That movie scared the hell out of me as a kid.
That and the old man threatening to send me to reform school.
Posted on 06/11/2011 9:12:23 AM PDT by moonshinner_09
(Reuters) - A 5-year-old girl could face murder charges in the recent drowning of a toddler in a bathtub, police said on Thursday.
Kansas City police are waiting for a medical examiner's report on how Jermane Johnson Jr., died, but have investigated the death as a homicide, spokesman Darin Snapp said Thursday.
"I've been in law enforcement for 20 years and it's the youngest suspect I can remember," Snapp said. "It's extremely rare."
Johnson, 18 months old, was in a Kansas City house on June 3rd with other children, but the 16-year-old girl who was supposed to be looking after them fell asleep, Snapp said.
Investigators learned through interviews that a 5-year-old girl in the house got irritated at the boy, Snapp said.
"She said she got angry because he would not stop crying and she held him under the water until he stopped crying," Snapp said.
Snapp said a decision on to handle the case will be left up to prosecutors after the medical examiner's report is released.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
they already have that.
I agree.
I agree that they have to treat it as a homicide because the 5 year-old says that she did it on purpose. It is really messed up because it does meet the definition of first degree murder, but then, the “murderer” is only 5 and not able to comprehend the consequences of their actions, in that death is final.
“Because of the death, though, the police have to treat the case as a homicide. “
eh? The police have to collect evidence and fill out the paperwork. In cases like this they don’t decide what charges to bring, the State Attorneys office does.
No one should be charged.
Its a sad one off tragedy
I’m not sure one could morally hold a five-year-old child responsible for their actions... There is such a thing called the “Age of Reason” isn’t there? Can we really be sure that this poor kid really knew what they were doing??? Too many detailed factors to consider - I hope the DA and prosecutors are looking at every speck of data about this child to do what’s best for her and the community.
What a heart-breaking situation... Prayers for the childrens’ family especially.
They’ll have her evaluated and determine she has mental problems. All that will come of it is a hug, an “oh, honey, you’re just too young to understand” and a few visits with a therapist. Check back when she’s 15.
they will have the death penalty for babies still in the womb...
I thought they already had that...
Granted, this five year old has problems and needs something, but not a murder charge.
This weekend I watched my 2 year old granddaughter walk up behind her 5 year old brother and whop him across the back of the head. (They were fighting over a stupid toy no one wanted until the other started playing with it. It was all I could do to keep from laughing, but I didn't.) She went to time out. She's lucky—soon she could be held on assault charges.
“The prosecutor should be ridiculed out of office in shame.”
The prosecutor has not weighed in on it yet. This is the police making the charge. Often the initial charge is changed when the defendant is actually indicted. This is a case which needs to be dropped as a criminal matter. There are other means to deal with such social implosions.
My 5-year-old sister (in 1972) grabbed a candle and set some of my 4-year-old brother’s hair on fire. My mom was there to diffuse the situation within seconds, and my brother was just startled (and, thank goodness, not hurt), but how did my sister know to do that? Up until that point, my Mom had shielded them from all things involving danger. She did tell them repeatedly not to touch the candles, and Mom was always within eyesight of the kids if any candle(s) were lit in the house.
After that incident, my Mom never bought or lit up a candle again.
My sister never really liked candles after that incident, either.
You are most likely correct.
That movie scared the hell out of me as a kid.
That and the old man threatening to send me to reform school.
She just wanted her spelling medal.
I’m with Silver. Original Sin. A 5 year old might not understand all the ins and outs of the law, but this child wanted to shut the baby up and understood full well that drowning would accomplish that.
Child should not be in that home.
I agree. That's exactly what I was referring to as "treat the case as a homicide". Collect any evidence, prepare their report, and turn it over to the DA. The police would do that regardless of whether or not the prosecutor later decides to press charges. I never said that the police decided on the charges.
And she was coddled but treated as an adult.
A classic psychological study.
“The bad seed?”
That was my first thought. Sometimes there’s just a genetic disconnect.
(BTW, that movie scared the crap out of me, too. There was a re-make, I think, but it was mild compared to the Patty McCormack version.)
Now, if she had used a plastic bag, then I'd say she did intend to murder because there are warnings on plastic bags suggesting suffocation.
I say it's time to sue bathtub makers for neglect. Heck, all bathtubs should go the way of the incandescent light bulb and be replaced with shower stalls (stay away from knives though...). Bathrooms should also have warning signs about the dangers of water. Instructions about draining a tub after each use should be prominently displayed. I'm not quite sure about how to handle the toilet bowl/tank situation as water is stored there.
Five year olds will obey these warnings. They know how to read and know what's right and wrong instantly. Who needs parents?
I find it the most insane suggestion to consider thinking about charging a five year old with murder.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.