GUILTY FL - Phoebe Jonchuck, 5, dropped from 60' bridge, St Petersburg, 8 Jan 2015

[kimi_SFC]

http://tbo.com/news/politics/lawmak...changes-after-phoebe-jonchuck-death-20150329/

:gthanks: OkieGranny! :loveyou:

Impatiently :waiting: until June 9th.....

:sigh:


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[MsMarple]

The Jonchuck case has not gotten the same attention this legislative session as issues such as Medicaid expansion, gambling and tax cuts.

“It is amazing that this child is dead and it’s like it’s been forgotten already,” said Linda Osmundson, executive director at Community Action Stops Abuse, a battered women’s shelter in St. Petersburg.

“We’d rather talk about almost anything else,” Osmundson said. “Or rather, put our heads in the sand and pretend things like that never happen.”

http://tbo.com/news/politics/lawmak...changes-after-phoebe-jonchuck-death-20150329/

:stormingmad:

 

[CarolinaMoon]

I've been following the Ahizya Osceola case and, as with too many cases, CPS has failed to protect children. Today, I found this case through Sword and Scale, Episode 41. It is a complete summary of the case with any number of audio sections (too long to be called clips). They include the lawyer's calls, the mother's interview on a call-in program, and much more. I spent nearly an hour listening. Atrocious that no real change has happened. Here I am, broken-hearted again.

http://swordandscale.com/sword-and-scale-episode-41/

I'm off to read many of the links posted throughout the thread.

 

[KateB]

Received via e-mail tonight:

Feature: The Long Fall of Phoebe Jonchuck
Dear Readers,
This week, we share with you the wrenching story of Phoebe Jonchuck, a 5-year-old girl whose father dropped her from a bridge into Tampa Bay.
When John Jonchuck Jr. was arrested, a year ago this week, readers across the country wondered:
What happened in Phoebe's short life that led to this? How could her father do such a thing?
With photographer Cherie Diez, I spent six months combing through records from police, the courts and the DCF. Cherie and I talked to Phoebe's mother, grandmother and great-uncles. We interviewed five single moms who had let John and Phoebe move in with them. More than 50 people shared their stories.
Some of you might remember another little girl I wrote about in 2008, named Dani, who spent most of 7 years in a roach-infested room. The tragedy in The Girl in the Window was that Dani was hidden away where no one could help her. This story is outrageous for the opposite reason. Lots of people knew Phoebe, a happy child who helped her kindergarten classmates zip their jackets and brought out the best in everyone who loved her. And they knew her father, a violent and unstable man.
Now, while Phoebe's dad makes crafts in a mental institution, declared incompetent to stand trial, those who knew John wonder whether he is really insane, or just a master manipulator.
The people in Phoebe’s life now worry they should have done more. State authorities admit they didn't do enough.
That’s why the journalists who produced this project hope you will read and share The Long Fall of Phoebe Jonchuck, online today and in the Tampa Bay Times on Sunday, so that Phoebe’s story might raise awareness for other children who need our attention.
Sincerely,
Lane DeGregory
Times Staff Writer


The Long Fall of Phoebe Jonchuck
by Lane DeGregory
Photography and video by Cherie Diez
http://www.tampabay.com/projects/2016/features/the-long-fall-of-phoebe-jonchuck/

Looks like a must read.

 

[JanetElaine]

Finished reading chapter 1. Wow. Definitely a must read. Taking a break now though.... fear I'd get nightmares tonight. Phoebe was only a little bit younger than my youngest. I can't imagine....

:rose: Rest in peace Phoebe....

 

[MsMarple]

Received via e-mail tonight:

Feature: The Long Fall of Phoebe Jonchuck
Dear Readers,
This week, we share with you the wrenching story of Phoebe Jonchuck, a 5-year-old girl whose father dropped her from a bridge into Tampa Bay.
When John Jonchuck Jr. was arrested, a year ago this week, readers across the country wondered:
What happened in Phoebe's short life that led to this? How could her father do such a thing?
With photographer Cherie Diez, I spent six months combing through records from police, the courts and the DCF. Cherie and I talked to Phoebe's mother, grandmother and great-uncles. We interviewed five single moms who had let John and Phoebe move in with them. More than 50 people shared their stories.
Some of you might remember another little girl I wrote about in 2008, named Dani, who spent most of 7 years in a roach-infested room. The tragedy in The Girl in the Window was that Dani was hidden away where no one could help her. This story is outrageous for the opposite reason. Lots of people knew Phoebe, a happy child who helped her kindergarten classmates zip their jackets and brought out the best in everyone who loved her. And they knew her father, a violent and unstable man.
Now, while Phoebe's dad makes crafts in a mental institution, declared incompetent to stand trial, those who knew John wonder whether he is really insane, or just a master manipulator.
The people in Phoebe’s life now worry they should have done more. State authorities admit they didn't do enough.
That’s why the journalists who produced this project hope you will read and share The Long Fall of Phoebe Jonchuck, online today and in the Tampa Bay Times on Sunday, so that Phoebe’s story might raise awareness for other children who need our attention.
Sincerely,
Lane DeGregory
Times Staff Writer


The Long Fall of Phoebe Jonchuck
by Lane DeGregory
Photography and video by Cherie Diez
http://www.tampabay.com/projects/2016/features/the-long-fall-of-phoebe-jonchuck/

Looks like a must read.

Wow - what a powerful story! It makes you wonder just how mentally unstable the father is. Thanks for the link!

Phoebe's mother has filed a lawsuit against Florida DCF:

The mother of a 5-year-old girl thrown off a bridge to her death has retained an attorney and is now filing suit against the Department of Children and Families.
...
Kerr is now represented by Adam Brum, an attorney with Morgan & Morgan.

In a phone interview with ABC Action News on Wednesday, Brum explained that DCF has been notified they are collecting documents and intend to file a lawsuit in the near future.

According to Brum, they will first try to settle out of court. If DCF fails to do so, then the lawsuit will proceed.

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/r...her-5-year-old-daughter-should-still-be-alive

Johchuck is due back in court February 23.

 

[MamaJoJo]

Reading that article shows just how tragic this entire situation was for all of the Jonchucks for generations and all of the people who had any association with them over the years. One thing that struck me (well, the entire article is riveting) is how the day care operator never suspected a thing was amiss with the family. She only saw love and care exhibited towards Phoebe who was always well groomed and never showed signs of distress. Only once Phoebe missed one, then two, then three days (without word from the family) did a red glad raise. She died the night of the third missed school day.

IMO, this article clearly shows how off his rocker JJ is and I wonder why some suspect he is faking. Anyway, there were hundreds of incidents in which something could have been done to possibly change the course of that fateful night on the bridge. I hope people can learn from this tragedy and maybe intervene more successfully if they are ever in one of these situations.

 

[LinasK]

I remember hearing about this case in the news when it happened. After reading that article I believe that although the father has mental illness and is a violent drug abuser who never should have had custody of her, he killed her to keep anyone else from taking custody of her- specifically his ex- the girl's mother and his mother. He was jealous of the Christmas presents his mother bought for her since she abandoned him as a boy.

 

[LinasK]

The Jonchuck case has not gotten the same attention this legislative session as issues such as Medicaid expansion, gambling and tax cuts.

“It is amazing that this child is dead and it’s like it’s been forgotten already,” said Linda Osmundson, executive director at Community Action Stops Abuse, a battered women’s shelter in St. Petersburg.

“We’d rather talk about almost anything else,” Osmundson said. “Or rather, put our heads in the sand and pretend things like that never happen.”

http://tbo.com/news/politics/lawmak...changes-after-phoebe-jonchuck-death-20150329/

:stormingmad:

So many people failed this child on so many levels, including the lawyer. If only she'd kept her!! And they kept saying he was a low risk!! And dad "didn't want raising her". Yet the uncles were the most normal people in the family. They would've provided a stable, loving nice home for her.

 

[JanetElaine]

I can kind of understand the lawyer not keeping her. I've been in situations too (although not often) where I thought "maybe I should do.... " this or that, you don't want to be an alarmist, and thankfully this has never worked out wrong in my case. And after years and much gained experience, today I would err on the side of caution and be an alarmist and look like a fool if needed. But personally, I can't blame the lawyer. At least she tried to help.

Other than that I agree 100% with all you posted, especially about the uncles. I'd be devastated if I were them (and they probably are). In their care and the house they live (lived?) in, Phoebe would have been able to lead an amazing life.

 

[0101ABA]

Judge again rules Jonchuck still not competent to stand trial

For the third time since January 2015, a judge says the man charged with first-degree murder for dropping his daughter off a Tampa Bay bridge is not competent to stand trial.

(...)

Jonchuck, 26, is currently receiving treatment at a state hospital, where he has been since he was first declared mentally incompetent to stand trial in February 2015.

Jonchuck was not present in the courtroom Tuesday.

(...)

Assistant state attorney Doug Ellis said in court the Department of Corrections report on Jonchuck’s competency says the Tampa man’s condition is improving, and a formal evaluation on his competency is set to be done in the next two to four weeks.

Lawyers on the case are set to return to court June 7.

http://www.tbo.com/pinellas-county/...-still-not-competent-to-stand-trial-20160223/

 

[JanetElaine]

Thank you for the update.

 

[jjenny]

So many people failed this child on so many levels, including the lawyer. If only she'd kept her!! And they kept saying he was a low risk!! And dad "didn't want raising her". Yet the uncles were the most normal people in the family. They would've provided a stable, loving nice home for her.

You can't just keep somebody's kid. Unless you want to be charged with kidnapping.

 

[LinasK]

You can't just keep somebody's kid. Unless you want to be charged with kidnapping.

I didn't mean permanently, I mean temporarily while the girl was in danger, until help could be gotten for the father instead of letting him walk out with her. I highly doubt this guy would've been sane enough and had the forethought to charge his lawyer with kidnapping.

 

[jjenny]

I didn't mean permanently, I mean temporarily while the girl was in danger, until help could be gotten for the father instead of letting him walk out with her. I highly doubt this guy would've been sane enough and had the forethought to charge his lawyer with kidnapping.

Lawyer reported his strange behavior to the police. Police talked to him and let him go (and the child was with him). So this guy was sane enough to talk to the police and convince them he wasn't a threat.

 

[ninij9]

The medical examiner reported bruises the size of cantaloupe to the back, bruises on jaw and lip, bleeding to brain and abrasion on ankle. Is this consistent with a fall into the water? Is this common injury of a bridge fall does anyone know?

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[MamaJoJo]

The medical examiner reported bruises the size of cantaloupe to the back, bruises on jaw and lip, bleeding to brain and abrasion on ankle. Is this consistent with a fall into the water? Is this common injury of a bridge fall does anyone know?

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Isn't falling from a tall bridge into water likened to falling onto concrete from the same height?

 

[ninij9]

Isn't falling from a tall bridge into water likened to falling onto concrete from the same height?

This is what I was hoping. I'm trying to make myself believe the impact rendered the little angel unconscious.

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[MamaJoJo]

Oh, it's just so awful. Precious little baby!

 

[pappa rob]

Isn't falling from a tall bridge into water likened to falling onto concrete from the same height?

That depends on the height that you fall.