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Strollerderby
Mom Charged in Death of Child Hit By a Car While Crossing The Street
A Mom might serve up
to 36 months in jail when tried next week for the death of her son while she tried to walk her family across the street from the bus station. Her sentence would be longer than the one served by the driver, whom only served a total of six months and admitted to having alcohol and pain meds before driving, and had also been convicted previously of a hit-and-run in 1997.
Georgia mom Raquel Nelson was attempting to cross an intersection with her three children when her son was struck by a car. The child later died from his injuries. Lenore Skenazy of Free Range Kids also writes an excellent summary and commentary: Outrage of the Week: Mom Convicted in Death of Son (Who Ran Across The Street).
I’m devastated for the woman’s loss and have questioned my own judgment constantly throughout motherhood. I struggle with being overprotective and “too safe”, but can we ever be?
The Cult of the Bad Mother: When every is seen as a “bad parent”, is anyone?
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15 Comments
[...] WHO’S RESPONSIBLE? 22 Jul http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2011/07/19/mom-charged-in-death-of-child-hit-by-a-car-while-cr... [...]
WHO’S RESPONSIBLE? « Elle Jay Writes commented on Jul 22 11 at 12:50 pmErin commented on Jul 19 11 at 11:49 amShe will have to live the rest of her life wondering if her son might still be alive if she’d crossed at the light…that’s punishment enough.
Jenn commented on Jul 19 11 at 12:11 pmAgreed Erin, definitely agreed. I feel sorry for this mom and her other two children – for what they went through that day and what they’ve gone through since.
janicecroze commented on Jul 19 11 at 12:15 pmGood grief!!!!!!!! Can they please spend time prosecuting criminals!?!?!?
The mother lost her CHILD! Oh my word!
Bunnytwenty commented on Jul 19 11 at 2:48 pmI do not understand at all, on what grounds, it could possibly be justified to prosecute this mom. this is mindblowing.
Manjari commented on Jul 19 11 at 3:21 pmThat’s outrageous.
DExtraordinaire commented on Jul 19 11 at 6:16 pmwowza. That is crazy.
PB&Honey commented on Jul 20 11 at 5:49 pmActually, if you read the story or research it further, there was no stop light. In fact, there wasn’t even a crosswalk for a half mile in either direction. This is part of the outrage that many people feel over this case. Truly a sad and depressing case.
More info: http://dc.streetsblog.org/2011/07/14/mother-convicted-of-vehicular-homicide-for-crossing-street-with-children/
Alison (@SassyMomChicago) commented on Jul 21 11 at 12:08 amSo Casey Anthony goes free and this poor women goes to jail? What is wrong with our justice system?
Rosana commented on Jul 21 11 at 9:21 amI am overprotective and too safe and I don’t feel guilty about. I run every situation in which my kids will be involved and try to prevent accidents before they happen. I know we cannot protect our kids 100% but that will never keep me from trying.
Ashley commented on Jul 21 11 at 10:58 amOh my God! This is outrageous!
michele Hall commented on Jul 21 11 at 11:55 amI agree that the punishment doesn’t fit but seriously, cross at a crosswalk….
Sanriobaby =^.^= commented on Jul 21 11 at 8:47 pmThis is a tragedy no matter how you look at it. Based on the infomation, there was no safe place for ANYONE to cross at, since the closest crosswalk and stop light were half a mile away in either direction. Someone in that community was bound to die crossing this road at some point. It’s a shame this child was the one who lost his life, but why charge the mother? The prosecutor should be ashamed. The town knew this was an issue, and therefore should have made it a point to fix the issue, but of course, they waited til someone had to die to even address the issue seriously.
michelle commented on Jul 21 11 at 11:25 pmIn America it’s apparently a crime to be poor and have to take the bus with your children. I feel so, so bad for this woman.
elle jay commented on Jul 22 11 at 12:52 pmhttp://ellejaywrites.com/archives/489
here’s what I think.
outrageous.
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