Deseret News | Reader comments: Girl convicted in toddler's driveway death

Reader comments
Girl convicted in toddler's driveway death

Disgusted | 3:26 p.m. July 9, 2008

Family values at their finest.

At First | 3:25 p.m. July 9, 2008

I was against her getting time in lock-up, after reading her "rap sheet", she deserves to go away for a while. Hopefully she will re-evaluate her life because she appears to be 4 years away from prison regardless.

On KSL | 4:10 p.m. July 9, 2008

There was a comment made by someone who said they knew the situation and the family very well and the reason the aunt left the scene was because she had drugs in the car and ran home to hide them. Were there any reports made on that... or was that commenter not correct?

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 4:11 p.m. July 9, 2008

What in the world would drive this young girl to do such dastardly deeds? What is she really thinking? Really. And no I'm not being sarcastic- I really want to know.

30 DAYS? | 4:14 p.m. July 9, 2008

This has got to be one of the worst miscarriages of justice I've seen in a long while--juvenile or not. 30 DAYS for a child's life? And with a rap sheet that includes a felony already! What is the judge thinking?

Anonymous | 4:14 p.m. July 9, 2008

Wow, 30 days. That'll teach her.

Dan | 4:20 p.m. July 9, 2008

What has greater charges? Second hand manslaughter, or hiding drugs in a car?

Anonymous | 4:24 p.m. July 9, 2008

and what happens to her after her 30 days in Iowa?

Hm | 4:26 p.m. July 9, 2008

In my opinion, the way that courts sentence kids because they are "kids" only sets them up for more charges in the future. They just learn that a crime is worth committing since they will just walk away with a rediculous consequence, like 30 days and community service.

Utah Justice | 4:42 p.m. July 9, 2008

Sure this little girl has been a bad kid, but did she mean to run over a small child? I doubt it. If anyone is responsible for this, it's the person who allowed her to have the keys and get behind the wheel. It's not like she forgot about the most important thing in her life and left it to die in a hot car. Oh wait, that is just a misdemeanor here in Utah.

RL | 4:51 p.m. July 9, 2008

This is hardly punishment enough. I agree that treating them like kids is getting them into more trouble. She did an adult thing, that clearly wasn't an isolated incedent. Treat her like an adult with the same charges. That might get through to her. 30 days in detention won't even come close. She needs to learn what her actions do to others, and what will happen to her if she continues the path she's chosen. So sad the aunt is obviously not a good example. Gross.

Sad... | 4:56 p.m. July 9, 2008

After reading this article I wonder what her parents have done to help her. She is only 14 years old and been in more trouble than I have in my 30 some odd years. Our job as parents is to guide and teach our children, so what is truly going on here? She has to live with what she has done, but does she truly understand what that means?

I also notice that her parents have been ordered to pay child support, to whom and why? There must be more going on here then we are being told.

What??? | 4:57 p.m. July 9, 2008

The article said in February the juv was put into detention and spent 154 days there. Obviously she didn't learn anything during that time. She's a repeat offender. Isn't any of that taken into consideration? Whether she meant to run over the 2 year old or not, she was once again breaking the law.

How many chances is she going to get? All she'll do is get harder and harder each time she goes in for 30 days. She'll end up shooting someone just like the 4 did Sunday.

befuddled | 4:59 p.m. July 9, 2008

I dont suppose any one ever learns to drive early
It was a terrible thing and that 14 year old has to live with it forever!!!!!

Justice & Mercy | 5:04 p.m. July 9, 2008

This 14 year old girl will have to live with the death of the child, whom she cared about, for the rest of her life. This wasn't a hard core crime or gang related. She is paying for what she did and will live with it. So when you that want such hard punishments get in trouble which would you like - full justice or a modicum of mercy?
Frankly at 14 I'd have hated to be shipped accross the contry to an unknown facility. That on top of the a trile would have me freaked.

This may be the best thing for her to both deal with the death and to get a new start.

Oh and AMEN to Utah Justice's comment!

lea | 5:09 p.m. July 9, 2008

I feel for this 14 year old child i'm sure she didn't mean to do this, after losing a child of my own this girl will have to live with this the rest of her life I have forgiven the person who ran over our daughter and killed her, he was drunk but not forgiving will only eat you up inside i can't even imagine what this child is feeling inside maybe on the devils drug I don't know I agree it was the adults responsiblity she should have never given this child the keys to drive

marthageneric | 5:35 p.m. July 9, 2008

The girl is a minor, that does not relinquish any parental rights and responsibilities; they now must pay more for having this child in a facility. Addressing other issues; most states today restrict parental rights because of child abuse allegations. Itï¿½s true, however that at least in Utah, the courts usually encourage the offending minor to take responsibility for their actions: i.e. breaking and entering, underage smoking, and so forth. Some teens, no matter how great family values, continue in the path to destruction. The resources, become extremely limited or nil. About fifteen years ago, my third son, hung around with another boy from our neighborhood, my son, took his summer and stayed with my brother, the other boy...went with his eighteen year old cousin for what should have been a typical B&E. The home was occupied; the cousin of this 13 year old boy, took a bat and beat the woman to death. Because the 13 year old stood there doing nothing, heï¿½s serving life in prison.

When hearing the news on the radio, I thought: "What kind of parents could this child belong too?" He is the son of a very old and dear friend of mine.

bilbo | 5:38 p.m. July 9, 2008

all you defenders of the "poor child": look at her RECORD!!!!
She is NOT remorseful or apologetic; she is a career criminal. Out of control!

marthagenric | 5:41 p.m. July 9, 2008

I wanted to continue this thread by adding, sometimes no matter what we give our children, it is never enough-- We can only teach, guide, instill good values, and pray like crazy that our babies turn out to be good strong citizens...Life is what happens on the way to doing something else. It is very difficult teaching them what is right, when celeberties murder, rape and whatever and get away with it all.

so sorry | 5:41 p.m. July 9, 2008

I hasve an opportunity to work with some wayward children. I would have to say that the parenting that has gone on with this child has been not so good. The only way this child can be turned around is to put her in a place like Iowa, away from everyone. I truly hope she will get the therapy that she needs to turn her life around. I truly hope she won't be a child that ends up at the point of the mountain in her adulthood. Hopefully she can be in foster care and have some good structure to her life. This isa terrible shame.

Judges | 6:49 p.m. July 9, 2008

Our judges have really done a good job at protecting the guilty. VOTE NO ON ALL JUDGES send our judicial system a message.

Unbelievable | 7:37 p.m. July 9, 2008

So in another story, a teacher gets a year in prison for texting a girl. But if you KILL someone, you get 30 days. What the heck???

THAT"S IT??!!! | 8:02 p.m. July 9, 2008

Why in the world would any judge in their right mind just give this kid a slap on the wrist AGAIN??!! Good grief this girl has never learned anything. Why all the reducing of charges??!! She killed a toddler or doesn't that matter??!! She will be back in 30 days doing who knows what and she's only 14 yrs. So are these laid back judges going to just keep slapping her wrists until she's 18 and then what?? I hope a stronger judge sits on the bench when the run-away aunt has her day in court.

Doug | 9:29 p.m. July 9, 2008

I would go after the person who left the toddler in the driveway. This person was not looking after her.
Its bad on the 14 year old and her family but the toddler had no need in this place.

uritaata | 10:55 p.m. July 9, 2008

Horrible story. Many broken lives and families.

An accident cannot be compared to a crime and a child cannot be compaed to an adult. I trust that the judge made his decision based on the findings of the investigation and on the maturity level of the perpetrator. The negligent others should be convicted.
I personnaly cannot understand why children or teenagers should be tried as adults. Their brain is not fully developped yet. They cannot participate in the democratic process or elect officials that will define laws and public policies. We should refuse that kids be judge as adult but we should ensure that the law provides proper level of both constraint and rehabilitation for these young lives. They can change, we should not give up, we should try and give them a chance. The magnitude of extend of the penalty should be let to those that are closer from the case, the victims and the perpetrator: the judge.

rvalens2 | 12:27 a.m. July 10, 2008

Re: Sad

"I also notice that her parents have been ordered to pay child support, to whom and why?"

In cases like this, where the State takes control of the adolescent and sends them for rehabilitation, counseling or for an extended stay at a mental facility. Parents can be ordered to pay for the support of the child while in State custody. This is done not only to cover the State's cost, but to reinforce upon the parents the responsibility they have to control their child.

This is probably what is going on in this case; unfortunately the news report isn't clear on the matter.

What's going to happen to this child? After she completes her stay in Iowa. She will more than likely be placed temporarily in foster care (under State supervision) until the courts decide whether she should be returned to the custody of her parents.

Upset Citizen | 1:43 a.m. July 10, 2008

Our justice system is in a total mess because of judges and poor parents. In my view when a person on probation commits a crime, that person should then go to jail. If that policy had been followed in this case, the girl would have been in jail instead of backing over a little girl. A juvenile recently stole my car. The police hauled him off to jail, where in just a few days he was back at home, accompanied by some strange-dressing people he met in jail. This particular juvenile has terrible parents who never follow through with any threats of punishment. They give this kid everything he wants, they seldom supervise him, and they excuse any mistake he makes to ADD, which I'm convinced he does not have because he displays a remarkable ability to focus when he is doing something he enjoys as opposed to doing something he abhors. He lacks discipline and structure, not the ability to pay attention for long periods.

Wyoming Tom | 7:17 a.m. July 10, 2008

Too many bleeding hearts with empathy for this 14 year old. What about the people she's victimized? She needs, in my never-to-be-humble opinion, to be locked up until she has a change of heart (i.e. learning the rules of living in a civilized society and committing herself to live by them). We don't have a way of forcing a change of heart but can you imagine how miserable she'd be living in a convent or being forced to serve others day in and day out? Putting her in with other deviants (which is where she belongs) is going to teach her things she doesn't need to learn (how to be a more efficient/effective criminal). All that can be done is to slam her with time and pray she stops hurting people. How about those boot camps (or ten or twelve in a row). There's also a place in St. George that takes idiots like this girl and works hard to turn their lives around but it's very costly. A friend of mine had to pay for her grandson to go there for a couple of years and it seems to have worked.

LF | 7:54 a.m. July 10, 2008

I think that the reason that some of these children are tried as adults is because they are commiting adult crimes. Unfortunately we live in a society that allows some parents to forget that they need to act as adults and raise their children. Unfortunately we live in a system that fails some children miserably. Nobody wins here.

Anonymous | 9:51 a.m. July 10, 2008

I agree LF, this system is too much into pleasing and "respecting" the kids. Minors can do whatever they please, treat people anyway they want, demand things no matter what and nobody does a thing about it. At first, I was surprised when I read the headline but while I read the story ... 30 days.. what? a vacation? for crime career teenager?

CP | 10:23 a.m. July 10, 2008

I agree with LF. But also alot of parental control in discipline has been taken away. A parent of a child who's done something wrong and grounds the child or even a small spank, a call to Child Services goes out. In my day I got the belt or wooden spoon across my fanny when I misbehaved. When my grandma was in school kids got spanked by the teachers. Kids feel they have no reason to behave cause a parent feels lost in how to properly dicipline their kids. I feel really blessed that my teens have not caused me much grief and are now approaching adulthood and are becoming responsible citizens of the community and work force.

Re: CP | 11:38 a.m. July 10, 2008

Beating a child has never been effective. It is usually an exoression od adult anger and the unwillingness to spent the necessary time to achieve a parent-child relationship. This dysfunctinal family is a breeding ground for todays and tomorrow criminals. Look for more of Utah's taxes to be spent on these low lifes.

To 30 days: | 4:59 p.m. July 10, 2008

Technically it's longer before the sentence. You should have read it.

But I still agree completely. After her continuous offenses...if she isn't taking this seriously by now... she needs correction before she is an adult who can have access to more deadly things on this planet and raise children of her own. She at LEAST needs a year.

She knew what she was doing when she left the child for dead and she isn't remorseful... TWO VERY deadly combination's for her future. She should have long term counseling.

At first I felt bad for her | 7:11 p.m. July 10, 2008

but then I read about her 10 other offenses. At best she is a very irresponsible teenager, but most likely she is a 'bad apple' that cares for nothing and nobody but herself.

What person has committed and been convicted of 10 crimes by the time they are 14?!

As for her aunt, the one that probably thought it would be soooooo cooooool to teach her underage niece how to drive: She should definitely get the max penalty the law will allow.

Teri | 7:37 p.m. July 10, 2008

It's sad, the little girl who died, and this young lady, who at 14, evidently her inner child died long ago, most likely no one cared and so at 14 we are looking at the cycle of neglect to go on. Don't you wish you could take some of these kids home and see if some rules, guidelines and love will turn them around.

sisterfrommich | 8:54 p.m. July 10, 2008

Justice & Mercy, are you kidding me? surely you are not serious.
30 Days for killing a child. AND with that kind of rap sheet no less. Holy Smokes!!! Prison bound, this girl. She got away with this. Wonder what the judge would have thought if this had been his grandchild who was killed???

Uritaata | 8:55 p.m. July 10, 2008

There is a significant difference between a child and adult in the cognitive function and the ability to regulate behavior not at times to fully and aequately understand the consequence of their acts. We call them teenagers it's because they are not adult yet that they are still adult in learning.

"Children are not mentally competent to stand trial as adults. Competency is different than mental illness, retardation or sanity. The question to be asked of a juvenile, can he understand the nature of the proceedings? Can he assist in his own defense? Can he understand his legal rights? Can he make critical decisions such as whether to testify or enter or refuse a plea bargain? "

A crime remains the same-- especially for the victim-regardless who the author is. Fortunately our legislator undertand that any crime is unique per se. Age of the author is one the criteria.

marthageneric | 11:42 a.m. July 11, 2008

What was I thinking, writing in this thread...
I forgot, we only speak about forgiveness, and do talks regarding the love our Savior has for us. I forgot, how so much is just meant for the ears of our wards, and not really for He who gave all so that ALL man/women can be forgiven. When the young man who killed my son in a DUI was in the hospital from his injuries, I went to his room, held his hand and let him know that I loved him and forgave him.

Yes, it is a horrible tragity when any life is taken, it rocks you from your foundation. But, for us, we are to forgive ALL, it will be HE who will make His choice when the time comes...
All involved need our prayers and support. We are not the Judge, only He who sits on the Right side of the Father is...
God bless

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