GUILTY AL - Savannah Hardin, 9, forced to run til she died, Etowah Co., 17 Feb 2012

[Kimberlyd125]

Sheriff Todd Entrekin hasn't been able to sleep since meeting with Savannah Hardin's father. He says, "He's overseas working for his family and for the government. He comes home and now he's got a daughter dead, a wife in jail, and a mother in jail."

Jessica's 3-year-old son is now with his father. Entrekin says, "He told me last night it took him eight flights to get back to the United States and to Gadsden, Alabama, to go to a Birmingham hospital and find his daughter laying there on a ventilator and he had to make a decision within four hours to unplug his daughter."

http://www.todaysthv.com/news/article/197798/288/Alabama-police-9-year-old-ran-to-death


Sounds like the sheriff is having a really hard time with this.

I'm glad to know the 3 year old is with his dad.

 

[Melanie]

I wouldn't have, It's just a chocolate bar. That's what kids do.

The monsters that forced that sweet girl to run to her death should receive the same punishment. They don't deserve to live.

Poor Savannah If only she had asked a neighbour for help. She must have been terrified of her grandmother and stepmother.

I still remember it. Our school was having one of those see's candy bar sales and I took home a box to sell. I was about 9 years old at the time. Yah, tell me I can't have one of those chocie bars! Well I scoffed 3 or 4 and tried to hide it from my mom until it was time to turn in the money.

No my mom didn't make me run around the house for 3 hours, but I did have to mow the lawn, clean out the pool (leaves n' such), clean my room, and wasn't allowed to play outside (which is all I EVER did) for weeks.

I remember the shame mostly, because she called me a lying little theif Kids don't forget that (or at least I never did). I remember her telling me that I might as well go to the store and steal their chocolate bars because it was the same thing. I never did no theiving again.

MOO

Mel

 

[Reader]

http://www.myfoxal.com/story/16990061/sheriff-nine-year-old-run-to-death-by-grandmother

Prior to Savannah's death, Alabama Department of Human Resources was already looking into abuse allegations. They released the following statement in response to our enquiry about abuse complaints:

"The Department has one pending investigation concerning Savannah Hardin that allegedly occurred in another state involving an alleged perpetrator that resides in that state. We are working with law enforcement in the other state to conduct interviews in that state," Barry Spear with Alabama DHR said.

Court documents show strained relationship between Savannah Hardin's parents

Hundreds of pages of court documents concerning the divorce and custody proceedings of Savannah Hardin's biological parents have shed light on the family's history.

Savannah's father Robert Hardin and her biological mother, Heather, shared joint custody of Savannah after divorcing in 2006. Heather, who lives in Florida, served as primary custodial parent.

But in May 2011, Robert filed a petition to have that agreement changed. He told the courts that he could provide a more stable environment for Savannah, claiming that her mother's lifestyle was not fit for custody of a child. Custody was eventually granted to Savannah's father.
Robert explained medical problems that Savannah had which required continuous treatment. He stated that every three to six months Savannah would visit a urologist in Birmingham. Urologists treat patients with urinary and bladder issues.

http://m.myfoxal.com/autojuice?targ...relationship-between-savannah-hardins-parents

Putting these BBMs together, it sounds like Savannah had already been neglected or abused by her own mother in Florida...then to be turned over to these 2 torturers....poor child, I can't imagine the pain she suffered...may she RIP.

 

[Tuffy]

The fastest marathon times are a little more than 2 hours. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathon#World_all-time_top_ten_lists

A goal many runners aim for is to break certain time barriers. For example, recreational first-timers often try to run the marathon under four hours; more competitive runners may attempt to finish under three hours.

After a full day of school they forced this little girl to run for 3 hours!

Water consumption dangers

The most significant concern associated with water consumption during marathons is its overconsumption. Drinking excessive amounts of fluid during a race can lead to dilution of sodium in the blood, a condition called hyponatremia, which may result in vomiting, seizures, coma and even death.[117] Dr. Lewis G. Maharam, medical director for the New York City Marathon, has stated, "There are no reported cases of dehydration causing death in the history of world running, but there are plenty of cases of people dying of hyponatremia."[118]

 

[oh_gal]

I'm on Tapatalk and can't see what you bolded. (I really wish they would fix that)

I was commenting on your disbelief (that I share) that they would do this over "running". Not sure if someone else has already answered this for you.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Putting these BBMs together, it sounds like Savannah had already been neglected or abused by her own mother in Florida...then to be turned over to these 2 torturers....poor child, I can't imagine the pain she suffered...may she RIP.

Yes, I think you are right.

 

[QueenD]

In the orignal post story who is the lady on left "step-grandmother? and woman on
right step-mom? Appears to me they could use some running around for 3 hours
non-stop. How evil!

Some of the comments under the orignal story link are interesting. One from someone who personally knows the killer.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

In the orignal post story who is the lady on left "step-grandmother? and woman on
right step-mom? Appears to me they could use some running around for 3 hours
non-stop. How evil!

Some of the comments under the orignal story link are interesting. One from someone who personally knows the killer.

The grandmother is her biological grandmother. Her father's mother.

Off to read the comments.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

http://m.myfoxal.com/ms/p/a3/856/view.m?id=124279&storyId=17006308&news=Top Stories&news2=Main

Attorney releases statement for Joyce Hardin Garrard

"Joyce Garrard, like the rest of the family, is grieving the loss of their precious Savannah. Ms. Garrard, has been falsley accused of causing Savannah's death. Her case is not going to be tried in the court of public opinion, but will be tried in a courtroom in front of twelve (12) jurors. It is my belief Ms. Garrard will be vindicated at that time and found not guilty of the allegation against her. Even then, Joyce Garrard and her family will continue to grieve over the loss of their beloved Savannah.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Their "beloved Savannah"????
:waitasec:

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Two women charged with murder in the death of nine-year-old Savannah Hardin had their first scheduled court dates today in Etowah County. However, neither woman entered the court.

Defense attorneys and prosecutors said today that they may consider a change of venue as the case progresses. They said that they don't want the case to be tried in the media.

http://m.myfoxal.com/ms/p/a3/856/view.m?id=124279&storyId=17004382&news=Top Stories&news2=Main

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Statement from relative of Hardin murder suspect

The relative spoke on behalf of the family and asked to not be identified.

"We are disgusted and ashamed by the events that have taken place. We do not and did not agree with the way Savannah was punished.

Joyce did love her but she took the punishment to the extreme. I myself am just outraged by all that has taken place. There is no excuse for what she has done."

http://m.myfoxal.com/ms/p/a3/856/view.m?id=124279&storyId=17003350&news=Top Stories&news2=Main

 

[Lovejac]

http://m.myfoxal.com/ms/p/a3/856/view.m?id=124279&storyId=17006308&news=Top Stories&news2=Main

Attorney releases statement for Joyce Hardin Garrard

"Joyce Garrard, like the rest of the family, is grieving the loss of their precious Savannah. Ms. Garrard, has been falsley accused of causing Savannah's death. Her case is not going to be tried in the court of public opinion, but will be tried in a courtroom in front of twelve (12) jurors. It is my belief Ms. Garrard will be vindicated at that time and found not guilty of the allegation against her. Even then, Joyce Garrard and her family will continue to grieve over the loss of their beloved Savannah.

Well, that attorney for Ms Joyce can kiss my grits! She is already being tried in my court of public opionion.

She was there during the abuse and did NOTHING to stop it.

How dare she say Savannah was beloved to her? If she were, Savannah would be sitting at her school desk learning and drawing pictures.

 

[deoneta]

Being covered on Nancy Grace right now.

 

[deoneta]

Medical talking head expert on NG says the bladder reflux condition the child had was a fairly common childhood problem. Caffeine in chocolate could aggravate the condition and result in night time bed wetting. The charge against both is felony murder due to aggravated child abuse. I sure hope this isn't pled down. The poor child's bedwetting was probably the result of living in terror of these two "caregivers". This had nothing to do with discipline. It was all about control, rage and evil. All MOO

 

[~n/t~]

But, after a google search, it seems chocolate can worsen bladder conditions.

I'm not sure if they made this up or if it's real. Just pointing out that it can happen.

Not that it really matters in this case. No matter if there was a bladder condition or not, they killed Savannah.

My nephew can't eat chocolate because of a bladder condition so it is possible that she did have medical condition. Not sure if an autopsy would confirm it. Nevertheless, how they punished this child is unfathomable.

 

[~n/t~]

Sheriff Todd Entrekin hasn't been able to sleep since meeting with Savannah Hardin's father. He says, "He's overseas working for his family and for the government. He comes home and now he's got a daughter dead, a wife in jail, and a mother in jail."

Jessica's 3-year-old son is now with his father. Entrekin says, "He told me last night it took him eight flights to get back to the United States and to Gadsden, Alabama, to go to a Birmingham hospital and find his daughter laying there on a ventilator and he had to make a decision within four hours to unplug his daughter."

http://www.todaysthv.com/news/article/197798/288/Alabama-police-9-year-old-ran-to-death


Sounds like the sheriff is having a really hard time with this.

I'm glad to know the 3 year old is with his dad.

Who has custody of the baby? Didn't stepmom give birth?

 

[HMSHood]

Now they are saying she did have a bladder condition but there is no evidence that it contributed to the death....

Harp says Savannah Hardin had a bladder condition and was not supposed to have the caffeine in chocolate. He says there is no evidence the condition contributed to her death.

http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=15775341

Sounds like her bladder conditions is from the abuse, not chocolate or caffeine.

 

[Etilema]

I'm a bit too lazy today to do too much internet searching (reserving my energy for shoveling out of the 6-12 inches of snow that's on it's way) but on the livestrong website I found this info:

Chocolate is a bladder irritant because it contains caffeine. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you limit the amount of chocolate and other caffeine products that you consume until your bladder infection is completely cleared up.

Milk and milk products can cause bladder spasms that will make kids wet the bed past the normal age of night time dryness. I wonder if chocolate was causing this symptom and S's "caregivers" didn't want to deal with that.

I could see them becoming angry if they found out she willingly and knowingly ate a food that would cause anaphylactic shock or something (my oldest has life threatening allergies) but that shouldn't cause anger to the point of forcing her to endure a deadly punishment. (Really, HOW's her bladder condition now, g'ma and stepmonster?) ugh

So she may have had a likely minor health condition that was aggravated by chocolate and they killed a 9 year old for acting like a 9 year old who doesn't have the reasoning skills of an adult.

Apparently these women also do not possess the reasoning skills of an adult.

BTW, Steely Dan asked what kind of punishment we parents might decide to use if our child misbehaved like this. I pretty much agree with everyone else. Maybe take away TV privileges for the rest of the day, or not allowed to play with friends that day, but definitely this would be an opportunity to explain why we don't lie and why we avoid "forbidden" things that aggravate an illness. Then possibly have the child help come up with ideas for a treat that would make a good substitute for the offending food item.

My son and I had to come up with good food substitutions all the time when he was growing up. The poor child was even allergic to lettuce. Carrots make his throat swell shut! Making sure he had a varied and nutritious diet was always a challenge. His allergist said he had the worse reactions to the skin prick test that he'd ever seen. He's allergic to mice, cats, horses (didn't even know they tested for that!?) trees, grass, corn, all kinds of food, etc.

IMO, these people do not and will not ever have the skills necessary to safely take care of children. I hope the younger ones are placed with proper relatives/caregivers.



http://www.livestrong.com/article/486293-bladder-irritation-and-chocolate/#ixzz1nDkt5eC8

Ah--so my guess is that she sometimes wet the bed and the grandma didn't want to deal with that. She was probably angry at Savannah for eating the chocolate because it might inconvenience her (grandma) by possibly triggering bed-wetting.

All pure speculation on my part.

 

[Etilema]

I still remember it. Our school was having one of those see's candy bar sales and I took home a box to sell. I was about 9 years old at the time. Yah, tell me I can't have one of those chocie bars! Well I scoffed 3 or 4 and tried to hide it from my mom until it was time to turn in the money.

No my mom didn't make me run around the house for 3 hours, but I did have to mow the lawn, clean out the pool (leaves n' such), clean my room, and wasn't allowed to play outside (which is all I EVER did) for weeks.

I remember the shame mostly, because she called me a lying little theif Kids don't forget that (or at least I never did). I remember her telling me that I might as well go to the store and steal their chocolate bars because it was the same thing. I never did no theiving again.

MOO

Mel

And your situation was a matter of stealing, which is not quite the same as eating an off-limits food, of course. Honestly, what adult with a medically restricted diet doesn't occasionally sneak a treat?