Living skeleton- mother charged

[mysteriew]

A Hillsboro mother is facing charges that she starved her 3-year-old, to the point where police called the 17-pound child a "living skeleton."

http://www.ktvb.com/news/regional/stories/NW_052105ORNstarvedchildEL.299627bf6.html

[blueberryeyore]

So so sad. They need to starve her now for what she did.

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

OMG! :( :( :(

... he could not walk or talk, and raw sores from an untreated diaper rash went down his legs and up his back...

The child's arms and legs were contorted from being cooped up in his crib, and he wouldn't stop crying.

His weight was about two pounds less than his medical records show he wieghed at six months...

Aren't we all so sick of this? I feel absolutely helpless. I don't know what to say; I don't know what to do. I just want it to stop.

[mysteriew]

OMG! :( :( :(

... he could not walk or talk, and raw sores from an untreated diaper rash went down his legs and up his back...

The child's arms and legs were contorted from being cooped up in his crib, and he wouldn't stop crying.

His weight was about two pounds less than his medical records show he wieghed at six months...

Aren't we all so sick of this? I feel absolutely helpless. I don't know what to say; I don't know what to do. I just want it to stop.

Hang in there JG. I had been feeling that way the last few weeks. Then I found some articles where the victims are fighting back, and winning. That helped.

[Sudzi]

"Deanne Jenifer Krueger was arraigned on assault and criminal mistreatment charges. She was arrested released from the Washington County Jail on bail of $290,000."

There needs to be something else to charge a monster like this with....something more than assault.
When it comes to this kind of thing I just don't think our laws have kept up with the type of crimes against innocent..helpless children that are happening everyday. It's so frustrating. :banghead:

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

There needs to be something else to charge a monster like this with....something more than assault.I agree 100%. It's only by the grace of God that this child didn't die before now. And who knows how much damage his body may have suffered from lack of food? There should be some charge similar to attempted murder. How about attermpted manslaughter? Is that an actual charge in every state or is it something that's recently being added to the books?

[Jeana (DP)]

OMG! :( :( :(

... he could not walk or talk, and raw sores from an untreated diaper rash went down his legs and up his back...

The child's arms and legs were contorted from being cooped up in his crib, and he wouldn't stop crying.

His weight was about two pounds less than his medical records show he wieghed at six months...

Aren't we all so sick of this? I feel absolutely helpless. I don't know what to say; I don't know what to do. I just want it to stop.


I completely agree with you. I don't understand how this went on for so long!!!!! When my children were young, I couldn't handle them crying at all. I don't believe in "allowing them to cry" for any reason. I've always been of the opinion that if they were crying, it was for a reason~!!~ Did she just leave? Did she just sit there and listen to the crying all day and night? Didn't anyone else hear it??? WTF~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lady-eowyn]

Sometimes I really have no words.... :(

[Jeana (DP)]

I think people need to quit minding their own freaking business and GET INVOLVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why this "neighbor" wait so freaking long before she called 911?????

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

I completely agree with you. I don't understand how this went on for so long!!!!!
And how in the h*ll could he be contorted from being in his crib? How small was the crib??? Obviously he shouldn't have been left in there for long periods anyway but I don't understand how he could've been contorted. :confused:

Almost as sad as the suffering that he's endured is the fact that his developmental delays might be significant. After a certain point, a child that is that delayed might struggle just to reach an average potential. So it's possible that his suffering/struggling doesn't even end here. :( :(

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

Hang in there JG. I had been feeling that way the last few weeks. Then I found some articles where the victims are fighting back, and winning. That helped.
Thanks, mysteriew. I'm going to have to look for some of those articles because I'm really feeling out of sorts the past week with these kinds of stories. Luckily, I realize that we can't take ourselves out of the equation because of the sadness because the more of us that do that, the worse it becomes for these kids. I just HATE, HATE, HATE reading it so much lately. I guess I'm just in a bit of a rut; I'm sure that it'll pass. I welcome any links that you feel like sending that might help me see the other side. I could certainly use something uplifting.

[Jules]

OMG! :( :( :(

... he could not walk or talk, and raw sores from an untreated diaper rash went down his legs and up his back...

The child's arms and legs were contorted from being cooped up in his crib, and he wouldn't stop crying.

His weight was about two pounds less than his medical records show he wieghed at six months...

Aren't we all so sick of this? I feel absolutely helpless. I don't know what to say; I don't know what to do. I just want it to stop.

I feel the same way - have tears streaming down my cheeks. Poor little boy. Breaks my heart....

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

I think people need to quit minding their own freaking business and GET INVOLVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why this "neighbor" wait so freaking long before she called 911?????
I can only allow myself to assume that perhaps the neighbor didn't know, and then called as soon as she realized. I know that some of the most despicable people often find ways of hiding these types of atrocities. I have a feeling that this child would have died fairly soon had this neighbor not called when s/he did. I wish it had been discovered sooner but thank God this little one was at least found before he was dead, unlike so many others we've been hearing about.

[Jeana (DP)]

I can only allow myself to assume that perhaps the neighbor didn't know, and then called as soon as she realized. I know that some of the most despicable people often find ways of hiding these types of atrocities. I have a feeling that this child would have died fairly soon had this neighbor not called when s/he did. I wish it had been discovered sooner but thank God this little one was at least found before he was dead, unlike so many others we've been hearing about.


You may be right. I've lived through three kids going through the "diaper" period and they never had much rash at all, but when they did, I heard about it. I just can't imagine this baby not crying 24/7. I just pray that his mother gets locked up.

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

I just pray that his mother gets locked up.
Jeana, is there such a thing as attempted manslaughter in every state? Can't this mother be charged with more? The charges seem pretty light to me considering the suffering of this child. Unless LE knows something about the mother's own mental state that they believe would prevent a jury from convicting her for anything that would carry a huge amount of time.(?)

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

I just can't imagine this baby not crying 24/7.Sadly, he may have learned that it wouldn't have done any good.

If he was stuck in his crib, barely fed, barely changed, what did that poor little guy do with all of that time? He probably just lied there, and then cried when it became too much, and then cried himself to sleep, and then woke up & lied there staring at walls some more, and on and on and on. What does such a small little one's mind possibly perceive of a situation like that? It's not even as if they have a developed mind where they can at least try to pass some time by thinking ... he couldn't speak so I don't know what he had within him to even think about. I can't imagine the dreadful suffering of that child to be left alone, hungry, dirty, and probably with nothing to occupy his time. Unless the crib was packed with toys so the mother wouldn't have to bother ... maybe that's why he was contorted; perhaps he was in there with a bunch of stuff.

Ugh, this one just makes me sick. :furious:

[Jeana (DP)]

Jeana, is there such a thing as attempted manslaughter in every state? Can't this mother be charged with more? The charges seem pretty light to me considering the suffering of this child. Unless LE knows something about the mother's own mental state that they believe would prevent a jury from convicting her for anything that would carry a huge amount of time.(?)


Yes, there is that charge, but I think there are ones dealing specifically with abuse of a baby that carry much heavier sentences. There are people who've received probation for "attempted manslaughter" in the past.

There was a Texas case a few years back where a mother and step-father were arrested for keeping their daughter in a closet for years. She survived when a neighbor discovered that she existed and called the police. The local media around here went NUTS. Long lines of people showed up at the police department and courthouse when she was coming and going and just screamed at her. She's now serving a life sentence. She just pled guilty and accepted the charges. The step father too, if I remember correctly. A couple who tried to adopt the little girl when she was just a toddler ended up finally adopting her for good, but it burns me up that she had to go through hell to get there.

[Sheromom]

And how in the h*ll could he be contorted from being in his crib? How small was the crib??? Obviously he shouldn't have been left in there for long periods anyway but I don't understand how he could've been contorted. :confused:

Almost as sad as the suffering that he's endured is the fact that his developmental delays might be significant. After a certain point, a child that is that delayed might struggle just to reach an average potential. So it's possible that his suffering/struggling doesn't even end here. :( :(
Maybe from spending a lot of his time curled up in the fetal position.:furious:

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

Yes, there is that charge, but I think there are ones dealing specifically with abuse of a baby that carry much heavier sentences. There are people who've received probation for "attempted manslaughter" in the past.
Okay, then that makes sense. I didn't realize that the charges that they've got against her would carry more time. I'm all for that. I may sound unforgiving but people that can do things like this to such young people have no worth, IMO. If I was in charge of the death penalty, there'd be a whole lot more empty cells in the prisons, that's for sure.

[mysteriew]

I completely agree with you. I don't understand how this went on for so long!!!!! When my children were young, I couldn't handle them crying at all. I don't believe in "allowing them to cry" for any reason. I've always been of the opinion that if they were crying, it was for a reason~!!~ Did she just leave? Did she just sit there and listen to the crying all day and night? Didn't anyone else hear it??? WTF~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I remember when my dau was this age, putting her to bed at night and sitting and watching her, playing peek-a-boo, until she laid down her head to sleep. I remember holding my son through croup, ear infection after ear infection, and through teething. I remember feeling so happy and captivated watching my dau. and feeling so inadequate when I could not soothe my son and get him to stop crying. Me (a TV addict) and watching my children became more important than anything in the world. I remember with both kids, how the throwing food from the high chair stage was the cutest thing in the world, and how I looked forward to the kids bottle times as the most peaceful time, because they laid still so that I could hold them. (I didn't believe in giving them a bottle anywhere except while lying in my arms)
This child deserved the same relationship with his mother.

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

Mysteriew, your last post was very well said. Thank you to all of you for caring about these little angels. I hope that this baby will find a good family who loves him, and that this monster will never be eligible to get him back.

[Sheromom]

Okay, then that makes sense. I didn't realize that the charges that they've got against her would carry more time. I'm all for that. I may sound unforgiving but people that can do things like this to such young people have no worth, IMO. If I was in charge of the death penalty, there'd be a whole lot more empty cells in the prisons, that's for sure.
Jersey Girl for President!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[OriginalJerseyGirl]

Jersey Girl for President!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:D Interested in the VP position, Sheromom? ;)

[Jeana (DP)]

I remember when my dau was this age, putting her to bed at night and sitting and watching her, playing peek-a-boo, until she laid down her head to sleep. I remember holding my son through croup, ear infection after ear infection, and through teething. I remember feeling so happy and captivated watching my dau. and feeling so inadequate when I could not soothe my son and get him to stop crying. Me (a TV addict) and watching my children became more important than anything in the world. I remember with both kids, how the throwing food from the high chair stage was the cutest thing in the world, and how I looked forward to the kids bottle times as the most peaceful time, because they laid still so that I could hold them. (I didn't believe in giving them a bottle anywhere except while lying in my arms)
This child deserved the same relationship with his mother.


Me too darlin. I will NEVER in a million years understand how so-called "parents" can even spank a chlid, much LESS what we've heard lately!!!

[Sheromom]

:D Interested in the VP position, Sheromom? ;)
Not even! But campaign manager would be nice.:woohoo:

[mysteriew]

Me too darlin. I will NEVER in a million years understand how so-called "parents" can even spank a chlid, much LESS what we've heard lately!!!

Sorry Jeana, but that is where we differ. I believe that with some kids a little swat is the only thing that gets their attention. And if used occasionally when they are young, they will need it less when they are older. And, it should be confined to that padded area several inches below their neck. And should never be done when angry. And should never, never leave a bruise.
And there is a big difference between spanking and beating a kid.

[Jeana (DP)]

Sorry Jeana, but that is where we differ. I believe that with some kids a little swat is the only thing that gets their attention.

That's ridiculous, but that's just my little ole opinion. :blowkiss: :blowkiss:

[amycg]

Sorry Jeana, but that is where we differ. I believe that with some kids a little swat is the only thing that gets their attention. And if used occasionally when they are young, they will need it less when they are older. And, it should be confined to that padded area several inches below their neck. And should never be done when angry. And should never, never leave a bruise.
And there is a big difference between spanking and beating a kid.
I agree...I have a 21 month old little girl...whom I love with all my heart...more than life itself...but the only way to get to this little girl sometimes is a little spanking...Believe me it hurts me more than her...I hate doing it...but that is the only way I can get her attention...She is the most hyper child I've ever seen...but you are completely right...Never do I spank her when I'm angry...and I always let her know why I did spank her, even if she doesn't understand fully...

[Jeana (DP)]

Ladies, I'd be happy to have a thread here to discuss "spanking," but can we agree to keep this one open for the topic it was started for???? :) :) :)