Tuesday 6/26/18: UPDATE: MAN FACES LEVEL 1 NEGLECT CHARGE IN SON’S DEATH
I awoke this morning to the Tribune’s article stating that the neglect charge is punishable by 20 to 40 years in prison upon conviction and the father also faces charges of pointing a firearm and possession of methamphetamine.
Monday 6/25/18: Today, there was a little feller reported missing in my city. The Seymour Police Department alerted the public via Facebook and the post was shared a bajillion times. Even my friends in Nova Scotia shared my share. The child was located. (YAY!)
Last week, an 8 year-old boy died in the Ville (Tribune article). He was in Colette’s class when she attended Crothersville and I personally know his grandmother and great aunt but not the parents. Even before the father was jailed later that day for failing to register as a sex offender, rumors were flying around regarding the child’s cause of death.
Of course, rumors are incredibly painful to an already devastated family. 🙁
I think it’s human nature to have compassion for children. This same compassion is what fueled so many to share the post about the missing boy! And it’s hard not to speculate what might’ve happened when anyone — especially a child — unexpectedly dies. I’m guilty of that myself and you probably are too. “I wonder what could’ve happened?” That’s different than spreading rumors and blaming someone before facts and determinations have been made.
Sadly, when family members ask people to ‘please respect the privacy of the family‘ on social media, it sparks even more rumors (in my opinion). The people who will be respectful don’t need to be reminded — and those who won’t be respectful will not be deterred by a request.
Because charges have now been filed — and a news release will be held at noon today — some rumors will be verified and others dispelled. But no matter the outcome of future legal proceedings, a little boy is gone forever and it’s so very sad…
