Oh My!!!
From the beginning, every time I have logged out, there has been a major break in this case. Before I went to lunch today, I actually sat here, scared to log off. And sure enough, I come back from lunch, and little Shaniya's body has been found. I know it's completely irrational to feel like if I had stayed logged in, she wouldn't have been found, and could still be alive. But I guess that's just it, this case has made a mess of me. I simply can't imagine (though I've read too many cases to be naive) a mother, carrying a child in her womb, giving birth, and doing what this woman did. I knew years before my son was even conceived that my child/children would be very special and important to me. But now that I actually HAVE my son, he is the most precious thing I've ever known in life. My heart screams at the mere thought of anything ACCIDENTALLY happening to him. I simply can not conceive of the horrors this (what do I call her? woman? mom? person? those all portray someone with emotion) put her own flesh and blood child through.
For those that are upset that Shaniya's dad sent her to live there. I would ask that you try and see this from another angle. Hindsight is always 20/20. The truth is, we can only do so much to protect our children. I feel this man did what he THOUGHT was a good thing at the time. He let Shaniya go to spend time getting to know her mother. He didn't have an inside look into her head, he didn't know her plans. He thought she wanted to know her OWN child and he tried to accomodate that, most likely for Shaniya's sake. How could he ever think the woman who bore her could do something like this when we here at WS can not conceive of that?
I understand and agree with knowing the people who will be around your child and checking them out. But this wasn't a stranger or distant relative. It was the child's own mother.
My heart and prayers go out to Shaniya's dad and anyone who knew her, loved her and misses her.
Shaniya, may god bring you into his arms and take away all of your pain and confusion. May he help bring justice for you and those who loved you. Fly with the angels sweet baby girl.