GUILTY IN - Eduardo Posso, 12, dies of abuse and starvation, Monroe County, July 2019

[doodles1211]

This is very. very similar to a case that happened literally across the road from me when I was a teenager. In Martin County, Kentucky, a 14yo boy named Wesley was chained to a toilet and starved to death for almost a year. He had several broken bones and a swollen spleen when he was found. He was finally able to escape and he got help. His dad was prominent in the community. The whole town was shocked and still trying to recover. Montel had him on a few episodes and he's doing relatively well after all these years. I don't know what the heck is wrong with people.

Was this the guy who wrote those "a boy called it: books? I read every single one. Couldn't put them doen.

 

[Sunshine95]

I am pretty sure the Boy called It case was California

 

[MicheleT]

Dad, stepmom charged in starvation death boy in Indiana

Luis Posso told investigators that he had struck Eduardo multiple times with a belt and other objects, but he denied withholding food. Police say a video on the father’s phone showed Eduardo in a motel bathtub with his hands and feet bound.

 

[MimosaMornings]

A 12-year-old boy who was starved, chained and kept in a dog collar died. His mother never knew he left the state — CNN

Knew her ex was rough on the kids. He got full custody. Last saw kids Thanksgiving 2017. “He talked a little bit”. Mailed child support to an address in Florida so thought they were living there? No phone calls? WTH? Those poor kids.

 

[CastlesBurning]

I work in an urban school system where there is a great deal of transience - it's not uncommon for kids to show up for a couple of months (having come to us from a different state), then abruptly taking off for another place. Even within our city, they often move. It's not unusual to see an elementary school-aged child with 10 different addresses written on their file.

That said, once a parent withdraws their child from the school district, we take it on faith that they will register in another district. But we have had more than one situation where there is a period of MONTHS before they do so. Usually it's a concerned relative or unusually observant neighbor calls social services, which is when we finally get a call requesting their records for the new school district. (Then the parent gets upset that their child has to repeat the school year, like...you kept him out from December through March! What did you think was going to happen??)

And homeschooling? Here in CT, all the parent has to do is sign one paper saying they are withdrawing their child in order to homeschool...and that's it. We do not follow up on the child in any way, not to ensure he or she is actually following some sort of curriculum, and most certainly not for physical well-being.

While no child ended up dying in these situations, I have long been extremely concerned about the potential for abuse and neglect. How many more children have to suffer before the states crack down on parental accountability??

 

[BlinkOfAnI]

Wonder why mom didn't have custody ?
It could be as simple as the "dad" made more money than her ?
How terrible for her.
I cannot imagine.

Eta : I took it to mean the 'dad' was keeping information from the bio-mom.
a lot of non-communication going on here. Mom and uncle seemed genuinely distraught.
As circus promoters.. they must have been traveling often, so-- somewhat transient ?

"Garcia said she knew her ex-husband was rough with her kids, it was part of the reason they split. But she didn't think he was capable of what he's been accused of. 'It never crossed my mind that he was going to do something horrible that he did. How can you do that to your son? You don't do that, starve him to death, chain him up, beat him. How can you think anyone would do that especially to his own blood?' "

"She and Eduardo's father separated in 2015 and divorced in 2016, she said. After the divorce, Garcia says that during the separation Posso picked up the kids and never returned them. She says she missed a custody hearing and he was awarded full custody."
A 12-year-old boy who was starved, chained and kept in a dog collar died. His mother never knew he left the state - CNN

 

[CastlesBurning]

After the divorce, Garcia says that during the separation Posso picked up the kids and never returned them. She says she missed a custody hearing and he was awarded full custody

I'm no expert in child custody matters, but this sounds a bit wonky to me. Sure, missing a custody hearing isn't exactly a great thing; but for only that reason (and despite kidnapping the children), the dad got awarded full custody? There is clearly something in the story we are not hearing.

 

[bears10]

I'm no expert in child custody matters, but this sounds a bit wonky to me. Sure, missing a custody hearing isn't exactly a great thing; but for only that reason (and despite kidnapping the children), the dad got awarded full custody? There is clearly something in the story we are not hearing.

I'm not a custody expert either - by any means - but I am a stepmom and involved in a few online step parenting communities, so I've had first hand experiences with custody and have heard a lot of other people's experiences. Maybe things are different in Florida, but a dad fails to return his kids after his parenting time (sounds like parental kidnapping IMO), and a judge just says "sure bud, here's fully custody of the kids you failed to return to their other parent after your scheduled parenting time"??? Idk, doesn't sound right to me. IMO there is likely way more to that story. And for all things holy, don't miss custody hearings without a damn good reason (that you notify the court of in advance). Especially if you have concerns about the other parent's "roughness" with the kids.

I hope I don't come off judgemental. I just can't help but feel angry at how badly this poor boy was failed by so many adults.

 

[BlinkOfAnI]

Manatee County court records. So much back and forth with 2015 divorce and what seems like child support issues. Last court date shows May 9, 2019.
Search Court Records - Manatee County Clerk

 

[Sunshine95]

I'm no expert in child custody matters, but this sounds a bit wonky to me. Sure, missing a custody hearing isn't exactly a great thing; but for only that reason (and despite kidnapping the children), the dad got awarded full custody? There is clearly something in the story we are not hearing.

From what I’ve seen, missing a custody hearing usually means the party that shows up gets pretty much what they ask for. I’m not a lawyer or anything just have had my share of experience personally and with friends...

 

[BlinkOfAnI]

I'm no expert in child custody matters, but this sounds a bit wonky to me. Sure, missing a custody hearing isn't exactly a great thing; but for only that reason (and despite kidnapping the children), the dad got awarded full custody? There is clearly something in the story we are not hearing.

I agree. My experience is criminal law so family court knowledge is only by association. Maybe there was a lot of moving around going on and AG didn't know what was going on with court. I found the info interesting at
Search Court Records - Manatee County Clerk

 

[tlcya]

There is a reason it took me this long to click on this thread. I don't know that I will be back but odds are I will. I won't be able to not. I haven't seen one like this since Gabriel Fernandez. I'll never understand the depravity it takes to do this to anyone, let alone a child, moreover your child.

 

[bears10]

Karen Graham and her husband sensedthat the boy who lived next door wasn’t being treated well. Eduardo Posso seemed terrified, too scared to even pet their dog. They heard his father yelling late into the night, watched as the 12-year-old was forced to move heavy circus equipment off the porch every day so that he could sweep it, and noticed that his siblings rarely left the efficiency apartment that the family shared in Myakka City, Fla.

Snip

Before the family left Florida, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office had visited their home five times in roughly an 18-month period to investigate reports that Eduardo was being abused, according to the Herald. Some had been made by anonymous tipsters, while others came from his school and his grandmother. On two occasions, Eduardo had bruises, which were attributed to a juggling accident and a failed trampoline flip. In December, the last time that investigators visited, Eduardo denied that he was being abused and a deputy took a photo of him smiling. Two days later, he and his siblings were pulled out of school.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/beta.w...ers-year-old-shackled-starved/?outputType=amp

More at link

 

[iulia]

Prosecutor seeks life without parole for dad, stepmom in Posso case

Monroe County Prosecutor Erika Oliphant filed a notice of intent to seek sentences of life imprisonment without parole Thursday afternoon against Luis Posso and Dayana Medina Flores if they are convicted of murder.

Oliphant cited two aggravating circumstances: the torture and confinement of Eduardo while he was alive.

 

[LietKynes]

Prosecutor seeks life without parole for dad, stepmom in Posso case

Thanks for the update.
These poor excuses for "parents",or rather bio-donors , who deserve to suffer the same punishments meted out to that innocent boy.

 

[MyBelle]

I work in an urban school system where there is a great deal of transience - it's not uncommon for kids to show up for a couple of months (having come to us from a different state), then abruptly taking off for another place. Even within our city, they often move. It's not unusual to see an elementary school-aged child with 10 different addresses written on their file.

That said, once a parent withdraws their child from the school district, we take it on faith that they will register in another district. But we have had more than one situation where there is a period of MONTHS before they do so. Usually it's a concerned relative or unusually observant neighbor calls social services, which is when we finally get a call requesting their records for the new school district. (Then the parent gets upset that their child has to repeat the school year, like...you kept him out from December through March! What did you think was going to happen??)

And homeschooling? Here in CT, all the parent has to do is sign one paper saying they are withdrawing their child in order to homeschool...and that's it. We do not follow up on the child in any way, not to ensure he or she is actually following some sort of curriculum, and most certainly not for physical well-being.

While no child ended up dying in these situations, I have long been extremely concerned about the potential for abuse and neglect. How many more children have to suffer before the states crack down on parental accountability??

Changing state jurisdictions is how abusive parents have been flying below the radar and it has been happening for years. Time for Congress to step in and address it once and for all. All child abuse and neglect accusations should be entered into a federal data base so that school districts can access it. And school districts should be required to monitor all home schooling.

JMO

 

[JerseyGirl]

Stepmother appeals sentence in child neglect, murder case | news - Indiana Public Media

Dayana Medina-Flores is appealing her 65-year prison sentence for the murder of her stepson.

Her husband won an appeal last year that ruled some of the evidence used against him must be suppressed, as he had not been advised of his state constitutional right to counsel. According to online court records, he awaits a jury trial.

 

[Knitty]

'There's Really No Words for This Type of Abuse': Indiana Circus Promoter Pleads Guilty to Beating and Starving 12-Year-Old Son to Death

Luis Eduardo Posso, Jr. formally pleaded guilty to viciously abusing his 12-year-old son before starving the child to death in May 2019.

lawandcrime.com

 

[FrostedGlass]

An article on this case came up on my Twitter feed. How horrible!

Here's his sentencing hearing date

08/05/2022

Sentencing Hearing Session: 08/18/2022 9:00 AM, Rescheduled Session: 08/05/2022 9:00 AM, Judicial Officer: Talley Haseman, Christine Comment: RESERVING ONE DAY

 

[tlcya]

Luis Posso pleaded guilty to the murder of his 12-year-old son, Eduardo Posso, who died of starvation at an Indiana hospital.
[snip]
Prosecutors agreed to drop a slew of other charges against the elder Posso, including separate counts of neglect, battery and criminal confinement — as well as a life without parole enhancement — in exchange for the man's guilty plea, per court filings. Luis Posso now faces a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
[snip]
Luis Posso’s sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 18, according to online court records.
Florida Dad Pleads Guilty To Murder In 12-Year-Old Son’s Starvation Death In Indiana | Oxygen Official Site