GUILTY VA - Noah Thomas, 5, Pulaski County, 22 March 2015 #3

[DeeMarie]

Did the parents ever participate in looking for Noah?

 

[Lmustang89]

They are very common in the US. Especially in rural areas where people have a well instead of city water.

I live in a township. Common in my area to have Septic and city water. My septic lid is metal and bolted on. My son is 12 yrs and has no clue about it. Thank goodness. (I live in Michigan)

 

[SStarr33]

The parents have not been to any public gatherings to celebrate their Noah. (candle lightings/balloons)

Will the parents be at the funeral? - or is this a public gathering without them and then they will have their private funeral.

They have been in hiding all this time - I can't fathom that they would attend a public funeral...that is just my 2cents..

Not sure if they will be there or not. I know I would not be able to make any public appearances, so it wouldn't surprise me at all.

 

[TTF14]

We have a new septic system installed last year. Plastic lids (there are two plastic things out there, not sure what they're for). We were told to of course not stand on top of them, but even make sure snow is shoveled off. Just realized we totally forgot about that snow part this winter.....I'm not sure if they are bolted or not. I would certainly hope so. But, my kids are older and I highly doubt they'd be very curious about the lid. I'd be more concerned about one of the dogs jumping on it.

 

[YidArmyRach]

The parents have not been to any public gatherings to celebrate their Noah. (candle lightings/balloons)

Will the parents be at the funeral? - or is this a public gathering without them and then they will have their private funeral.

They have been in hiding all this time - I can't fathom that they would attend a public funeral...that is just my 2cents..

Have the parents issued a statement about Noah since he has been found? Or a statement thanking people for their help?

I might have missed it, but I can't recall a single statement from them - when usually in cases like this the parents seem to release something almost immediately 'in honour' of their loved one, once they have been found deceased.

 

[SStarr33]

Did the parents ever participate in looking for Noah?

Doubtful because anything they found could be discredited if there is a trial.

 

[Luvrosco]

Have the parents issued a statement about Noah since he has been found? Or a statement thanking people for their help?

I might have missed it, but I can't recall a single statement from them - when usually in cases like this the parents seem to release something almost immediately 'in honour' of their loved one, once they have been found deceased.

I haven't seen any statement directly from them.

 

[kaen]

I would guess that LE is juggling issues of making sure their case is prosecutable if necessary and/or navigating liability issues if this was an accident involving another child. They seem cautious and guarded. I want to believe they have a good reason for that.

It is important to note that criminal charges can also occur if the was negligence on the property owner's part-- lack of maintenance
or lack of securing the lid or a company's part if they failed to secure it after maintenance. Also, there could be a tank failure which is a manufacturer issue. So, it could be homicide, accident with negligence, or accident with tank lid failure. I am sure they are close to the vest because they must make sure that their first go around on this has teeth.

I agree if it was an accident, it would be highly unlikely that it involved only Noah.

 

[DeeMarie]

So now I know why all the hush hush with the parents...

"Davis would not comment on if a polygraph test had been administered to Noah's parents, but he said that the family has “sought legal advice." He said a lawyer was not present during questioning of the parents."

http://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/article_9748fee0-d3ef-11e4-abf4-577cf6908e85.html

 

[PeggyAnnMcKay]

Did the parents ever participate in looking for Noah?

That's a good question.

I can understand the parents not attending the public services, but the search...not so much. If my child was missing, there's no way you could keep my from joining in the search. When my dog got out of our yard and was gone overnight, I looked for him for hours and hours and hours. Imagine how much more if it was a child!

 

[kaen]

That's a good question.

I can understand the parents not attending the public services, but the search...not so much. If my child was missing, there's no way you could keep my from joining in the search. When my dog got out of our yard and was gone overnight, I looked for him for hours and hours and hours. Imagine how much more if it was a child!

I don't think I would be able to hold it together to search. I would think that other relatives would be around. Remember, this family had a relative who had been accused (and convicted) of murdering someone, I would think they got family counsel to not be out in public because of people trying to link to the other family member's crime.

(Speculation on my part) Also, if the CPS folks took the infant for securing her, then it would be hard to be out and about because people would be asking about the baby. Then, you are saying the baby is in custody and people start assuming

 

[Luvrosco]

Po

That's a good question.

I can understand the parents not attending the public services, but the search...not so much. If my child was missing, there's no way you could keep my from joining in the search. When my dog got out of our yard and was gone overnight, I looked for him for hours and hours and hours. Imagine how much more if it was a child!

I agree that I found it odd,also. Unless,mom was so distraught,but you would think the dad would've searched. Could LE have asked them not to? I hear you about the dog. My neighbor's dog went missing and my husband drove around helping her look for the dog for about an hour.

 

[DeeMarie]

That's a good question.

I can understand the parents not attending the public services, but the search...not so much. If my child was missing, there's no way you could keep my from joining in the search. When my dog got out of our yard and was gone overnight, I looked for him for hours and hours and hours. Imagine how much more if it was a child!

Agreed - no one could hold me back searching for my lost son. I would think he would come running hearing my voice before anyone elses.

 

[SStarr33]

That's a good question.

I can understand the parents not attending the public services, but the search...not so much. If my child was missing, there's no way you could keep my from joining in the search. When my dog got out of our yard and was gone overnight, I looked for him for hours and hours and hours. Imagine how much more if it was a child!

I'd probably do what LE told me to do.

 

[Tallula.Belle]

Typically LE will not allow the parents to search. If the child is found, and parent runs and grabs child, then evidence could be lost. Most cases I have seen are always handled this way.

 

[YidArmyRach]

Agreed - no one could hold me back searching for my lost son. I would think he would come running hearing my voice before anyone elses.

Me too ....... especially if he had gone missing whilst I was asleep. And I'm not victim blaming, I'm being serious. I'd feel so guilty, that I would do anything to put it right.

 

[wendybtn]

I realize that and you've already stated it. There's been cases of child neglect from kids being left alone and wandering outside, also if they're left alone in vehicles. As I said the kids were very young. Here's some and I'm assuming it's a case by case basis with the circumstances.

https://www.facebook.com/insidenova/posts/235099883191871
https://www.facebook.com/insidenova/posts/193371604132451
http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/0...d-neglect-after-girl-nearly-drowns-77438.html
http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/05/lashieka-harmon-charged-with-felony-child-neglect-76475.html

http://www.courts.state.va.us/courts/jdr/jdrinfo.pdf

Child Abuse and Neglect:
1. A caregiver who creates or inflicts a physical or mental injury upon a child.
2. A caregiver who creates the child to be at risk of physical or mental injury.
3. A caregiver who refuses to provide for juvenile’s health and well-being.

http://guidance.pwcs.ashland.school.../get_group_file.phtml?fid=20026525&gid=831351

Prince William County

Child Supervision Guidelines
Child Supervision
Ages 0-8 May not be left unsupervised
Ages 9-11 No more than 1.5 hours alone-day only
Ages 12-15 May be left alone all day
Ages 16-17 May be left alone all night or over the weekend
Babysitting Guidelines
Ages 12-13 May baby sit children up to four hours
Ages 14-15 May baby sit more than four hours-not overnight or
weekends
Ages 16-17 May baby sit children overnight or over the weekend

Fairfax County

Age Guidelines ...
7 years and under: Should not be left alone for any period of time. This may include leaving children unattended in cars, playgrounds, and backyards. The determining consideration would be the dangers in the environment and the ability of the caretaker to intervene.
8 to 10 years:Should not be left alone for more than 1½ hours and only during daylight and early evening hours.
11 to 12 years:May be left alone for up to 3 hours but not late at night or in circumstances requiring inappropriate responsibility.
13 to 15 years:May be left unsupervised, but not overnight.
16 to 17 years:May be left unsupervised (in some cases, for up to two consecutive overnight periods).

I haven't found others yet, still looking.

http://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/faq_children.html

Q: What is the age at which a child may be safely left alone without adult supervision?
A: Age alone is not a very good indicator of a child's maturity level. Some very mature 10-year-olds may be ready for self care while some 15-year-olds may not be ready due to emotional problems or behavioral difficulties.

How times have changed! I was babysitting a 6 year old and a 2 year old about 8 hours a day when I was 11 going on 12 in 1977. My parents went out-of-town for the weekend when I was 13. That's when the overall crime rate was higher than it is now. I made several thousands dollars babysitting between ages 11-16. Glad I grew up then. I wonder why it has changed so much??

 

[Meemaw12]

@SaveTheNextGirl: Press Release from PCSO re #NoahThomas http://t.co/7LqUPJAg6O


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[Meemaw12]

@CameronOAustin: Just got #NoahThomas press release. Really two big takeaways: 1) Sheriff Davis says there was no "lingering danger" to the public.

@CameronOAustin: 2) "Certain tests" are pending and could take weeks to be completed. Cause of death won't be final until those results are in. #NoahThomas


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[winterrose]

@SaveTheNextGirl: Press Release from PCSO re #NoahThomas http://t.co/7LqUPJAg6O

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So basically all he's said was there's no danger to any other children in the public.