FL - Somer Thompson, 7, Orange Park, 19 Oct 2009 #34

[Kimberlyd125]

But are any gazelles ever killed when the parent gazelles are great parent gazelles?

Because a lot of children are killed even if they have great parents.
A lot of children that have carppy parents live long lives.

The fact is we have not been shown any evidence that shows DT's parenting skills in any way led to the murder of Somer.

 

[bkcrt]

So.......if Somer is walking home and she's by herself quite often walking around the neighborhood (as per the neighbors), she was more likely to become a target of a person with bad intentions. Whether it was someone she knew or a complete stranger.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

So.......if Somer is walking home and she's by herself quite often walking around the neighborhood (as per the neighbors), she was more likely to become a target of a person with bad intentions. Whether it was someone she knew or a complete stranger.

But we don't know the facts of the case yet so how can we assume her wandering before had anything to do with this case?

We know she ran ahead that day. That's about all we know.

We do not know that she was targeted.

 

[Ms Suzanne]

But we don't know the facts of the case yet so how can we assume her wandering before had anything to do with this case?

We know she ran ahead that day. That's about all we know.

We do not know that she was targeted.

I would just take what any so called neighbor or any one has to say with a grain of salt.We don't know these people and if what they say is fact or not.I don't think Somer wandered around alot.

 

[bkcrt]

But are any gazelles ever killed when the parent gazelles are great parent gazelles?

Because a lot of children are killed even if they have great parents.
A lot of children that have carppy parents live long lives.

The fact is we have not been shown any evidence that shows DT's parenting skills in any way led to the murder of Somer.

Yes, Actually in some very tragic circumstances this happens. BUT....that does not apply to this particular case and since I believe we can save the world one child at a time, I think in Somer's case limiting the time she was exposed to situations where she would be in danger would have significantly decreased the probability of something bad happening to her.

If I'm driving my car without a seatbelt I know that there is a statistical probability that if I am in an accident I will be thrown through the windshield. If on the other hand I am in an accident and I have my seatbelt on, the probability of me going through the windshield is very low or none at all.

I live in an area where there are coyotes, owls, fox, hawks and all sorts of wildlife. If I let my little tiny dog out into my yard and let her run free I am exposing her to the danger of all of these things and the probability that she will be killed is significantly higher than if I go into the yard with her and watch her or walk her on a leash.

Sometimes bad things happen that are completely out of our control. But in a situation where we have the choice and the ability to control what we can control in our environment, if we choose to do so, we can significantly reduce the probability of something bad happening.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

But unless we have the facts, we can't say if it played a role or not.

Every case is different.

 

[bkcrt]

And.....

As would be the case if my little doggy were left in the yard alone and killed by a fox, the result would be the same whether it was the fox from two houses down or the fox that came from over the hill. If the opportunity is presented the probability is increased.

 

[human]

I am so confused here. When LE looks at a crime, they examine everything. I don't know if her parenting or lack of caused or contributed to this happening.

But LE says that she was unaccounted for sometimes, the babysitter said that she was unaccounted for sometimes, and the neighbors said that she was around the neighborhood a lot on her own.

We DO KNOW for a FACT that she was alone on that fateful day.

There are so many inconsistencies in this whole situation.

1. Who is on the initial MPR and who is not and Why?
2. Where mom worked.
3. What time she left.
4. Why the oldest was at OPAA and who searched , where they searched,how they communicated.
5. Why SP was at the home.
6. Who is Kyle?
7. Who was working at Gano and at what time?
8. Where she went after Gano.
9. Who saw her after Gano.
10. How did her scent disappear?
11.The different descriptions of the back packs.
12. The different times reported that she left school.
13. The non-stop fund raising.
14. The whole landfill situation.

I'm sure plenty that I have left out.

 

[sellen75]

BBM: I hear you. Creative disciplining requires a real team effort.

I am going to safely guess that, in Somer's case, the administrator, the social worker, her teachers, and probably some other kids and parents, knew there was more than one "incident" - fighting or otherwise, that would be a reason to keep a close eye on this child. There has to exist documentation by the social worker of her concerns and Somer probably has a file. For no other reason, than if something happened to her (!) the school had a record that they did indeed adress their concerns.

If, for instance, the children were walking home with no adult regularly and possibly to an empty house, and mother did not put them in day care for reasons stated that she "couldn't pick them up" or whatever, OSS or ISS would be a problem. Absolutely there had to have been communication to the mother/family about her problems, concerns about her (age 6 or 7) running off unsupervised, ringing neighbors' doorbells, etc. DCFS was called. That is in her file, surely. Also, the fact that the mother chose not to address the situation.

The only way to deal with these children is a team effort which includes parents and other caregivers getting involved and working with a care plan. My son is a special ed. teacher here in FL and is on a "team". They communicate daily about all of the children. Believe me, he has called DCFS a lot; a male parent threatened to bring a gun to school and kill him. He has everything documented (thank God he is still alive)...

A child is not one child at school and another in home. She carries with her all of the issues involved. What happens at home affects the school and vice versa. School are not the parents, and ultimately are not responsible for the child once that child is off the campus. It is the parents' responsibility to follow up once that child leaves school, and to communicate with the school.

With the exception of busing, which social workers and teachers have absolutely no control over, it appears that Somer's school teachers and other personnel cared and did what they could. They couldn't control DT's decisions.

I wish that all parents understood this concept. As to the documentation, you are right on the money. As administrators, teachers, counselors and anyone else, you are to keep detailed documentation of EVERYTHING. If you talk to a parent there is a form in their folder that you have to fill out detailing when and what was said. As administrators, if you do not document everything then you are not doing your job. I use to have a notebook in my desk and anytime I would talk to a child, I would write down what they said and what I said. You never know when it will come back to you. If you have documentation, you can always resort to that. Documentation is also REQUIRED for discipline issues. Due Process applies in schools as well.

I totally agree with you that Somer's school did all they could. It is difficult being a teacher or administrator because you can't cure the world even though you have the desire to. There comes a point in time where you have done all you can. You can't follow that child home and raise them the way you know they should. It is a frustrating job.

I think Somer's school did everything that they were required to do. I feel confident in saying that they did more than they had to. As educators it's hard not to do more. Although we are all looking for someone to blame because this crime is so horrifying, I don't think we should target the school. We all want answers and we all want the truth and that is why we are here...to bring justice. It is easy to throw the blame on someone but until we are in their shoes and know ALL that is going on, I don't feel it is fair.

Thank you for the excellent post!

 

[Kimberlyd125]

But where is the evidence that says DTs parenting led to this?

Either there is evidence of that they have not released yet or there is no evidence.

Since we have not seen any, how can we judge DT.

Why can't we wait until we see evidence. I'd much rather wait for it than to blame a mother that just lost her child. What's the rush for judgement?

 

[bkcrt]

Wait...

I'm confused. The babysitter and all the people who said Somer ran around the neighborhood by herself are not to be believed??

Really, except for the future of the other children, I would not even be pointing this out. I'm just concerned for them. For Somer it is too late. Someone had the opportunity and since she was alone, the probability of her being injured or killed was higher. Whether it was by a juvenile, an adult male, someone mom knows, etc.......the result is the same. Somer is no longer with us.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Human I'm sure LE has most of those questions answered. But we don't have that information.

Have you gotten any indication that LE suspects DT?

 

[bkcrt]

Kimberly, you are right. I can not judge DT. A higher power will.

But I guess as a caring, compassionate human being I can worry about the welfare of her other children. And the statistical probability that something bad could happen to them.

 

[bkcrt]

And for the record, not that it matters what I think, but I don't think DT killed Somer and that is not why I am posting.

I hope through careful sleuthing of all the places Somer wandered alone and all the people Somer was exposed to we are able to find her killer soon.

And I hope the other children can go on with their lives with as much peace and comfort as they need and the statistical probability of something terrible happening to them is significantly lower than it was for Somer.

Father in Heaven, Bless Somer and please watch over her siblings.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Kimberly, you are right. I can not judge DT. A higher power will.

But I guess as a caring, compassionate human being I can worry about the welfare of her other children. And the statistical probability that something bad could happen to them.

I understand what you are saying but what are you basing your opinion of DT on? Is it founded, factual information or rumors and statistics?

Because while statistics are great to get a feel for what may have happened, they have to be backed with evidence to show what actually did happen.

I just have not seen any evidence that says DT is not a good mother.

 

[4mer.naybor]

I would just take what any so called neighbor or any one has to say with a grain of salt.We don't know these people and if what they say is fact or not.I don't think Somer wandered around alot.

With all due respect, I lived next door to her when AC and MN were little...around Somers age, and those kids were allowed to roam....granted, they stayed around our area and we were on a military post...but they were called in when it started getting dark, other than that, they pretty much did what they wanted to do.

So I don't think much changed by the time Somer was that age. Sorry.

 

[human]

Human I'm sure LE has most of those questions answered. But we don't have that information.

Have you gotten any indication that LE suspects DT?

I have tried to remain objective on this, truly.

I have a friend whose child was kidnapped years ago never to be found. It is years ago, so things have changed, I am sure.

I don't want to say DT is the one. How would I know?

There are some unusual things here.

1. Having a lawyer. That is bizarre. I don't care about the funds, etc. There are banks that take care of that. For free, I'm sure, in a case like this. Protecting her from...? What...?

2. The continuous fund raising. It isn't going to the reward.

3. Yes, even I have finally seen the weird body things, etc on the videos I have watched. I didn't see it, didn't want to see it. But it's there.

4. I don't think that any of these things are about the crime, necessarily. It could be that it is related to somethings in her life.

5. My friends were cleared immediately by LE. People start saying it's the parents right away. So why doesn't LE clear her? Not saying that she did it or maybe even knows who did it; I am very flummoxed by that.

 

[bkcrt]

Kimberly,

Thank you for asking my opinion.
I don't think it would be appropriate for me to comment on DT's parenting or lack of parenting skills.

I would like to retain my posting privileges at WS.

 

[Ms Suzanne]

With all due respect, I lived next door to her when AC and MN were little...around Somers age, and those kids were allowed to roam....granted, they stayed around our area and we were on a military post...but they were called in when it started getting dark, other than that, they pretty much did what they wanted to do.

So I don't think much changed by the time Somer was that age. Sorry.

I'm sorry.We just don't know you.You haven't sounded too nice towards Somers mother.I'll take what LE says as fact.Not people we do not know.LE said she had a slight problem of running off.That's not all the time.You were not around then when somer came up missing?Then you don't know.I don't mean to be mean.But it's not a fact.You don't know this.

 

[4mer.naybor]

I'm sorry.We just don't know you.You haven't sounded too nice towards Somers mother.I'll take what LE says as fact.Not people we do not know.LE said she had a slight problem.not all the time.

Well perhaps you should go back and read all of my posts. I came on here to defend her because I didn't see any of her other friends and family doing so....the public was being FAR more harsh about her than I ever was on here.

I tried to paint her as a real person, for who she is....the good, the bad, her mannerisms are indeed BIZARRE to those who don't know her. If that was the wrong thing to do, so be it.

I have said all along that I don't think she killed Somer, but may know who did, or she knows more than she is saying. THAT had not changed since my very first post.