GA - Suspicion over heat death of Cooper, 22 mo., Cobb County, June 2014, #2

[CarolinaMoon]

I think it's odd that the family referenced Cooper's behavior in the parking lots in the obituary, considering where he died

ITA, Donjeta. It is also not in defense of dad. Since the child was so into cars and trucks, he probably would have been jabbering about the cars in the parking lot at COF, on the road, and in the Home Depot parking lot.

I find it in direct contradiction to the seemingly supportive attitude towards him all through the other parts of the obituary.

I've been following this since the beginning and my mind has gone both ways on this. I'm still waiting for more information.

As to the felony murder charge, someone mentioned upthread that Georgia doesn't have 1st and 2nd degree murder. It goes from murder (no degrees) to manslaughter.

It is the same in Alabama. My niece was murdered there earlier this year by her husband, who confessed to his brother in a phone message and survived a suicide-by-pill. He's been charged with murder. The only alternative is manslaughter with a maximum penalty of 10 years, if I remember correctly.

There hasn't been any new information about the case for well over a month and I'm hoping he doesn't try to use the insanity defense (he's bi-polar). I hope he pleads guilty and does his time. It was a brutal murder. He also killed some of the family pets.

 

[JeannaT]

There is one victim. One. The one that sat, buckled in his car seat, locked in his fathers vehicle...crying, scared, alone, sweating, cramping....until he fell into a coma and roasted to death.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I see so many victims here I can't even count them all.

Have you been close to a child who died accidentally, very young and adored?Even if you're on the periphery - for example, the witnesses at the mall - it scars you forever.

If you were his daycare provider and thought to call and ask about why he wasn't there, but didn't.

People in the parking lot who may have thought for a moment they heard crying but didn't investigate.

And much, much worse, the grandparents who were looking forward to a long enjoyable path watching him grow to a fine young man but now he's gone.

And yes, the father who a week ago was enjoying his adorable son and wife, and his life, and now due to his inexcusable forgetfulness, has lost everything. He'll spend the next 40 years in misery, as will his wife.

 

[Karmady]

They most likely have to have experts do a deeper investigation to build a timeline to show he had accessed stuff before and after the search to show it couldn't have been anyone else searching. There are also ways to confirm the exact date and time the search was done. Knowing it was done is just step one. The rest of it takes time to determine. It almost seems like they discovered this in his browsing history...which would explain how they found it so fast. If he clicked on a link from Facebook or an email then its not as important to the case like it would be had he typed it into Google or Bing.

I agree with you that they're obviously going to do more forensics on his computer. But ime, if the search is easily locatable, the time component is just as easy to locate. I think they already know when the search was done and how.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Since I have now read Cooper's obit I think Harris' wife is in full support of him.

Russ Harris is listed first in the obit and I think if she thought he purposefully killed Cooper he would have been left off entirely.

JMO though

 

[abbygator]

I apologize if I am repeating anything that has already been mentioned...I am so far behind on these posts!

I read the longer obit this morning and I thought it was really nice. I had a couple other thoughts/observations:

1. There is a poster here that has been supporting Ross Harris and she has the same first name and last initial of the aunt (Leanna's sister) listed in the obit. I had thought she was a friend of the family but it looks like she is aunt. (I wasn't sure if I was allowed to post her screen name)
Edited: Oops...I just saw her post and the first name is slightly different. Guess not same person.

2. If the wife's sister is supporting Ross that makes me think that Ross's wife is supporting him too.

3. As a previous poster mentioned it looks like the family is supporting him as well since he is mentioned in obit in good light.

4. I doubt that there was bad blood in marriage or that he did something to get back at the wife (someone mentioned that as a possibility).

5. This case is confusing and heartbreaking.

 

[abbygator]

ocean -- we are on the same wavelength at the same time this morning!

 

[JeannaT]

I am not convinced it was purely accidental. He ate breakfast with his 2 yr old son, and yet 4 minutes later, he has no awareness that the child is with him in the car? How does that happen?

That's the painful part of it, Katydid. That's the haunting part. I don't know how - it certainly never happened to me.

But when I see something that I've seen before - this out of sight out of mind thing - I believe it can happen. I believe it.

I've mentioned this numerous times, but I had a boss who this nearly happened to. On her way to work, she arrived at the babysitter's house and the babysitter had something going on (a child was sick, she was sick, something) so my boss decided to drive to work, park, grab a few folders and items and go home for the day to work from home.

She parked her car in the parking lot, locked it, and sprinted in to the office to grab things. We were having a crisis that day. At that point, my boss swung into crisis mode and FORGOT her baby in the car in the parking lot.

She had been at the babysitter's office five minutes prior. She had walked into the office with full intent to get items that she had listed in her head for a day at home, and within one minute that was forgotten and she was in crisis mode. This was August. After at least an hour, she suddenly screamed "MY BABY!!" from in her office and ran out to the parking lot, where by the gift of God, he was fine. A sweaty mess, but alive and well. By the grace of God she had the one parking space in the lot that was shielded by this enormous dense shade tree.

I can't forget that Katydid although it's been 30 years. I saw it happen, and for those minutes believed the child would likely be found dead in the car.

Because inexplicably, this woman I really love and admire completely forgot in a matter of a few minutes her plan to take her baby back home and work from home that day, and forgot he was in the car.

It wouldn't happen to me, but I've seen it in someone I care about.

 

[oh_gal]

I am still trying to wrap my head around how you forget a child in the back of your car, when you (apparently) have no crushing, life-altering events going on in your life that could account for your momentary lapse in memory. Was he experiencing horrible, heart-attack inducing stress or situations in his life? How do you go from eating breakfast together -- in what is apparently, a few minutes' walk away, to forgetting your child is in the car? Does he have some type of medical condition that would make that happen? (Not being facetious!)

If you cannot manage to remember your child in the backseat of your car (after having just interacted with them at breakfast, a few feet away, and a few minutes ago), then perhaps you should not be entrusted with the care of another individual.

I wish I could muster some sympathy for this guy, but something about this whole scenario just doesn't seem right.

 

[JeannaT]

I apologize if I am repeating anything that has already been mentioned...I am so far behind on these posts!

I read the longer obit this morning and I thought it was really nice. I had a couple other thoughts/observations:

1. There is a poster here that has been supporting Ross Harris and she has the same first name and last initial of the aunt (Leanna's sister) listed in the obit. I had thought she was a friend of the family but it looks like she is aunt. (I wasn't sure if I was allowed to post her screen name)
Edited: Oops...I just saw her post and the first name is slightly different. Guess not same person.

2. If the wife's sister is supporting Ross that makes me think that Ross's wife is supporting him too.

3. As a previous poster mentioned it looks like the family is supporting him as well since he is mentioned in obit in good light.

4. I doubt that there was bad blood in marriage or that he did something to get back at the wife (someone mentioned that as a possibility).

5. This case is confusing and heartbreaking.

If you're referring to me, Abby, no relation.

The aunt's name is Jenna.

 

[abbygator]

If you're referring to me, Abby, no relation.

The aunt's name is Jenna.

Yes I am sorry. I edited my post after I saw your most recent post and realized the first names were slightly different.

I rarely post here but have been a member for years. There is a reason I don't post often...I tend to mess things up when I do!

Again, I am sorry for the mistake.

I will leave the intelligent posts and sleuthing to the rest of you!

 

[Judicious1]

I agree with you that they're obviously going to do more forensics on his computer. But ime, if the search is easily locatable, the time component is just as easy to locate. I think they already know when the search was done and how.

I don't - I think it would have all been released together. The police are leaking his stuff and discussing the case with media to calm down people who think the were fast to judge and arrest. This info ( if they new 100% ) would have done that. I don't believe browsing history shows date and time. That is somewhere else on the computer. They have to show he used passwords or accessed areas only he would around that time to show beyond a doubt he made the search. I don't think he is denying that he made it though. Police said he had an explanation. Well if he said he had a friend lose a dog, saw something on Facebook or his parents were driving to see them traveling with a dog and said they planned to leave it in the car during lunch and he objected he could have looked it up. Whatever excuse they were given the have to prove he lied.

 

[eileenhawkeye]

In reading the obit, I didn't find any of it campaigning... while reading it, I thought of a mother grieving the unimaginable, the loss of her baby, and speaking for both her and Cooper's father. I found it to be very sweet and very raw with emotion. I didn't see them asking for donations... it is VERY common in obituaries for families to request an "in lieu of flowers" donation. The Homer Fund is paying for Cooper's funeral, and from what I've seen, is a wonderful foundation, so I don't find it odd that they asked people to donate to that fund, in lieu of flowers, to give back to a foundation that had helped them so much. I really don't understand anyone finding issue with the obit... it was a beautiful tribute to a baby boy gone way too soon.

If the Homer Fund is paying for the funeral, why were they asking for donations? It looks like they are going for his defense...Something to keep in mind if anyone is thinking of donating. We should be grateful they were "only" able to make $20k....I wonder if LE was almost forced to release some info to get it to stop.

 

[keeponsearching]

The thing is Justin drove daily to drop Cooper off first. Out of habit he would probably almost drive there even if he didn't have Cooper. I doubt this is the first time they ever went to breakfast. He drove to his work and went inside.

I thought Maybe dad was having an off day, a little sick. Maybe he took something.

But if I was sick I doubt I would get breakfast, unless it was also something I did daily.

I think dad had something on his mind in the very few minutes of driving to work. And accidentally forgot about Cooper. I wouldn't be surprise if there is another women.

But what came after, the searches on internet, the fact he went to his vehicle, the smell and driving, those are a crime. He could of easily called 911 when he went out to lunch. But it seems he tried to cover it up, guilty of forgetting Cooper. Guilt on his mind. Such a sweet little boy Cooper is. Reminds me of my nephew who is 2 1/2.

I can see how easy it would be to forget a baby in a car. People are so busy today. But I doubt most would forget their wallet or cell phone. I use to put my purse back there after reading these horrible stories in the news.

I am a helicopter mom, and I even watch other kids when parents are not watching them. I like to remind friends with babies that don't forget them. I can be quite annoying.

Yesterday my son was going over a friends house, he is 9, I reminded him to not climb in to trunks or anything that can close on him. He says where is this coming from, I already know this....

 

[LietKynes]

By Alexis Stevens
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
UPDATE: The autopsy on a 22-month-old left in an SUV determined the child died from hyperthermia and the manner is consistent with a homicide, Cobb County police said Wednesday afternoon.

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/cops-cobb-toddlers-death-investigation-continues-t/ngRfn/

SABBM

Well there you have it. At this point , it looks like murder, NOT an accident.
Wonder what other evidence may have been on this precious little one that made it look intentional ?
A child left accidentally can also perish from hyperthermia... so were there signs of foul play apart from the excessive heat ?
:moo:

 

[CrazytownUSA]

If the Homer Fund is paying for the funeral, why were they asking for donations? It looks like they are going for his defense...Something to keep in mind if anyone is thinking of donating. We should be grateful they were "only" able to make $20k....I wonder if LE was almost forced to release some info to get it to stop.

Perhaps I am reading something different than you are.

This is from the obituary...

"In lieu of flowers, the family would like to give back to a very special fund that has chosen to support us during this tragic time. Please make donations to the Homer Fund." - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tu...ls-harris&pid=171490524&#sthash.kBeW6NMY.dpuf

 

[blue22]

If that were true, they wouldn't have mentioned it at all. Instead, they put it out there with only the implication that the search was done on the day of the child's death or shortly before hand. If you're going to say he did the search, there's no reason whatsoever not to say when he did the search. jmo

Leaks (and I think these have been careful LE leaks, because the public had been reaming them) are usually tidbits and not incredibly specific.

 

[eileenhawkeye]

Perhaps I am reading something different than you are.

This is from the obituary...

"In lieu of flowers, the family would like to give back to a very special fund that has chosen to support us during this tragic time. Please make donations to the Homer Fund." - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tu...ls-harris&pid=171490524&#sthash.kBeW6NMY.dpuf

Your post says The Homer Fund is paying for Cooper's funeral. I thought one of the reasons the family was asking for money was to pay for the funeral. Does The Homer Fund have a policy that says they will pay for the funerals of children of employees? If so, why was the family not clear about that? And it also sounds like The Homer Fund is supporting the mother financially. It seems certain that any donations will be used for his defense. I have seen people who donated try to justify it, by saying they need the money for the funeral or to support the mother. I don't think they want to consider that they are going to help to pay for his defense.

 

[blue22]

That one guy did, that's true.

I'm looking at this in its totality. This is a dad who by all accounts is a wonderful guy, there don't seem to be any issues with him or his family, and it seems clear to me he couldn't have seen the baby in the back seat at lunch.

Shortly after driving off in his car, he clearly noticed something was VERY wrong and pulled off the road into the mall parking lot.

It's surprising to me sometimes what people do not notice. It's surprising to me what people can forget and be unaware of.

But to me, the other scenarios are more implausible. That this loving father purposely killed his child, or that he went to the car and noticed his child was dead and then went back to work for 4 hours and staged that he THEN found him dead (as opposed to finding him dead at noon which would be fully as incriminating - so working for 4 hours and then staging the exact same outcome doesn't make sense).

You are STILL neglecting to recognize that Cooper going to daycare was part of his daily routine. Not only that, the obituary is clear about Cooper being very vocal and talkative. You rally believe in a 2/10 of a mile drive the father forgot an integral part of his routine, AND a talkative little boy was silent right after eating breakfast and before going to see all his buddies.

I realize you WANT to believe the dad isn't respinsoble here, but come one.

Those scenarios are MORE implausible than the one where he bizarrely forgot his child (in one of the major scenarios of kidsandcars, adding a stop to his routine) and also didn't see him in the back seat facing backwards at noon, and then it took him short while to smell the smell when he drove away at four.

When I have to consider what seems the most plausible, accidentally forgetting him, not noticing him at noon and then driving off and not noticing a smell for a minute or two is the most plausible.

You have to work too hard - in my opinion - to make the other situations rational.

I don't know, you are working pretty hard.

Seemingly good people do terrible things all the time. The fact the he seemed like a good father means NOTHING. This is a week old. On top of all the evidence already found, they will have dirt on him. No one is perfect, and what he did happened for a reason.

 

[newone]

Your post says The Homer Fund is paying for Cooper's funeral. I thought one of the reasons the family was asking for money was to pay for the funeral. Does The Homer Fund have a policy that says they will pay for the funerals of children of employees? If so, why was the family not clear about that? And it also sounds like The Homer Fund is supporting the mother financially. It seems certain that any donations will be used for his defense. I have seen people who donated try to justify it, by saying they need the money for the funeral or to support the mother. I don't think they want to consider that they are going to help to pay for his defense.

http://thdhomerfund.org/grants/

$10K limit I believe designed to help associates during time of family crisis

 

[CCmakes3]

That's the painful part of it, Katydid. That's the haunting part. I don't know how - it certainly never happened to me.

But when I see something that I've seen before - this out of sight out of mind thing - I believe it can happen. I believe it.

I've mentioned this numerous times, but I had a boss who this nearly happened to. On her way to work, she arrived at the babysitter's house and the babysitter had something going on (a child was sick, she was sick, something) so my boss decided to drive to work, park, grab a few folders and items and go home for the day to work from home.

She parked her car in the parking lot, locked it, and sprinted in to the office to grab things. We were having a crisis that day. At that point, my boss swung into crisis mode and FORGOT her baby in the car in the parking lot.

She had been at the babysitter's office five minutes prior. She had walked into the office with full intent to get items that she had listed in her head for a day at home, and within one minute that was forgotten and she was in crisis mode. This was August. After at least an hour, she suddenly screamed "MY BABY!!" from in her office and ran out to the parking lot, where by the gift of God, he was fine. A sweaty mess, but alive and well. By the grace of God she had the one parking space in the lot that was shielded by this enormous dense shade tree.

I can't forget that Katydid although it's been 30 years. I saw it happen, and for those minutes believed the child would likely be found dead in the car.

Because inexplicably, this woman I really love and admire completely forgot in a matter of a few minutes her plan to take her baby back home and work from home that day, and forgot he was in the car.

It wouldn't happen to me, but I've seen it in someone I care about.

If her intent was to grab files and leave quickly when she got out of her car, then SHE KNEW HER BABY WAS IN THAT CAR when she left it. She didn't "forget" about the baby until after she got inside. It is illegal and morally reprehensible to KNOWINGLY leave an infant alone in a car, even if it is locked....even if it is "just for 5 minutes."

I know you intended for this cautionary tale about your beloved mentor to engender sympathy, but I find this woman repugnant and lacking in priorities. Take 30 seconds to unbuckle your baby and take him with you, for Christ's sake! Is that so hard? What a selfish woman! You would have been better off claiming that she thought she dropped her baby off because of the "extra stop" or "unexpected change in routine" that supporters of this dad keep spouting off about.