FL - Somer Thompson, 7, Orange Park, 19 Oct 2009 #33

[ChickenPants]

That's what I read too.

I must say that to be uncooperative would have kept DCFS on her a lot longer. What were her choices? To tell them to go away and mind their own business? To say "I don't care whether they walk home or not?"

We all know that in Florida with the overwhelming caseloads DCFS workers have, many children have died. There are plenty of files where caseworkers documented "not founded" that are now closed for good. Not long ago the entire system was investigated because of the number of children who didn't make it. This isn't the first and won't be the last of it.

I'd like to know what everyone is trying to prove here, by selecting one paragraph out of the whole report. I already posted a link on child endangerment, which specifically states that children 10 and under were considered endangered if not properly supervised. This is not my opinion.

Proof of this is in a casket under the ground in Orange Park. And after saying she "felt guilty" and "blamed herself", now DT is back to defending herself again.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

But, it was investigated and she cooperated and was told what she was doing was ok.

 

[ChickenPants]

And that it was acceptable for them to walk home when necessary.

I would like to know what constitutes "necessary", given that they walked home all of the time and that Somer ran off constantly. "Necessary" to whom? With free after-school care offered on the campus, it would not have been necessary for them to walk home at all, nor for neighbors to have to take them home. As it was, they walked home, and were not supervised there until after 4:00 p.m. at least, whenever DT came home, depending on when she got home. And BTW she was not a "single mom", she had a live-in boyfriend. That gives her one more option for assistance, financial or other.

 

[Noway]

Diena Thompson pissed me off with this one. And for the record, the YMCA after-school program ends at 6 p.m.

IF she worked at OP office, she could have made it there on time.

IF she worked in Jax office, she could have made it there on time.

Her lawyer should have reviewed all those interviews.

:banghead: :banghead::banghead:

From article:
Thompson continues to grieve over Somer’s Oct. 19 disappearance and slaying, which remains unsolved. She said that she has always cared for her children’s well-being and allowed them to walk home on rare occasions when she worked and couldn’t get them a ride. Somer disappeared on one of those days. Her siblings have received rides every day since, Thompson told the Times-Union Wednesday.


OR

And as usual, the children were to walk home together. Friends' parents would keep an eye on them.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/somer-thompson-mother-diena-searches-killer/story?id=9029804l

OR

Diena says the kids got a ride in morning and walked in evening (in nice weather). ~ @ 2:21 in Diena Thompson addresses the media http://jacksonville.com/video?bcpid=...id=45725057001

 

[Ms Suzanne]

I would like to know what constitutes "necessary", given that they walked home all of the time and that Somer ran off constantly. "Necessary" to whom? With free after-school care offered on the campus, it would not have been necessary for them to walk home at all, nor for neighbors to have to take them home. As it was, they walked home, and were not supervised there until after 4:00 p.m. at least, whenever DT came home, depending on when she got home. And BTW she was not a "single mom", she had a live-in boyfriend. That gives her one more option for assistance, financial or other.

They found no wrong doing.

 

[ChickenPants]

I am not one to stick up for DT when it comes to the home life and structure that she did or didn't provide for her children -- she gets an -F from me -- but she is still one leg up upon those that physically abuse their children, burn their skin with cigarettes and lock them in closets for weeks at a time -- so there is a bright side. At least we didn't see any of this stuff in the report ---- However, most of us have discussed these "rumors" right? So, now there is some "fact" on the table. I also want to add that I am willing to bet my last bottom dollar there were some other signs severe enough to make this social worker pick up the phone -- maybe the fighting at school, maybe the kids emotional states....who knows whatever it may be. I am sure it wasn't pretty. Do I hold her negligent, you bet because she could have done more for her kids -- you can always do more in life.

Crappy mom, IMO but she is still a mom like it or not and her daughter was murdered. But IMO, she did not murder Somer with her own hands. I have openly admitted that I change my opinions and theories -- when I believe in one, it is for a reason. And my new opinion is the MOST STRONG of any opinion I have ever had on this case. I think it is fine for people to still suspect mom or whomever they want. IMO, to be a good sleuther you would always being willing to keep an open mind to look into evidence and such over and over and over--when all is said and done -if your opinion is still the same then so be it.

That is what WS is about - sleuthing.

Once and for all, I personally have never said DT murdered her child. Whoever did had plenty of opportunities, and not just on this ONE day. And after having been "outed" by the press for child negligence investigation she chooses to talk about herself and how unfair it is for people to judge her when her daugher is dead, I find totally repugnant. What is her point? If she is so certain that she bears no responsibility, there should be nothing to defend.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

She's had to defend herself since day one IMO
What she says, how she says it, what she wears, who she sleeps with, how she treats her ex, tears/no tears,
the list goes on and on.
Why does she feel defensive???? I wonder.

 

[pinamia]

And that it was acceptable for them to walk home when necessary.

No it wasn't. She was investigated for not providing safety and in the end Somer died without safety.

 

[ChickenPants]

The recommendations/suggestions weren't followed.
DFS decided that DT was working to rectify safety issues and she didn't.

Also, "Thompson said a family friend had been transporting the children and that would continue." DFS can only go by what info was given to them. They aren't the police etc who can enforce anything. They were just going by what DT told them and she denied knowing her kids got lost or wandered.

DCFS worker should be terminated. This person should have interviewed neighbors, the social worker at school, looked at records. Anybody can clean up their act for a couple of weeks when they know they are being watched.

EVERYBODY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD EXCEPT DT KNEW THAT SOMER WANDERED. Hopefully, this article will be just the beginning of that proverbial rope that when given enough of it helps a liar to hang him/herself. DT has done a great community service here, because now maybe any other moms who are thinking about turning a blind eye will think twice. And DCFS will be a little more careful, at least for a while, because this is PUBLIC news of
negligence resulting in the death of an innocent child who should have been protected.

LE is not stupid. That's my belief and my hope.

 

[pinamia]

They found no wrong doing.

If Somer didn't die on her walk from school, then this would be a non issue. But she did die on her walk from school. I wonder if they would find wrong doing on October 19 or are they covering up their own incompetence for not fully protecting Somer knowing full well that there were over 100 rso during her walk.

Unfortunately, I think blame should go to the school system, DT and CFS for not providing for this child especially when they KNEW that she was at risk.

 

[pinamia]

DCFS worker should be terminated. This person should have interviewed neighbors, the social worker at school, looked at records. Anybody can clean up their act for a couple of weeks when they know they are being watched.

EVERYBODY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD EXCEPT DT KNEW THAT SOMER WANDERED. Hopefully, this article will be just the beginning of that proverbial rope that when given enough of it helps a liar to hang him/herself. DT has done a great community service here, because now maybe any other moms who are thinking about turning a blind eye will think twice. And DCFS will be a little more careful, at least for a while, because this is PUBLIC news of
negligence resulting in the death of an innocent child who should have been protected.

LE is not stupid. That's my belief and my hope.

I agree. I would fire this worker who clearly was wrong about the risk level. Somer and her siblings were at very high risk.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

No it wasn't. She was investigated for not providing safety and in the end Somer died without safety.

BBM

Yes, she was investigated, but no wrong doing was found and case was closed.

There are a lot of people who are investigated everyday. Does not mean they are guilty of anything IMO unless the investigation says they are.
This investigation said other wise.

 

[Ms Suzanne]

If Somer didn't die on her walk from school, then this would be a non issue. But she did die on her walk from school. I wonder if they would find wrong doing on October 19 or are they covering up their own incompetence for not fully protecting Somer knowing full well that there were over 100 rso during her walk.

Unfortunately, I think blame should go to the school system, DT and CFS for not providing for this child especially when they KNEW that she was at risk.

Children and Families concluded the allegation about the children getting lost and being found with a stranger had no basis. It also found Diena Thompson properly arranged for her children to be taken to and from school, about a mile away, and that it was acceptable for them to walk home when necessary.


Somer was not alone walking home.Her siblings and other school children were with her.I do strongly blame the school sytem.They need a bus to pick them up.

 

[Ms Suzanne]

I pray there is an arrest soon and Somers killer is caught so all this can finally end and there is justice for this pretty little girl.

 

[pinamia]

BBM

Yes, she was investigated, but no wrong doing was found and case was closed.

There are a lot of people who are investigated everyday. Does not mean they are guilty of anything IMO unless the investigation says they are.
This investigation said other wise.

This investigation could never have proven otherwise unless DT admitted to neglect. She said she never knew her kids wandered. Most of what she said was a lie. Now the workers are only going by what she says. They were quick to close the case thinking that Somer was safe and of course that has been proven wrong.

 

[pinamia]

I pray there is an arrest soon and Somers killer is caught so all this can finally end and there is justice for this pretty little girl.

So do I. RIP Somer.

 

[ChickenPants]

If Somer didn't die on her walk from school, then this would be a non issue. But she did die on her walk from school. I wonder if they would find wrong doing on October 19 or are they covering up their own incompetence for not fully protecting Somer knowing full well that there were over 100 rso during her walk.

Unfortunately, I think blame should go to the school system, DT and CFS for not providing for this child especially when they KNEW that she was at risk.

The school system is not responsible for children once they leave the campus. Teachers accompany their students all the way to the buses, pick up points for parents, or the point where walkers go home. It is not the school's job to babysit for negligent parents.

The school social worker was already concerned and involved. I have already stated previously it's likely there had been one or more times Somer had been looked at by guidance counselor, etc., regarding fighting or other issues. It was widely known she took off. This isn't a bubble. What one person knows other people know. Likely other kids and their parents knew. They saw her every day.

The whole system (lack of communication, follow-up and making DT accountable) failed Somer. Including, IMO, other parents and neighbors who knew what was going on but failed to call DCFS or "get involved". Nobody, it seems, was keeping an eye on these kids even though Somer went to neighbors' houses looking for playmates or was seen by the water, treehouses, etc.....there are 33 threads about Somer and her activities and who might have killed her. She was killed because she was not being watched.

Primarily it is the parent's responsibility. DT is not the victim here. Somer was the victim.

 

[Dee10]

Not sure how much a bus helps in general, if kids do not have anyone at home & are allowed to roam KWIM? Buses in a neighborhood this congested so to speak, wouldn't be stopping right in front of your house.

 

[Ms Suzanne]

She's had to defend herself since day one IMO
What she says, how she says it, what she wears, who she sleeps with, how she treats her ex, tears/no tears,
the list goes on and on.
Why does she feel defensive???? I wonder.

I agree.She has had to defend herself.It's wrong and very sick of people.

 

[NSC]

I feel very very strongly it is the schools fault and never should have let elementary school kids walk in the first place.I hold them responsible.

What ever happened to motto of being responsible for their own? The school did not have intercourse and produce a child - DT did -the schools job is to EDUCATE the children doing their abcs and 123's -- so they can grow up and be responsible citizens get a job and get raped by the tax system like the rest of us already do. Not only that - the school social worker DID HER JOB and called in the complaint!!!

It STARTS with the PARENTS! It ENDS with the parents.

Schools can only do so much.

TAXPAYERS CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH! WHERE WILL IT END? It is like people think money grows on trees all of a sudden in this country?? Lets spend what we don't have -- Have you researched the schools annual budget?

THIS IS WHAT IS WRONG IN AMERICA!!! There is a LACK of parenting!!!!!!

I will QUESTION anyone who wants to place blame outside the home - Another thing that is wrong with the ideals in this country - blame everyone else but never look in the mirror

"POOOOOOORRRRR MMEEEEE"...I'm a single mom, I make 14hr - ALL EXCUSES - GIVE ME A BREAK! I know woman who have BUSTED their humps to take care of their children, make sure they were disciplined and sent their kids off to college!
She is where she is by the choices SHE made! You reap what you sow!!!

Her kids are the INNOCENT ones in this ENTIRE SAD SAD story!!! And now Somer is gone and murdered!!! So where should we look and place blame??? The school? WE KNOW SHE WAS A BAD MOM as far as being a responsible parent-- Anyone who looks at DT as a stellar parent can't be of sane and sound mind, IMO -- But that doesn't change the fact that her daughter was murdered --- we are HERE FOR SOMER!!!! Somebody out there murdered her -- and like I said DT might be to blame when it comes to her CHOICES in how she took care of the kids -- but I do not believe she would have ever wished for someone to take her child, murder her and throw her in the trash. I PRAY she makes positive changes in her life. Some people are not capable of this however.

This isn't exactly rocket science - what thread are we on now?? this has all been discussed but dismissed as vicious rumor - now its fact and I believe there is MORE to this story.

You are entitled to your opinion and that is fine I STRONGLY disagree to the highest degree.