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

[txsvicki]

I notice VanderWoude is comparing this case to Jon Benet Ramsey and how it could hang over their heads for years. My mind just boggles every time I read statements from any of the family. VanderWoude also says that this has destroyed what was once a very close family. I don't know if he is talking about Dale, but he doesn't deserve to have a family and the rest of them still have each other and the kids still have their mother. Coral Rose's life was what was destroyed.

 

[OneLostGrl]

I notice VanderWoude is comparing this case to Jon Benet Ramsey and how it could hang over their heads for years. My mind just boggles every time I read statements from any of the family. VanderWoude also says that this has destroyed what was once a very close family. I don't know if he is talking about Dale, but he doesn't deserve to have a family and the rest of them still have each other and the kids still have their mother.
Coral Rose's life was what was destroyed

(Bold is mine)

They are so busy with their "poor me's" that it appears they have forgotten that part! So sad!

 

[mooselover]

It truly breaks my heart to hear these children try to deal with their sister's death and the the unknown of what will happen to them. I do not know how I could handle my grandson asking me to go get Coral Rose. Just heart breaking to think what lies ahead fo these kids. I sure hope they are getting the best counseling possible to help them with all this disruption and heartache.

 

[twinkiesmom]

The VanderWoudes are clearly devastated over the loss of CoralRose. But from reading their posts on the Herald-Tribune, it is also clear that they are reeling under the pressure of caring for the five remaining children and want them reunited as soon as possible with their mother.

Also, I have read in a post from Ellen herself that it was not allowed in their faith to grieve to the depth that they feel this loss. So maybe they are bottling it up, or maybe it's being kept private. Don't judge them as they are under religious restrictions from expressing their feelings to the extent we would.

 

[txsvicki]

The VanderWoudes are clearly devastated over the loss of CoralRose. But from reading their posts on the Herald-Tribune, it is also clear that they are reeling under the pressure of caring for the five remaining children and want them reunited as soon as possible with their mother.

Also, I have read in a post from Ellen herself that it was not allowed in their faith to grieve to the depth that they feel this loss. So maybe they are bottling it up, or maybe it's being kept private. Don't judge them as they are under religious restrictions from expressing their feelings to the extent we would.

But they are so angry at everyone and disputing all areas of authority. Surely their anger should also include anger at the killer and the role that Dale played in having the children removed in the first place. I've never said that they aren't grieving appropriately for Coral Rose, just that they are so dramatic and angry and placing blame everywhere and not mentioning the murder. People of all faiths want justice for murdered children.

 

[concernedperson]

But they are so angry at everyone and disputing all areas of authority. Surely their anger should also include anger at the killer and the role that Dale played in having the children removed in the first place. I've never said that they aren't grieving appropriately for Coral Rose, just that they are so dramatic and angry and placing blame everywhere and not mentioning the murder. People of all faiths want justice for murdered children.

This is what floors me. Why wouldn't they be totally appalled at Dale and what their grandchildren were living with? A pervert and disgusting living conditions....maybe the children would be better served with people who truly want children.

That was harsh but their bemoaning their situation makes it seem that the children are a burden vs. treasures that deserve the opportunity to live right with people who love them.

 

[mooselover]

"Both argued to the judge that DCF is late in turning over evidence against Ellen-Beth, and that Dale's child charges doesn't mean he's an unfit parent."

BOTH attorney's argued this, even Ellen-Beth's?

Either the reporting is wrong, or Ellen-Beth's attorney (and Ellen-Beth) made a big mistake stating that if she alone wanted custody of her children back. :twocents:

It would be interesting to me to see how many people with child- charges (especially child RAPE videos) get their children back. Maybe it happens more than we know. :doh:

That is what I was thinking as soon as I read this. As most know each parent whose children are taken in to custody are provided a free attorney (tax dollars). And in our state they have some of the best attorney's who will fight for the clients. I constantly have attorney's stating "my client is doing this and that" and not having contact with the perp, boyfriend, husband, whatever in order to have the kids placed back with that parent. So I do not know what to think. The attorney should have been arguing what you said. My client is not having contact with Dale and is getting a divorce. And she WANTED the children back. That didin't happen???????????? Or they made a mistake in the reporting hmmm..

 

[RiverRat]

Fullwood mother gets unsupervised visitation, father denied

Judge orders parties to give Dale access to his children


SARASOTA -- A circuit court judge ruled that Ellen-Beth Fullwood can have unsupervised visits with her children, but Dale Fullwood cannot.

Sarasota County Circuit Court Judge Deborah Bailey said the unsupervised visits must take place at the Fort Myers home of Ellen-Beth's parents. Bailey also reminded Ellen-Beth that a gag order is still in place, and she is not allowed to speak with her children about divorcing Dale.


http://www.sun-herald.com/CHNewsstory.cfm?pubdate=012507&story=tp5ch10.htm&folder=NewsArchive2

 

[Kezlyn]

Ok, I've just read this entire thread, and I can't believe that it took 25 pages for someone to speculate that maybe the mother herself has a psychiatric disorder.

I have bipolar disorder, which is well managed with an anti-depressant and a mood stabiliser, and I can tell you that the very first thing that suffers when I am not right is the state of my house. I have needed assistance several times in order to get it back up to scratch, because after it gets to a certain state, I just get overwhelmed, don't know where to start, get confused, get even more depressed, and the cycle starts over again.

I'm not saying the mother in this case necessarily has bipolar disorder, or any disorder for that matter, but I just wish I didn't have to read 25 pages of people calling her names for having a dirty house before someone thought that she might be ill. Especially when several of her children have behavioural/psychiatric issues, because these things can be genetic.

 

[twinkiesmom]

It hasn't taken 25 pages for someone to say she's ill. Some of us clearly believed all along that she was ill but declined to give her a diagnosis over the internet.

We hate women who don't fulfill their womanly obligations to maintain a clean household. We don't take into account the particulars that could lead to a situation like this. If we think she has an illness, it's just another reason to look down on her with disdain. I've seen posts criticizing this woman for spending $10 getting her nails done, despite the fact one of her jobs was in a professional environment and she had to look the part.

The mom is not the real issue here. It's about a child who was killed a day after her father deleted explicit child from his computer. The father has not been cleared for her murder.

The chaos in the household only served to mask the father's criminal proclivities. It's now clouding the real crime--a murdered and raped child--on this discussion board.

 

[mooselover]

It hasn't taken 25 pages for someone to say she's ill. Some of us clearly believed all along that she was ill but declined to give her a diagnosis over the internet.

We hate women who don't fulfill their womanly obligations to maintain a clean household. We don't take into account the particulars that could lead to a situation like this. If we think she has an illness, it's just another reason to look down on her with disdain. I've seen posts criticizing this woman for spending $10 getting her nails done, despite the fact one of her jobs was in a professional environment and she had to look the part.

The mom is not the real issue here. It's about a child who was killed a day after her father deleted explicit child from his computer. The father has not been cleared for her murder.

The chaos in the household only served to mask the father's criminal proclivities. It's now clouding the real crime--a murdered and raped child--on this discussion board.

I do not think the issue is clouded at all as this is a discussion board and all avenues are being discussed. People have opinions and we can agree to disagree. Also no diagnosis given: Just opinion.

 

[OneLostGrl]

I do not think the issue is clouded at all as this is a discussion board and all avenues are being discussed. People have opinions and we can agree to disagree. Also no diagnosis given: Just opinion.

I agree with your post, mooselover.


twinkiesmom- Why would we look down on the mother in this case simply because she may be mentally ill? That comment doesn't help clear the "clouds" any, does it?

Several of us have stated that we, ourselves, are mentally ill.

 

[Kezlyn]

We hate women who don't fulfill their womanly obligations to maintain a clean household. We don't take into account the particulars that could lead to a situation like this. If we think she has an illness, it's just another reason to look down on her with disdain.

I certainly hope this was said ironically.

 

[txsvicki]

Ok, I've just read this entire thread, and I can't believe that it took 25 pages for someone to speculate that maybe the mother herself has a psychiatric disorder.

I have bipolar disorder, which is well managed with an anti-depressant and a mood stabiliser, and I can tell you that the very first thing that suffers when I am not right is the state of my house. I have needed assistance several times in order to get it back up to scratch, because after it gets to a certain state, I just get overwhelmed, don't know where to start, get confused, get even more depressed, and the cycle starts over again.

I'm not saying the mother in this case necessarily has bipolar disorder, or any disorder for that matter, but I just wish I didn't have to read 25 pages of people calling her names for having a dirty house before someone thought that she might be ill. Especially when several of her children have behavioural/psychiatric issues, because these things can be genetic.

I don't think anyone on this whole thread has called Beth names unless at the first of the thread . Any ongoing discussion about the matter has been about what Beth has said about her house in posts and interviews. The dirty house was mostly discussed at the beginning of the thread and was mainly differing opinions of how a house could get in such bad shape and about roaches.

 

[twinkiesmom]

Quote:
Originally Posted by twinkiesmom
The VanderWoudes are clearly devastated over the loss of CoralRose. But from reading their posts on the Herald-Tribune, it is also clear that they are reeling under the pressure of caring for the five remaining children and want them reunited as soon as possible with their mother.

Also, I have read in a post from Ellen herself that it was not allowed in their faith to grieve to the depth that they feel this loss. So maybe they are bottling it up, or maybe it's being kept private. Don't judge them as they are under religious restrictions from expressing their feelings to the extent we would.


<<But they are so angry at everyone and disputing all areas of authority. Surely their anger should also include anger at the killer and the role that Dale played in having the children removed in the first place. I've never said that they aren't grieving appropriately for Coral Rose, just that they are so dramatic and angry and placing blame everywhere and not mentioning the murder. People of all faiths want justice for murdered children.>>

You have to put yourself in the Vanderwoude's shoes before you judge them wanting. Better yet, read the posts on the Herald Tribune site.

These are senior citizens who are now suddenly caring for five children, one with bipolar and two autistic with needs for specialized care. They have not had a break from this parenting in months and were not allowed to leave the children even for a bathroom break in their mother's presence.

They are devastated by CoralRose's death but are not allowed by the court to discuss it with the children. When the children ask about CoralRose, they are forced by the court to change the subject.

The grandfather is ex-law enforcement. He does not have confidence in the investigation. They are angry that they were lied to by LE about the sex assault of CoralRose. The family was taking comfort in the previously attested fact that she was not assaulted sexually.

They are very, very angry with Dale, the father of these children. But these are the same people who are forced by the court to take the children to the supervised visits with this man who has been charged with possessing child of the worst sort.

They are honorable people who are trying to keep their family together and fulfill all the requirements of the court/DCFS. Until they are able to discuss CoralRose's death with the children, they are unable to move forward in the grieving process. As long as no one is charged in the case, there is no hope of helping these children in the way they need to be helped.

 

[txsvicki]

All the 12, 11, and 9 year olds need to do is talk to other kids at school or look at a newspaper and they will see all that the family is saying. Surely they know Coral Rose is dead and that she was murdered and are grieving. The VanderWoudes can get the children counseling, see their religious leaders, care for them, protect them from Dale, protect them from the person with the dna, discuss what has happened, and help the children just by taking care of them. They are helping them just by taking them in. I'm old and taking care of kids with problems with no hope of them going back to their Mom or ever getting any breaks at all, so I'm not judging how overwhelmed they are. If DFCS had just investigated the house conditions, the grandparents could still have ended up in this position even if Coral Rose had not been murdered. I just don't buy that their religion keeps them from helping the surviving children just because they aren't all completely cleared imediately from any suspicions. That's what they seem to want, for everyone including Dale to be completely cleared, and right now. They don't seem to understand that it takes awhile for anyone to get their children back once they are taken away. It's not just Beth.

 

[twinkiesmom]

<<I just don't buy that their religion keeps them from helping the surviving children just because they aren't all completely cleared imediately from any suspicions. That's what they seem to want, for everyone including Dale to be completely cleared, and right now.>>

It's not religion...it's one of the stipulations of their custody that they not discuss CoralRose's death with the other children.

No one in the VanderWoude family is supporting Dale.

 

[coralrosemom]

We would prefer to be angry with the murderer(s), however the police have not given us the oppurtunity to know who was involved. therefore we are angry with them. I believe it is called displaced anger. The North Port police have a very poor record when it comes to solving murder 3/8 in the history of the town (50 yrs or so I believe). Someone can find and post the link to the article that researched the statistic.

and please my name is Ellen or Ellen-Beth, NOT BETH. Beth Fullwood is my sister in law.

Also since I have never spoken with you all prior how can you deign to decide that we are not grieving enough for you? We do not belong to the Jerry Springer school. Our pain in private. Hiding in ladies room stall to cry silently because the buffet had buttered mushrooms (her favorite). [one example only of a several time a day occurance].
Ellen

 

[Taximom]

Welcome, Ellen.

I'm extremely sorry for your loss. I hope they find the person that did this soon.

Blessings.

Taximom

 

[RiverRat]

Good morning, Ellen. Welcome to our forum and thank you for sharing the photograph of CoralRose with us, it is a very sweet snapshot.

I have kept the news of your daughter's case posted here as to take it national because I am aware of how small North Port is. Yes - their unsolved stats are high but those numbers include multiple murders - 6 -on one night from way back.

I do hope that you can find a way to refocus your displaced anger and understand that your rare situation calls for certain procedures from law enforcement.

Your grieving process has not been all private, sweetie, since you have decided months ago to go public with your postings, but I do know that you have those alone moments when moved by a memory topped with not having your former support system there by your side like you were accustomed to in the past.

Your better off staying focused on issues that are within your control right now and let fate takes its course. Best wishes to your regrouping...