GUILTY OH - Emilliano Terry, 3, Cleveland, 25 November 2012

[sweetsavi]

I don't think that's true? Most states have the safe haven laws to leave a newborn at a hospital, fire dept, but I don't think it applies to older kids. I think it would probably fall under abandonment and she could have been arrested.

Safe Haven law means you can leave the baby there no questions asked, and not even so much as your name. Emiliano would not have fallen under that law....BUT she could have gone to the police or DHS and told them her frustrations, and they would have gotten him out of there alive.

I saw it happen several times during my internship with DHS. Parent would come in for food stamps, would start blaming one kid for all their life's problems, worker would ask if they needed help, kid would go to a foster home that day until parents worked on their issues.

 

[dillysmom11]

I don't think that's true? Most states have the safe haven laws to leave a newborn at a hospital, fire dept, but I don't think it applies to older kids. I think it would probably fall under abandonment and she could have been arrested.

This is true. She probably knows the system well, and knew they wouldn't help. There are no excuses for murder, but are usually reasons. I think she was also failed by the foster care system.

 

[TxLady2]

Oh, this is so sad! I was offline most of yesterday and last night, was really hoping to come back and hear some good news, but this..... it's just heartbreaking.
Good work from LE to find him so quickly and to pick up on the holes in her story. There is no excuse for something like this.... none. SO very sad, but I hope the other two children will have a chance now, being in foster homes and possibly adopted eventually. Too bad she didn't get some help before this little boy died.
I wonder what happened. I guess details will come out eventually, but geez... this is sickening!

 

['Ailina]

InterestinG. I googled Baby Safe Haven, and found that the program IS state wide for here in Massachusetts. I guess it is perhaps up to the town/city to post signage, so that all are aware of it. IMO the signage should be plentiful and MANDATORY for cities to put up. How on earth else are parents to even know about the option? They should also be providing literature about it to every mom having a baby - and have the labor/delivery/maternity nurses go over it with mom. They go over everything else, this should be mandatory too!

Here is the info on Ohio's Baby Safe Haven law. I wonder if CT knew this was an option?

http://jfs.ohio.gov/safehavens/

I absolutely agree, Gardenlady. Yes, there are probably many "parents" who would take advantage of and manipulate such an option, but I feel it's a small price to pay if it saves lives.

My sister is pregnant with her first and prone to severe depression. I told her just last night -- with emphasis -- if she ever finds herself overwhelmed, bring her child to a relative or to the ER, no questions asked.

And I think the Safe Haven laws should be changed to include a child of any age still in the custody of a parent/guardian.

(edited for misspelling)

 

[jjenny]

They had a loophole in one state where parents could abandon children of any age under "safe heaven." They closed that loophole real quick. I recall reading about one guy abandoning a whole bunch of his kids after his wife died under this "safe heaven" law, meanwhile he got himself a new girlfriend and gotten her pregnant too.
I really don't think that is what we want-people producing as many children as they can, abandoning them, then starting all over producing new ones.
There has to be at least some responsibility if a person decides to become a parent.

 

['Ailina]

After some thought, I feel safe committing to the opinion that if the Safe Haven law were changed and

1) child abandonments increased
AS
2) child homicides decreased

...I would deem that an effective law worth the increase in taxes and/or expenditures.

(Sigh. Poor kids. As if there weren't enough loving, responsible people to care for all of them living right now. Just not the actual parents.)

(edited for rotten auto-correct)

 

[jjenny]

After some thought, I feel safe committing to the opinion that if the Safe Haven law were changed and

1) child abandonments increased
AS
2) child homicides decreased

...I would deem that an effective law worth the increase in taxes and/or expenditures.

(Sigh. Poor kids. As if there weren't enough loving, responsible people to care for all of them living right now. Just not the actual parents.)

(edited for rotten auto-correct)

And where would we get these taxes and expenditures? Considering we don't seem to have enough for anything at this moment.

 

[NC Analyzer]

I absolutely agree, Gardenlady. Yes, there are probably many "parents" who would take advantage of and manipulate such an option, but I feel it's a small price to pay if it saves lives.

My sister is pregnant with her first and prone to severe depression. I told her just last night -- with emphasis -- if she ever finds herself overwhelmed, bring her child to a relative or to the ER, no questions asked.

And I think the Safe Haven laws should be changed to include a child of any age still in the custody of a parent/guardian.

(edited for misspelling)

Safe Haven laws apply to newborn infants only. It varies from 3-7 days old (usually). There was a state that accommodated a safe haven law for children of all ages. Unfortunately, too many children were dumped on the system without enough resources to care for them and the law had to be revised. As unbelievable as it sounds, many people would abandon their children to the system. People came from states away to drop off their kids. There simply wasn't enough foster care homes or suitable places to care for all the children and adoption laws are strictly enforced when it comes to this type of situation. Children cannot be adopted unless their biological parents agree and terminate their parental rights. So, what you had was a state that ended up not having enough resources to provide for the number of children that were dropped off. Not everyone wants to be a parent. Unfortunately. But I do know that if this mother actually TOLD DSS that she was not willing or able to provide care for this child or feared that she would harm him, the child would have been immediately removed from her and placed in care. At that point she could have begun the process to relinquish her parental rights. The child could also have been placed with the bio dad or other relatives if they were determined to be suitable. There is no excuse.

 

[Gardenlady]

And where would we get these taxes and expenditures? Considering we don't seem to have enough for anything at this moment.

Well. We can either spend more, or see more dead and/or abused babies. It's all about priorities.

 

['Ailina]

And where would we get these taxes and expenditures? Considering we don't seem to have enough for anything at this moment.

Another pre-existing wrench in the works, as is the case with most theories. Always comes down to the Almighty Dollar, sadly.

I doubt most people would be willing to part with their hard-earned dollars to fund such a service. But I would.

 

['Ailina]

Thanks for your thoughtful, informative post, NC Analyzer! I recall that subject from several years ago, now that you mention it. The state had the best intentions, but it just didn't work.

Again, poor kids.

 

[NC Analyzer]

And where would we get these taxes and expenditures? Considering we don't seem to have enough for anything at this moment.

Absolutely. A lot of the problem is money. Foster parents are reimbursed by the State through tax payer dollars.

 

[Camdenres]

See comments:
http://voices.yahoo.com/putting-child-adoption-143449.html

I found this earlier today. Around 1:30 pm I called the fourth district and spoke with a detective who I sent the links and a screen shot to of the comments.
I was then called by FBI agent David Morgan who I again sent the comments to, as well as the link to her facebook and website.
This is just sickening. I am so sad but I knew.

When I grow up, I want to be an amazing sleuther just like you! :rocker: In all seriousness, great job finding that and Nursie might be right...I bet this info did help LE move forward quicker than they could have. Makes my WS heart feel good that what we do is important!

RIP beautiful Little Boy! I am so sorry you did not get to grow up!

 

[paisleyb]

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/11/candlelight_vigil_wednesday_fo.html

From above link:
"Community activists will host a candlelight vigil at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the park."
"In February 2012, court records show that she had "met all her graduation requirements, but has not passed the (Ohio Graduation Test)" and that she "has gone to live with her father in Mississippi."
Three months later, Terry called the agency asking for help with the children, Madigan said."

Also, CT's picture:

 

[paisleyb]

Ed Gallek ‏@EdGallek19
update on missing child. medical examiner still needs to positively id child. autopsy done today but no results yet

https://twitter.com/EdGallek19

 

[paisleyb]

Lindsay Buckingham NOVEMBER 27, 201212:49 PM
Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office: Body of toddler has not been positively identified as Emilliano Terry. DNA testing will be required, which could take a few days for results.

http://fox8.com/2012/11/26/live-video-missing-toddler-news-conference/

 

[paisleyb]

Lindsay Buckingham NOVEMBER 27, 2012 12:52 PM
An autopsy was conducted this morning, but the medical examiner’s office said results would not yet be released.

http://fox8.com/2012/11/26/live-video-missing-toddler-news-conference/

 

[steff13]

DNA testing? Does that mean he couldn't be identified visually?

Sent from my VS840 4G using Tapatalk 2

 

[Hopeful One]

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/11/candlelight_vigil_wednesday_fo.html

From above link:
"Community activists will host a candlelight vigil at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the park."
"In February 2012, court records show that she had "met all her graduation requirements, but has not passed the (Ohio Graduation Test)" and that she "has gone to live with her father in Mississippi."
Three months later, Terry called the agency asking for help with the children, Madigan said."

Also, CT's picture:

That is one scary looking lady.

 

[paisleyb]

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/11/camillia_terry_mother_arrested.html

Article about videos she posted online and their lyrics.
from link--
"In one, called "Burning Inside" she sings a haunting refrain about being in pain from losing some one. One of the lines is "I had a dream that someone I knew was going to die."

"In a song called "Words Can't Describe" (see video below) she sings about someone who has been there for her. Terry sings that she lost her house, had her first child at 14 and tried to overdose on pills. She talks about being streesed out all the time."

Also, Memorial FB Page for Emilliano
https://www.facebook.com/EmillianoTerry?ref=ts&fref=ts