Three year old dropped by mother to death at Zoo (Carnegie: attorney, to live)

[marktheshark]

With the reported four-foot-high railing around the exhibit, the mother would have been holding the kid at least 5 feet from the ground. That would not make for ideal leverage to hold a kid.

I once saw a similar incident at 3 Rivers Stadium, when a toddler was help on the top railing of the upper decks, in a winter coat, no less. The father saw absolutely no problem with this, even with several spectators yelling at him.

Kids are not little adults. They do not belong in certain places, or situations, that a normal adult would have no problem with. They scream and act up during church services and in restaurants, they are not tall enough to go on some amusement park rides, they need support seats in cars, and have to be accompanied in both public and private places. In this case, what fantastic memory would a 2 year old have of a zoo visit? The kid didn't belong there at all, let alone being held up on a fence.

[twingles]

Originally Posted by marktheshark

With the reported four-foot-high railing around the exhibit, the mother would have been holding the kid at least 5 feet from the ground. That would not make for ideal leverage to hold a kid.

.

Yes, and toddlers are top heavy. Would be very difficult to hold a squirmy 2 year old in this position. What a think to have happen.

[Q-tip motha]

Originally Posted by groar

i know you are serious but you really, really do not know what you would do. going into shock is not a choice. neither is acting, really. primal instincts take over in situations like that and people don't think or plan or make logical choices or do what they know in their heart they would do when they are safe and in a clear state of mind.

I understand the point that you're attempting to make, and it applies to many situations. This isn't one of them.

I'm not trying to judge or second guess the mother. I feel nothing but genuine gutwrenching pity for what she's going through. I just can't imagine how anyone wouldn't be compelled either at first when the child fell or later when it began to scream. 14 ft, 20 ft, 50ft even if only to crawl on top and hopefully protect my child from being mauled until help can arrive...I'm going into the pit.

[TechieTransplant]

Originally Posted by Pghuser

so tragic and avoidable

That's the truth. I'm tired of reading all the "don't judge" comments directed at people like myself who are critical of the mothers actions. "Don't judge" is the 21st century way of saying "overlook the obvious."

[gg]

I have a feeling the mother now knows what the obvious is. Also, it is hard to call someone an idiot when they no doubt are reliving the stupid act over and over and probably will be living that for the rest of their lives. Not to mention watching the outcome of that act, which no doubt was horrific. I don't think there is any need to put this poor women down even more. How low do we want her to go? Just a sad thing and I feel bad for all that have been touched by this. The ripples in and around that family would have to be horrible. Blame, guilt, regret and sorrow for starters.

[ebyrnes]

I feel so badly for the child's parents and cannot begin to imagine their anguish. The zoo staff have been severely traumatized by this.

[SPSGuy]

Originally Posted by h_curtis

I have a feeling the mother now knows what the obvious is. Also, it is hard to call someone an idiot when they no doubt are reliving the stupid act over and over and probably will be living that for the rest of their lives. Not to mention watching the outcome of that act, which no doubt was horrific. I don't think there is any need to put this poor women down even more. How low do we want her to go? Just a sad thing and I feel bad for all that have been touched by this. The ripples in and around that family would have to be horrible. Blame, guilt, regret and sorrow for starters.

Well said. I keep imagining her and the chaos afterwards. I imagine her husband finding out about this and how this will ruin his life as well. There is no reason for me to put her down. I think what she is living through is horrific enough. This story really is bothering me. I woke up last night thinking about this. As a parent of a toddler our whole task is to prevent the little guy from tragedy. He is always wanting to pick up everything and put it in his mouth, climb up stairs, try to push the TV. I heard of this and it must be the worst of the absolute worst to ever endure. Especially since she will feel if she could only go back in time and not try to give him a better view.

[SPSGuy]

Originally Posted by marktheshark

With the reported four-foot-high railing around the exhibit, the mother would have been holding the kid at least 5 feet from the ground. That would not make for ideal leverage to hold a kid.

I once saw a similar incident at 3 Rivers Stadium, when a toddler was help on the top railing of the upper decks, in a winter coat, no less. The father saw absolutely no problem with this, even with several spectators yelling at him.

Kids are not little adults. They do not belong in certain places, or situations, that a normal adult would have no problem with. They scream and act up during church services and in restaurants, they are not tall enough to go on some amusement park rides, they need support seats in cars, and have to be accompanied in both public and private places. In this case, what fantastic memory would a 2 year old have of a zoo visit? The kid didn't belong there at all, let alone being held up on a fence.

Really, 2 year olds don't belong in a zoo? My nephews all love zoos and aquariums at this age. Kids get very excited seeing animals and visual things at zoos and aquariums. He didn't belong on the rail, but the zoo? Have you ever had a toddler?

[groar]

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

That's the truth. I'm tired of reading all the "don't judge" comments directed at people like myself who are critical of the mothers actions. "Don't judge" is the 21st century way of saying "overlook the obvious."

ok then, judge. post all about how what this woman was stupid and wrong and should have done x y z and how YOU would never make such a dumb mistake. what are you accomplishing, besides making yourself feel superior (and potentially making her and the rest of the kid's family and friends, who could be reading this public forum and many others where this kind of discussion is happening, feel even worse)? do you think she has not already thought of all of this stuff, over and over and over again since this happened, and probably will for the rest of her life? do you think this woman could have POSSIBLY suffered worse consequences for her actions?

it's called empathy, you should try it some time. or you know, you can cry about how tired you are of people are asking people like you to have some. your choice. poor you.

[groar]

Originally Posted by SPSGuy

Really, 2 year olds don't belong in a zoo? My nephews all love zoos and aquariums at this age. Kids get very excited seeing animals and visual things at zoos and aquariums. He didn't belong on the rail, but the zoo? Have you ever had a toddler?

agreed. 2 years olds are definitely old enough to be at the zoo. i've seen people holding up tiny babies to look at lions and that's kind of silly (just admit it, you are the one who wants to see the lions and the baby can't even see that far!), but 2 or 3 is for sure old enough to appreciate a zoo.