My daughters are 23 and 9 years old, so I tried to imagine how my youngest would act in a similar situation. 1st of all, some of BR's reactions, can be chalked up to immaturity, and/or a regression in maturity, due to the trauma. I believe my dd would show signs of regression. 2ndly, all families are different, and children usually reflect their parent's quirks. I think some of this might have been going on.So, with my own daughter in mind, here are a few of my observations. In this situation, my daughter would never feel safe, probably never again. But, if his family had told him over and over, how safe he was, he might have taken their word for it. But, even at 9, my dd is aware enough, to know if her world has been rocked. In a situation like this, my dd might say what she liked best about me was the hugs and kisses, but I doubt it. She would most likely talk about us loving her, and trying to keep the family together. If asked about what she didn't like, she would never mention material things, like expensive toys...no way. She would be dwelling on her fear, that we would never recover from the trauma. I know she would. I don't know what to make of the bedwetting. IMO, it could be physical or psychological. I think his response to doing ok, and 'yep' to missing his sister, were ok. If he went into the interview with a chip on his shoulder, I could understand him not opening up. But my daughter, on the other hand, would be so overcome with grief, that she would literally be starving for someone to talk to, to confide in, and to reassure her. I do know, that my daughter would include her sister in family drawings...probably forever. I can't imagine, after just 13 days, her talking about getting on with her life. This seems abnormal, but here's where parental quirks, may have come in to play. If his parents had spent those 13 days, talking about how important moving on was, he may have picked up on it. Him saying that he knew what happened, points to him either witnessing the murder, or someone telling him...otherwise, he would have said, ' I think'. I'm surprised he knew about the head wound... and him bringing up the knife, disturbs me. This is brutal knowledge for a 9 year old. And I don't understand how he could know all of this, if his only question was, 'where did you find her body?' Also, him putting the game on his head, seems extremely immature for a 9 year old, but could be a form of aggression. MOO
dodie20,
We know Burke knows what happened that night. He was in the house, he saw JonBenet snacking pineapple. But the Ramsey timeline suggests she was already dead. Even if Burke did not know the details at age 9, well guess what, at his current age, he obviously does. And must know both his parents were involved. Anyone ever thought how John has since explained to Burke why he was dumped at the Whites, yet John and Patsy had plans to fly out of Colorado. Did Burke know he was part of that flight plan, or does he think, he was to be abandoned alike JonBenet?
You could infer Burke knew very little since he was removed from John and Patsy's sphere of influence. But he knows enough to realize that the Ramsey version of events must conflict with what he remembers happened that night?
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