GUILTY CA - Terry Smith, 11, autistic, Menifee, 6 July 2013

[Newton]

But if the brother was known to be violent with him, it's not OK. I love my mom (RIP) with every bone in my body, but I was left alone with a sister who beat me up, and it was hell. That's without it leading to much serious injury and certainly not murder It was just awful to not be able to control being beaten every other day. Nobody needs to be beaten often for anything.

My parents figured all kids fight and we were both involved (they weren't there), etc. Just sibling rivalry. Nope. She was a violent bully, and she took out her aggressions on me because she could. She has a sincere problem with anger/aggression and a matching diagnosis now, so it's not 100% her fault, but that doesn't change the fact of the beatings.

Eventually I just broke her nose one day and she finally stopped forever because she knew I'd do it again. I think specialized therapy was more in order, but we were 'just kids' and my parents pretty willfully misunderstood the situation. It's not OK.

PS - love, love my dad now, too. He's had decades of change, thank God.

Thank you very much for sharing your experience. I think it is important for parents to read about these situations and how the child being victimized feels.

Sibling rivalry, or "kids being kids" should never include violence and must be addressed immediately by the parent and/or a behavior health specialist when necessary. It is never okay for one child to beat on another-period.

I am so sorry you had to be put through that and I admire your courage for speaking out.

 

[CatFancier]

Over the last several pages, there have been multiple attacks on the mother. Please remember that Websleuths is a victim-friendly site. Terry's mother is a victim in this case unless or until LE declares she is a suspect or POI.

Victim Friendly

Websleuths is a victim friendly forum. Attacking or bashing a victim is not allowed. Discussing victim behavior, good or bad is fine, but do so in a civl and constructive way and ONLY IF IT IS RELEVANT TO THE CASE. Additionally, sleuthing family members that are not suspect is not allowed. Don't make random accusations or post personal information (even if it is public) like parking tickets, address, or first and last names of all their relatives and their neighbors. Also, never "bash" or attack them, or accuse them of involvement. However that does not mean that family members cannot come into discussion as the facts and issues of the case are discussed.

 

[kkdj]

But if the brother was known to be violent with him, it's not OK. I love my mom (RIP) with every bone in my body, but I was left alone with a sister who beat me up, and it was hell. That's without it leading to much serious injury and certainly not murder It was just awful to not be able to control being beaten every other day. Nobody needs to be beaten often for anything.

My parents figured all kids fight and we were both involved (they weren't there), etc. Just sibling rivalry. Nope. She was a violent bully, and she took out her aggressions on me because she could. She has a sincere problem with anger/aggression and a matching diagnosis now, so it's not 100% her fault, but that doesn't change the fact of the beatings.

Eventually I just broke her nose one day and she finally stopped forever because she knew I'd do it again. I think specialized therapy was more in order, but we were 'just kids' and my parents pretty willfully misunderstood the situation. It's not OK.

PS - love, love my dad now, too. He's had decades of change, thank God.

So sorry you went thru that. I was abused by my sister also.
Its one heck of a way to live. Did you share a room with her too? I did.
I wonder how much Terry went through. So so sad.

 

[Salem]

Hey Everybody - if we could please hold off on the discussion about the psychic until our owners have time to review MSM and determine what the boundaries of the discussion should be, it would be appreciated.

As you all know, WS does not, as a general rule allow discussion of psychics. This case appears to be a bit unusual and SoSue and Tricia need to take a look.

Thanks so much!!!!!

Salem

 

[Newton]

He was 11.He is old enough to stay home alone with his brother.Was his older sister there too?As I said before I do not blame his mother.I do not think she ever ever thought her other son would kill her son.Sibling rivalry.But not murder.It probably just escalated over time to the point of murder.I have 7 children from age 28 to age 10 I have raised.They are all very good kids.

I think that you are making assumptions on things that we do not know. We do not know if she had witnessed any altercations between the two boys before. IMO, if a hypothetical parent sees problematic behavior escalating over time (per your suggested possibility) and does nothing to intervene, then blame should be placed on the parent involved. IMO, until we know the facts, it seems premature to stand by an absolute in either direction.

 

[Newton]

Why would MOM make LE get a search warrant to search her property for her son?
I believe the property was searched once already and they had bloodhounds and found nothing so this child had to be placed there later don't you think?

I heard a clip from a Riverside LE officer stating that he thought that the boy could have been buried there during their prior searches and that it was not until he was partially exposed (his opinion-by animals) that he could be found.

That doesn't sound right to me. Were the dogs present in the initial searches only tracking dogs? If so, would tracking dogs hit/alert on buried human remains? If other animals were able to detect remains and partially excavate him then why weren't the search dogs able to pick anything up?

Also the officer said that he personally had searched that specific area early on. Does that mean that the ground looked undisturbed at that time?

It seems more likely to me that Terry was placed there after the initial searches as well. But then that poses the question of why they would allow the area to be searched again the night he was found, unless the parties granting permission were unaware Terry was buried there or knew and wanted the ordeal to be over. I would be interested to know if the 16 yo was among the family members that was asked that night about searching.

Does anyone know if the search warrant issued the following day was just protocol or had the family refuse entry without it?

 

[SCHMAE]

I heard a clip from a Riverside LE officer stating that he thought that the boy could have been buried there during their prior searches and that it was not until he was partially exposed (his opinion-by animals) that he could be found.

That doesn't sound right to me. Were the dogs present in the initial searches only tracking dogs? If so, would tracking dogs hit/alert on buried human remains? If other animals were able to detect remains and partially excavate him then why weren't the search dogs able to pick anything up?

Also the officer said that he personally had searched that specific area early on. Does that mean that the ground looked undisturbed at that time?

It seems more likely to me that Terry was placed there after the initial searches as well. But then that poses the question of why they would allow the area to be searched again the night he was found, unless the parties granting permission were unaware Terry was buried there or knew and wanted the ordeal to be over. I would be interested to know if the 16 yo was among the family members that was asked that night about searching.

Does anyone know if the search warrant issued the following day was just protocol or had the family refuse entry without it?

Maybe someone handed the dog handlers' an item that was NOT Terry's.... ie: the brother's shirt to throw them off. Mooooo of course.

 

[Bodhi]

To be honest, I've met several children who need a social skills class. They might not be on the spectrums, but due to their home life, have never been taught. I'm not talking about using the right silverware, but just how to communicate with others.

That's so true.

 

[Ms Suzanne]

But if the brother was known to be violent with him, it's not OK. I love my mom (RIP) with every bone in my body, but I was left alone with a sister who beat me up, and it was hell. That's without it leading to much serious injury and certainly not murder It was just awful to not be able to control being beaten every other day. Nobody needs to be beaten often for anything.

My parents figured all kids fight and we were both involved (they weren't there), etc. Just sibling rivalry. Nope. She was a violent bully, and she took out her aggressions on me because she could. She has a sincere problem with anger/aggression and a matching diagnosis now, so it's not 100% her fault, but that doesn't change the fact of the beatings.

Eventually I just broke her nose one day and she finally stopped forever because she knew I'd do it again. I think specialized therapy was more in order, but we were 'just kids' and my parents pretty willfully misunderstood the situation. It's not OK.

PS - love, love my dad now, too. He's had decades of change, thank God.

I agree with you not to leave your child with an abusive sibling or person.I'm so sorry you went through this.

 

[Ms Suzanne]

I pray he is in heaven with God and no one can hurt him.This is very sad.

 

[Salem]

http://ktla.com/2013/07/11/woman-claims-visions-led-her-to-menifee-boys-body-2/#axzz2YmII5Vkq

Video of the woman and children claiming to have found Terry.

Okay guys - this is discussable based on what is in the media. Please keep the discussion to what has been reported and please do not get derailed about this woman and her children.

This is about Terry. Let's stay on topic okay?

Thanks,

Salem

PS - I've restored a few posts that we put on hold until we clarified this situation

 

[mysticrose]

This case is really hard for me

May you rest in peace Terry :rose:

 

[mysticrose]

Murder Charges Expected in Case of Missing Boy


MENIFEE, Calif. (KTLA) — A 16-year-old family member accused in the murder of a Menifee boy was expected to be officially charged on Friday, authorities said.

Coroner’s officials were also expected to determine whether the human remains found near the family home were those of 11-year-old Terry Smith

http://ktla.com/2013/07/12/murder-charges-expected-in-case-of-missing-boy/#axzz2YqXdDyEf

 

[2Hip2BSquare]

He was 11.He is old enough to stay home alone with his brother.Was his older sister there too?As I said before I do not blame his mother.I do not think she ever ever thought her other son would kill her son.Sibling rivalry.But not murder.It probably just escalated over time to the point of murder.I have 7 children from age 28 to age 10 I have raised.They are all very good kids.

Reminds me of the boy who recently stabbed his little sister here in CA out of sibling rivalry of sorts. The mother never expected him to actually murder his sister. She just thought he was going through a phase like most irritable and hormonal teenage boys. So sad.

 

[2Hip2BSquare]

Is the 16 year old a middle or eldest child by chance? It seems like these sibling rivalry murders happen in families with much sibling displacement aka many children.

 

[mysticrose]

Is the 16 year old a middle or eldest child by chance? It seems like these sibling rivalry murders happen in families with much sibling displacement aka many children.

I believe the eldest, then a sister, and Terry....

......................................................................................


Terry had been living with his mother, Shawnee Smith, her partner, a 13-year-old girl and a 16-year-old half-brother, according to neighbors

http://ktla.com/2013/07/12/murder-charges-expected-in-case-of-missing-boy/#axzz2YqXdDyEf

 

[mysticrose]

Timeline: Terry Smith Murder Investigation

Here is a timeline of the investigation into the death of an 11-year-old Riverside County boy whose disappearance led to a four-day search that ended with the discovery of a body behind his family's home in Menifee, a town about 80 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.

Saturday, July 6, 2013 - The boy's mother, Shawna Smith, went out to play pool with some friends and left her son, Terry Smith, with his older half brother. When Shawna checked in on them at about 1 a.m., she thought they were asleep.

Sunday, July 7 - Shawna discovered Terry was missing when she went into the bedroom to give him his medication. She reported him missing at 10:30 Sunday morning. Authorities along with bloodhounds, a helicopter and dozens of volunteers searched the area well into the night.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Timeline-Terry-Smith-Murder-Investigation-215229631.html

 

[SCHMAE]

He is a half brother or a step brother? Am I the only one who has no idea ?

 

[mysticrose]

He is a half brother or a step brother? Am I the only one who has no idea ?

Half brother.

...........................

Terry Smith, with his older half brother

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Timeline-Terry-Smith-Murder-Investigation-215229631.html

 

[miabellamoure]

I suppose it may take LE a while to sort through all the tales. I'm not sure dad should be doing all that blasting right now. He should get his turn with LE to tell his side, and if he comes off as a raging bull, they may discount him as a very angry man. I know he is, and he's hurt and frustrated too. I guess they have to talk to sister and anybody else that knew the family dynamics.What a sad family.

Actually...I have listened to maybe all of his interviews. He has never sounded near a raging bull type...but, spoke of his x-wife with as much respect as he could muster. He almost sounded like a father-figure trying to "explain" Terry's Mom. I pity him because, he will have to live with his decisions/mistakes in giving Terry's Mom a chance to parent Terry again.

My heart goes out to any parent who loses a child so, this is not bashing either parent...it's just unfortunately what happens to our children when we choose to marry, have children, divorce, bounce our children from home to home...you never can be sure of the environment that you place your children in...either they're safe or at risk...a gamble I see all the time.