TN - Jonathan Goodrum & Kristina Sawyer for rape of newborn, McKenzie, 2006

[christine2448]

I, for one, am not suspicious of LE or the hospital staff. I am, however, a bit suspicious of the mother's statement and whether or not it means that she "confessed" until we know what it says and under what conditions she made it.

I am suspicious of everyone until we find out the truth, if ever.

I too want to know if she really confessed, and what the deal was, yada yada.

Whoever did it is a ..whether it be a staffer or the parents, I hope we find out and they pay...SICK, SICK, SICK.

 

[Marie]

The problem I have with that is the following wording from a similar article:

"Neither (her attorney) West, (McKenzie Police Lt.) Nanney nor DCS spokesman Rob Johnson would comment on what Sawyer said in her statement or whether she witnessed the abuse authorities believe took place."

Jackson Sun - www.jacksonsun.com - Jackson, TN

So I have no idea what she saw, what she said, or what was said to her in order for her to make a statement. I do agree that it is very probable that she saw the injury but since I can't know for sure, I just hate to jump the gun on accusing her.

But you need to understand that she saw or knew something, enough of something that LE was willing to make a deal with her in order to make their case against the father stronger. Giving her the benefit of the doubt, I would venture to guess that she did not participate in the abuse, but knew her boyfriend did and lied when the abuse was discovered - maybe she caught him in the act or asked him if he did it - and God forbid, maybe she suspected him because he'd already abused her older child. She was probably scared for whatever reason, or there are just some people who live a certain lifestyle and always automatically lie to the cops.

 

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

I agree, Marie, that this girl PROBABLY knew about the abuse. But I don't know that for sure. I don't think that she's guilty just because prosecutors made a deal with her. I don't think that the system always works the way that it's supposed to. And if she's part of that lifestyle that always automatically lies to the police, I'd assume that that stems from fear. That same fear, and perhaps lower economic or educational level, could contribute to her being bullied through a process about which she's not knowledgeable, not necessarily even knowing that she has alternatives.

I once believed that a man was guilty of molesting his 3 year-old daughter, and then throwing her into a body of water, still alive, with duct tape over her mouth (I may be misremembering - it may have been around her hands) because he had "confessed". DNA that belonged to someone else is what finally exonerated him. LE must have been bent on "solving" the case, and coerced his confession. If the police didn't look hard enough to find the real culprit on that unbelievably horrific crime, I can see them looking no further in other "less severe" cases as well.

Here's a link to the family site for the case mentioned above. Her cause of death was drowning:

JusticeForRiley.com

 

[pedinurse]

I am glad that mamacita wrote to you guys before I did.

I know that where I work, extensive background checks are done on all maternal / child employees.

There were a lot of misconceptions voiced on this thread... even one that stated that they didn't see how the injuries could have been rape. I DOUBT that you have seen pictures of the injuries on any news source / website. You can't say that without two things:

1) seeing it for yourself

2) and extensive training in the identification / signs of child abuse (especially sexual assult).

The identification and treatment of sexual assult and abuse injuries is actually becoming a subspecialty in the medical / nursing field - there is so much information to keep up on, and the literature is constantly evolving... there is no way that any lay person can say something with such confidence. And I find it upsetting that the finger was immediately passed to hospital workers, and to male nurses. The male nurses I have worked with have been the BEST and the most trustworthy that I have known. What a horrible stereotype to give into. I'm really disappointed right now in a lot of the comments I saw. I am glad that the mom has fessed up so that the dad can get what he deserves.

p.s. you guys were talking about how someone could have just given birth and then be even thinking of anything sexual... I've only been a nurse for a few years, but I'll tell you that at I have walked in on at least 3 couples in the middle of "intimate moments" less than 24 hours after delivery. It happens.

 

[pedinurse]

I am not completely for sure, but I think that it is against the law to even have the old thermometers in the hospital now due to the risks of mercury. I really doubt it anyway since the standard of care for taking care of a newborn is an axillary (under the arm) temp. However, I have seen a rectal temp be done while checking for anal patency (if baby hasn't passed that first stool within a certain amount of time, that MIGHT be done).

We have a newborn baby-don't know if Mom delivered vaginally or had a c-section(this is important because the level of pain meds would have been much different). Also, if a c-section occurred, it usually means there were perceived problems for mom and/or baby.
What if a staff member was taking a rectal temp(not uncommon in newborns)with an older style thermometer that broke? The glass would be more than sharp enough to cause the injury extending to the front area.
I would like to know what samples were taken and if any mercury showed up/ Also, knowing the Mom's delivery status would go a long way to whether or not she may have been involved-cause if you've had a c-section(I have had 2) not only does the epidural keep you numb from the waist down for the first 12 hrs or so, you also usually have a morphine pump that keeps you pretty much in la-la land. And after a c-section, folks are constantly coming in to check your status since it is MAJOR surgery!
My personal belief is that this was a hosp employee accident being covered up or the crime was committed by a hosp staffer.

 

[Marie]

Photo's of both the accused are at the link. She, the mother, especially looks so young and sweet. I am having a hard time imagining what/why in the heck these parents raped their newborn.

Judge releases mom in baby rape case from jail
McKenzie woman will plead guilty to lesser charge; she agrees to testify against the baby's father.


Jonathan Goodrum, 19, and Kristina Sawyer, 18, both of McKenzie, made a brief appearance in Carroll County Circuit Court Tuesday.

The couple, who were engaged to be married, were arrested in April, according to court records. The arrests were made when McKenzie Regional Hospital officials notified police after discovering tears in the baby's private area during a routine examination prior to the infant's release.
Sawyer, who had been jailed on $5,000 bond, was released on her own recognizance. She is expected to testify against Goodrum and then she will plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of failure to report child abuse, according to her attorney, Steve West.

West added, "The state will accept the plea upon the conditions of the deal, which include her testifying truthfully."

Goodrum remains in the Carroll County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

 

[Marie]

I've just been browsing the TalkBack Forums at the Jackson Sun website. Interesting stuff, such as this post by username Mckenzie mom:

"Look We are all goin to have our oppions but i know for a fact of two other children this man has touched in sexual ways my step niece for 1. my sister is in the middel of a costody battel with mis. Sawyers as I speek to get costody of mis Sawyers oldist child. (my sisters step daughter) Mr. Goodrum also had sexual ralations with this baby and she is now 15 mo old but he started messing with her @ 3 mo old.. not only is ths wrong to do to any1 but to ur own child much less set by and watch some 1 esle do unseen things to your child is down right sick!..Not to mention Mr. Goodrum has also raped his own sister and has a child with her. Kristina has mad a confesion that she is the one that did it all to the child and then recently took it back. & YES there is survallanc video showing that only the two where in the room with the chiled at that time.. But I know of Johnathans sick obession with touching small children. Not only these two but any1 who does suck things like this should be stoned like they use to do."

 

[christine2448]

I've just been browsing the TalkBack Forums at the Jackson Sun website. Interesting stuff, such as this post by username Mckenzie mom:

"Look We are all goin to have our oppions but i know for a fact of two other children this man has touched in sexual ways my step niece for 1. my sister is in the middel of a costody battel with mis. Sawyers as I speek to get costody of mis Sawyers oldist child. (my sisters step daughter) Mr. Goodrum also had sexual ralations with this baby and she is now 15 mo old but he started messing with her @ 3 mo old.. not only is ths wrong to do to any1 but to ur own child much less set by and watch some 1 esle do unseen things to your child is down right sick!..Not to mention Mr. Goodrum has also raped his own sister and has a child with her. Kristina has mad a confesion that she is the one that did it all to the child and then recently took it back. & YES there is survallanc video showing that only the two where in the room with the chiled at that time.. But I know of Johnathans sick obession with touching small children. Not only these two but any1 who does suck things like this should be stoned like they use to do."

can you give a link for this please?

 

[Marie]

Sorry, I meant to leave the link but forgot: Jackson Sun TalkBack Forums

Look under the General News Forum for this case. I think the qoute was from the 4th or 5th page.

 

[concernedperson]

Goodrum's aunt who raised him said let God be with him!!!! Where was she when he exibited odd behavior and you know he did. Just wishing it would go away.....?

Sorry but this doesn't float the boat. The mom is young but seems to be facing up to the responsibility. The aunt isn't and should know better. Can anyone see this generational thing again?

 

[welder 79]

Iam sorry but i don't see this case like some of you do .What kind of LE do they have in this area?? ------ and------ type's ??? This appear's that this sick'o has been doing this for a very long period of time and like's to keep it in the family...I can't see how he keep from killing the little kid..I got to take it easy with some adult women and I never even try with any women under 21 but If there is a case that need's Major investigation of WHY?, How did the system break down?, How can we make sure this never happen's again? THIS IS THE CASE...AND THIS IS A LOCK THE SICK'O UP AND THROW AWAY THE KEY CASE..he should never see daylight again....

 

[GlitchWizard]

"I've only been a nurse for a few years, but I'll tell you that at I have walked in on at least 3 couples in the middle of "intimate moments" less than 24 hours after delivery."


My brain can't wrap around this one. It's interesting to learn, though, because I'd never in a million years have thought so after having my own child. Maybe I just didn't like my husband that much.

 

[christine2448]

Sorry, I meant to leave the link but forgot: Jackson Sun TalkBack Forums

Look under the General News Forum for this case. I think the qoute was from the 4th or 5th page.

Thanks Marie...I'm gonna check this out when I have time.

 

[Marie]

State accepts plea deal to keep defendant from losing sex offender status

A prosecutor in West Tennessee says the state accepted a plea bargain in an infant rape case to preserve lifetime sex offender status against the defendant. Twenty-year-old Jonathan Wayne Goodrum was charged with raping the one-day-old daughter of his former fiance.

He was scheduled to go on trial yesterday in Huntingdon, but District Attorney General Hansel McCadams says flaws were found in the evidence.

MORE AT LINK

 

[txsvicki]

I can't read the link or the post due to being too upset by this and I have high blood pressure. Can anyone tell me if the infant lived through this horrible crime? Thanks.

 

[Lisahas2cats]

Lifetime sex offender status against the defendant.....woooooooooo, that's harsh. I hope he doesn't curl up and die from that ultra-tough, life-altering consequence for raping a newborn.

/sarcasm

 

[Cubby]

I can't read the link or the post due to being too upset by this and I have high blood pressure. Can anyone tell me if the infant lived through this horrible crime? Thanks.

The baby was fine.

 

[Reannan]

Gosh, what a horrible case from any and every angle! I have to assume that the injuries were fairly significant for the hospital staff to have reported them. I am a bit unclear on whether or not, they actually let the baby go home with the parents? That would be against the policy of the hospital I work for. If a case of child abuse is suspected, social services is immediately retained, and the child is protected at all cost from that moment forward....at least until discharge to someone. We know the "injury" happened early in the infant's life. Do we actually "know" that the baby wasn't born with it? As ridiculous as it may sound, there are strange things that happen every day. We have had infants born with imperforate anus areas that had to be surgically opened, and then dilated to a functional size. The information quoted above from a supposed "relative" who indicates the father has participated in infant abuse before is very disturbing....but not authinticated. I think we need more information; primarily, the health and physical status of the other child.

 

[Amraann]

Hold up!!!

Life Time sex offender status??? Does that mean he is on some stupid list??
DUDE if your a$$ is in jail for life... I know my kids are safe!!

If your are under the age of 15 and molested by someone over the age of 18.
Game should be OVER. They should spend the rest of their life in prison.
I am personally tired of this. If someone touched my (at one time) 14 YO daughter??
I would be the one arrested.

 

[Bobbisangel]

This whole case is just sickening. This guy ends up serving that little dab of time and they call that good? He is a monster...he raped that little tiny baby and it is like it is no big deal. I don't care how he did it or what he used...he raped that baby. He is a sick person and should be in prison for the rest of his life...period. What is wrong with this judicial system? What were the rights of that new born baby? Is it going to be handed back to the mother that had to know what was going on?