Reader comments: Bereaved mom not criminal
9 comments | Read story
GeeBee | 12:14 a.m. July 20, 2008
So, since some people choose to have abortions (which are legal in this country), that means that this mother is justified in forgetting that her child even existed while it simmered to death in a hot car?
jackhp | 12:21 a.m. July 20, 2008
Has the letter writer never heard of "criminal" negligence?
wow | 1:45 a.m. July 20, 2008
I wish I could live in this letter writer's world. I was going to mention there is a crime called criminal negligence for things like LEAVING YOUR CHILD IN A CAR WHEN IT IS 90 DEGREES OUTSIDE! But jack beat me to it.
Comments continue below
evensteven | 9:15 a.m. July 20, 2008
The writer, in an attempt to generate sympathy for the mother, is unwittingly advocating the same societal callousness and disregard for life that she decries in those who advocate and support abortion.
Losing ones child in this way surely brings pain and guilt that I will never fully understand. While that may seem punishment enough, society has an obligation to advocate for the lost child and punish the behavior that led to its death. This mother had control over the situation and demonstrated a willful disregard for the dangers her child faced in that car. Does the fact that it was her own child and not someone else's somehow change her negligence? Sadly, no.
Losing ones child in this way surely brings pain and guilt that I will never fully understand. While that may seem punishment enough, society has an obligation to advocate for the lost child and punish the behavior that led to its death. This mother had control over the situation and demonstrated a willful disregard for the dangers her child faced in that car. Does the fact that it was her own child and not someone else's somehow change her negligence? Sadly, no.
Jud | 1:50 p.m. July 20, 2008
Leave the poor mother alone. Doesn't the district attorney have enough to do?
Joe Moe | 5:22 p.m. July 20, 2008
A feel deeply for the mother, and I hope the best for her as she copes with this event for the rest of her life. I hope she finds peace someday. I hope she can forgive herself.
In the long run, what legal sentence she actually fills (probably little or nothing, at the end of the day) will be moot compared to her own internal grief. It's almost irrelevant, if she is a typical, loving mother, which I believe she is. If she isn't, then this sentence isn't nearly enough.
In the long run, what legal sentence she actually fills (probably little or nothing, at the end of the day) will be moot compared to her own internal grief. It's almost irrelevant, if she is a typical, loving mother, which I believe she is. If she isn't, then this sentence isn't nearly enough.
Killing? | 7:29 p.m. July 20, 2008
While a fetus will undeniably result (baring unforseen calamaty) in a baby, while in the womb, it is called a fetus and when removed under lawful procedures it is not killing a baby.
On the other hand, leaving a child to slowly die in a hot car is at least manslaughter and may be worse depending on the circumstances.
If Ms. Hess does not like the law, it does little good to rail against a law, she should actively campaign for new legislation.
On the other hand, leaving a child to slowly die in a hot car is at least manslaughter and may be worse depending on the circumstances.
If Ms. Hess does not like the law, it does little good to rail against a law, she should actively campaign for new legislation.
GB | 8:17 p.m. July 20, 2008
Interesting, thought-provoking letter. There does seem to be a double standard in our laws.
Chris Plummer | 10:49 p.m. July 20, 2008
I lost you after teh 40 million mark. Ruins the story, just like mentioning nazis
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