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

[Threeplus1]

Let's not forget:

"The chain of events that occurred in this case does not point toward simple negligence and evidence will be presented to support this allegation."

Per the police chief

Bolding mine

 

[Judicious1]

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.

The Homer Fund and the donations raised that you referenced are two separate things. The Homer Fund is set up to help Home Depot emotes and their families in their time of need. I doubt that includes trial fees for felony murder. If they paid for a 22 month old funeral god bless them and the fact that charity exists. Any donations made to the Homer Fund are not earmarked for them. They said they want to "give back". Why do so many begrudge the mother of this child so much. Its border line hateful. Maybe the family is holding on to innocent until proven guilty. Maybe in their grief they can only deal with their loss and aren't ready to deal with Ross. We have no idea what they feel. Again, I hope today will not be all about the family and this obit. Its a real shame south has been written about it already.

 

[Judicious1]

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 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 sickening, reprehensible 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.

I think the posters point was to say it happens period and happened to someone she knows despite her having the best of interest by not leaving the child with a sick babysitter. I didn't take her words to infer she didn't think the act was reckless or criminal. Personally if you are going inside a building leaving a child in the car is never ok.

 

[blue22]

See, that's just one of those inflammatory statements I loath so much. Dad said the car was unattended all day and somehow it's "inconsistent" that he put something into the car at lunch time? Well, no, it isn't "inconsistent" imo. I park my car in the parking garage at my office every day. Occasionally, I'll forget something like my phone charger and run down to get it. Am I "attending" my car when I do that? No, definitely not. I'm barely opening the door, grabbing my charger and running back upstairs. I might even be on my phone at the time (which would be why I'm running down to grab my charger).

Now if LE specifically asked him whether he went down to his car at all that day between 9 and 4 and he said no, THAT would be an inconsistency.

I swear, these cases and the media drive me nuts. It's never "bad" enough. It always has to be worse than it is. A child is dead and his dad is charged with murder....jmo

That probably IS what the said. Wordage used in warrants does not mean that's how they talked with him. It would be bazaar for them not to ask "did you ever go back to the car?" These are police offices, not literature majors...no way did they ask him if he attended his car. That's the writing in the warrant, NOT a transcript of the questioning.

 

[Judicious1]

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:

Homicide is manner because he died as a result of another persons actions. Apparently "accident" is reserved for accidents inflicted by your own actions? I don't know very confusing.

 

[eileenhawkeye]

The Homer Fund and the donations raised that you referenced are two separate things. The Homer Fund is set up to help Home Depot emotes and their families in their time of need. I doubt that includes trial fees for felony murder. If they paid for a 22 month old funeral god bless them and the fact that charity exists. Any donations made to the Homer Fund are not earmarked for them. They said they want to "give back". Why do so many begrudge the mother of this child so much. Its border line hateful. Maybe the family is holding on to innocent until proven guilty. Maybe in their grief they can only deal with their loss and aren't ready to deal with Ross. We have no idea what they feel. Again, I hope today will not be all about the family and this obit. Its a real shame south has been written about it already.

I don't see where I begrudged the mother? I don't think it is far-fetched to think that the $20k+ in donations will go towards his defense. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if a high-profile lawyer signed on pro-bono.

 

[CCmakes3]

I think the posters point was to say it happens period and happened to someone she knows despite her having the best of interest by not leaving the child with a sick babysitter. I didn't take her words to infer she didn't think the act was reckless or criminal. Personally if you are going inside a building leaving a child in the car is never ok.

Bbm.

I would leave my child with a sick baby sitter before I would leave him alone in a car in August. It "happens," yes-- to those with screwed up priorities.

 

[blue22]

Homicide is manner because he died as a result of another persons actions. Apparently "accident" is reserved for accidents inflicted by your own actions? I don't know very confusing.

If a man rapes a woman and she dies, he is not just guilty of rape...he is gulty of MURDER. She dies as a result of a felony rape.

I think the charge is being made more complicated than it is.

An accident, is not usually a felony.

 

[CrazytownUSA]

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.

Yes, that is what the Homer Fund does... it's is a fund that assist with the needs of Home Depot employees.

From the article below: "One group supporting Harris is The Home Depot, which has donated funds for Cooper Harris’ funeral, according to company spokeswoman Catherine Woodling.

“It is our standard approach for the Homer Fund to provide grants for funeral expenses for associates,” Woodling said.

The Homer Fund is a nonprofit charity started by Home Depot in 1999, according to its website. The maximum grant is for $10,000, according to Woodling."


http://mdjonline.com/view/full_stor...-heat?instance=special _coverage_right_column

 

[Judicious1]

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.

Its a bit unclear to me who started the donation account that has a little over 20k in it. Could be a total stranger or friend of the family started it out of concern for mom. The way the site is set up I believe certain criteria has to be submitted to retrieve the funds. Funds could end up in a scholarship fund, funeral, living expenses. Mom worked part time so I'm assuming her husband in jail will create a financial hardship. Its not just deposited into a bank account no questions asked. This of course is my general understanding. The Homer Fund is completely separate. Its a charity set up to help HD employees in their time of need and help them cope with unforeseen life events. I wound at this more than qualifies.

 

[Judicious1]

If a man rapes a woman and she dies, he is not just guilty of rape...he is gulty of MURDER. She dies as a result of a felony rape.

I think the charge is being made more complicated than it is.

An accident, is not usually a felony.

I understand the felony murder charge. I was referring to manner of death

 

[Patience]

Father charged with murdering toddler son by leaving him trapped in 91F car had done internet search on how long it would take for animal to die in hot car

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-animal-die-hot-car-toddler-son-died-way.html
Justin Ross Harris, 33, from Marietta, Georgia, has been charged with murder of son, Cooper, aged 22 months
Investigators reportedly seized Harris' work computer after his arrest on June 18
Father claims he went to work at Home Depot, forgot to drop Cooper off at daycare, and only discovered his tragic mistake seven hours later
Earlier witnesses said he was acting 'odd' and claimed at first that Cooper was choking
An autopsy revealed the cause of death was consistent with hyperthermia, the medical examiner announced Wednesday
Police said on Wednesday that Harris actually RETURNED to his car at lunch while at work to put something in the front passenger seat
But an online petition has been launched with 11,000 signatures supporting Harris' release


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...t-car-toddler-son-died-way.html#ixzz35kw2Skt4
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

 

[Linda7NJ]

Father charged with murdering toddler son by leaving him trapped in 91F car had done internet search on how long it would take for animal to die in hot car

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-animal-die-hot-car-toddler-son-died-way.html
Justin Ross Harris, 33, from Marietta, Georgia, has been charged with murder of son, Cooper, aged 22 months
Investigators reportedly seized Harris' work computer after his arrest on June 18
Father claims he went to work at Home Depot, forgot to drop Cooper off at daycare, and only discovered his tragic mistake seven hours later
Earlier witnesses said he was acting 'odd' and claimed at first that Cooper was choking
An autopsy revealed the cause of death was consistent with hyperthermia, the medical examiner announced Wednesday
Police said on Wednesday that Harris actually RETURNED to his car at lunch while at work to put something in the front passenger seat
But an online petition has been launched with 11,000 signatures supporting Harris' release


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...t-car-toddler-son-died-way.html#ixzz35kw2Skt4
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Horrible thought...what if he did that search after going to his car at lunch because "it was taking too long"




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[eileenhawkeye]

If the search was not done within the same week or so, I don't think it would be too difficult for the defense to explain away. If the family owns a dog, perhaps he was wondering how long he could leave the dog in the car if they were going to be at a rest stop or something for a few minutes. I also don't understand why he would search for "how long does it take an animal to die in a hot car" instead of simply "animals in hot car". I bet there will be a lot more debate over this in a few months, with some arguing there is no way he would search for something so incriminating and unnecessary, so it might not be as clear cut as it looks.

 

[Patience]

Evil, whatever the motive.

 

[CCmakes3]

This is the whole problem, with the internet.

For you to find someone sickening, reprehensible and lacking in priorities - with just the briefest story on the internet - is the problem. The rush to judgement and the passion behind your opinion of her, is the problem with what this type of communication causes. There is no context, no texture, no flexibility. As a society, this belief that we can make a decision in 3 minutes - and such an ANGRY and passionate one - in about 15 seconds and damn and entire person, is a problem.

As a society we are beginning to lack the ability to say well, let's hear more before we decide. Or the ability to see both sides of something. We've been forever altered by this quick sound bite desire to condemn.

And it wasn't illegal at the time to leave a baby in a locked car. Just as at one time it was perfectly legal to have your kids sleeping unrestrained in the back of a station wagon, or ride their bikes with the wind rushing through their hair.

Anyway, I'm out of here for the morning and afternoon.

So play on.

Bbm. That's a matter of opinion. Actually I think the "whole problem with the internet" is not people judging morally reprehensible behavior, but rather people who search ways to kill others and make it look like an accident.

 

[jjenny]

Horrible thought...what if he did that search after going to his car at lunch because "it was taking too long"




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That would be my guess. Why would he allegedly search how long it takes for an animal to die if the child was already dead when he went to the car at lunch? Assuming the search was done after he came back from lunch.

 

[Judicious1]

Bbm.

I would leave my child with a sick baby sitter before I would leave him alone in a car in August. It "happens," yes-- to those with screwed up priorities.

I never said I agreed. I said you should never leave a child in a car period.
I will mention that many of the people who have accidentally left their child in the car ( not leaving them purposely then forgetting) and their children died have not been prosecuted. Less than half. The ones that were ... a large percentage were later found not guilty by a jury or given a very minimal sentence. It depends on the state and DA but the ones that went to trial and found not guilty tells me that there are plenty of people out there feel this could happen to someone (anyone) given everyday circumstances of a busy parent. Right or wrong that is how the situations turned out. I would have to know all the details of each case before I could decide if I agree. The poster defending her friend knows the entire story and the women's background so I'm sure her perception is going to differ from yours.


People are feisty today! Its ruining the feel of this forum for me.

 

[Linda7NJ]

That would be my guess. Why would he allegedly search how long it takes for an animal to die if the child was already dead when he went to the car at lunch?

Shiver....
I am starting to hate the way my mind works....side effect of following cases like this I suppose.


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[blue22]

I understand the felony murder charge. I was referring to manner of death

Manner of death is always found from the totality of circumstances. For the most part, I think we all knew what COD was. It was found consistent with homicide (IMO,) because of the gross negligence involved. The child died as a result of the father committing a felony which requires gross negligence. So this is not an accident, because they feel he is responsible for causing his death while committing another crime against the child. IMO the manner of death is homicide, for the same reason as he was charged with felony murder.