FL - Ethan, 5, & Liliana Herrera, 4, found suffocated, East Naples, 24 Jan 2009

New Posts

Kat said:
http://www.winknews.com/news/local/38303039.html


Oh dear I don't like the way this is worded:

"COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. - The autopsy for the two kids found in a storage trunk have been completed.

The Collier County Sheriff's says the results of those autopsies are pending.

Deputies are not saying if the deaths appear to be intentional or accidental."
Click to expand...

also from the article:

Ethan Herrera was five years old and his sister, Lillina Herrera turned four the day of her death.

Even sadder:eek: I'm having a hard time understanding how they both could fit in there.
 
http://www.winknews.com/news/local/38405159.html

Grandmother speaks out

"COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. - The grandmother of two East Naples children who died last weekend after being found in a storage trunk talks to WINK News.

"The kids were so sweet," says Miriam Herrera, the children's grandmother. "Sue is a good mother and George is a good father."
 
"APLES — Collier County sheriff’s officials said deputies are reviewing statements provided to investigators concerning the death of 4-year-old Lillina Herrera and her brother, 5-year-old Ethan Herrera. Officials confirmed that the children’s mother Susan Herrera, 39, Lillina and Ethan were the only people residence at the time emergency workers responded Saturday.
In a written statement, sheriff’s officials said various tests were also being performed on the storage trunk where the children were found.
Sheriff’s officials said that the trunk measured roughly 18-by-18-by-18 inches had a locking mechanism and was made of brown wicker with a plywood lining.
The Florida Department of Children and Families has also begun to investigate the deaths of Ethan and Lillina."


http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/jan/25/death-two-children-found-chest-still-mystery/

Sheriff's are doing tests on the trunk the children were found in, thank God.
 
Here's a picture of a little girl in a theater made out of an 18"x18"x18" box. Notice how contorted she would have to be to fit inside, let alone fit inside with a 5-year-old. :confused:
a_cardb1_0804.jpg

http://www.parents.com/fun/arts-crafts/kid/ways-to-transform-an-old-cardboard-box/
 
STEADFAST said:
Here's a picture of a little girl in a theater made out of an 18"x18"x18" box. Notice how contorted she would have to be to fit inside, let alone fit inside with a 5-year-old. :confused:
a_cardb1_0804.jpg

http://www.parents.com/fun/arts-crafts/kid/ways-to-transform-an-old-cardboard-box/
Click to expand...


I hope I am wrong. I really do. But I think Mommy flipped out and did something to the children. Even if two children would try and cram themselves into such a small space (and I don't think they would, it would hurt to have someone's knees and elbows poking you!) WHO locked the lid? And if it wasn't locked why couldn't the kids just push their way out?
 
MeoW333 said:
http://www.winknews.com/news/local/38405159.html

Grandmother speaks out

"COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. - The grandmother of two East Naples children who died last weekend after being found in a storage trunk talks to WINK News.

"The kids were so sweet," says Miriam Herrera, the children's grandmother. "Sue is a good mother and George is a good father."
Click to expand...

I already posted this link yesterday with the details of the wicker basket and that the parents are separated
 
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hpc4-K_S47O_2ZQ96srpX2sTDeOQD95VMD2O0

No abuse visible

Autopsies could take weeks to complete ?? wtf ! I thought they were done



OMG

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/jan/27/children-discovered-trunk-didnt-show-signs-abuse/


Photos of the two children BLESS THEIR SWEET SOULS may they RIP

Snipped

An incident report released Monday said several people, including Jorge Herrera, were gathered at the condo when deputies arrived. The children were lying next to one another on the floor with vomit beside each child. Attempts were made to resuscitate the children, who were pronounced dead at the Physician’s Regional Medical Center on Collier Boulevard.

On Saturday, an investigator said the case was being worked as a potential homicide, which is standard for death investigations. Partington said both of the children’s parents are cooperating as the investigation continues.

“We’re continuing to review evidence, interview people and do tests on the trunk, among other things,” Partington said.

Results of an autopsy have not been released.
Click to expand...

It is standard procedure as it says

I think this was a horrific Accident


http://www.news-press.com/article/20090127/NEWS01/90127009/1002/NEWS01

Snipped


An autopsy on the children was performed on Sunday, but Partington said the results will not be released until the sheriff’s office receives a toxicology report.
Click to expand...


http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/jan/26/chest-held-two-children-who-died-described-18-inch/


snipped


Eighteen inches by 18 inches by 18 inches.

It’s not a lot of space, but authorities say that was the size of a wooden storage chest where two small children — one just over 3 feet tall, the other just over 2 feet — were found Saturday morning unconscious and not breathing in their East Naples condominium.
Click to expand...

Snipped
When reached for comment on Monday, Ethan and Liliana’s 18-year-old cousin, Jessica Herrera, said the children’s mother and father, Susan and Jorge Herrera, both loved their kids and would never hurt them.

“Never, never, never,” Jessica Herrera said.

She said it has been a difficult few days for family members, many of whom have gathered at her grandmother’s home to grieve and to support the parents. Jessica Herrera said her cousin’s name is Lilianna, not Lillina, which was reported by the Sheriff’s Office.
Click to expand...
 
So the little girl, who was turning 4 that day was just over 2 ft. tall, and the little boy just over 3 ft? Were they really both that petite?!

I realized I have a 16in cube wicker "trunk" (use mine as a sort of end table). Mine does not have plywood or a self-locking mechanism, only a wood frame on the inside. I understand mine is slightly smaller, but my 4yr old girl (who is over 3ft. tall) could never cram herself into it-and I don't think she would ever consider trying to "fun".
 
Even if they got in there for "fun" I can't imagine any circumstance that they weren't scared to death and screaming at the top of their lungs to get out of there. Such beautiful children.
 
I still can't get over their height-which according to this link the boy was just over 36 inches (3ft) and the girl was just over 24 inches (2ft).
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/jan/26/chest-held-two-children-who-died-described-18-inch/
Something kept telling me that didn't sound right. I have tall children, my 4yr old girl is 44inches (3ft8in) but I could not comprehend having a 4 yr old only slightly over 2ft. I looked up growth charts and am convinced that there is a typo or these babies had some growth problems.
boys growth chart:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/growthcharts/set2clinical/cj41l071.pdf

girls growth chart:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/growthcharts/set2clinical/cj41l072.pdf

by the way:24 inches isn't even ON the girls growth chart!
 
kgeaux said:
I have an 18X18X18 wicker ottoman, lined with plywood on the inside. Mine does not have a locking mechanism, however.

When mine is open and empty, it is hard to believe a four year old could fold herself inside, much less a four year old and her big brother.

This could be a very tragic accident, but when I look at my little trunk, all I can think is "Impossible."
Click to expand...

Me too.I have several like this, and another larger one, none of them have locking mechanisms and all can easily be popped open -they don't latch. I can't see both kids fitting in the 18X18X18 and not being so full they would pop the lid. Something is not quite right here, me thinks.
 
On Saturday, an investigator said the case was being worked as a potential homicide, which is standard for death investigations. Partington said both of the children’s parents are cooperating as the investigation continues.

“We’re continuing to review evidence, interview people and do tests on the trunk, among other things,” Partington said.

Results of an autopsy have not been released.

From the previously posted link: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/jan/27/children-discovered-trunk-didnt-show-signs-abuse/ (Thank you JaneinOz! :blowkiss:)

These children are beautiful and they do look happy, healthy and well cared for. I am hoping this turns out to be an accident, but I am thankful LE is investigating the incident as a potential homicide.
 
MissieMt said:
I still can't get over their height-which according to this link the boy was just over 36 inches (3ft) and the girl was just over 24 inches (2ft).
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/jan/26/chest-held-two-children-who-died-described-18-inch/
Something kept telling me that didn't sound right. I have tall children, my 4yr old girl is 44inches (3ft8in) but I could not comprehend having a 4 yr old only slightly over 2ft. I looked up growth charts and am convinced that there is a typo or these babies had some growth problems.
boys growth chart:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/growthcharts/set2clinical/cj41l071.pdf

girls growth chart:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/growthcharts/set2clinical/cj41l072.pdf

by the way:24 inches isn't even ON the girls growth chart!
Click to expand...


Well, I'm going to make a comment that I hope won't be misinterpreted. I'm not disssing anyone's heritage, I swear to you! My own husband is French; with his boots off he is 5'5 1/2" (although he will lie blatently and say he is 5'7", like that makes any difference!) Some nationalities are petiter than others, and I notice the children's last name is Herrara. Perhaps they are tiny by genetics.

Having said that, only ONE of my five sons actually made it onto the growth chart as a child! Number 4, my ode to Japan, weighed over 9 pounds when he was born and was 24 inches long! By six months, he had settled down and was following the pattern set by his older brothers: They followed the CURVE of the chart, but they were WAY below "average." (One of mine had failure to thrive as an infant, I remember he weighed just 12 pounds at a year old!) the others were just tiny. Over here we call our babies "patats" for little fat potatoes, but my babies were "french fries!) But as I've said, their daddy is short. And I'm no giant either! Heck, I weighed 69 pounds my first day of HIGH SCHOOL! And only 86 pounds and 4' 11" tall at age 22 when I married!

The photo of the Herrara children shows kids who appear to be very healthy. I think they were just tiny. It definitely makes it more possible that an accident occured if they were teeny, but I still have trouble picturing two kids jamming elbows and knees into each other and continuing to climb in.......and I still don't know why LE keeps mentioning that the wicker trunk had a locking mechanism. WAS it locked? If not, why mention it?
 
You bring up some very good points Kgeaux. I truly hope you are right. This is one of those storied where I want all the answers NOW. It just makes me feel so uneasy.

ETA: Maybe I'm beating a dead horse here but I'm still doing research on the likelyhood that these kids were that small, so far the only other story I could find that contains a 4 year old that is 24 inches tall speaks of primordial dwarfism.
http://littlekenadie.com/
http://www.wlox.com/global/story.asp?S=9615097
 
MissieMt said:
You bring up some very good points Kgeaux. I truly hope you are right. This is one of those storied where I want all the answers NOW. It just makes me feel so uneasy.

ETA: Maybe I'm beating a dead horse here but I'm still doing research on the likelyhood that these kids were that small, so far the only other story I could find that contains a 4 year old that is 24 inches tall speaks of primordial dwarfism.
http://littlekenadie.com/
http://www.wlox.com/global/story.asp?S=9615097
Click to expand...

When I was about 14 and not especially tiny, I stuffed myself in a wicker hamper, put dirty clothes on my head, and terrorized my aunt who wanted to use the bathroom by whispering her name. There was plenty of room for me and this hamper wasn't even up to my waist. I think it's possible two kids could fit in a small wicker hamper.
 
I really think there is a typo with their heights. I have an 18 month old and she is 32 inches tall. And she is in the 50-75 percentile for her age. I can't imagine a 4yo being smaller.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

DNASolves

Who is Escambia County John Doe (1989)?

Members online

... and 52 more.
Total: 3,877 (members: 53, guests: 3,824)

Online statistics

Members online
53
Guests online
3,824
Total visitors
3,877
Totals may include hidden visitors.

Forum statistics

Threads
592,622
Messages
17,972,062
Members
228,845
Latest member
butiwantedthatname
Back
Top