As I've said, I believe the innocent explanation for the Haleigh photo. But the lines on Jr's thighs, combined with the arm, are so classically known as signs to look for, I believe Haleigh's telling to Crystal that daddy did it with a stick.
As for why Crystal is doing all this... IMO, it's because she is a kind person, but like most pleasers, she is very weak-willed, has an strongly external locus of control (anyone can research its signs and implications), and waits for things or others to happen or do, rather than being proactive and solving her own problems.
Let's not forget that Crystal was a child (again) when she met Ron, and clearly an abused victim and not until she recieved the applicable support has she even been able to stand up to Ron. The minute she spoke out at about this on NG, Crystal was harrassed that same night. I have seen people harrass the lady on You Tube threatening her children because she is speaking out about the conflicting stories with the Cummings. There is a "group" of folks over there in Putnam who are mean and aggressive. I think Ron is "apart of" that.
She has made huge mistakes, and is still making them now, with Chad, and by allowing others to use her for their own purposes (Mother - where to begin? Attorney - her own publicity.).
Who hasn't....again she was a child when she had those two. She is a mother now with a beautiful baby and fiance and making great choices thus far.
I do believe that she had concerns the last few years about Ron's temper, but knowing he loved the children so much, she wasn't sure if he would harm them, or what signs suggested too much or ok. I think until Haleigh went missing, it was simply easier not to risk putting a lot of effort into proving something she was not sure of and possibly suffering the consequences of being wrong.
I think she may have also felt deep down that Ron was a better provider materially and did love his kids.
So she weighed that against things like we are seeing in these photos. I don't think she would even have reported them if her family had not pushed it.
But then... Haleigh goes missing.
I think it is perfectly fitting of her conflict/pain-avoidant personality to be in denial and want to avoid going down there until she could no longer hope Haleigh would be found safe in the trees or something.
YES!
We saw in interviews how she was supportive of Ron at that time (and even tried on GR) while her mother and cousin pushed the battle.
I think that after being in Satsuma the last month, Crystal has been bombarded with people in and outside her family telling her horror stories/rumors about Misty hanging out with SOs and drug dealers, leaving the kids alone, etc., and worse, not giving straight answers about that night.
Right!
On top of that about Misty, she was told stories/rumors like the attorney has described about Ron being horribly abusive. She knows he loves the children, but she also knows his temper. (ETA: She also sees him strongly supporting Misty and claiming to know what Misty did and did not do that night while he was at work - and even marrying her, trusting her enough to establish her as the permanent caretaker/mommy of the kids.
I'd freak from that alone!)
I think it's understandable that a person of Crystal's character would react this way in that situation. Her daughter missing and who knows what else, sedated, everyone telling her she needs to act, including her very controlling mother (a story in itself) and a big name lawyer who's come to town framing things like she has, saying Crystal would be remiss if she failed to act now.
Absolutely! This child is a product of her environment. Poor Haleigh!!
...Ugh - sorry for the ramble. More than anyone wanted to know, but there's the basic gist of what I think going on with these pictures and the whole thing. :blush:
/ IMO/JMO/YMMV :twocents:
