't know her personally, we care about her and Junior.

 

[Bobbisangel]

If I had a child missing there is no way I would have her/him declared dead. What if Shawn Hornbeck's parents had had him declared dead or Elizabeth Smart's parents or JayCee Dugaurd's parents. As long as there isn't a body there is hope. Look how long JayCee was gone. It just seems like a betrayel to me to have your child or missing loved one declared legally dead when you don't know if they are or not. I suppose after a certain number of years you lose hope. I don't know though because I haven't been in those shoes. I just know that when those kids I listed were found alive it gave hope to every parent with a child missing.

 

[4Jacy]

If I had a child missing there is no way I would have her/him declared dead. What if Shawn Hornbeck's parents had had him declared dead or Elizabeth Smart's parents or JayCee Dugaurd's parents. As long as there isn't a body there is hope. Look how long JayCee was gone. It just seems like a betrayel to me to have your child or missing loved one declared legally dead when you don't know if they are or not. I suppose after a certain number of years you lose hope. I don't know though because I haven't been in those shoes. I just know that when those kids I listed were found alive it gave hope to every parent with a child missing.

BA, that was very well put and very beautiful. I feel the same way. There would be no closure for the family if they had a funeral or memorial service, they would have only doubts.

 

[tehcloser]

Ronald and Teresa were the ones that wanted a funeral. Crystal met with Ronald at her attorneys request after Marie called PCSO and asked if PCSO had advised Ronald to make funeral arrangements. They said NO, they never said anything about a funeral. The meeting was attended by Crystal, her attorney, Ronald and Merchant. Crystal went to talk to Ronald to put a stop to the rumors.

So Ron and Teresa wanted a funeral and Merchant was just there......boy could I say a few things. :banghead:

 

[elle1919]

BA, that was very well put and very beautiful. I feel the same way. There would be no closure for the family if they had a funeral or memorial service, they would have only doubts.

Personally, I don't think anyone around this child has any doubt where Haleigh Cummings is today. She is an angel in heaven and I believe they know it. Honestly that is just the way I feel.

 

[Emeralgem]

So Ron and Teresa wanted a funeral and Merchant was just there......boy could I say a few things. :banghead:

Just a few? I could elaborate for hours on that subject...JMO