GUILTY CA - Madyson Middleton, 8, Santa Cruz, 26 July 2015 - #3 *Arrest*

[SophieRose]

Mothers of Santa Cruz defendant, victim share their pain
http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Mothers-of-Santa-Cruz-suspect-victim-share-their-6420581.php

Jordan heard crying near the memorial for her daughter at the Tannery Art Center courtyard. There, in front of dozens of bouquets, loving cards, stuffed animals and candles, she saw Reggie Factor, Gonzalez’s mother, on her knees, inconsolable. Factor wailed, cried to God and screamed that her son was a bad boy, a terrible boy, Jordan said. Why hadn’t anyone told her? How could she not have known?

 

[perfectingpink]

Mothers of Santa Cruz defendant, victim share their pain
http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Mothers-of-Santa-Cruz-suspect-victim-share-their-6420581.php

Jordan heard crying near the memorial for her daughter at the Tannery Art Center courtyard. There, in front of dozens of bouquets, loving cards, stuffed animals and candles, she saw Reggie Factor, Gonzalez’s mother, on her knees, inconsolable. Factor wailed, cried to God and screamed that her son was a bad boy, a terrible boy, Jordan said. Why hadn’t anyone told her? How could she not have known?

From your link:

Jordan knelt next to her, placed a hand on her back, and held her close. “I love you, I don’t blame you,” she said she repeatedly told Factor. “It’s not your fault.”

I must say, this woman is bigger and stronger than me. I am not sure I could be so gracious at any point let alone so soon after her son brutally attacked my daughter.

 

[MelInTN]

Miss Jordan seems like such a lovely woman. I cannot imagine what she must feel. The strength, the courage, the dignity...

 

[mpnola]

I hate to even subscribe to this thread, but I have to. My theory is that if it is really hard for us to hear about, imagine fighting for your life while it is actually happening. It is my way of being there as a sympathetic witness for the innocent who didnt make it through the torture. I'm so sorry for you, sweet girl. You should still be riding your cute scooter. How much sweeter can it get than riding a scooter on a summer day. In a helmet that your mama gave to keep you safe. I can't imagine. Reading these cases makes me glad I take my 6 year old to the public restroom with me, despite the looks I get.

 

[blue22]

Mothers of Santa Cruz defendant, victim share their pain
http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Mothers-of-Santa-Cruz-suspect-victim-share-their-6420581.php

Jordan heard crying near the memorial for her daughter at the Tannery Art Center courtyard. There, in front of dozens of bouquets, loving cards, stuffed animals and candles, she saw Reggie Factor, Gonzalez’s mother, on her knees, inconsolable. Factor wailed, cried to God and screamed that her son was a bad boy, a terrible boy, Jordan said. Why hadn’t anyone told her? How could she not have known?

"Jordan said she is even considering creating a pool of money in Gonzalez’s name to help youths who might have mental health conditions seek treatment."

I mean...WOW.

 

[Tracey4AU]

Mothers of Santa Cruz defendant, victim share their pain
http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Mothers-of-Santa-Cruz-suspect-victim-share-their-6420581.php

Jordan heard crying near the memorial for her daughter at the Tannery Art Center courtyard. There, in front of dozens of bouquets, loving cards, stuffed animals and candles, she saw Reggie Factor, Gonzalez’s mother, on her knees, inconsolable. Factor wailed, cried to God and screamed that her son was a bad boy, a terrible boy, Jordan said. Why hadn’t anyone told her? How could she not have known?

What a strong, sympathetic woman.

 

[Paulas88]

She seems so evolved and has an amazing support system.

 

[Mamamerced]

She seems so evolved and has an amazing support system.

Evolved. What a beautiful description, Paulas88

 

[sfbaynancydrew]

Interesting article from the Filipino community on AG.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/126770/and-the-suspect-a-j-gonzalez-is-a-fil-am

 

[blue22]

Her mother's wonderfully compassionate and full of grace attitude just makes me think of what a wonderful young lady and woman Madyson would likely become. It's just too sad.

 

[EllieBee]

I don't know for sure but I believe his mother was at work. Not sure if anyone else lives with them or not.

I suspect he covered her mouth. Or maybe she was knocked out or something right away.

Pretty sure although not positive there is a stepdad/ aka husband of Reje. She is not listed as a resident at Tannery but one of her other names/Possible associates has an address at 1040. So I think she is married as she uses his name. And her name does not appear as a resident.

Again, JMO.

 

[perfectingpink]

I am once again finding myself at a crossroad where parental responsibility of such a demented kid comes into play. Did AG display behaviors that were passed over and ignored out of embarrassment? What criminal charges has he faced in his short years? Where these charges minimized and poo pooed away by parental figures?

 

[Lilibet]

Interesting article from the Filipino community on AG.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/126770/and-the-suspect-a-j-gonzalez-is-a-fil-am

Thanks for posting this, but what a strange article. Even Filipino commenters don't understand what point the author is making.

 

[perfectingpink]

Thanks for posting this, but what a strange article. Even Filipino commenters don't understand what point the author is making.

I agree. I wonder if the author is going through their own grief process in relation to the fact fellow Filipino perpetrated this horrible crime. That is the only sense I could make of the article.

 

[Lulu14]

"Jordan said she is even considering creating a pool of money in Gonzalez’s name to help youths who might have mental health conditions seek treatment."

I mean...WOW.

I think she is still in shock. Understandably so.

 

[kaen]

The quotes from Madyson's mother are touching and demonstrate that she has a deep belief system. Early on there were questions about the Tannery and the people who lived there. I have certainly come to believe that this community has each other's back and are living a determined life. Bless them all.

Adrian's mother could be a pariah but, in this case, the victimized family is her saving grace and, probably, giving her more comfort and slack than she can given herself.

 

[human]

I am curious and would really appreciate input here. What are WS members thoughts regarding parental blame for this? I know we have talked about nature vs nurture, but I would like raw opinions void any politically correct opinions. If a child is actively engaged with their parents, is the child able to deceive them, or are the parents refusing to acknowledge the problem?

As I have stated before, I have personal experience of a monster in my family. I know I may be jaded but my opinion is the parents of this particular monster ignored every warning that MIGHT have stopped their son and never chose to get any help because of embarrassment. I hope you guys can indulge me here because every time a case like this comes up, I find myself wondering whether I am too judgmental of the family or not enough.

Children do not come out of a vacuum.

 

[T4Tide]

Interesting article from the Filipino community on AG.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/126770/and-the-suspect-a-j-gonzalez-is-a-fil-am

That's just a weird article. I realize that I am not a minority, so maybe I'm missing something, but I don't look at other killers, like AS, and think...."holy cow....he's white....he's one of us. He's just like me." I just see a cray cray mo fo.

See the crazy before the color. That's my motto.

 

[blue22]

I think she is still in shock. Understandably so.

Sorry, I meant wow in a shocked, but good way. I admire how compassionate and forgiving she is.

 

[Lilibet]

I am curious and would really appreciate input here. What are WS members thoughts regarding parental blame for this? I know we have talked about nature vs nurture, but I would like raw opinions void any politically correct opinions. If a child is actively engaged with their parents, is the child able to deceive them, or are the parents refusing to acknowledge the problem?

As I have stated before, I have personal experience of a monster in my family. I know I may be jaded but my opinion is the parents of this particular monster ignored every warning that MIGHT have stopped their son and never chose to get any help because of embarrassment. I hope you guys can indulge me here because every time a case like this comes up, I find myself wondering whether I am too judgmental of the family or not enough.

I hear you and I know it's a temptation to always blame the parents, but I think it is often much more complex than that. Unless there is clear evidence (like buying guns for your disturbed son as in Sandy Hook or turning a deaf ear to a teacher's concerns, for example), I don't feel comfortable blaming parents. And even when there are obvious mental health issues with a kid, it can be extremely difficult to get proper help.

I do believe that it is possible for kids to deceive their parents, even when there is good communication, and active involvement. In my experience as a teen and as the mother of one (30 years ago) teens do successfully shut their caring parents out of certain parts of their lives. It doesn't have to be anything serious, but, of course, it can be. Most good parents give their teens some privacy. And teens can be very good at stonewalling when parents try to communicate.

Sometimes, the red flags are so obvious that it seems as if a parent has either been truly ignorant and clueless or has deliberately let things slide for whatever reason. We have no way of knowing whether Adrian was able to reassure his Mom that he was just posting and saying stuff, and didn't really feel the way his Instagram portrayed him or the way he talked to his friend about suicide. She appears to be a very hard-working, busy and social extrovert. Put that together with cultural and language differences, and I can see that she may not have been able to fully discern problems. She may have just chalked up subtle signs to teen angst and an awkward personality. The whole community seems to have thought highly of her son.

For now, I really feel horrible for her, and it seems that Maddy's Mom does too. JMO