GUILTY FL - Lakeland girl, 14, charged with killing newborn son, 19 Sept 2012

[Mama-cita]

Considering that even if he is 14, he still was engaging in illegal behavior (it's not legal for two 14 year olds to have sex in FL), so I really don't think he has a leg to stand on. Considering prosecutor can charge him for having illegal sex.

I don't think having "illegal sex" compares to what she did. IMO he, if he is the father of the baby, very much has the right to file a wrongful death suit against the girl and her family. But I don't think they have much so I don't know what he would accomplish financially, unless he just wants to do it to make a point. I don't think he or the girl will be charged for having sex, because prosecutors could not charge one without charging the other, then each perpetrator is also a victim, which would be a legal nightmare. But I respectfully disagree that he couldn't file a civil lawsuit against the girl and her family if DNA proves he is the father of the baby. I would also think if he took legal action against the girl and her family that he and his family could be awarded the baby's remains in order to bury/cremate etc...JMO

 

[Shelby2]

Hadn't thought of that! In many homes that's the way it is, the inmates rule the asylum. Parents are afraid of their kids. I don't see how she could NOT know with a place so small and everyone else knowing and telling her.

Even if that is the case, when it gets to the point that your child is in a dangerous situation you do something, or at least ask for help.

 

[Shelby2]

Imagine how he parents of this boy (if he is the dad) must feel. That was their grandchild. It must be awful for them.

 

[Reader]

Well, I'm hoping that before whoever is allowed to bury our little Baby Goodman, someone will give him a proper name...is he still being held by the medical examiner/funeral home?
Does no one want to claim him, or is he being held per LE/prosecutors?

When I think of his little unwanted body I can't stand it!!!

 

[Reader]

Yep, same article I paraphrased in post #285 above.

So, for my own education, is this not considered re-publishing? Is quoting the article different from re-publishing?? Mods?

http://www.theledger.com/article/20121008/NEWS/121009392

NOT A MOD, but noticed on the link that you can email, print and share the articles there, so I don't think there is anything against quoting on the forum as usual, 10% allowed....think that is for legal purposes to keep other newspapers, reporters, websites from claiming as their own work....(IMO and this may not be completely correct but I tried, lol).....

 

[Mama-cita]

Well, I'm hoping that before whoever is allowed to bury our little Baby Goodman, someone will give him a proper name...is he still being held by the medical examiner/funeral home?
Does no one want to claim him, or is he being held per LE/prosecutors?

When I think of his little unwanted body I can't stand it!!!

I hope so too. It's so sad. He's in the refrigerator at the coroner. Awful awful awful. Especially when you think about how warm and cuddly a newborn is.

 

[Cracka*Jaxx]

... IMO he, if he is the father of the baby, very much has the right to file a wrongful death suit against the girl and her family. But I don't think they have much so I don't know what he would accomplish financially, unless he just wants to do it to make a point.

The girl and her family may not have much now, but we can't predict what they may have in the future. They could come into a family inheritance or even get paid for their story for a movie deal. Being only 14, the girl has a lifetime ahead of her, if she doesn't spend it in prison. If I had the means to file a suit against this dysfunctional family, I certainly would.

 

[JeannaT]

I don't think having "illegal sex" compares to what she did. IMO he, if he is the father of the baby, very much has the right to file a wrongful death suit against the girl and her family. But I don't think they have much so I don't know what he would accomplish financially, unless he just wants to do it to make a point. I don't think he or the girl will be charged for having sex, because prosecutors could not charge one without charging the other, then each perpetrator is also a victim, which would be a legal nightmare. But I respectfully disagree that he couldn't file a civil lawsuit against the girl and her family if DNA proves he is the father of the baby. I would also think if he took legal action against the girl and her family that he and his family could be awarded the baby's remains in order to bury/cremate etc...JMO

In my opinion, the state would have NO call to charge two minors for the crime of having consensual sex with each other. That opens a can of worms that would make criminals of almost all high school students.

If you were to charge a minor with a crime for having sex, you'd also have to charge doctors who put 16 year old girls on birth control pills at the request of parents.

As upset as everyone is over the death of this healthy full term baby, it's absolutely not workable to consider charging minors with the crime of sexual activity with each other.

 

[Ausgirl]

IMO the girl's mother was criminally negligent. So was her step-father. So were the teachers who 'suspected' or whom she actually told, who did not call Child Services to check the situation out.

I see a bunch of adults surrounding a child who'd witnessed her older sister's banishment from the family for the same 'crime' of being pregnant, whose denial was 100% supported by her mother.

I do think this crime was preventable. And it would have been, had the adults around her acted with due responsibility.

Forget charging any 14 yo father. Slap some responsibility into the adults who 'knew' or 'suspected' or should have eyes in their damn heads but did nothing, and let this young teenager cope with her various problems and fears (and possible mental issues) all alone.

While I am sad for that nameless little baby (and I hope somebody is kind enough to name and bury him, jeez.. ) and I do believe justice must be served for his murder, I am also quite sad for the other child involved.

Who is a child, who obviously had some problems, who was let down severely by ALL the adults around her - and should not, IMO, have been charged as an adult.

 

[Jersey*Girl]

Considering that even if he is 14, he still was engaging in illegal behavior (it's not legal for two 14 year olds to have sex in FL), so I really don't think he has a leg to stand on. Considering prosecutor can charge him for having illegal sex.

I don't think having "illegal sex" compares to what she did. IMO he, if he is the father of the baby, very much has the right to file a wrongful death suit against the girl and her family. But I don't think they have much so I don't know what he would accomplish financially, unless he just wants to do it to make a point. I don't think he or the girl will be charged for having sex, because prosecutors could not charge one without charging the other, then each perpetrator is also a victim, which would be a legal nightmare. But I respectfully disagree that he couldn't file a civil lawsuit against the girl and her family if DNA proves he is the father of the baby. I would also think if he took legal action against the girl and her family that he and his family could be awarded the baby's remains in order to bury/cremate etc...JMO

This is just my opinion...but...if this 14 y/o boy is threatened with being charged for engaging in illegal "underage" sexual activity, then all police officers in the State of FL should be polygraphed to see if any if them ever had sex at a young age, then consequently relieved of their duties since it's such a crime to partake in. Furthermore, heck - question them on how many times they paid for sex, bc I'm pretty sure that's illegal as well. For some reason I don't think this boy will get charged with anything, and I personally don't think he should be...but I hope to gosh he does end up bringing a civil suit irregardless if her parents have anything or not. It's the point.

 

[Jersey*Girl]

If a "teacher" suspects abuse of any kind is occurring with a child they're teaching, they are required to report it. Going on record after the fact only digs a hole for themselves. They could lose their jobs.

 

[jjenny]

I really don't see why some here think that the father of this baby should be profiting from impregnating an underage girl, even if he is underage himself. Whatever some might think about charging him, the law exists making it an illegal behavior. Why should someone profit from an illegal behavior?

 

[Peazzzer]

I know one thing, when my teenaged daughter lived at home, I kept my eye on that waste basket in the bathroom for signs of a period!!! Whew! I kept the cupboard stocked too, with supplies so I knew......just open the eyes and you see, think ahead just a little bit. This girl's mother must have been something else, or was related to Cindy Anthony!!!

 

[Ausgirl]

I'd be interested in what you all think her motives for placing the baby under her bed were, as opposed to say... stashing him in a gym bag and throwing his body in a local river, or burying him in the garden.

Why keep him in that particular place under her bed, after killing him? Did she think nobody would ever notice?

I'm torn between two ideas on this:

1. Out of sight, out of mind. This would follow neatly on from the nine months of denial she spent carrying the baby, as well as the act of tearing him out of her like some alien monster rather than her own tiny son. Maybe the basket thing of clothes under her bed was the first place she thought of that was 'hidden' and in her shaky mental state, she made herself believe none of it ever happened..

2. Maybe this was an expression of remorse -- she washed him, wrapped him in clothing and hid him under her bed. Not the greatest 'hiding' place, I am pretty sure this was not exactly a 'rational' decision. Maybe she wasn't attempting to avoid detection as much as trying to 'keep' her secret baby somewhere close -- and still very secret (albeit in a very disturbed and sick way)?

 

[jjenny]

Considering that she went to the hospital for the supposed "miscarriage" after giving birth, she might have not had time to dispose of the body.

 

[Jersey*Girl]

I really don't see why some here think that the father of this baby should be profiting from impregnating an underage girl, even if he is underage himself. Whatever some might think about charging him, the law exists making it an illegal behavior. Why should someone profit from an illegal behavior?

I'm not certain the 14 y/o boy knew it was an illegal activity, especially since its so natural. Do I think 14 is too young? Absolutely, but I can also tell you that the average "grade" for losing virginity in the US is "middle school". When I mentioned a suit, I'm not even considering this kid could gain thousands of dollars, etc. what I'm getting at is this: As much as I can't stand it, there are more 14 & 15 year olds that have experimented as opposed to those that have not. There are withoutadoubt le that have experimented as young teens as well. To make it an illegal activity? Not quite sure how I feel about that if both were consenting. However, this boy might not even grasp the full impact of what's happened here until he's older, more mature & responsible, and feels the inevitable tug of his heart strings when he grows up, gets married & has his own children. I can only wonder how this will impact him once he has that experience paired with comprehension. He could end up severely suffering from depression 10/20 years from now but it stemming to this incident. Guilt could override everything. He may not only need psychological help right now but maybe again as a grown man after having children, especially when those children become teenagers around the age he himself is right now. Illegal activity for having sex? They're 14. Young teens are inquisitive. It's a shame that they weren't more educated & lacked good judgement but in today's day & time when 6th graders are giving it's hard to say that kids should be charged with a crime for having sex just bc they're 14. It wasn't rape, it wasn't forced. To charge this boy after this girl killed their baby is abuse in itself imo. Kids that are 14 can babysit kids and stay home alone legally but it's against the law to partake in sex? Just not sure he should be charged. He's gonna suffer forever & its not his fault this girl killed their baby.

 

[Jersey*Girl]

I'd be interested in what you all think her motives for placing the baby under her bed were, as opposed to say... stashing him in a gym bag and throwing his body in a local river, or burying him in the garden.

Why keep him in that particular place under her bed, after killing him? Did she think nobody would ever notice?

I'm torn between two ideas on this:

1. Out of sight, out of mind. This would follow neatly on from the nine months of denial she spent carrying the baby, as well as the act of tearing him out of her like some alien monster rather than her own tiny son. Maybe the basket thing of clothes under her bed was the first place she thought of that was 'hidden' and in her shaky mental state, she made herself believe none of it ever happened..

2. Maybe this was an expression of remorse -- she washed him, wrapped him in clothing and hid him under her bed. Not the greatest 'hiding' place, I am pretty sure this was not exactly a 'rational' decision. Maybe she wasn't attempting to avoid detection as much as trying to 'keep' her secret baby somewhere close -- and still very secret (albeit in a very disturbed and sick way)?

I agree. I think she is or did suffer from a psychosis.

Maybe if her mother had sought counseling for her it would have ended up different. If I suspected my stepdaughter at the age of 14 was preggers, I certainly wouldn't go buy a preg test, I'd take her right to the doctor to do it the right way. Her mother said she knew her daughter had her period anyway, so she's definitely old enough to see a gyno if she's menstruating. The doctor would have determined she was pregnant & she'd have been counseled, it would have been ordered bc of her age. The mother failed her.

 

[Ausgirl]

Considering that she went to the hospital for the supposed "miscarriage" after giving birth, she might have not had time to dispose of the body.

Good call, that.

But then she still had three days before the child was discovered to dispose of him. It's possible she simply didn't get the chance. But having the body under her -bed-? I dunno...

 

[Jersey*Girl]

Still though, I'm not one of those people that believes people with a psychosis - even ppd - shouldn't be punished for their crimes. She killed her baby.

 

[jjenny]

Good call, that.

But then she still had three days before the child was discovered to dispose of him. It's possible she simply didn't get the chance. But having the body under her -bed-? I dunno...

How long did she stay in the hospital?