GUILTY WA - Jamie Chaffin for child endangerment, Bremerton, 2012

[Kimberlyd125]

Prosecutor to seek probation for 9-year-old in shooting case

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/02/25/prosecutor-to-seek-probation-for-year-old-in-shooting-case/

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Police believe the boy got the gun during a weekend visit with his mother, Jamie Lee Chaffin.

According to court documents, Chaffin has been convicted of forgery and drug crimes. As a felon, her right to own a firearm was revoked.

Both parents relinquished custody of the boy and his two sisters to his paternal grandmother. She died shortly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2010, and the boy's uncle Patrick Cochran was granted custody.


http://m.yahoo.com/w/news_america/p..._host_hdr=news.yahoo.com&.intl=us&.lang=en-us

 

[w1df10wr]

Police believe the boy got the gun during a weekend visit with his mother, Jamie Lee Chaffin.

According to court documents, Chaffin has been convicted of forgery and drug crimes. As a felon, her right to own a firearm was revoked.

Both parents relinquished custody of the boy and his two sisters to his paternal grandmother. She died shortly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2010, and the boy's uncle Patrick Cochran was granted custody.


http://m.yahoo.com/w/news_america/p..._host_hdr=news.yahoo.com&.intl=us&.lang=en-us

Shouldn't the legal guardian have checked the kids items after a visit?

 

[Bipolar Express]

This is only a block away from where I used to live. Im glad that my kids dont go to school there! Had we not moved, that is exactly where they would go, two of them anyway. Scary. More and more reason to move as far away from highly populated areas!

Kitsap county has been hit hard with violence this last week. Within 24 hours this happened, and a state trooper was shot dead. Craziness. SO glad Im away from there. I hope the little girl gets better and that they charge the adult responsible to the fullest extent of the law!!!!!

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Shouldn't the legal guardian have checked the kids items after a visit?

I don't have any idea.

Maybe the thought never crossed their mind.

The gun should have never been available for this child to get it.
IMO that's where the blame should be placed.

I don't check my child's bag every time she comes home from being away.

The mom sounds like a real peace of work IMO.
She didn't even show up for her son's court appearance. Maybe she was ashamed. IMO she should be.

 

[MsFacetious]

Have we heard that this child KNEW the gun was loaded?
Have we heard that this child KNEW this was a real gun?
My cousin's kids just "assume" that any gun laying around is either a toy or unloaded... because their parents would never leave a loaded one.
Do we know any of that about this child?

Shouldn't the legal guardian have checked the kids items after a visit?

If I have to search my child's bag for a gun when they return from a visitation...
They shouldn't be visiting. :twocents:

 

[katydid23]

The only thing I used to search my 8 yr olds backpack for was old food and crumpled notes from the school that were supposed to be signed yesterday for the field trip. I cannot imagine searching it for weapons or drugs at that age.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

The mom is not even returned the dad's phonecalls.

What the heck is going on???

The article says they are looking into how he got the gun but that's all they will say.

I hope this woman faces charges.


http://www.chron.com/news/article/Father-My-kid-made-a-mistake-in-school-shooting-3357885.php

"I've called to (his) mother. She won't accept my calls," Cochran said.


"I fully expect all aspects into the case to be investigated," Kitsap County Deputy Prosecutor Ione George said Friday, adding that her office is "interested" in how the boy obtained the gun.

So far, only the boy has been charged — with unlawful possession of a gun, bringing a dangerous weapon to school and third-degree assault. Bremerton police have remained mum on the investigation and how much of a focus is on the boy's mother.

"I'm getting that question quite a bit," said Lt. Peter Fisher. "I'm not able to comment on that until the investigation is complete."

 

[iamnotagolem]

My point about the drunk drivers was lost. I was trying to show that a lot of times the "intention of hurting" isn't there.

Criminal malice? No. I agree with that.

Its what you said:

Should he have taken the gun? No.
Should he have brought the gun to school? No.

He knew (9 years old or not) he was told. Do not bring weapons to school. AND he knew why that was a rule, yet he did it anyway. He defied authority regardless of his intention to hurt. Accidents happen - yet accidents are minimized when rules are followed.

I can tell you, from my experiences, that there is so much more to this. Most children know right from wrong and they try to do the right thing, especially when it comes to bringing guns to school. He didn't. And its the "why he didn't" that should come into play here. Its the "because he didn't" that there is an innocent little girl fighting for her life in a hospital.

What are the parents of the little girl to think? I can't imagine what they are going through. She was an innocent victim. There is no excuse for why she was shot at school. None.

I don't know if parading this child into a courtroom in an orange jail jumpsuit was the right thing to do or not. How are we, as a society, supposed to send messages to parents and children alike that we have societal rules and laws that are to be followed? And, if they aren't - bad things happen.

I can say that if this child doesn't get into a theraputic environment and receive appropriate and specific help, he won't "learn" anything from this and nothing will change.

I also feel it is insensitive to the victim and her parents to try to excuse away this child's act of defiance by reason of his age. He was old enough to know right from wrong and old enough to understand the rule of no guns on school property. But then saying he isn't old enough to face the consequences of what he did doesn't make any sense.

Responsibility and accountability aren't age specific. If one is old enough to know right from wrong - then one is old enough to be held responsible and accountable.

JMHO

BBM, This!! There is an 8 year old who has been shot, but she's barely in the news, everyone is talking about the boy, oh the poor boy. Yes he's got a sad story, but this 8 year old beautiful girl is laying in a hospital bed, has been through a tragic experience and she's only a 2nd thought in the news, in this thread. She should be the focus, not the kid who broke the rules.

 

[CHICANA]

Accidental shooting involving a gun that this boy had no business bringing to school. I am really glad they are actually doing something instead of just releasing him to his guardians.

Since there wasn't intent on his part to hurt anybody, I think whoever allowed him access to the gun should be charged.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/02/28/v-print/1843779/update-school-shooting-victim.html

UPDATE: School shooting victim improves

She went from critical to serious condition. I pray she continues to improve.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46556231

Bremerton girl shot at school getting better


SEATTLE – The 8-year-old Bremerton girl who was shot at school after a gun in a classmate’s backpack accidentally fired has been upgraded to serious condition.

Amina Bowman has been at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle since being shot last Wednesday at Armin Jahr Elementary School. Doctors say she has a long recovery ahead.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/crim...merton-girl-upgraded-overnight/?storylink=twt

Injured Bremerton girl upgraded overnight

The bullet remains near her spine.
The girl’s condition was changed overnight to serious. She remains in the ICU.

Read more here: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/crim...graded-overnight/?storylink=twt#storylink=cpy

 

[tlcya]

So glad to read Amina is improving. Poor punkin, so scary, one minute you are standing in your classroom, the next BAM, pain, blood, fear.

I realize she may still suffer permanent affaects from this tragedy but I am just so heartened to read that she is doing so much better.

This case has ben on my mind alot the past few days. I feel so badly for all involved, Amina, her parents, the classmate, just an awful life changing moment that cannot be undone.

I do hope the boy is punished appropriate to age, perhaps if he has to perform community service it could be something to do with speeking to his peers about the experience, discouraging other kids from themistakes he has made, and I sincerely hope the boy's mother is made to suffer some sort of consequence as well, lastly, I hope she never gets another visit with this boy. Too many strikes, she needs to be out IMO

 

[Missizzy]

More info on little Amina. Her fifth surgery. Bless that sweet girl...

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-n...f/2012/02/8-year-old_girl_shot_at_washin.html

8-year-old girl shot at Washington school undergoes 5th surgery, in serious condition
February 28, 2012

"The 8-year-old girl who was wounded in a Bremerton classroom is in serious condition after her fifth surgery at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Hospital spokeswoman SG said Amina Bowman was returned to the intensive care unit after today's surgery...."

More at link (not much, though)

 

[jjenny]

More info on little Amina. Her fifth surgery. Bless that sweet girl...

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-n...f/2012/02/8-year-old_girl_shot_at_washin.html

8-year-old girl shot at Washington school undergoes 5th surgery, in serious condition
February 28, 2012

"The 8-year-old girl who was wounded in a Bremerton classroom is in serious condition after her fifth surgery at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Hospital spokeswoman SG said Amina Bowman was returned to the intensive care unit after today's surgery...."

More at link (not much, though)

So many surgeries isn't good at all.

 

[jjenny]

BBM, This!! There is an 8 year old who has been shot, but she's barely in the news, everyone is talking about the boy, oh the poor boy. Yes he's got a sad story, but this 8 year old beautiful girl is laying in a hospital bed, has been through a tragic experience and she's only a 2nd thought in the news, in this thread. She should be the focus, not the kid who broke the rules.

ITA. The "poor boy" had no business messing with guns, even if he didn't intend to shoot anyone.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Family of school shooting victim considers filing civil claim

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/...ing-civil-claim--141074063.html?m=y&smobile=y

I hope it's against the mother.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Girl shot at school still fighting for life, family says

John Bowman and his attorney shared a photo of Amina Kocer-Bowman in her hospital bed.

"After her last surgery, they've been monitoring her for complication at the ICU. She's been running a very high temperature and so she's heavily sedated. We haven't been able to talk to her. They're trying to keep her as comfortable as possible and let her focus on healing," said John Bowman, her father.




Poor baby.

 

[Missizzy]

This is a relief. Let's place blame where blame is due:

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/...ace-criminal-charges-in-school/#ixzz1oImPmZle

Mother, boyfriend face criminal charges in Bremerton school shooting case
March 5, 2012

"The mother and her boyfriend now face criminal charges in the case of the 9-year-old who brought a gun to his East Bremerton elementary school that critically injured a classmate.

Arrests warrants were issued Monday for Jamie Lee Chaffin, 34, and Douglas L. Bauer, 50, in Kitsap County District Court. Neither was listed in the Kitsap County jail as of Monday afternoon. Prosecutors allege that Chaffin and Bauer are criminally liable for the 9-year-old boy's unlawful possession of the gun. Kitsap County Prosecutor Russ Hauge said that the boy's access to the gun constituted an "extreme act of negligence," that made the adults who created the situation just as responsible as the child...."

More at link