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| Charlestowne Landing, Charleston, S.C. |
There were about thirty six of us this morning and after the usual people were allowed to leave for one reason or another they picked the jurors at random and I did not get selected. We were invited to stay for the inquest and I did stay for the morning to hear the heartbreaking testimony of the EMS and police responders. The worst part was listening to the awful 911 call and to hear to dreadful chaos and distress in the family's voices when they called for help. They were screaming and crying out to God to bring the baby back to life. It was the saddest thing I've ever heard.
I didn't go back after the lunch break but just read online that the death was determined to be accidental. I can't help thinking it was the only possible decision and that everyone involved has already been punished. Someone told me that one reason for the inquest may be to bring public attention to the issue of dog mauling so let's let it do that. As much as we love dogs they are animals and babies and toddlers should not be left alone with them.
What a horrible story. I would find it interesting to sit on a jury, but that is not very likely. This case is not one I would want to sit on.
ReplyDeleteI sat on a regular jury last year and it was interesting. It was a trip and fall case and I thought the right thing was accomplished.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Joan. I've been wondering what inquest you would be called for and I hate that it had to be so disturbing.
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note, I finally came to Charleston last weekend after a ten year gap in visits (inexcusable, since I live three hours away.) I thought of you and your beautiful photographs often and enjoyed thinking, "I wonder if this is the area Joan walks sometimes!" My husband became a huge joggling board fanatic and is now determined to build one in our back yard ( he's quite the woodworker.) It's an amazing city, for sure. We even made a brief unexpected detour into a hospital ( maybe yours?) when my husband suffered some back problems. All in all, I think we got the full Charleston experience. :)
Hi Jenny! Whew....you came at our hottest time of year but it sounds like you had a good time. If it was my hospital I hope we treated you well!
DeleteOther people have looked for joggling board plans. There must be a certain wood and length to get that bouncy feature. Hope he figures it out!
This is too horrifying to comment any further. Cruel fate!
ReplyDeleteIt was. The family had been punished enough I think.
DeleteI am so sorry you had to go through that. What a terrible terrible thing. Pam D.
ReplyDeleteIt was so sad.
DeleteMy heart just breaks for them. So sad. I hope you're right about this case potentially helping others to understand about pet safety and kids.
ReplyDeleteRebaccah - it got a lot of press so I hope so.
DeleteDog laws aside... this is one of the reasons I never had kids. Because it doesn't seem physically possible to be watching them every single second of every single day, and it only takes a second for something like this to happen. The stairs. The bottle of aspirin. The kitchen knife. The pot of boiling water. The neighbor's dog. The swimming pool. The dodgy bus driver/scout master/guy at the playground/priest/judo instructor. Seriously, I prefer to remain childless than to ever experience that sort of loss. Maybe that makes me a wuss, but I think it's better to realize one's shortcomings ahead of time and work around them than to end up being the parents of that two year old child.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I am glad mine grew up without major accidents. So many things can happen. Sometimes I am amazed any kids survive! There are so many close calls.
DeleteAmen to your last line.
ReplyDelete