TX - Abigail “Abby” Young, Up for Parole on a Yearly Basis

[Ann-Tx]

Laurie Thompson, Emma's paternal grandmother, left the following comments (below - in blue) on the Facebook page, Justice For Emma Thompson.

This is the Facebook page that LCoastMom created in 2012 (in honor of Emma Thompson and to continue to seek justice for Emma) to oppose parole for Abigail Young.

Currently, there are 1,885 "likes". Although LCoastMom can not be active on Justice For Emma Thompson facebook at this time due to illness, I think LCM would be very proud that so many folks have "liked" the page she created for Emma. Special thoughts & prayers are with you, LCoastMom!

Please "like" Justice For Emma Thompson (if you have not already done so).

Special thanks to Laurie Thompson for her efforts in getting Emma's Law passed! What a wonderful grandmother!

Emma was so lucky to have at least one grandmother who sought justice for her during the trials of Abigail Young and Lucas Coe and continued to seek justice by working with State of Texas Representative Debbie Riddle to introduce HB431 during the 2013 Legislative Session.

HB431, now known as Emma's Law to honor Emma Thompson, became law and effective immediately when TX Gov. Rick Perry signed it into law on 6/14/13.

This important law (Emma's Law) was used by the Texas Board of Pardons & Paroles to give Abigail Young a 5 year set-off date during the 2013 parole review. If Emma's Law was not in effect, Abigail Young would be up for parole review again in 2014.
~~~~~~~~~


Facebook "Justice For Emma Thompson" comments by Laurie Thompson


Laurie Thompson

We are pleased to report that the full application of Emma's Law has been made in the consideration of Abigail Young's parole. A five year set-back was applied in this case and her next date for possible eligibility (for parole) is August, 2018. Many thanks to State Representatives Debbie Riddle and Patricia Harless for their dogged determination in getting Emma's Law passed.
<A href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=403922653040680&id=203731323059815"><ABBR title="Friday, September 20, 2013 at 11:45am" data-utime="1379695526">September 20 at 11:45am</ABBR>
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Laurie Thompson It is my hope that Emma's Law will be a source of justice, peace and healing for others who suffer the loss of loved ones - including the elderly or disabled who cannot protect themselves against those who would bring harm to them.
<A class=uiLinkSubtle href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=403922653040680&id=203731323059815&comment_id=1967209&offset=0&total_comments=7" data-ft='{"tn":"N"}' data-reactid=".r[5hrjq].[1][4][1]{comment403922653040680_1967209}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[3].[0].[0]"><ABBR title="Friday, September 20, 2013 at 3:16pm" class=livetimestamp data-utime="1379708206" data-reactid=".r[5hrjq].[1][4][1]{comment403922653040680_1967209}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[3].[0].[0].[0]">September 20 at 3:16pm</ABBR>

Source:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Justice-For-Emma-Thompson/203731323059815
Facebook: Justice For Emma Thompson


For Laurie Thompson and LCoastMom:

~~~

</FORM>

 

[MsFacetious]

Awesome. :woohoo:

 

[Ann-Tx]

The following is a front page headline story in the newspaper, The Banner Press - Brenham, TX. Excellent article!

As many may know, Brenham, TX is Abigail Young's hometown.


Young again denied parole

Posted: Saturday, September 21, 2013 8:50 am

The Banner-Press
Brenham, TX

The Texas Board of Pardons and Parole has again denied the release of Abigail Young.

The board Thursday announced that Young, sentenced to 20 years in state prison in 2010 for recklessly causing serious injury to a child, had been denied parole on a 2-0 vote.

To read more:

http://www.brenhambanner.com/news/y...cle_cff5bf2c-22c4-11e3-91f5-001a4bcf887a.html

Subscription Required

An online service is needed to view this article in its entirety.

When I posted this on Saturday, I did not have time to type a snip regarding Facebook page, Justice For Emma Thompson.

As many of you know, LCoastMom created the Facebook page, Justice For Emma Thompson. It has been mentioned by various mainstream media several times since its creation and has made the news again on the front page of the daily newspaper, The Banner-Press, on Saturday, 9/21/13.

Way to go, LCM!

Snipped from the above article, "Young again denied parole ":
The Banner-Press - Brenham, TX (see above for Link)


During both times that Young's parole case has gone before the Board, there has been opposition to her release, including a Facebook page called, "Justice for Emma Thompson" that solicited comments to the Board asking that parole be denied.

 

[Ann-Tx]

Ann - I have made an appointment for Sept. 1, 2017 on my personal calender to start tracking this again. Please let me know if I should change that date to be sure we don't miss anything.

Salem

Salem, Abigail Young was placed on parole review status on 2/21/12 and in 2013, she was placed on parole review status on 4/30/13.

Around February, 2018, I will be on "alert status" to monitor Abigail Young.

However, it is a good idea to have Sept., 2017 marked for Abigail Young's upcoming parole review in 2018. A reminder of what is to come
in 2018 . . .

 

[Ann-Tx]

The Abigail Young story will be covered again this morning by KWHI - Brenham, TX. News has started and it should be on in a few minutes.

Also, it should be on at 12 noon (CDT) and 5 pm CDT.

Here's the Link for Live Stream (audio):

http://radio.securenetsystems.net/v4/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KWHI
KWHI - Brenham, TX (LIVE)

 

[Ann-Tx]

Parole Denied for Brenham Native Punished for Daughter's Death

By: KBTX Staff
KBTX (CBS) - Bryan , TX

Posted: Mon 1:55 PM, Sep 23, 2013

Abigail Young has been denied parole by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles in connection to the death of her four-year-old daughter.

Read more:

http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/...e-Punished-for-Daughters-Death-224900962.html

 

[believe09]

Ann-TX I am so pleased. What a huge relief. Next step, D.C. because Emma's Law should be a federal standard.

I strongly encourage and support any opportunity you might have to push this to the Federal level.

:blowkiss: Congratulations to all who love Emma.

 

[Tugela]

Oh Ann - this is such good news. Emma was such a beautiful child.

Okay - so now our next step is to come up with some kind of calendering system to be sure we don't forget to keep an eye on her parole status and rally the forces when next she comes up for parole. Something that will remind us about the beginning of year 4 to start looking things up and getting prepared.

I know you will keep us on track, but it would be nice if we could come up with something that would automatically alert us that we need to start focusing again.

It must be a great relief to you and Emma's family to know that you have a bit of a breather here. The time will go by so fast, but I do hope you all get a chance to relax a bit and catch your breath.

Prayers to all. I will get with our tech folks and see what we might be able to come up with here.

Thank you so much for all your hard work! :hug:

Salem

I'm not sure that she will have a parole review again. Quoting Ann-Tx's post:

9/20/2013

RE: Offender YOUNG, ABIGAIL, State ID# 08428403, TDCJ# 01668233

VINE No. (877) 894-8463
Your PIN: xxxxxxxxx

On 9/19/2013, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied release and issued a serve all for this offender. As required by the Mandatory Supervision Law that became effective August 29, 1977, the offender will be released on the projected release date of 8/16/2018 and will remain under supervision until 7/10/2030. We recommend calling our office in order to obtain the most recent information about the offender's projected release date since it is subject to change due to good time gains/losses or time recalculations.

NOTE: Due to the Discretionary Mandatory Law that became effective September 1, 1996, this case may be reviewed by the Board to decide whether to approve or deny the offender's release on the projected release date. We will notify you in the event of a discretionary review.
~~~~~~~~~~~

I looked up what those terms meant. A "serve all" order means that she would be required to serve the remainder of her sentence. Apparently in Texas you are released (according to the 1977 law) after you have served your full sentence, which is calculated using actual time served and reductions from good behaviour and participation in their rehabilitation programs. When the sum of those two reaches 20 years, she should be released, which is projected to happen around mid August of 2018. Since the 5 year parole hearing would happen after that date, it probably won't happen since it is redundant. After release she would remain under supervision of parole agents until the 20 years is up, as per the law. It is similar to parole, but the process is more automatic. The parole hearings are used to decide if you are to be released before the sentence is served.

The 1996 law allows the board to deny release at their discretion in spite of the mandatory release normally done. It doesn't appear that they are required to conduct a hearing, just that they can if they elect to do so. Otherwise the normal procedure would happen and she would be released at that time having served her sentence. I couldn't find out what the criteria for refusing release would be, but it is probably dependent on whether or not the prisoner represented an imminent threat to society. Obviously they would not want to release a dangerous offender with a high probability of re-offence, and that is the purpose of the 1996 law. That is not the case with this woman however, since her crime was one of omission rather than commission, so it would be hard to argue that she presented any sort of threat if released.

So, IMO there won't be another parole hearing, and she will be released under supervision in 2018, provided she continues with her good behavior.

 

[Ann-Tx]

I have not been on WS in quite a while. I misplaced my password and just found it today! I am so very happy to log in at WS! :loveyou:

I would like to do a couple of updates and will do each in a separate comment box.

 

[Ann-Tx]

This article is dated 12/14/13 and was in the Dallas Morning News - Dallas,
TX.

Due to a lost password, I was not able to log in at the time to post this.
~~~~~


When CPS workers accept lies, children can die

Amanda Young Mathews
Emma Thompson died from injuries that included a fractured skull after
workers were lied to about her case.


By ROBERT T. GARRETT
The Dallas Morning News - Dallas, TX
Austin Bureau

Published: 14 December 2013 11:13 PM
Updated: 14 December 2013 11:41 PM


AUSTIN — When Child Protective Services workers accept lies at face value and stop pressing for the truth, children can die.

Being gullible about relationships, living situations or even abuse can be fatal, as illustrated by the recent beating deaths of at least four young Texas children — Orien Hamilton, Alexandria Hill, Giovanni Guajardo and Emma Thompson.

In each instance, adults who had something to hide or who needed to be strong-willed protectors misled CPS workers. Had the workers known the truth, they might have removed the children from harm’s way.


Snipped:

Recent child deaths

Cover, Etheridge and other longtime leaders of child-welfare organizations suggested possible improvements after reviewing the clues that CPS missed and the opportunities for more rigorous investigation it didn’t seize in several child deaths:

• Emma Thompson: In June 2009, doctors at a Houston hospital confirmed the 4-year-old had herpes and unusual bruises around her waist. Interviewed at the hospital, Emma denied she’d been touched inappropriately.

According to the Houston Chronicle, birth mother Abigail Young told a CPS worker that no other adults were living in her household. Young said Emma might have come into contact with someone with herpes at a local YMCA. While in rare cases herpes can be transmitted in a nonsexual way, Young also had the disease.

She also lied about her live-in boyfriend, Lucas Coe, who served as a part-time baby-sitter. He had a lengthy criminal record. CPS had investigated him three times on accusations he abused a former girlfriend’s young boy.

Had CPS known Coe was there, it probably would have removed Emma and her two sisters. Instead, she stayed with Young, a nurse. Fifteen days later, Emma died from injuries that included a fractured skull, severed pancreas, vaginal tearing and more than 80 bruises. Coe is serving a sentence of life without parole in connection with her death. Young received a prison term of 20 years for failing to protect the child.

The case triggered a policy change — CPS has to interview neighbors if a child has a sexually transmitted disease. The Legislature also passed a law tightening such investigations so that the presumption is the disease-ridden child will be removed.

Read more:

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metr...cept-lies-children-can-die.ece?nclick_check=1

 

[Ann-Tx]

http://tdcj.state.tx.us/
Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)


Summary of Selected Legislation enacted by the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session
6/3/2013

Snipped from pdf:

HB 431 by Riddle - allows the Board of Pardons and Paroles (BPP) to set off an inmate's reconsideration for parole for up to five years if they have been convicted of a second or third degree felony for injuring a child, elderly person or disabled person.

pdf: http://tdcj.state.tx.us/documents/Summary_Selected_Legislation_83rd.pdf

 

[Salem]

Thank you Ann-TX!

 

[Ann-Tx]

Today, 6/27/14, is five (5) years that precious Emma Thompson
was officially pronounced dead at the Emergency Room of a hospital
in The Woodlands, TX.

Some believe that Emma was dead long before she arrived at the
Emergency Room.

Emma died a brutal, horrific death in 2009. She was barely four (4) years old.

On 3/29/14, Emma would have been 9 years old.


Emma may be gone but she will never, ever be forgotten!

Photo courtesy: Amanda Young Mathews
Emma's last Easter - 2009


~ ~ ~ Rest in peace, precious Emma Thompson! ~ ~ ~

Gone . . . but not forgotten!

Soar with the angels, precious Emma!

You are now safe in God's loving care and no one will ever hurt you
again.

Photo courtesy: Friends of Amanda Young Mathews
Taken: 6/27/2014


Emma Catherine Grace Thompson

3/29/2005 - 6/27/2009

 

[toetag]

Thank you for remembering.

 

[believe09]

Today, 6/27/14, is five (5) years that precious Emma Thompson
was officially pronounced dead at the Emergency Room of a hospital
in The Woodlands, TX.

Some believe that Emma was dead long before she arrived at the
Emergency Room.

Emma died a brutal, horrific death in 2009. She was barely four (4) years old.

On 3/29/14, Emma would have been 9 years old.


Emma may be gone but she will never, ever be forgotten!

Photo courtesy: Amanda Young Mathews
Emma's last Easter - 2009


~ ~ ~ Rest in peace, precious Emma Thompson! ~ ~ ~

Gone . . . but not forgotten!

Soar with the angels, precious Emma!

You are now safe in God's loving care and no one will ever hurt you
again.

Photo courtesy: Friends of Amanda Young Mathews
Taken: 6/27/2014


Emma Catherine Grace Thompson

3/29/2005 - 6/27/2009

Never. She will never ever be forgotten, Ann.

 

[Salem]

I agree - I will never forget Emma. She was such a beautiful child. I am surrounded by red-headed family members and always, always, I am reminded of Emma.

And now there is a law on the books with Emma's name. Child abusers convicted of their crimes won't forget Emma either. Emma now protects many, many children and helps to keep them safe from those that would play the system and earn an early release.

Fly high Emma and know that your protective wings now enclose a multitude of children.

Salem

 

[Ann-Tx]

ALERT: Interview regarding child abuse awareness/prevention

This morning I spoke with Amanda Mathews, Emma's maternal aunt and creator of Facebook page, Emma ForJustice.

Amanda advised me that she will be doing an interview with Katie McCall, a reporter/anchor for FOX26 News - Houston, TX. The purpose of this interview will be to bring awareness to child abuse. Besides Amanda, there will be others interviewed also.

It appears it will be a well rounded news story. The interview is being done this afternoon and may air later this week or next week. Amanda said she will let me know what day so that local people can watch it "live." She anticipates that FOX26 News will post it on their website and archive it. If so, I will post the Link here.

For those who have followed the Emma Thompson case closely, you may recall that Katie McCall covered Emma's tragic death and the trials of Emma's mother, Abigail Young, and her then boyfriend, Lucas Coe. At the time, Katie was a reporter with KTRK - Houston, TX (ABC News). Katie did an exceptional job of covering Emma's tragic story.

I met Katie during Lucas Coe's trial in Houston. Her dedication to child abuse awareness/prevention and especially barely 4 year old Emma Thompson's case has never wavered. Besides being a reporter/anchor for FOX26 News, Katie, as an individual, is a dedicated child's advocate.


With permission from Amanda Mathews, I would like to post the following
from her comment on Emma ForJustice - Facebook:

Emma Thompson


Emma ForJustice - (Amanda Mathews, Creator of page)

11/3/2014

Getting to speak about sweet Emma tomorrow to help bring child abuse awareness
feel honored to be asked. What a special niece I had and what a proud Aunt Am I am.
Though she is gone her angels are very much hard at work!!
Loves you BIG much my sweet Emma!!!

Source:

https://www.facebook.com/emma.forjustice?fref=pb&hc_location=friends_tab&pnref=friends.all
Emma ForJustice

 

[Ann-Tx]

The above info, regarding FOX26 News - Houston, TX interview, has been posted on Facebook page, Justice For Emma Thompson, which was created by our wonderful child's advocate, LCoastMom.

If you have not "liked" Justice For Emma Thompson facebook page, please do so! I know it would mean a lot to LCM who is in a battle with cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Justice-For-Emma-Thompson/203731323059815
Facebook: Justice For Emma Thompson (LCoastMom - creator of page)


As we all know, LCM, like many of us, followed Emma's case very closely as it unfolded and thru the conclusions of the trials of Abigail Young and Lucas Coe. Then when it was announced that Abigail Young was up for parole after serving only a brief few months in a Texas prison, LCoastMom and I joined forces and she created Justice For Emma Thompson to encourage folks world wide to write the Texas Board of Pardons & Paroles to protest parole for Young.

Thanks to so many folks who wrote protest letters, Abigail Young was denied parole twice and at her last parole hearing, the Texas Board of Pardons & Paroles denied her parole with a 5 year set off.

~ ~ ~ Justice for Emma Thompson ~ ~ ~ prevails once again!

 

[Ann-Tx]

The FOX26 News interview with Amanda Mathews (Emma Thompson's maternal aunt) and former Harris County, TX
Assistant District Attorney Colleen Barnett is scheduled to air this Thursday, 11/6/14, at 9 p.m. CST on
FOX26 News - Houston, TX.

Ms. Barnett was the Lead Prosecutor in the trials of Abigail Young (Emma Thompson's mother) and Lucas Coe ( Young's boyfriend at the time).


The following was posted by Amanda Mathews on her Emma ForJustice facebook page:


Went to Fox26 Houston today to talk about my sweet Emma ForJustice. Had such a great interview with Katie McCall. I could talk about Emma all day everyday. Her case was so horrific her death such a tragedy. However today was about shedding light on child abuse and about following your instincts! The piece will air Thursday night at 9PM.

Emma, I won't ever regret standing up for you! My loss of you has made me the person I am today!! You will always be my most beautiful Angel. Aunt Am loves you BIG much!! Send me a wink....I know you are always in my heart and watching over us! XOXOXO

Source:

https://www.facebook.com/emma.forjustice?fref=ts
Facebook - Emma ForJustice

 

[Ann-Tx]

Katie McCall - Reporter/Anchor with FOX26 News - Houston, TX interview
with Amanda Mathews, Emma Thompson's maternal aunt,
and Colleen Barnett, the Lead Prosecutor in the trials of
Abigail Young (Emma Thompson's mother) and Lucas Coe ( Young's boyfriend at the time).

This interview aired on the FOX26 News at 9 pm on 11/6/14
and was uploaded to YouTube by Amanda Mathews on 11/7/14.

I think Katie McCall, as usual, did an excellent job on reporting the facts!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3qsIWmfR_M&feature=youtu.be
YouTube - Emma Thompson


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