GUILTY FL - Wayne Treacy for savage beating of 15yo girl, Deerfield Beach, 17 March 2010

[tlcya]

While I understand that this young man may have been traumatized by finding his brother's body (post suicide) and just two days before his own birthday, and if reports are correct the young lady may have texted something cruel about that when he continued to harrass her, I am sickened by his response.

IMOO no matter what horrible traumatic thing happens to them, normal, well adjusted people do not respond to some cruel words in this sort of predatory, violent manner. This kid was screwed up well before the brother's suicide twocents.

This is frightening. Pretty soon, I will be unable to send my children out the door to school for fear I may not see them again simply because some other student is having a bad day, feeling sorry for him/herself or just plain bored. WTF is WRONG with people.

 

[Vegas Bride]

I know parents think they're doing something good for their child when they give them cell phones, but I have to wonder if something like this ever would have happened if it wasn't for the use of cell phones and texting.
I hate texting, I've never done it even tho my phone has it. Why do kids have to be turned loose with all of this? Yes I understand cell phones can be great when you have an emergency, that's why I have mine, plus since my family all lives out of state it's a good way to stay in touch. But does the good outweigh the bad? How many terrible accidents have happened because of cell phones. Now they're even warning people walking that they have to actually look up to see where they're going because people are only looking down at their phone. Then there's the sexting and sending nude photos going on, it's sickening.
With a phone conversation you could at least be more sure of who it is talking to you, unlike a text where it could be someone other than the owner of the phone. I know there's speculation on if the 13 yo was the one sending the text.
Kids are hurt every day with cell phones, I just don't understand why so many think they're harmless.


VB

 

[2goldfish]

I know parents think they're doing something good for their child when they give them cell phones, but I have to wonder if something like this ever would have happened if it wasn't for the use of cell phones and texting.
I hate texting, I've never done it even tho my phone has it. Why do kids have to be turned loose with all of this? Yes I understand cell phones can be great when you have an emergency, that's why I have mine, plus since my family all lives out of state it's a good way to stay in touch. But does the good outweigh the bad? How many terrible accidents have happened because of cell phones. Now they're even warning people walking that they have to actually look up to see where they're going because people are only looking down at their phone. Then there's the sexting and sending nude photos going on, it's sickening.
With a phone conversation you could at least be more sure of who it is talking to you, unlike a text where it could be someone other than the owner of the phone. I know there's speculation on if the 13 yo was the one sending the text.
Kids are hurt every day with cell phones, I just don't understand why so many think they're harmless.


VB

IMO this is the same as saying outlawing guns prevents murders - I am in the UK now and no guns but there sure are murders anyways.

I think this was a horrible chain of events, without all steps occuring maybe it wouldnt have happened - or maybe it would have happened sooner or later because dude seems like he was a loose cannon.

 

[jjenny]

I don't think anyone is trying to excuse his behavior. Have you been the parent of a child who is bullied? Who is to say that this girl was not bullying and making fun of him and his deceased brother? Add to the mix what he was dealing with after finding his own brother hanging and the stress of school.. it is not surprising he snapped. I'm sure there were signs ahead of time. Why didn't someone reach out to him? None of that excuses what he did and even if the girl did "bully" him, she did NOT deserve this treatment. However, I don't believe anyone should jump to ANY conclusion until we know the whole story. I'm thinking he was in need of help and for whatever reason, no one saw. As a result, this girl paid the price. If I have learned one thing from WS, it is that so many crimes could have been prevented if someone had just paid attention!!

Oh give me a break already. Bullied? She didn't come looking for him, he came looking for her. If he didn't like what she was texting him, all he had to do is to put away his cell phone.
It's just one excuse after another.

 

[Wise Old Owl]

See what I mean about our "schools" here! This just showed up about 10 minutes ago. There are many, many, many more that DON'T make the newspaper as the school "bored" tries to squelch everything. Don't want any negative publicity now do we?

Hollywood police arrest boy, 14, accused of punching girl, 12, on school bus
By Alexia Campbell, Sun Sentinel

9:32 a.m. EDT, March 23, 2010
HOLLYWOOD
A middle school student was arrested Tuesday morning after he was accused of beating up a girl on their school bus.

The bus had stopped to let students off at McNicol Middle School when a 14-year-old boy on board began punching a 12-year-old girl, said Hollywood Fire Rescue Division Chief Mark Steele.

Both are students at the middle school at 1602 S. 27th Ave., police said. Their names are not being released because of their ages.

After the fight, the boy ran into a nearby neighborhood and was chased by the school resource officer, according to Police Lt. Scott Pardon. The officer caught the teen, who was arrested on battery charges

**more at link**

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/br...llywood-middle-arrest-20100323,0,134567.story

Hate to quote my own post but I just wanted to update this story.

LE arrested the 14 yr old boy. Seems he broke the girls nose!

JVM on Issues mentioned this attack tonight and questioned just what is going on down here in South Florida.


As for Josie - she's hanging in there! I did hear today that they had to sedate her mom - this is very very hard on her.

Everyone please continue your prayers for Josie.

 

[SuziQ]

FWIW, my kids aren't allowed to leave the house without their cell phones. In this day and age it's a safety thing.

 

[Allison907]

This story hits home for me.

Feb 22nd, my 15 y/o son was walking home after cheerleading practice. ( 7:30ish PM ) When he arrived home shortly before 8:00PM that night, he was pretty beaten up.

The foreign exhange student ( which we had opened our home to, for he was having an awful go w/ his hosting family all year )... decided to work my son over.

He approached my son, pushed him down and kicked him all over from head to toe. When my son reached it get his cell phone out to call for help, the exchange student took the phone and broke it. My son feels if it weren't for him yelling "help" that the kicking would have never stopped.

Son filled out a report w/ the police. They ( police ) collect a report for a home down the road, which seen the whole thing unfold ( why they didn't try stopping it, is beyound me )

The report was handed over to the Juvenile Probation Officer. Now she is handing this.

Met w/ her a week ago. She sounds like she is favoring the exchange student. ...... Stating "she doesn't know if it was an assult."

I'm fit to be tied. I don't understand what prevokes kids to act in this manner.

I don't believe in making excuses for the way kids act at this age. When we start doing that we fail them something aweful.

I pray Josie recovers!

 

[kbl8201]

What does she think it was, a hug fest?

 

[daisy7]

Police: No one warned of teen's threats to attack girl
Police said a 15-year-old told friends he intended to beat up a middle school student, but they didn't warn anybody.

BY DIANA MOSKOVITZ, PATRICIA MAZZEI AND ADAM H. BEASLEY
[email protected]

Before viciously beating and kicking Josie Lou Ratley, the 15-year-old accused in the attack told friends his intentions.

``I'm coming over there and I'm gonna snap your neck,'' Wayne Treacy wrote the victim, said Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti.

But as far as investigators can tell, no one sent in a warning about the Deerfield Beach Middle School student's being in danger, the Broward Sheriff's Office told reporters Tuesday.

``A handful of people knew about it,'' BSO Sgt. Steve Feeley said, ``and nobody did anything about it.''

Under its ``Silence Hurts'' campaign, the Broward school district allows students to submit anonymous tips -- by phone, text message or online -- about bullying, threats or anything else that makes them feel unsafe.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/24/1544258/police-no-one-warned-of-teens.html#ixzz0j5ES0RbU

 

[Wise Old Owl]

This story hits home for me.

Feb 22nd, my 15 y/o son was walking home after cheerleading practice. ( 7:30ish PM ) When he arrived home shortly before 8:00PM that night, he was pretty beaten up.

The foreign exhange student ( which we had opened our home to, for he was having an awful go w/ his hosting family all year )... decided to work my son over.

He approached my son, pushed him down and kicked him all over from head to toe. When my son reached it get his cell phone out to call for help, the exchange student took the phone and broke it. My son feels if it weren't for him yelling "help" that the kicking would have never stopped.

Son filled out a report w/ the police. They ( police ) collect a report for a home down the road, which seen the whole thing unfold ( why they didn't try stopping it, is beyound me )

The report was handed over to the Juvenile Probation Officer. Now she is handing this.

Met w/ her a week ago. She sounds like she is favoring the exchange student. ...... Stating "she doesn't know if it was an assult."

I'm fit to be tied. I don't understand what prevokes kids to act in this manner.

I don't believe in making excuses for the way kids act at this age. When we start doing that we fail them something aweful.

I pray Josie recovers!

Oh my- that's awful!

Stick to your guns. Speak up! Tell them and have your son tell them as well. Don't stop. That is exactly what goes on down here - LE and/or the school will claim its a he said / she said type of thing. Funny thing about it is - the injuries. Did you take pictures? I hope so. I would have taken him immediately to the hospital.

Don't give up. Stay your course. I hope things work out for you and your son.

 

[BOZGAL]

This story hits home for me.

Feb 22nd, my 15 y/o son was walking home after cheerleading practice. ( 7:30ish PM ) When he arrived home shortly before 8:00PM that night, he was pretty beaten up.

The foreign exhange student ( which we had opened our home to, for he was having an awful go w/ his hosting family all year )... decided to work my son over.

He approached my son, pushed him down and kicked him all over from head to toe. When my son reached it get his cell phone out to call for help, the exchange student took the phone and broke it. My son feels if it weren't for him yelling "help" that the kicking would have never stopped.

Son filled out a report w/ the police. They ( police ) collect a report for a home down the road, which seen the whole thing unfold ( why they didn't try stopping it, is beyound me )

The report was handed over to the Juvenile Probation Officer. Now she is handing this.

Met w/ her a week ago. She sounds like she is favoring the exchange student. ...... Stating "she doesn't know if it was an assult."

I'm fit to be tied. I don't understand what prevokes kids to act in this manner.

I don't believe in making excuses for the way kids act at this age. When we start doing that we fail them something aweful.

I pray Josie recovers!

For goodness sakes Allison. I hope your son did not suffer severe injuries and is doing better. I would be all over that JPO. If it was not an assualt, what do they call it then? I would like to know. Kids did not behave this way when I was growing up. Once in a while but not on a everyday basis. Its in the news constantly and it needs to stop.

Good luck and sorry this happened to your son.

JMO

 

[believe09]

A series of texts followed, back and forth between Ratley and Treacy. At one point, Manson saw them. Then Ratley sent a comment about the suicide of Treacy's older brother last year.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/19/1537562/girl-accused-of-aiding-attack.html#ixzz0igmNpmtp​

According to this article the 13 year old, Manson, saw the text messages exchanged between Ratley and Treacy, after which the comment about the suicide was made. This backs up my theory that it may not have been Ratley that sent the message but the younger girl that did it, and then let Ratley take the blame when she saw how angry Treacy was. JMO​

I think you nailed it Melly. I have not yet finished the thread, but I think the 13 year old deflected the anger from herself.

 

[believe09]

I'm aware of these implications (many years of formal ed in it and then some), but I've also learned that medicalizing behavioral problems is too often a source of distraction and excuse-making, however well-meaning the motive.

Consider the fact that other possible diagnoses you could add to your list would be past drug abuse, psychopathy, sociopathy, narcissistic, or antisocial personality disorder...

Would those compel us to respond to their behaviors with any more understanding or taking time to consider before judging?

No... All these dx's are good to know and useful to those who are attempting to treat the person, but to focus on them so much sends a dangerous message and creates handy distractions and excuses for criminals (some yet to do the crime) and defense attorneys, as we see every day.

And as has been noted, while we see far too many crimes like this, we do not see them even close to the scale we would see if the problems with this kid were as commonplace as those you've listed.

As fascinating as I too find psych/neurobiology, I would propose that the most obvious explanation for the kid's inhumane response to being offended is much more mundane, as it is found in his upbringing. As the latest article says:

Both his mother, Donna Powers, and his father, Wayne Parker Treacy, have criminal records.His father has been arrested 48 times according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records. He has been in and out of prison for the past two decades on offenses ranging from drug dealing to weapons charges.
​

JMO, but I think our country would be better off if we focused more on responsible parenting and personal accountability and less on interesting DSM labels and other stuff.

:twocents:

I want to thank this post twice. Muffet, I wish we could post it on multiple threads....

 

[BOZGAL]

Josie's Aunt, Linda Sarmiento was on JVM last night. A couple of things she said:

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Thank you for being here. What`s the latest on your niece`s condition?

SARMIENTO: Well, the latest is status quo. She hasn`t changed much. They did take her off of medication that keeps her paralyzed. And the only life that we`ve received from her was the coughing, and that`s it. You know, we`re just waiting. Waiting, waiting.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: What is the impact of the reports that part of her brain had to be removed or part of her skull? Could you clarify that?

SARMIENTO: Well, I`m not a doctor, but my understanding is this. that her left side, there is a sign of some damage, probably to her right arm, hand, and maybe some speech impediment. And that`s all we know. We don`t know the extent of it at this point, because it -- as I said, she`s medically -- in a medically-induced coma. So we can`t get any more out of her until she actually comes out of it.

She also said about the 13yr old girl:

VELEZ-MITCHELL: This 13-year-old girl, she`s a so-called friend of your niece. What do you know about her?

SARMIENTO: Nothing, OK? My niece honestly did not have any friends here. My sister and my niece moved here about a year ago. So she`s new to the school system. All right? And she did not meet anyone that she felt comfortable with. So this little girl is just an acquaintance of hers, someone she was nice enough to lend the phone to and became a victim over, you know, an issue where...

One thing about my niece, I have to say, she`s a very sweet, loving, caring person. And I`m not saying this because I`m her aunt. I mean, I would say that she`s an abnormal child in today`s time because of all the violence that`s out there.


Read the rest at:
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1003/23/ijvm.01.html


I am beginning to believe Josie may have suffered permanent brain damage.

So this girl and Josie were not best friends per what has been reported. IIRC the 13yr old's parents said they were best friends.

The transcripts may be updated as when I listened last night I could have sworn I heard her mention the heart beat and also say she was not aware of the 13yr old. I hope they do update them as that means my memory is not as bad as I thought.

JMO

 

[believe09]

Aww Josie....I am prayin for you.

 

[reen]

I think Melly's hit it straight on...that message was from the 13-year-old, not Josie. Josie didn't even know this kid, why would she send him a vicious text about his brother? Hopefully Josie will be able to speak up for herself very soon, and any evidence in the phone trail will come out. Pull through and get well, Josie!

 

[kbl8201]

i find it sad we even have to wonder if she actually made the comment.

 

[cluciano63]

Josie may never be able to speak up about this, even if she recovers, as often the incident leading to the injury is totally unrecoverable by the victim...which might be best for her, so she won't have to relive it all the time...i think she will be lucky if she can't remember this hideous event...though would not want this to prevent any conviction...that would be double punishment for her...

 

[kbl8201]

i dont think from reading her aunts reports that she is gonna even make it, memory or pysically impaired, regardless

i prayed hard for the little girl who was likely to be on the feeding tube for life, and she has made a remarkable recovery in a short time.

im still holding out a little hope here......

 

[tlcya]

i find it sad we even have to wonder if she actually made the comment.

Agreed. Not that who made the comment (sent the text) matters one whit. Cruel words do not justify murderous rage. It just plain doesn't matter what was said or by whom, the rage in the response and the nonchalance afterwards while texting his friends "I think I just killed someone. Might be going to jail"* is indicitive of a kid who was going to hurt someone. If it wasn't Josie on that day for that reason, it was going to be someone, for some stupid reason on some day. The kid was a time bomb, poor Josie was collateral damage.

* not a direct quote of the text he sent, my own paraphrasing.