Deseret News | Mom charged with negligent homicide in tot's heat-related death in Layton

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Mom charged with negligent homicide in tot's heat-related death in Layton

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Ken Preece | 4:35 p.m. July 3, 2008

I am also in agreeance with Innocent? a comment above. Ask yourself that question? She is guilty and should be punished!

Dave | 4:40 p.m. July 3, 2008

People seem unable to differentiate between being "charged" and being "punished." Of course this woman should be charged for the stupidity of causing the death of her son. I sincerely believe, however, that she has already suffered sufficient punishment to last for the remainder of her life.

Incidentally, stupidity is not a crime. If every stupid person were to be incarcerated, the prisons would be filled to overflowing.

RE: Mandysue | 4:41 p.m. July 3, 2008

Sorry, don't cry! Your parents didn't roast you when you were young, everything is all peachy. LOL

Comments continue below

Troy Sheets | 4:43 p.m. July 3, 2008

I agree with the above "Innocent?"

Mandysue | 4:46 p.m. July 3, 2008

To not receive anymore ignorant remarks and keep this a peacefull thread, I'm just going to say that my prayers are with the family that they can have peace in their hearts. As far as the woman involved, whatever happens, she'll get what she deserves weather it is Jail time, or just living with the torment of what has happened. At the same time, I pray she finds peace as well.

Anonymous | 4:46 p.m. July 3, 2008

Dave,
Stupidity is not a crime you are right;however, causing a death is!

RE: Dave | 4:51 p.m. July 3, 2008

How do you know she is innocent. She may be happy because what she has accomplished! Nobody cares what you sincerely beleive, if we went off your beliefs our whole world would be innocent and your parents probably would have left you in a 120 degree vehicle to pass on also! Keep your preaching and sincerety to your seminary students!

Kristina | 5:00 p.m. July 3, 2008

First, the mother was charged only after prosecutors looked carefully at the situation. They found reason for a charge of misdemeanor negligence. We have not been told the reason.
Second, I have heard of people, and personally know one, who forgot their quietly sleeping child in the car because it was not in their routine to have the child with them while doing what they were doing at the time. The person I know is an excellent mother, she just didn't normally have the baby with her in that situation. Fortunately the weather was mild and the car was in an underground garage. Her baby was fine and slept the entire time but she became physically ill at the thought of what she did and what could have come from it.
Third, I've experienced depression and know that the mind does not work correctly when you suffer from clinical depression. It is very possible that this mother suffers from post-partum depression which made her forgetful and absent-minded.
If you don't know the situation personally, you are not in a position to judge so don't add to this woman's despair by judging her harshly.

Doug S | 5:06 p.m. July 3, 2008

I wonder how many of those calling for this woman's head on a silver platter realize that even if the prosecutor threw the book at her and won, she'd be out in less than a year?

For those calling for licensing of parents: Never, *NEVER* give the state a power you don't want to see it using against people of your own ethnicity, ideology, or religion.

Anonymous | 5:05 p.m. July 3, 2008

Kristina,
Don't add to the womens despair? Think of the despair of the baby cooking because of his mother!

Anonymous | 5:12 p.m. July 3, 2008

This isn't a "win" for anybody. A life is lot, others are changed permanently, some still don't learn even with far too many examples of what can happen. She doesn't need jail time to think of what happened, there's not a day in her life when she won't remember and think about it. I hope that those who judge this case in the legal system will consider intent and that the rest of us can determine the difference between "innocent", "not guilty" "guilty"

Jackie | 5:30 p.m. July 3, 2008

In this case, how could you forget about your child who is in your car. Or in ANY case for that matter..not consciously think about their child for TWO HOURS. Did she forget that babies get hungary, need to be changed or just need to be held?? Her grieving doesnt serve the justice she deserves. You people only feel bad for her because of the death of a BABY. You people also say we dont know what she's going through...EXACTLY I dont and will never know because i would NEVER forget about my child for TWO hours or 2 mintues.

EVERYONE | 5:52 p.m. July 3, 2008

Since we all were not THERE we really can't make an honest judgement, can we? The media comes up with some pretty interesting stories, sometimes not presenting all the FACTS. Since this story has alot of ???? in it, why be so opinionated? Have you talked to the mother? There's been some pretty juicy headlines, like "31 of 53 FLDS girls pregnant"
When I saw that headline, I KNEW it wasn't true, but there wasn't a thing I could do about it, then the TRUTH finally came out. So if you don't know all the details, don't demand she head to jail right on the spot!

anonymous | 5:52 p.m. July 3, 2008

this poor mother.. I agree that what she did was negligent, but its not as though she doesnt already feel the guilt.. what more punishment can you give someone then them realizing thier childs death was COMPLETELY their fault. This poor woman will never forgive herself, so why should they throw her in jail to teach her a lesson when im sure the lesson has already been learned.

Not a parent | 6:18 p.m. July 3, 2008

I'm not a parent but I helped take care of my nephew since he was born. How can anyone forget their child in the car? I am still worried if I don't know where my nephew is when I'm taking care of him. I think that not only is she gulty but she's not a very good parent. If she were a good parent then she would never have forgotten her child. Not only that but what about having her car stollen or just having her child kidnapped. Have those thoughts ever passed through peoples minds when taking things out of the car before the child. I think that the child should always be the first thing out of the car.

Utah Dem | 6:26 p.m. July 3, 2008

Just looked at KSL's website - 12 children have already died this year from being left in overheated cars. Every one of those 12 children were left in the car by a PARENT.

And every year we hear warnings regarding leaving children in cars - where the heck are their brains? Never mind I already know.

Justice | 6:29 p.m. July 3, 2008

How can y'all keep saying that she will be grieving for the rest of her life? She killed the child, she is not innocent. She probably planned this outcome, so please stop saying that she will be paying for this the rest of her life. She should pay for this behind bars. And leave stupid remarks of the FLDS out of this, what does that have to do with anything? The only facts that possibly were left out is that she admitted to murdering a 5 month old!

50% of the Commentors are Idiots | 6:28 p.m. July 3, 2008

The young boys death was not accidental. An accident is UNavoidable.

Negligence is a responsibility unattended. People with jobs have responsibility, if they don't do their job, they are negligent, and could get fired.

The crime here is Negligent (avoidable) Homocide (death of a child). The punishment is a Class A misdemenor, NO JAIL TIME, and she can have the crime expoughend in 3-4 years.

The young boy deserves justice for a life unlived, and the mother deserves mercy for her motherly loss.

In this case - the punishment is light, but fair in consideration, and the boy has justice, because NO punishiment in this case would be an Injustice.

The real crime here is the way we treat each other with out having the education to understand the nuances of our citizinship.

The poor mother... | 6:30 p.m. July 3, 2008

Is she poor? she killed a 5 month old helpless baby. You all should pray for the gang bangers also that murder in the streets of West Valley daily. Heck, pray for me that I dont leave my ice cream in the car after I get home from the grocery tonight. Thanks.

I'm not a parent either | 6:32 p.m. July 3, 2008

Re:Not a parent
Then who cares about you leaving your "comments for dummies book" in your 81 Honda.

awesomeron | 6:53 p.m. July 3, 2008

What is the point of charging her and bring her to trail, and then having No Jail Time. This is a case of pure and simple neglect. She did not leave that child in the Car by Accident. She knew the child was there and most likely asleep, and she thought she could do what ever it is she was going to do with out the hassle of taking the child with her. So she locked the car real tight so the child could not get out and no one would hear Him Cry as he was over heating and dying, and was Crying for his Mommy. That fact that she will carry this with her the rest of her life does not matter. She should also carry the memory of a Long Prison Experience with her.

Outside of Utah | 7:15 p.m. July 3, 2008

As someone who resides outside of your lovely state, I find the criticism of what the LDS church is doing to revitalize your downtown area--at NO cost to taxpayers--quite laughable.

What is wrong with you people? You'd complain no matter what the church did simply due to your bias against the church. Get over it. Move on. There are bigger and better things to complain about. Like why there are so many single socks in this world. It's horrible.

anon | 7:16 p.m. July 3, 2008

Oh come on everybody! There but for the grace of God go many. The mother will have to face whatever punishment the law, higher powers, and even she herself will mete out. It is not up to any of us to judge. I am ashamed of much of what is being written here.

Laughable | 7:28 p.m. July 3, 2008

I didn't want to read all the comments, so forgive me if this sentiment has already been posted.

But . . .

All of you who think charging this woman will do one ounce of good for society need to start using your brains. First, do you really believe news about the death of a child left in a car won't wake people up as much as someone getting a criminal charge? Seriously? So you think some bad mother out there will read this story and say, "Meh. I can still neglect my children. If they die, they die." But if instead she reads headlines denoting punishment for neglect, she'll change her bad motherness, because, well, jail time (for however long) is way more frightening to would-be criminals than tragedy? You really think that? Really?

I think you need your heads examined more than the mother. Unless the police find she did it on purpose--choosing alcohol or drugs instead of her child--she shouldn't be given anything more than a slap on the wrist. Absolutely nothing good would come it!

someone who's actually christian | 7:44 p.m. July 3, 2008

It's odd, for a community that prides itself on reflecting Christian values, the hearts of this community are far often focused on self centered values. Let's look at fact's here folks.

#1 This womens child died...
#2 It's fairly obvious that the whole family was devastated, and from sources that know the family, the mother of the deceased is going through a daily hell.
#3 The charges filed are just an attempt to look good by the police. No ones going to jail, no ones really getting punished.
#4 Someone is trying to justify their job at the expense of this family.
#5 most important, some of you really need to read the BOM or Bible and learn what empathy really means. It's not like most of you don't make mistakes daily. What if you go alittle faster then the speed limit states and you "Accidently" kill someone...Oh boy..throw the book at you...you say that, but it's a different story if one of your loved ones are involved in that type situation.

Camille | 7:47 p.m. July 3, 2008

I have 3 children. My eldest is about to enter college. My middle is just about to finish high school and then my youngest is almost finished with Elementary school. And I have to say that even though life can get crazy I always made sure that all my kids were out of the car, even before the groceries were brought in. Even now with my youngest being old enough to get out of the car himself I never start for the door of my home until I know that he is out of the car. I would not want to be the judge in this case. It will be a very difficult case. I feel for the mother, but to many babies and little children are being left unattended in dangerous situations. And the outcome for those little ones usually ends up sad.

Funny | 7:48 p.m. July 3, 2008

It's funny how silly and evil most of you sound. I wonder if the angry lychers in this thread consist of one low-life with short-person disorder.

Look, if the police aren't charging her with jail time, she obviously didn't commit a serious crime. Being "charged" is a formality. It doesn't "prove" that the woman is guilty of anything but being accessory to a terrible misfortune. Yes, the death was avoidable, but the unfortunate act of forgetfulness might not have been, based on her psychological state.

And get off your prejudiced soapboxes, you fake "mothers" who say "I could never forget my child. Never! Never! Never!" When you look at your life, count the times you children could have been seriously injured because of your stupidity (you forgot to lock the door and they wandered outside; you forgot to lock your gun and you found them playing with it), and you might be suprised.

"But she did it on purpose!" you scream. Well, then you need to fire every policeman/woman in SLC, because they're letting her get away with murder!

wendy | 7:52 p.m. July 3, 2008

if it was a dog she would get the death penalty

Charles | 7:52 p.m. July 3, 2008

There are a lot of comments that say someone died because of her negligence so she should be prosecuted. Interesting take....

Let's just pretend that it was a botched partial birth abortion and the baby was left on the table to die. After all, that's legislation that Obama supports.

Does abortion bother any of you the same way you feel towards this mother? If not, why not? Killing a baby either way....over 1 million abortions every year....

How many accidents happen like this a year? I'm sure the numbers are extremely low.

Terri | 7:54 p.m. July 3, 2008

I just can't fathom how anyone can argue parential neglect as an accident. Similar to the poor baby that drown earlier this week and the excuse then was "they just turned their back for a moment." We all know in a quick moment, no one will drown. An "accident" would be leaving the baby in the car for a nano second and realizing they were still in the car. Two hours is not an "accident" that is negligence and quite frankly, self absorbed selfishness.

Let's Hang 'Er! | 7:55 p.m. July 3, 2008

This is the death of a baby. Yep. Point taken and YES the mother should be held accountable. What happened is inexcusable. Not arguing any of that. BUT people, the stuff you're throwing out there!

Haven't all parents, at one time or another, taken our minds off our little ones and concentrated on something else? Haven't we all been, at one time or another, more concerned with what we wanted or what we were doing than on our children?

I'm not trying to lessen the accountability of this mother. Nope. But saying she MEANT to leave her baby...that she's a cold blooded killer on par with gangs is ignorantly cruel.

I know, how 'bout we all have a reporter write a story about our stupidest decision ever and see what they come up with. They won't know our character. They won't know the good in us. They'll just know we blew it big time. AND then, lucky us, we can read about our greatest pain on the internet and read what strangers think about us. OHHHHH... I can hardly wait. Who knows, if everyone knew your darkest dead maybe you could be demonized too!

Anglhrt | 8:17 p.m. July 3, 2008

I have to agree with Anonymous. If this woman admitted that she left the child in the car intentionally then everyone would be yelling to string her up. But by saying she just forgot it makes it an accident. WE will never know unless the mother tells us. A child is Dead a life was lost. Even if she had backed out of the drive way and accidently hit the child as someone said charges could be brought against her.
As a mother of 8 I can't imagine forgeting my child in the car, but I have my keys.
No mater what the child was neglegted and life was lost something needs to be done to hopefully keep this from ever happening again.

mother of 5 | 8:31 p.m. July 3, 2008

To the mother of two: you never say anything like that...ever. One day you will eat your words. I accidentally left my son in the car for only a few minutes but I will never forget it for the rest of my life. It traumatized me. He was left in the car because our neighbor got bit by a dog right through his nose and it distracted me. Judge not that ye be not judged.

Eastern Observer | 10:52 p.m. July 3, 2008

Glad so many of you can say "Well, I would never....." Glad y'all are such wonderful, attentive parents. If you really examined your conscience, are you sure you wouldn't find even one littl episode of forgetfulness or distraction that miraculously did not end as a tragic news story? Maybe you never told anybody about that close call on a very bad day - not your sister, not your best friend, not your spouse, and certainly not your own mom - you'd never admit it to her in a million years. Only you and your Heavenly Father know. The baby may have slept through it all, or may have been too young to remember... . Wonder how many finger-pointers honestly should be saying, "There but for the grace of God go I," instead of screaming "Incarcerate her!"?

a sad case | 11:32 p.m. July 3, 2008

No doubt, I'm sure the mother has suffered terribly. I can only imagine how she is feeling. But I think the mother should be charged with something. A death occurred here under her stewardship. Not just anyone either--a helpless, innocent 5-MONTH old baby. We, as the public, are entitled to our opinions. But I say let the prosecutors do their job and duty.

As to my opinion, I do wonder what she was thinking though--obviously she wasn't thinking of her baby. It is still unfathomable how a mother could do such a thing. I really don't understand it. I ask you, was her friend that important to her that she would spend a few hours with her friend and neglect her own flesh and blood? Are we so busy in this life that we forget our responsibilities--especially a tiny, helpless baby? Maybe we all ought to rethink our priorities.

Sarah | 12:44 a.m. July 4, 2008

After reading many of these posts, I am beginning to wonder if this is taking place in the United States of America. Has Utah left the Union when I wasn't watching or does the "presumption of innocence" no longer matter? Until a person has been pronounced "guilty" by a judge and/or jury, who are we to say with confidence of what this person is guilty?

And have we forgotten the scriptures? Did not Jesus ask the crowd eager to stone the adulterous woman, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." (John 8:7) Those that would declare this woman guilty and punish her...Are you without sin too?

One last thing....what this woman allegedly did is a terrible tragedy, without obvious intent, and she and her family will have to live with it until the end of their days. This is enough punishment. What I would do, however, is place her under supervision for a period of several years so that her other children may benefit.

N's Mommy | 12:45 a.m. July 4, 2008

I have left my child sleeping in our car unloading the groceries and taken him out last but I always leave the doors to the car open as a reminder and to keep air circulating. I stopped doing even that once I picked him up after 10 minutes and his back was sweaty. I pray for this mother knowing that burden will never go away. She will always be responsible for the death of that child. My compassion for her in no way removes the need for charges to be filed, circumstances to be reviewed, and punishment, no matter how large or small, to be assigned. This is not just a moral mistake; the law was broken and for our system to function, when you break the law you answer for your crime... no matter how much everyone understands the person or likes them. Without justice the law would have no effect and not only honest mistakes would happen. Upon hearing the facts judge or jury will be able to assign fair consequences. I do not judge; I was not there. Filing charges to have the necessary trial is enough for me. They will find her guilty or no.

Annonymous | 12:51 a.m. July 4, 2008

I personally know this woman and she is not the terrible monster so many of you claim her to be. While I cannot understand how she could leave her child in the car, I do know that it is not our place to judge her. Let the legal system do that. Adding to the family's pain by writing horrible comments on this blog will accomplish nothing. I thought Utah was a predominantley Christian state with Christian values. That's not what I see in many of these comments. Perhaps many of you should go back and re-read the New Testament. That is if you ever read it to begin with.

thank you davis county | 1:23 a.m. July 4, 2008

I personally know a woman who threw her best friend's eight month old son against a dresser. He ended up blind and paralyzed and severely mentally handicapped. She got NO jail time because she had kids of her own. This happened in Davis county. I'm glad they've finally seen the light and are willing to protect innocent children from adults "mistakes." I'll bet most people on this forum have friends or neighbors who leave their preschoolers home "napping" with no adult supervision while they run errands. They do it because alot of other moms do it and they get away with it. If they thought they'd get in trouble for leaving their kids in a vulnerable and dangerous situation, they wouldn't do it, plain and simple. They do it because there are no consequences to their actions. If something bad happens they can chalk it up to an "ufortunate accident." Remember car seat usage before it became the law? Many parents couldn't be bothered because there were no consequences if they failed to protect their child while riding in a car. Now they don't want to pay a fine so they comply. Forget their kids safety.

Josh | 2:04 a.m. July 4, 2008

So you're passing judgement on Utahns for a lack of christian values? What a paradox!

A Different Sarah | 2:43 a.m. July 4, 2008

Like I said on this board before the comments disappeared last night, accidents happen all the time, and people are usually held accountable for their part in it, no matter how guilty they already feel, or how unintentional the act was. In most other states, the penalty for doing this is a charge of negligible homicide. The prosecutor is acting under the law, and the charges are appropriate. All of our actions have consequences, no matter how badly we feel about their outcome. This woman forgot her child for hours, and he baked alive inside of a hot car. That was a horribly painful death. There is a consequence for that, and that is being charged with negligent homicide. Whether it was intentional or not, a child is dead, and there is a very specific reason why. Of course we should show compassion for this poor women, she has to live with this for the rest of her life. She's not a monster, she's a human being who made a mistake. Now she needs to accept the consequences of her actions. I would expect nothing different if I were in her place, no matter how badly I was already feeling.

Ken | 6:42 a.m. July 4, 2008

Observing from half way around the world - this is when the meanest, most vindictive and arrogantly self-righteous and hypocritical side of American society comes out!

Your witch hunt mentality is not happy unless there is vengenance, regardless of the extra lives destroyed. Extra, because her's already has, regardless of any verdict. Shame on you, and that you want to enforce your way of life on the rest of the world.

hospital bill | 6:51 a.m. July 4, 2008

I have wondered: Is there a hospital bill that we could help out on?

horrifying | 8:04 a.m. July 4, 2008

Several years ago a journalist wrote an article about what he experienced while sitting in a hot car. It was horrifying to read what he went through as the temperature inside the car rose higher and higher in a relatively short period of time. A doctor then explained what was happening physically to a child's body while they are being cooked alive. It is horrifying. The journalist ended the experiment when he couldn't take anymore. How sad for these helpless children who are trapped and crying out for their parents to come and save them. It defies common sense that a parent could ignore a small baby for that length of time. She should be charged and punished. He didn't deserve to die. He deserved to be taken care of by a responsible adult who would attend to his needs in a timely fashion.

baby monitor | 8:11 a.m. July 4, 2008

Small children are very unpredictable. Didn't it occur to her that he might need a feeding or diaper change or just need to be held in that two hour period? She wasn't a first time teenaged mother. Many caring parents use baby monitors just to be sure their babies cries are heard and attended to. All parents make mistakes, all parents can be distracted, but those distractions are momentary if their priorities are in the right place. Two hours is not a momentary distraction. He was neglected and he died, thus the negligent homicide charge. It is right and fair, despite the grief she is feeling. I remember reading about a man in prison who killed a family while driving drunk. He was sitting in prison feeling sincerely remorseful about what he had done. That didn't mean he didn't deserve to be punished for his actions. She doesn't deserve to get off scott free simply because she is his mother. She had a moral obligation to protect her child and she didn't.

to mother of 5 | 8:30 a.m. July 4, 2008

I'm also a mother of 5 and I know parents can be distracted. The difference is that you quickly returned your attention to your child and no harm was done. Two hours is an entirely different matter. Lately we've read about 3 year olds drowning at Lake Powell because she didn't have a lifejacket or adult supervision. A 4 year old fell off a cliff at the Grand Canyon. I can tell you in all honesty as many other parents can, that would NEVER happen to a child in my care. I'm not saying kids won't get hurt, despite attentive parenting, but these cases of children dying were entirely preventable had adults been doing their job. If small children are near water or the edge of a cliff there is no room for error and no excuse for being distracted. There is no excuse for leaving a small helpless child in a car for two hours. Small children should be within earshot of a responsible party at all times.

Eastern Observer | 12:18 p.m. July 4, 2008

Never say never, honey.

thank you | 9:42 p.m. July 4, 2008

Thank you to "baby monitor" comments. Very good comments.

to eastern observer | 12:59 a.m. July 5, 2008

Actually I can say that I would NEVER allow a child that I was responsible for to run around on a dock without a life jacket OR an responsible adult supervising. I can also guarantee that I would NEVER allow a 4 year old in my care to fall off a cliff at the Grand Canyon. If I thought for one second that I couldn't watch them every single second, then we wouldn't be there. I also guarantee you that there are plenty of other parents who feel the same way. We're not talkling about everyday situations that are normally safe and we're not talking about teenagers. The dangers of small children around open water or the edge of a cliff are very obvious and should be treated with extra care and diligence. Otherwise, stay home.

Anon | 9:29 a.m. July 5, 2008

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to remember a baby in a car. Just pure common sense. I realize they are in a car seat in the BACK seat. But they are not groceries. I cannot ever imagine any situation of how anyone could "forget" leaving a live baby to cook to death in over 120 degrees in a car. There is NO excuse for it. None.

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