I was totally floored by this.
My heart goes out to PBW and her family. What a nightmare.
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I was totally floored by this.
My heart goes out to PBW and her family. What a nightmare.
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Scott
August 9
6:41 pm
Holy cripe!! I went on a book shopping spree this weekend and almost bought her book “Bio Rescue”. I just don’t know what to say.
Rosie
August 9
11:12 pm
Karen,
I don’t go to many blog sites on a regular basis. So I frequently get news on the romance industry from you and use the links you so helpfully provide!
I’m a big fan of PBW in two of the genres she writes in. I visit her site occassionally, but not all the time. So, thanks for the heads up.
After reading about her story and struggle with her son, I then clicked onto a news link about Dana Reeve, widow of Christopher Reeve. She released a statement today that she has lung cancer before a tabloid could break the story. By now, I have tears in my eyes of course.
After reading those two stories I must say it sure put my crap day at work into perspective.
As to your question in previous post about Katherine Allred…yes, I’ve read THE SWEET GUM TREE and the second book as well. I tried the book solely on your recommend.
It was a great book!
Tammy
August 9
11:27 pm
Like Scott, I’m absolutely speechless. I’ve often wondered how the families of the people in this world who commit such heinous crimes cope.
Desiree Erotique
August 10
6:58 am
This is so sad, and I don’t know any thing else to say.
Jenn
August 10
12:35 pm
Thanks for the post letting me know about this.
If everyone was branded for something a family member had done no matter how horrendus I suspect a lot of us would be under th gun.
She has long been one of my fav scfi authors.It has been awhile since I visited her site.
And yes Scott she was the author I recommended and still do.
Eve Vaughn
August 10
1:54 pm
How sad. My heart certainly goes out to her family. I can’t imagine why anyone would blame her for what her son chose to do. I feel sorry for her and her family and the victims of this crime.
Anonymous
August 10
2:03 pm
In cases like this, I would always scrutinise the parents. If he’d been brought up correctly, I doubt that he would have spiralled into the life crime which has resulted in murder. Just my opinion. I don’t care if you delete this comment, as I know you probably will.
Marianne LaCroix
August 10
2:35 pm
I don’t think anyone should blame the parent if a child who is of age to make their own choices, knowing the consequences as well as the concept of right and wrong, commits such a crime. Why is society so quick to lay blame on the parent when one individual is responsible?
If anyone wants to lay blame, why not on the justice system? This man was commiting crimes long before this. Shouldn’t have they seen the progression of violence?
Dakota Cassidy
August 10
2:58 pm
I agree with Marianne. It’s called MENTAL ILLNESS and has little to do with the rearing of a child properly–so anonymous? have a heart, huh? The brain is a funny thing and it doesn’t always respond with a warm fuzzy to peanut butter and jelly and a bedtime story.
Sometimes, something just goes awry and dealing with mental illness is a “physical” deficit–not a case of whether you gave your kid enough snuggles and kisses–or packed them tootsie rolls in their lunchboxes. Sure, some of it can be environmental, but in this case, and many like it–not so true.
A mental illness is far more than sometimes even love and the stringent desire to have the best for your children can conquer.
Hell, even therapy and drugs aren’t always the cure. What is the cure? Finding it in your heart to know you’ve done the best damn job you could have raising them and society realizing that throwing stones at glass houses does little but leave shards bound to get stuck in your feet when you walk over them with a superior attitude.
Just my .02
Dakota 🙂
Eve Vaughn
August 10
3:49 pm
I wonder, anonymous if you feel so strongly about it, why not print your name? You’re very much entitled to your opinion, but heaven fordid, if you have children who break the law. Does that mean we should blame you too? Sure there are crappy parents out there, but some people just can’t be helped. How about walking in someone else’s shoes before making snap judgements. Compassion makes the world go round.
Desiree Erotique
August 10
3:58 pm
An old adage goes something like: don’t judge a man until you’ve walked ten miles in his shoes. It’s easy to judge, anonymous, if one hasn’t been there.
Jenn
August 10
4:16 pm
Well said! Ms. Cassidy. Sadly violent people with mental illness cannot be forced to accept treatment or even to take their medication and if they aren’t finacially able to pay they end up on the street as our homeless citizens. As soon as their insurance run out mental institutions release them back to the public even if they are not well enough to be let go. As in most cases life situations are very complicated and there is no easy answer. Some find it is easier to blame the parents but most times they are confused and helpless. And they try many avenues without success. As in most situation parents or friends are told not to be enablers to the person who has a drug or criminal problem and to cut them off and out of their lives. Ms Viehl did this after numerous attempts to help him. He was an adult and as such he has rights in America and she could not lock him away.
Anonymous
August 10
4:29 pm
I don’t mean to sound harsh, but if it was my child who those two bastards had killed, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be so forgiving about the family that raised him. People aren’t born evil, their environment contributes to how they eventually end up. In most cases of murder, rape, pedophilia etc, there is always something in the family background that affected them and was the turning point in the detrioration of there behavior.
Jenn
August 10
4:36 pm
aonymous what you are saying is harsh but if that is how you feel…..
but do you think your parents are to blame for every mistake or bad choice you have made in your life.
I don’t know if you have children and God forbid that they should ever commit a crime BUT if they did and you had done every thing you could to teach them and give them a good home environment then you would then be responsible for what they end up doing when they become adults?
And what does having a mental illnes have to do with the way he was raised. Most mental illness are not caused by trauma but a problem with the brain functions or a chemical problem in the brain. Go read up on it before commenting further.
Jenn
August 10
4:41 pm
A comment posted by a case worker who worked with Ms. Viehl.
“I am one of the case workers who supervised Jeremy Chapman when he was a juvenile offender. I have seen his mother in court, and she appeared every time he was brought before a judge on charges.
Ms. Viehl was instrumental in having Jeremy placed for a year in Camp E Tu Makee, a rehabilitation camp for juvenile offenders. She also worked to have him committed several times after many violent episodes.
Jeremy Chapman attended schools for emotionally disturbed children most of his life and was treated by private therapists since the age of eight. This therapy included behavior modification, cognitive therapy, and anti-psychotic medication. He was a seriously disturbed young man. I can state that case investigators never found any evidence that abuse was the cause of his mental illness. Jeremy had a loving home environment, a supportive family, and a mother who dedicated herself to him.
The last time Ms. Viehl appeared in court with me, she testified that Jeremy’s condition made him a danger to himself and society, and asked that the authorities not to free her son or place him in a correctional environment. I agreed with her recommendation. At that time the judge committed Jeremy to a state mental facility for juveniles, from which he was later released as an adult.
Ms. Viehl called me after she learned of Jeremy’s release and asked my advice on what she should do. The last time we spoke she told me she had found Jeremy living on the street. Although he was clearly a threat to her and her family, she took him in again.
Ms. Viehl, I know how much your privacy means to you, and how much you care for Jeremy, but people should know what you did for your son. I also understand why as a last resort you decided to protect your other children from Jeremy. Please don’t blame yourself for this tragedy. You did what you could to try to prevent it.
My wife and I are praying for you and the other victims. God bless.”
Looks like she did more than most parents to help her son and to keep him from doing harm to someone else.
Karen Scott
August 10
6:14 pm
Scott, there’s just no words for this.
Rosie, I heard about Dana Reeve, such a shame. It not only rains but seemingly it’s pissing it down as far as she’s concerned. Talk about bad luck.
I’m thrilled that you enjoyed both of Katherine’s books, it’s nice to know that my impeccable taste in books isn’t wrong (g)
Tammy, a few years ago, the son of some friends of ours was nearly responsible for the death of one of his school chums. They were acting the fool at the front of the school bus, and when the bus set off, the door hadn’t shut, and somehow the little boy fell out and was run over by the bus.
He lived, barely, but my friend’s son had to go to court over it. He was only eleven at the time, his parents were villified in the local press, and their lives have never been the same since.
Des, it’s absolutely tragic.
Jenn, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. He was mentally disturbed, so his perception of right and wrong was impaired beyond repair.
Eve, not everybody thinks rationally, and with compassion.
Anonymous, see above comment, and don’t worry, I wont delete the comment, it’s a shame you don’t feel confident enough to post using your name. This speaks volumes to me.
Oh Marianne, I’m so with you there. I’ve heard of sex offenders who were released even though they told the authorities they would re-offend. The law is truly an ass.
Dakota, there are some people you just can”t help. Anonymous is entitled to her/his opinion but it’s obvious there’s no compassion to be found within them. It would be interesting to see how they would react if something similar was to happen to their children.
Eve, it’s fairly obvious that anonymous doesn’t have any compassion.
Des, he’d probably have disowned the child, and pretended that it had nothing to do with them.
Jenn, the situation is sad, but unfortunately not everybody has the capacity to understand that sometimes there’s nothing you can do. He was an adult, and the family cannot be blamed for his actions.
Anonymous, you’re entitled to your opinion, but if you post again, I will delete your comment.
Jenn, I really feel for Sheila.
McVane
August 10
10:06 pm
if you have children who break the law. Does that mean we should blame you too?
Ideally? No. In reality? Yes, most do. Some do make judgements about victims’ families, for God’s sake. “If they raised her right, she’d not be running around like that”, “If they raised her right, she’d not dressed like that”, “If they kept a close eye on her, she’d not be six feet under”, and on it goes.
Wherever you go or whatever happens, there is always someone who’s willing and quick to tell you what you should have done for your child, whether your child is a criminal or victim. Even from your own family. That’s the way it goes in this world.
if it was my child who those two bastards had killed, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be so forgiving about the family that raised him.
With all dues respect, this hasn’t happened to you, so how could you imagine what it would be like? People react differently, sometimes unexpectedly.
It’s so easy to sit here and feel the compassion or contempt while it’s a world turned upside down for both sides. For these families on both sides, life isn’t ever going to be same again. It’s a fact.
Off topic: I’m quite shocked that a case worker posted details and his opinions about the son. I admit to ignorance of US laws, but isn’t there a law on patient confidentality?
Maven
August 12
10:17 pm
My heart goes out to PBW, she did everything she knew how to do, sought help where she could, and damned if I’ll condemn her for it.
What else can you ask?
Anon has fallen victem to the “Donahue” mentality so common now…It’s always the parents/environment to blame.
As a culture we have been brainwashed in the Nurture-vs-Nature debate in psychology. For years psychologists have been telling us that people are the result of their upbringing/environment.
The huge debate now is that studies of twins seperated at birth are disproving this ‘long held as fact’ theory – genetics plays a HUGE roll in behavior – much to the opposition and chagrin of the psychologists.
My personal thought is I don’t give a shit how you were raised, at a certain age, let’s say 18, you have free will and YOU are responsible for your choices and actions, not your parents, not your teachers, YOU.
Maven
August 12
10:25 pm
I posted the above before I read the caseworker’s comments about his mental illness. My heart just breaks for PBW. My sons are still toddlers, I cannot even imagine being in her situation.