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

[pinamia]

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 neighbor this congested so to speak, wouldn't be stopping right in front of your house.

100% correct. Somer even with a babysitter would roam and not come home. I feel so bad for Somer. She was a victim of a killer but before that she was a victim of neglect.

 

[Ms Suzanne]

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.

This is a very very sore topic with me.I feel very strongly the school needs to be held accountable for the safety of our children.Especially younger children.They need a bus system.I hope and pray somers mother is sueing the school system.Maybe it will make them be responsible.

 

[pinamia]

This is a very very sore topic with me.I feel very strongly the school needs to be held accountable for the safety of our children.Especially younger children.They need a bus system.I hope and pray somers mother is sueing the school system.Maybe it will make them be responsible.

Somer roamed even after she got home. She was neglected. DT can't sue because in the trial she would be accused of neglect and she would most likely lose.

Of course, the school did fail in it's responsibilities. It is unbelieviable that they let a 7 year old and even when she was 6 years old go home without an adult.

 

[Ms Suzanne]

Somer roamed even after she got home. She was neglected. DT can't sue because in the trial she would be accused of neglect and she would most likely lose.

Of course, the school did fail in it's responsibilities. It is unbelieviable that they let a 7 year old and even when she was 6 years old go home without an adult.

I'll say this then no more.I've had enough.The school needs to be made accountable for our childrens safety.They need a bus system.Somer was not alone.She was with her siblings and other children and did not walk alone most of the time.How many of the kids walked home?Again they found no neglect.Case closed.Maybe we can go investigate the facts we do know now.I pray we hear of an arrest soon for little Somers sake.

 

[NSC]

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.

the system is not perfect and it failed Somer -- In fact in Florida alone the system has failed MANY children :banghead:

 

[NSC]

I'll say this then no more.I've had enough.The school needs to be made accountable for our childrens safety.They need a bus system.Somer was not alone.She was with her siblings and other children and did not walk alone most of the time.How many of the kids walked home?Again they found no neglect.Case closed.Maybe we can go investigate the facts we do know now.I pray we hear of an arrest soon for little Somers sake.

A bus may or may not have saved Somer -- she roamed the neighborhood equally or if not more after she had already made it home -- AS STATED BY MANY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. You are using a bus as a crutch to place blame on why Somer was murdered. It would be a perfect world I guess if all kids got the bus home -- what next though? They get home, now what? That is all on the parents!!!

ChickP - where are all those facts and statistics you are so WONDERFUL to be posting about family dynamic and the demise of children due to lack of a strong and healthy one --

 

[eyes4crime]

Are people still so naive as to think discipline in the home prevents pedophilia. Don't people know about the fathers who molest their children in their own homes, for years - is that considered 'good discipline'? Let me get this right - anything that happens to a child during the waking hours at school is due to the lack of discipline in the home???? Sounds like a political stance to me. mho

 

[Ms Suzanne]

A bus may or may not have saved Somer -- she roamed the neighborhood equally or if not more after she had already made it home -- AS STATED BY MANY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. You are using a bus as a crutch to place blame on why Somer was murdered. It would be a perfect world I guess if all kids got the bus home -- what next though? They get home, now what? That is all on the parents!!!

ChickP - where are all those facts and statistics you are so WONDERFUL to be posting about family dynamic and the demise of children due to lack of a strong and healthy one --

In Somers case.It was on the way home from school.

 

[hoppyfrog]

Be careful, everyone.

Hoppy
mod

 

[ChickenPants]

This does not include past year 2007:

Number of Florida children dead from abuse or neglect:

1999: 80
2000: 98
2001: 91
2002: 86
2003: 88
2004: 112
2005: 95
2006: 170
Source: Florida Department of Children and Families, Florida Child Abuse Death Review Team

2006 by the numbers

Total dead statewide: 170
Total from Tampa Bay: 23
Dead from abuse: 3 of 10
Dead from neglect: 7 of 10
Percent age 5 and under: 90
No. 1 cause of death: Drowning
No. 2 cause of death: Multiple trauma
No. 3 cause of death: Suffocation from co-sleeping
Percentage with prior reports of abuse or neglect: 41
Source: Florida Department of Children and Families

 

[NSC]

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.

Chick, slow down sister -- I was just typing this out in general -- I didn't accuse you of anything :dance: I AGREE with everything you write for the most part -- I just changed my mind about DT being the person who did the actual deed of the murder.

 

[pinamia]

Chick, slow down sister -- I was just typing this out in general -- I didn't accuse you of anything :dance: I AGREE with everything you write for the most part -- I just changed my mind about DT being the person who did the actual deed of the murder.

Here is Clarification by the author of the article on Fears for Somer.

Clarification, etc.

Submitted by Jim Schoettler on Wed. 1/13/2010 at 8:31 pm My name is Jim Schoettler and I'm the reporter on this story. A few points of clarification:
-- To waverider54: the supervisory review occurred on Oct. 12, 2008, three days after the initial report to DCF. I apologize if that wasn't clear in the story and I've added that info.
-- To Jagnutz: The DCF report as submitted to me last week left me with many, many questions that I had to get answered before pursuing the story. I submitted those questions to DCF and had to wait while they sought answers. I then did the same thing with foloup questions to those answers. Only when all my questions were answered did I feel comfortable enough to approach the principals involved to seek their comment. That occurred today. That's why the story held.
--To ItalianRider: Somer's mom was at work when she disappeared.
A few general thoughts:
--No one "leaked" this info. It came as the result of a public records request. I believe we would be remiss in not seeking all the records in a case such as this.
--For those who suggest I be ashamed for reporting this story, I would appreciate if you read our full body of work in this case, including the one-on-one interview with Somer's mom and the year-end piece. That also includes a particular post I made after one of the stories. Several people in that instance chose to criticize me for voicing support for Diena. It was something I felt strongly about at the time and wouldn't hesitate to do it again, though I may not be as preachy next time.
Diena Thompson has been victimized in the worst way by what a brutal killer did to her daughter. I have found inspiration in her strength and in those who have supported her. My job is to report on what we as a newspaper decide are relevant developments in this case - past or present - and to do it in a fair, balanced and accurate manner. I will continue to do that job to the best of my ability, never forgetting that a loving mother has lost her baby girl.
Jim

 

[NSC]

In Somers case.It was on the way home from school.

Well, actually that is how it has been reported - there was never a confirmation that somer did not actually make it home and wander back out again -- just like everything else in this case -- Lots of different reports, stories and versions -- I do agree with Cathdawg- I bet SP wasn't even at the home that day in the first place, IMO

Though, I think she went willingly with teenagers -- but that other is still not impossible.

 

[ChickenPants]

Why Florida DCFS caseworkers are overloaded:

Florida Ranks Third in Child Deaths Related to Abuse and Neglect

According to a report compiled by the Every Child Matters Education Fund, titled “We can do Better: Child Abuse and Neglect deaths in the U.S.,” Florida ranks third in the US for child deaths caused by abuse or neglect. Texas ranks first and California second. According to the report, 153 children died due to abuse or neglect in the State of Florida. But the report adds that underreporting of these types of incidents may mean that the real number is much higher. According to federal statistics, over ten thousand children died in the US from abuse or neglect between the years 2001 and 2007.

In the report, fatal child abuse encompasses repeated abuse that leads to battered child syndrome, or a single incidence of [/B]fatal abuse. Fatal neglect is defined as the child dying from a caregiver’s failure to act, whether that is over a long period of time or in a single incident, such as failing to supervise the child properly. Also included in the report are figures on child poverty in Florida; of the four million children living in Florida in 2007, nearly 700,000 were living in poverty.

It is a shame that Florida has earned this distinction. All children everywhere, no matter what their economic status, deserve to be loved and protected by their parents, their extended families, their schools, and the community at large.

Read the entire report at We Can Do Better.

 

[Rhyme & Reason]

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.

Excellent post NSC. ITA!!! Thank you! Ultimately it comes down to the parents. Period.

 

[eyes4crime]

Excellent post NSC. ITA!!! Thank you! Ultimately it comes down to the parents. Period.

Please tell me how a parent should teach their 4 -6yo about pedophile fantasies - child predators - child murderers - and at the same time, help the child socialize. TIA

 

[NSC]

why florida dcfs caseworkers are overloaded:

florida ranks third in child deaths related to abuse and neglect

according to a report compiled by the every child matters education fund, titled “we can do better: Child abuse and neglect deaths in the u.s.,” florida ranks third in the us for child deaths caused by abuse or neglect. Texas ranks first and california second. According to the report, 153 children died due to abuse or neglect in the state of florida. But the report adds that underreporting of these types of incidents may mean that the real number is much higher. According to federal statistics, over ten thousand children died in the us from abuse or neglect between the years 2001 and 2007.

In the report, fatal child abuse encompasses repeated abuse that leads to battered child syndrome, or a single incidence of [/b]fatal abuse. fatal neglect is defined as the child dying from a caregiver’s failure to act, whether that is over a long period of time or in a single incident, such as failing to supervise the child properly. also included in the report are figures on child poverty in florida; of the four million children living in florida in 2007, nearly 700,000 were living in poverty.

It is a shame that florida has earned this distinction. All children everywhere, no matter what their economic status, deserve to be loved and protected by their parents, their extended families, their schools, and the community at large.

Read the entire report at we can do better.

amen!!!

 

[pinamia]

Chick, slow down sister -- I was just typing this out in general -- I didn't accuse you of anything :dance: I AGREE with everything you write for the most part -- I just changed my mind about DT being the person who did the actual deed of the murder.

She didn't do it. A vicious animal with company did it only because he took advantage of an endangered wandering child. He saw the opportunity. Unfortunately, DT was overwhelmed being a single parent with a career and school herself. This vicious animal took advantage of the situation which presented. Somer needed to be protected. Her roaming behavior sealed her fate. Many people failed Somer.

 

[NSC]

amen!!! LOTS OF ABUSE UNDETECTED! They focus on the kids with cigarette burns on their arms - the OBVIOUS ones

 

[ChickenPants]

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

I just realized how totally ridiculous this really is.

DCFS should not have to be called for a child to be cared for appropriately. BUT

First of all, DCFS would not have been called without a reason.

Secondly, if I was a mother and DCFS investigated me, cooperation would be a no-brainer.

Thirdly, if they made recommendations to me, I would definitely go with those recommendations. And then some. And I would take a very sober look at my life and the lives of my children.

The other alternative would be to rebel, cast blame or otherwise act like an idiot.