More Questions Than Answers in Child Drowning (AUDIO)

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LaVerne September 19, 2007 12:36 am (Pacific time)

Okay, I now have an update. I spoke to a close friend of mine and she told me the trial starts in October. I am surprised it has taken this long.

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Luanne September 7, 2007 10:55 am (Pacific time)

Rhonda, perhaps this case is still being investigated and there are no new updates yet. I do know that the papers will pring retractions if they made a mistake. If this were me and the papers mentione the wrong thing, I would not stop hounding done.

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Rhonda August 30, 2007 5:19 pm (Pacific time)

LaVerne, Did you ever think that what is printed in a news article might not be what actually occured? News agencies get things wrong sometimes also. This article is over a year old and because there are no new updates, maybe this case is closed.

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LaVerne August 30, 2007 2:07 pm (Pacific time)

Rhonda, I am not obsessed, you have it totally wrong. I originally posted a question for an update. I feel terrible for the parents, my heart goes out to them, but if you had read my other response, I asked why the baby was still in 2 feet of water when help arrived. If we hold daycare centers, nannies, and babysitters accountable to any harm that comes to the child in their care, even if it was accident, then in my opinion, that should include parents, grand parents, aunts and anyone else in the family who takes on the responsibility to care for a child when the parents are at work. By the way, a lot of people make typos, even secretaries make typos and they don't catch all of them, including reporters, editors, etc. It seems a rather odd thing for you to bring up. There is another article on this story which stated it was being investigated and there was another article, about a year later which stated the grand mother was arrested and extradited from Modesto California and back to Albany to face charges of first degree manslaughter and second degree child neglect. Some where in this investigation, the authorities and district attorney found enough evidence to charge her with a crime. I had sympathy for the parents and the grand mother. As a grand mother myself, I couldn't imagine what I would be going through had that been my grand child, but to now discover these charges, and granted as far as I know she hasn't been convicted yet, I have changed my mind about her, although I still feel some sympathy for her. It took a year to charge her so there must have been an extensive investigation and evidence against her came to light, other wise I don't believe she would have been charged and it would have been declared a simple accident. Today, I am at my son's home. I have been babysitting his three children. My daughter in law just came home from work a few minutes ago for lunch so I'm not needed to babysit until she goes back to work. This is my time to take a break too, which is the perfect time for me to use the computer, run to the little store down the street or what ever I need to do for the next 45 minutes. I don't go on the computer while I babysit, I don't read, watch tv, or do anything which would leave them unattended. If I have to go the store, they come with me. If they are playing outside, I'm out there with them. I don't chat on the phone either. They have caller ID so if the phone rings, I look to see who it is and let the machine pick up. I can always call back later if its for me, which it rarely is.

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Rhonda August 29, 2007 11:15 am (Pacific time)

Luanne, I never mentioned the word investigation. You say that you "heard" the parents were still very upset with the grandma. And imply that they should never forgive her, says alot about you. You asked for the parents and the grandmother to come on here. Why? They don't owe you or me an explanation for anything. I just pray that God heals this whole family.

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Luanne August 28, 2007 10:39 pm (Pacific time)

I said I was a secretary. I dod not say I was perfect. I am capable of making mistakes too, but what does a few mistakes have to do with the drowning of a bay and my concerns? You mentioned investigation. Why would an accident call for an investigation? Why don't you just tell the grandma or the partents to come on here. I would really like to hear what they have to say. Last I heard the parents of this baby is still very upset an the grandma. I can't imagine these people can or would just sit back and say she is forgiven for having taken the baby from them.

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Rhonda August 27, 2007 10:10 pm (Pacific time)

Luanne, for a secretary you sure make alot of typos. Why are you and LaVerne so obsessed? Why not give your condolences and leave the rest to the proper authorities. Thanks.

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Luanne August 27, 2007 10:25 am (Pacific time)

Rhonda,I am a secretary for a detective in California. This link was sent to me in an e-mail and of course because this person was arrested here in Ca. it caught my attention. In doing research on this person, I learned there had not been any updates on this drowning. If I read this was an accident then I might not be so curious, but because it was a drowning that could have been avoided is why it has become an interst to me. Also, because of this woman living in Modesto and having to be extradited back to Oregon is a concern for a lot of people. Was she hoping by her going back to Modesto the drowning would no longer be mentioned? Or did she think that Oregon would not use money to extradite her back. It is quite obvious this woman did not go willingly go back to Oregon on her own. Like many othere people, I want to know why?

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LaVerne August 26, 2007 10:44 pm (Pacific time)

Rhonda, my intentions are not to crucify this woman, however, I don't understand why the baby was still in 2 feet of water when help arrived and aside from just that, it is obvious to me that the child wasn't superviced very will. The article doesn't say what the grandmother was doing at the time of the drowning. Was she in the kitchen doing the dishes, was she in the restroom, was she on the phone and wasn't paying attention? What happened is sad for everyone involved, but after reading this a year ago, I am interested in any updates. I don't receive the paper at home because it isn't in my budget so I read it on the web when I go to the library.

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Rhonda August 26, 2007 4:04 pm (Pacific time)

Luanne and LaVerne, Why are you so determined to crucify this woman? Don't you believe in innocent until proven guilty? Unfortunately accidents do happen and obviously that's what happened in this case.

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Luanne August 26, 2007 12:33 am (Pacific time)

An accident is when one wakes up in the morning and realizes he/she has wet the bed. This was no accident. The baby had to have been left unattended. I am flabbergasted to see people want to defend this woman? I think a person needs to put aside the fact they know the family and see what really has happened. A baby only 16 months old died. A little girl has lost her baby sister. The parents have lost their child. What about the father of this baby? His parents lost a gradchild. They matter in all of this as well.

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Laverne August 24, 2007 12:36 am (Pacific time)

Luanne, I am 62 years young. I have watched over my own grand babies a number of times and not once have they been seriousely injured. I have never allowed them out of my sight. The world has changed since my children were young. I feel horrible the parents and what they are going through. You put your trust in a parent because you don't trust strangers watching your children and then this happens. I know if it had been my grand child that drowned, my sons and daughters would never forgive me.

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LaVerne August 24, 2007 12:29 am (Pacific time)

Does it matter if it was an accident? Not when you consider how many of these types of accidents occur and it depends on what the grandmother was doing at the time of the "accident." To close neighbor, there is a big difference between watching over 5 children and watching over 2, one a 5 year old and the other 16 months. It is not that hard to watch over two children. Parents are being held accountable for these kinds of "accidents," and I don't see why the grandmother should be treated any differently. In my mind, it reminds me of little Maddies parents who are not being held accountable for leaving their children alone so they could go to a dinner party. Anyone who watches over children, be it a mother, father, grand parent, or other, need to be held accountable if any harm comes to the child, including jail time. Maybe this will ensure the safety of our children and grand children. The stiffer the punishment, the less likely a child will be left alone.

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Luanne August 23, 2007 11:16 pm (Pacific time)

Rhonda, I am sorry, but how do you see this as being an accident? Try to think of this as your own child. If your child was droening, are you going to watch it and wait for the paramedics to get there? Or are you going to do all you can to revive the baby until they get there? We know this woman didn't or the baby would not have been in 2 ft. of water when the paramedics arrived. Just because this woman is an older lady, does not mean that she would have taken the best care of the child. There are a lot of older people that try and use their older age in deceiving the laws. A crime is a crime, no matter the age.

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Rhonda August 21, 2007 3:35 pm (Pacific time)

Please do not judge this grandmother. This is a horrible tragedy. An accident. God bless the whole family.

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Luanne August 21, 2007 2:16 pm (Pacific time)

Laverne, this is really a good question. I wonder what she did during the time of her 911 call. Yes, there does need to be more updates on this story. Kelli, you might know the parents of this baby, but do you know the woman that was baby sitting at the time? She obviously was not paying attention to the baby or it would not have drowned. You can't leave these youngster alone for even a second. Also, it seems 2 feet of water would be a bit much for this little tot. I wonder if she was asked to take a polygraph?

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LaVerne August 21, 2007 12:21 am (Pacific time)

I have one question. Why was the baby still in two feet of water? Why didn't the grandmother pull the baby out and start CPR? Is there any update on this story? The last I heard, the grandmother was arrested in Modesto California and extradited back to face charges of first degree manslaughter and second degree child neglect.

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Kelli September 14, 2006 1:17 pm (Pacific time)

I know this family and they're so cautious with their children. This is a tragedy and I pray for them daily.

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Fossil July 29, 2006 2:39 pm (Pacific time)

Little ones can get into danger in a split second. So many times toddlers wander out of the house and fall into a pool without being noticed until it is too late. Such a tragedy for the family and the rescuers and so easily prevented. Fence your pool and buy a pool alarm or fill it with dirt. These are the only alternatives to a horrid accident like this one. Nothing is more dangerous than a pool for a toddler.

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Close neighbor July 26, 2006 1:22 pm (Pacific time)

so many tragidies like this happen everyday! I am a mother of five all inder the age of seven and i know how hard it is to keep an eye on all of them at the same time. We just really need to think how precious these little ones are and how quick they can be taken from us!! I am praying for the family! God Bless!

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