FL - Coralrose Fullwood, 6, found murdered, North Port, 17 Sept 2006

[RiverRat]

This is a very interesting find by posters at HT!

Issue Date: June 06, 2005

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Vol. 15 •Issue 23 • Page 10
Long-Term Playmates
Sibling pairs and autism

By Ellen-Beth Fullwood, LPN

I have seven children, one of whom has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism spectrum disorders are characterized by impairments in social interactions and communication skills. Both the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization consider the impairment in social skills to be a defining aspect of autism.1,2 As a result of these deficits, children with ASD have a hard time with relationships, familial or otherwise.

I worry about what the future holds for my son Ilon, who has ASD. I also am concerned about the impact his special needs are having on his siblings. They share rooms, toys, TV and time; but one has trouble with play interactions. Six children will back away rather than fight Ilon for the computer or PlayStation. The other children will allow him to join their games but rarely ask to join him in his solitary games or invite him along to a friend's house. They also rarely invite friends to our house, preferring to play elsewhere.

Typically developing siblings of children with disabilities tend to keep thoughts and feelings private.3,4 A higher rate of depression and other psychiatric illness also are seen.5 Greater peer problems and increased adjustment difficulties among siblings of children with ASD are predictable.6,7 Decreased intimacy between siblings, when one has an ASD, and a lack of nurturance by the affected sibling are problematic as well.8 These issues are not surprising given the social deficits present in the disorder.

I have noticed some of these effects in my household. One of my daughters has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder I, and two other children have received psychological treatment for adjustment difficulties and depression. While the children seem closer to each other than other groups of siblings in the neighborhood, there is still a lack of emotional intimacy in the house.

 

[RiverRat]

I would highly recommend that Ellen have her children tested to see how much exposure to mercury they have had.

 

[WFT]

I will have to agree with twinkiesmom.

When you get down to the heartbeat of it, Beth was a terrible housekeeper who never could get a grip on it or the importance of providing a healthy environment for her children. Shame on Dale as well for not taking a proactive role in that department. A negligent mother, yes, a murderer or co-conspiritor? I'm struggling with that concept.

I guess Beth coming onto a chat room and speaking must be rare, otherwise the press wouldn't bring it up over and over. I think she comes there to defend herself in a way. Coupled with the fact, that alot of people were suspicious of her for not speaking out to the press, I think she is using the format for her need to speak out. She doesn't trust the press at all, so she speaks to us. Yes, it is very dramatic, and I struggle to stay away.

I apologize for my little outburst yesterday, It was brought to my attention that there are hundreds of sites like this, that are copying and pasting the story as it unravels. The HT may be the heartbeat of the story, but it should be the unsolved death of a little girl, her family calls Rosie.

 

[WFT]

Yes the picture did grab my attention in a negative way. Her hands to her throat look to me as if she is trying to keep the huge lump of grief lodged there from leaping out.

 

[WFT]

The article above I do believe was a thesis written by Beth. I do believe we covered the Mercury basis and that the childeren were tested.

 

[RiverRat]

Yes the picture did grab my attention in a negative way. Her hands to her throat look to me as if she is trying to keep the huge lump of grief lodged there from leaping out.

So would you like to see the one where she is smiling?! Please know this - the pictures were taken as part of a photo op...as staged as the crime scene itself.

I didn't realize that providing the news here for national coverage would be an issue as I am only in this for CoralRose, not the HT, Ellen or Dale. I KNOW how tiny North Port is and did not want this little girl to go unnoticed in this big world. Period.

 

[RiverRat]

The article above I do believe was a thesis written by Beth. I do believe we covered the Mercury basis and that the childeren were tested.

That's good to hear! Do you know if their levels were high?

 

[WFT]

If I recall, the mercury levels weren't an issue.


I didn't follow the JonBonet case, except for reading articles as they came available. I didn't know that was a photo op. It gives me chills.

Keep on posting here, I agree that the world should know what happened to Rosie. I didn't mean to offend, I was just suprised to see the posts from the HT. This case screams for an arrest. NP is a very small town, which is growing. I think there have been only 15 murders in as many years, but the NPPD has only solved half. The chief finally broke an almost 4 month silence, only to finally tell the community that someone else is involved. 4 months of a child killer walking the streets. I'm sick about it. I thought when I moved here, I was coming to a safe place to raise my girls, and now to find out that I was wrong. Nowhere is safe.

 

[SewingDeb]

I disagree completely about the personality disorder. The disordered home is clearly associated with depression. She was overworked and overwhelmed, and her spouse was not keeping up his end.

Her comments on the message board have been minimal comparing the intrusion into her life and the assumptions made by others about her.

I agree with you twinkiesmom. Definitely depression. It would have been great if the husband had been doing a little cleaning here and there instead of surfing for child . Also, he could have rallied the troops (the children) to help clean. Sometimes fathers are better at that than mothers.

I would be surprised if the mother was not depressed with coming home to a filthy house after putting in 70 hours a week at work.

 

[richandfamous]

I agree with you twinkiesmom. Definitely depression. It would have been great if the husband had been doing a little cleaning here and there instead of surfing for child . Also, he could have rallied the troops (the children) to help clean. Sometimes fathers are better at that than mothers.
I would be surprised if the mother was not depressed with coming home to a filthy house after putting in 70 hours a week at work.

SewingDeb...so true true true!

 

[SewingDeb]

I am also wondering if some of the problems the children had were actually from being molested while Mom was at work....I hope not, but the problems Ellen credited to having an autistic sibling could also have easily been signs of abuse.

 

[RiverRat]

If I recall, the mercury levels weren't an issue.


I didn't follow the JonBonet case, except for reading articles as they came available. I didn't know that was a photo op. It gives me chills.

Keep on posting here, I agree that the world should know what happened to Rosie. I didn't mean to offend, I was just suprised to see the posts from the HT. This case screams for an arrest. NP is a very small town, which is growing. I think there have been only 15 murders in as many years, but the NPPD has only solved half. The chief finally broke an almost 4 month silence, only to finally tell the community that someone else is involved. 4 months of a child killer walking the streets. I'm sick about it. I thought when I moved here, I was coming to a safe place to raise my girls, and now to find out that I was wrong. Nowhere is safe.

Your girls will be just fine now that their Mom is up to speed on the Sunshine State!

 

[packerdog]

The mother said that her children never had friends over to play at their house and that they went to their friends house. Wonder why...... could it be that friends never wanted to go there because of the filth, or that their parents wouldn't allow them to play in a house that was so filthy? Who would watch the children if she was working 70 hours a week? She could be someone like M Duckett, claiming she had 3 jobs, which was a lie. I think the SOB she was married to could have cleaned but he was busy looking at child . I will tell you one thing, if I came home to such a mess and hubby was on the computer, he would be outta there. There are great medications out there for depression now days, I hear. Was she on medication? I believe that the mother never allowed any of their friends there because she would fear that they would tell their parents and they would once again have CPS knocking at their door.

 

[mooselover]

As far as the disorders you can have both. Depression is axis 1, treatable with medication. personality disorder is axis 2, which is not treatable with medication, only intense therapy many times a week for up to five years depending on the extent of the symptoms. You can have more than one diagnosis. Most of my parents over the years had both. But the driving factor is the personality disorder as they can not follow through and blame all kinds of things other than the real problems. And call me jaded, but I would like proof that she was working that many hours. Again time after time that is what is told to us and when we check it usually is not the case.

 

[twinkiesmom]

I'm raising two special needs kids myself and know how it sucks the life out of you, and I do not have a personality disorder.

Medication is great, but not for everyone. I liked having my mood elevated but couldn't stand the agitation and impulsivity that went with it.

I don't think we can diagnose this woman over the internet. This family had major problems, the worst of which was having a pedophile for a husband/father.

 

[WFT]

She didn't work 36 hours straight. She had been awake for 36 hours. The children didn't like to bring friends over as the youngest (Ileo) would sometimes be hard to be around.

Mooselover, are you a therapist? Just Curious.

 

[txsvicki]

I disagree completely about the personality disorder. The disordered home is clearly associated with depression. She was overworked and overwhelmed, and her spouse was not keeping up his end.

Her comments on the message board have been minimal comparing the intrusion into her life and the assumptions made by others about her.

Yes, but Beth herself said that she has always been a lousy housekeeper and there have been numerous complaints about codes violations over the years and I believe another Children's Protective investigation in the past? Could a person be that depressed for years and still get several different degrees and licenses and work lots of hours. I'm wondering why Beth was not actually working but up for 36 hours straight. That is a very long time to be up. People have assumed from the beginning that the other kids were very autistic and not capable of any cleaning just because one pooped in his pants sometimes, but I have read about them having friends over, doing well in school, liking their presents that were donated, etc. I still have never read anyone saying that Beth had anything to do with the murder of Coral Rose just because she is a lousy housekeeper. No one knows for sure though, and it is possible that she was involved. Crazier things have happened, but everyone seems to suspect Dale alone.

 

[mooselover]

WTF,

No I am not. But have read hundreds of psych evals, worked with Psycholoists, Psychiatrists, mental health assessors for years very closely. Have two degrees, of which one is in Psychology and you get a lot of training on diagnosis and the DSMVI. I also have to write my case plans detailing how the disorders that have been diagnosed will be resolved through what type of services: Parents and children. However, I am not a licensed therapist. Of course, I always say the hands on is the best training of all in dealing with families . It helps with referring to the right type services and family needs. Again it is the sum of of the whole. Not just the messy house. Very disturbed children, unable to change the situation that has brought the children services to your door, etc. I have gone on investigations in homes that would curl your hair. Most the time it is crack, meth, or alcohol abuse. But evan many of those that can't seem to get it together end up with the kids in custody because of their mental health issues. I am in no way "picking" on this mother or trying to diagnosis her, but again I have had cases like this many times with all the same elements. I just sometimes get defensive as being in this field and seeing much more than is ever in the news and how it could have been prevented had there been changes by the family. This happens in affluent and middle class families also, however, is not usually reported as much because you do not have the "other elements" dirty house, kids with numerous problems, etc infested house etc. A little secret. At work we talk about how there are about four types of families that come into custody, substance, abuse, sexual abuse, mental disorder, domestic violence or any combination. Also evan with new and better laws it is still a system that protects parents rights more than the children's. I also am in total agreement that this father is the number one problem in the home.

 

[SewingDeb]

Glad to have you here, mooselover. You have a lot of experience with these kinds of situations and can add quite a bit to the discussion.

Do you think Ellen has both depression and a personality disorder...or are you just letting us know the possibility of both is there?

 

[mooselover]

I'm raising two special needs kids myself and know how it sucks the life out of you, and I do not have a personality disorder.

Medication is great, but not for everyone. I liked having my mood elevated but couldn't stand the agitation and impulsivity that went with it.

I don't think we can diagnose this woman over the internet. This family had major problems, the worst of which was having a pedophile for a husband/father.

I agree and knew this was coming..... But what I have to offer is an opinion after working for years with families in need and the children that are horrfically affected by the inability of the parents to change their situations that are involved regualry with chilkdren services. The percentage of reports on a home over and over again is rare. It is a small population no matter where you live that continously have reports on them. I guess I should start putting "this is my opinion" ML