FL - Sarah Lunde, 13, murdered, Ruskin, 9 April 2005

[KatherineQ]

Richandfamous - no, he didn't act responsibly but in fact, she's not his responsibility. I know that sounds cold, I don't mean it to be. He's not responsible for her. Her mother is, and her father (NO one has ever mentioned that she has a dad, God only knows where that slacker is).

It's not like the brother hurt her, or attracted someone to the house who hurt her. His mistake is in being absorbed with his own life and his own self. That's what teenage boys are really really good at. Being absorbed in themselves. And the fact of the matter is, most teenage boys are allowed that luxury and aren't placed in the position of defending their younger sisters from murderers in the home.

We need to blame who is at fault here, and that's Onstott. And secondarily, God knows where her absent father is, and then her mother who misunderstood when Sarah would be home.

 

[packerdog]

Katherine, It seems that the mother could not even make a phone call home to find out if her son was ok, much less call the pastor to check up on her young daughter. A 17 yr. old boy left alone for the weekend needs more supervision than a 5yr.old now days. I can just imagine what kind of shape the house was in. I don't think there was all that much food in the house if Sarah asked her brother to bring her home some. What kind of a brother tells his young sister that he will bring food home and doesn't? I taught my boys to watch out for each other and thats what family members do.

 

[richandfamous]

Richandfamous - no, he didn't act responsibly but in fact, she's not his responsibility. I know that sounds cold, I don't mean it to be. He's not responsible for her. Her mother is, and her father (NO one has ever mentioned that she has a dad, God only knows where that slacker is).

It's not like the brother hurt her, or attracted someone to the house who hurt her. His mistake is in being absorbed with his own life and his own self. That's what teenage boys are really really good at. Being absorbed in themselves. And the fact of the matter is, most teenage boys are allowed that luxury and aren't placed in the position of defending their younger sisters from murderers in the home.

We need to blame who is at fault here, and that's Onstott. And secondarily, God knows where her absent father is, and then her mother who misunderstood when Sarah would be home.

My children are responsible for each other...they have to look out for each other. That's what families do! And YES Onstott is the evil bast**d that did this and he should die for it....but it is my job to NOT put my kids in risky situations. This wasn't the first time Sarah was neglected or alone at night. The pastor and his wife said she was alone much of the time. This kid didn't fall through a crack...she fell through a chasm as big as the grand canyon.

 

[packerdog]

:clap: :clap: :clap: richandfamous

 

[joanofarc]

My children are responsible for each other...they have to look out for each other. That's what families do! And YES Onstott is the evil bast**d that did this and he should die for it....but it is my job to NOT put my kids in risky situations. This wasn't the first time Sarah was neglected or alone at night. The pastor and his wife said she was alone much of the time. This kid didn't fall through a crack...she fell through a chasm as big as the grand canyon.

I agree totally R&F....you often hear of children, who are raised in "tough situations",where the siblings are very close due to the neglect of the mother/father....I just don't get the cruelty of saying...yep, I'll go get you some food and then go ahead and eat yourself and totally disregard your baby sister....:waitasec: .

Sorry but I wasn't raised like that...and we had tough times in my family...but my siblings ALWAYS took care of me

 

[KatherineQ]

Packerdog - at first, honestly, I thought the brother had killed Sarah. It seemed just totally unbelievable, that he didn't think anything of his door standing open like that, and her missing, and then that jerk arriving for the rest of his beer.

Then I thought of my own kids. People actually do comment, how kind they are to each other, how they help each other out and get along well. It's true, they do. I'm really blessed. But I could see this happening - one of them being 17 and going out for something to eat for a sister, running into friends and forgetting what he was doing. I can just see it - it's amazing how forgetful they can be. It's like, they'd lose their heads if they weren't attached. ;D

He's been abandoned by his father, he's grown up in a weird situation with weirdo violent boyfriends of his mother coming around threatening his safety, he didn't act attentively this time. And evil was lurking around the corner.

Who's to say if he had actually come home with food within the hour, anything at all would have been different for Sarah?

 

[joanofarc]

I wonder if Sarah was a bit confrontational...as in did she have a chip on her shoulder...anger issues?? It almost seemed like the brother thought...oh, she must have got mad at me and went to a friends...even though the door was left wide open....DUH...but it did make me wonder if Sarah had some issues and would run away or leave when something upset her??

 

[packerdog]

How very sad, she probably was waiting for her brother to show up with some food and a monster shows up and takes her. So very very sad.

 

[packerdog]

joanofarc,If he thought she left to go to a friends for food then he is a jerk to just go to bed.

 

[richandfamous]

Packerdog - at first, honestly, I thought the brother had killed Sarah. It seemed just totally unbelievable, that he didn't think anything of his door standing open like that, and her missing, and then that jerk arriving for the rest of his beer.

Then I thought of my own kids. People actually do comment, how kind they are to each other, how they help each other out and get along well. It's true, they do. I'm really blessed. But I could see this happening - one of them being 17 and going out for something to eat for a sister, running into friends and forgetting what he was doing. I can just see it - it's amazing how forgetful they can be. It's like, they'd lose their heads if they weren't attached. ;D

He's been abandoned by his father, he's grown up in a weird situation with weirdo violent boyfriends of his mother coming around threatening his safety, he didn't act attentively this time. And evil was lurking around the corner.

Who's to say if he had actually come home with food within the hour, anything at all would have been different for Sarah?

If he doesn't accept some responsibity here, he will be just another sperm donor like his father!

Kids aren't stupid, even without parental example they know when they should be responsible. Sometimes terrible things happen because we were not responsibly and that's how life teaches us. It's part of growing up and I hope he learns from this instead of going into denial about his part in this. His part of this responsibility is small in comparison to the others involved here but it will be life changing for him.

Now, more importantly, what do you thing about all the other people that failed Sarah?

 

[richandfamous]

:clap: :clap: :clap: richandfamous

back at you Packerdog. I guess we come from the old school. No wonder the young people are in such trouble these days. It's fightening for future generations. Glad I'll be dead. LOL

 

[concernedperson]

My children are responsible for each other...they have to look out for each other. That's what families do! And YES Onstott is the evil bast**d that did this and he should die for it....but it is my job to NOT put my kids in risky situations. This wasn't the first time Sarah was neglected or alone at night. The pastor and his wife said she was alone much of the time. This kid didn't fall through a crack...she fell through a chasm as big as the grand canyon.

Yes, we can rehash every possibility but the true fact is that this little girl was let down. By pretty much everyone she came in contact with...no one was especially preventative in her care and upbringing but rather complacent as life rolled along. Her life's example may be an eye opener for some and others may actually try harder to help kids who are in a disadvantaged position. I hope that this is the case.

 

[Miss Daisey]

My children are responsible for each other...they have to look out for each other. That's what families do! And YES Onstott is the evil bast**d that did this and he should die for it....but it is my job to NOT put my kids in risky situations. This wasn't the first time Sarah was neglected or alone at night. The pastor and his wife said she was alone much of the time. This kid didn't fall through a crack...she fell through a chasm as big as the grand canyon.

Yes, that seems to be the case...she just fell threw the chasm. Poor little girl.

I read last week that Sara's father lives in Zepherhills....north of Tampa...and hadn't been around in about 10yrs. Where does HE fit into this? You'd think that he'd have know about Sara's living conditions if he cared enough to inquire.

Mom should have been more attentive and vigilant about her daughter but her Dad had a responsiblity as well.

 

[richandfamous]

Yes, we can rehash every possibility but the true fact is that this little girl was let down. By pretty much everyone she came in contact with...no one was especially preventative in her care and upbringing but rather complacent as life rolled along. Her life's example may be an eye opener for some and others may actually try harder to help kids who are in a disadvantaged position. I hope that this is the case.

That is the point I'm trying to get across. Thanks! You said it well.

 

[richandfamous]

Yes, that seems to be the case...she just fell threw the chasm. Poor little girl.

I read last week that Sara's father lives in Zepherhills....north of Tampa...and hadn't been around in about 10yrs. Where does HE fit into this? You'd think that he'd have know about Sara's living conditions if he cared enough to inquire.

Mom should have been more attentive and vigilant about her daughter but her Dad had a responsiblity as well.

The sperm donor has a long criminal history including bigamy...so obviously he has no regard for anyone.

 

[Miss Daisey]

The sperm donor has a long criminal history including bigamy...so obviously he has no regard for anyone.

Well H**L !!!! What a bunch of low-lifes !!!!

I'm beginning to think the state should take all such kids away from parents such as Sara's. I know the kids love their parents...they don't know anything different but....we're seeing what can happen to them. Anything is better than living like that !!!

 

[Liz]

Does anyone know where her mother worked, what kind of job she had?

I heard that she worked in a 'nursery'.

Sarah's youth pastor and his sister (Sarah's friend) were being interviewed by Greta, I think, and that's what 'sis' said. I thought she may have said 'Publix Nursery', but can't say with certainty.


ETA: I googled to see if there was a Publix Nursery, and found that there is a Hubbell's Nursery in Ruskin. I think it's probable that this is what Sarah's friend said, in that interview.

 

[KatherineQ]

I think I just need to get out of this thread.

I understand that Sarah would probably be alive today if she lived in better circumstances, but that didn't keep Adam Walsh alive, and it didn't keep Elizabeth Smart home in her bed. Or countless others who have been nabbed by predators and killed, despite coming from excellent homes with two parent loving families.

She lived in neglect, but it didn't appear she lived with abuse. She had a close circle of loving church friends, who went way above and beyond to surround her with support.

It's a tragedy that she's gone. And Onstott is to blame.

Take care, all. I'm really out of this.

 

[joanofarc]

I heard that she worked in a 'nursery'.

Sarah's youth pastor and his sister (Sarah's friend) were being interviewed by Greta, I think, and that's what 'sis' said. I thought she may have said 'Publix Nursery', but can't say with certainty.

Does anyone know if Publix has their own nursery in close proximity to where the Lunde's lived?

As in, a "plant" nursery or a "people" nursery... ?? :waitasec:

eta:....rofl...I bet it's a fish nursery....

 

[joanofarc]

She lived in neglect, but it didn't appear she lived with abuse. She had a close circle of loving church friends, who went way above and beyond to surround her with support.

Yes, but that's the problem! The circle of "close loving" church members can only do so much...IMO the responsibility lies with the parent(s)....

Is anyone "in tune" with a trend happening, here??....

I have read more in the news of late "less" fortunate girls falling prey to the horrible monsters their mothers seem to have wlcomed and embraced with open arms? These neglected and IMO abused young girls are at least getting more media exposure ...it's about time!! How many more are out there that we not hearing about.....??

It is time for society to wise up and look at what is really happening to our kids...good homes, bad homes,...it really doesn't matter anymore....Women have to get with the program and realize that there is more at stake when they expose their children to dangerous individuals all in the pursuit of their OWN gratification...We are too much of a "me" society...the old "I deserve this"...just ain't workin anymore...:doh: