The first thing that comes to mind after reading this article is "How stupid can a person get". Scrolling through the Joplin Globe, as I do, I came across this article: Neosho woman faces counts of child endangerment.
A 32 year old Angela M. Gilmore-Hammon, is charged in Newton County Circuit Court with two felony counts of child endangerment. Her children — a 3-year-old and a 7-month-old — were found alone, with no adult supervision, in Hammon's home. Neosho police said they found Gilmore-Hammon in her car at 11:44 p.m. Friday on the side of the road near Palm Road and Highway 59. According to officers, a probable-cause affidavit stated that Gilmore-Hammon “appeared to be operating a motor vehicle while in a drug-induced condition.” The affidavit says she allegedly she had “no knowledge of where she had left her children due to her intoxicated or drug condition.” The mother remains in the Newton County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bond.
How frickin dumb can a person be. I guess that is what happens when you choose drugs over your children. This girl needs a wake-up call, and I guess that she is now getting one. I don not mean to be heartless, but, come on and think about it. 3 and 7 months! Stupid!
The reason that I feel this way is because people are stupid when drugs are involved. How can you get so messed up that you do not remember where you have left your children? Why would she have left them alone in the first place? I know that people with this type of addiction are not always in their right minds, but how about calling a sitter to come over if you are wanting to leave the house and the children there.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Woman sentenced for selling daughter for sex
This article is kind of short, but believe me you will not want to hear more. All that I could think while reading this was "holy s***".
This article "Woman sentenced for selling daughter for sex" was posted in the Joplin Globe on May 6, 2010. It states that (the mothers name is being left out for the protection of the daughter) a former resident of Blue Springs has been sentenced to 15 years in the federal state prison for selling her daughter for sadomasochistic sex. The 46 year old woman has been ordered to pay 200,000 in restitution to pay for her daughter’s counseling. The woman and Todd Barkau (co-defendant), plead guilty last November to charges of commercial sex trafficking of a minor. Barkau has been charged but is still awaiting sentencing. Prosecutors say Barkau began training the girl in 2000, when she was 12. The training began by the girl being forced to have sadomasochistic sex with him and others. He later set up a website that billed the girl as “Mistress Alisha.” She was sold to other men for to perform sex acts for cash or other items such as DVD players.
I am appalled! I have girls, and I can not even imagine the thought that they might someday be sexually active, but this, this makes me want to puck. I, how, I do not understand how someone who has carried a child in their womb and raised them could do something so absolutely cruel and heartless for a frickin DVD player and money. This really makes me sick.
My heart goes out to this girl. I can not come close to imagining what she has gone through at the hands of her own mother. I was a sexually abused growing up, but never at the hands of my own mother. God bless this girl and her willingness to survive. The road ahead of her will be long, but her strength for life and survival will overcome.
This article "Woman sentenced for selling daughter for sex" was posted in the Joplin Globe on May 6, 2010. It states that (the mothers name is being left out for the protection of the daughter) a former resident of Blue Springs has been sentenced to 15 years in the federal state prison for selling her daughter for sadomasochistic sex. The 46 year old woman has been ordered to pay 200,000 in restitution to pay for her daughter’s counseling. The woman and Todd Barkau (co-defendant), plead guilty last November to charges of commercial sex trafficking of a minor. Barkau has been charged but is still awaiting sentencing. Prosecutors say Barkau began training the girl in 2000, when she was 12. The training began by the girl being forced to have sadomasochistic sex with him and others. He later set up a website that billed the girl as “Mistress Alisha.” She was sold to other men for to perform sex acts for cash or other items such as DVD players.
I am appalled! I have girls, and I can not even imagine the thought that they might someday be sexually active, but this, this makes me want to puck. I, how, I do not understand how someone who has carried a child in their womb and raised them could do something so absolutely cruel and heartless for a frickin DVD player and money. This really makes me sick.
My heart goes out to this girl. I can not come close to imagining what she has gone through at the hands of her own mother. I was a sexually abused growing up, but never at the hands of my own mother. God bless this girl and her willingness to survive. The road ahead of her will be long, but her strength for life and survival will overcome.
It's almost over!!
I can not believe that the semester is almost over. It seems like yesterday that it started. Now we are approaching the finals week and all of the up all night cram sessions that we all dread. I have been trying not to be cranky with my family, every year past I have been. I have decided to be selfish this year and take two full weeks off of work and do nothing but concentrate on finals and getting through. I have found that I am not as cranky. Do not get me wrong, there is still some cranky present, but not as much as normal.
Last semester, my husband informed me that him and the kids were going to rent a hotel room for the two weeks that include cramming and the actual testing. Idol threats but still quit comical. So, with flowers blooming and the fresh air swaying through the house it is a nice place to sit and study while the children are at school.
I had to put our youngest son on meds this week for his ADHD, and that has been quit a blessing also. He is having a hard time getting to sleep at night, but the difference in lack of calls from the school and just behavior in general is outstanding. He is still himself, just calmer. I was glad to see that it did not turn him into a zombie, and he is still able to function like he usually does. I can not tell you how much of a release from worry that was.
Anyways, good luck to everyone on your upcoming tests, I hope that you all have fantastic summers.
Last semester, my husband informed me that him and the kids were going to rent a hotel room for the two weeks that include cramming and the actual testing. Idol threats but still quit comical. So, with flowers blooming and the fresh air swaying through the house it is a nice place to sit and study while the children are at school.
I had to put our youngest son on meds this week for his ADHD, and that has been quit a blessing also. He is having a hard time getting to sleep at night, but the difference in lack of calls from the school and just behavior in general is outstanding. He is still himself, just calmer. I was glad to see that it did not turn him into a zombie, and he is still able to function like he usually does. I can not tell you how much of a release from worry that was.
Anyways, good luck to everyone on your upcoming tests, I hope that you all have fantastic summers.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Missouri House OKs concealed guns in parking lots
Business in the state of Missouri can currently choose whether or not to allow firearms on their property, such as parking garages, if this bill is passed, these businesses will no longer have the right to choose. Missouri business would have to allow people, with the proper licenses, to carry concealed weapons in their parking lots. House members approved the bill Thursday by a 113-40 vote.This legislation now goes off to the Senate for the final vote. There are some in the state such as Kansas City Democrat Rep. John Burnett, who say that passing this does not ensure safety, in fact he seems to think that it will enhance dangerous situations.
I am in favor of this particular bill passing. I understand why some think that it will do nothing but cause more problems, but, I feel that it will deter more than what is thought. There are not many people who would walk into a parking garage and expect to have an employee armed. I believe that this will stop quite a few assaults from happening. The number of women that are attacked in parking garages is very high, if we are allowed to carry a weapon to protect ourselves the numbers will reduce substantially.
I think that it is about time that people with the proper licensing are able to carry concealed for protection. We spend the time and money to be able to carry a concealed weapon and it is about time that we get to use that right. I am not saying that everyone needs to start carrying and get stupid, that is why you have to take classes, but I do not feel that it is bad idea in this economy to be prepared for what might be waiting around the corner.
I am in favor of this particular bill passing. I understand why some think that it will do nothing but cause more problems, but, I feel that it will deter more than what is thought. There are not many people who would walk into a parking garage and expect to have an employee armed. I believe that this will stop quite a few assaults from happening. The number of women that are attacked in parking garages is very high, if we are allowed to carry a weapon to protect ourselves the numbers will reduce substantially.
I think that it is about time that people with the proper licensing are able to carry concealed for protection. We spend the time and money to be able to carry a concealed weapon and it is about time that we get to use that right. I am not saying that everyone needs to start carrying and get stupid, that is why you have to take classes, but I do not feel that it is bad idea in this economy to be prepared for what might be waiting around the corner.
Bring on summer
I have been waiting all winter to be able to sit on my porch and drink a cup of coffee without freezing, It is finally here. My husband, bless his wonderful heart, has been diligently working everyday building flowerbeds for me and getting things transplanted. I have to tell you that it looks wonderful!
We can now sit on the front porch in the evenings and see the blooms on the butterfly bushes that are starting to show their wonderful colors. The temperature could not be more lovely. It is not cold enough to need a jacket, but it is not hot enough to make you crave the air conditioning either.
Just off to the side of the front porch lays the lily bed, which is full of about 12 different types of lily's, next to it lie's the strawberries that already has berries on them. The lilac bushes are beautiful, and you can not forget about the elephant ears. Amazing!
I have waited all year to enjoy this am so glad that the time is finally here. Things are so green and multicolored that it almost takes my breath away. The temperature is perfect. The smell of fresh cut grass is also a big love for me. I can not explain why, but I love the smell of fresh cut grass. In the area in which we live some one is always mowing. It has become sort of a competition in our neighborhood I think. When one mows, we all mow. It is like we all think to ourselves "why did they have to start that because now we have to too". There is not one of us that can sit around when someone else is working out in their yard, we all must join in.
Enough babbling, I love the spring and summer season!
We can now sit on the front porch in the evenings and see the blooms on the butterfly bushes that are starting to show their wonderful colors. The temperature could not be more lovely. It is not cold enough to need a jacket, but it is not hot enough to make you crave the air conditioning either.
Just off to the side of the front porch lays the lily bed, which is full of about 12 different types of lily's, next to it lie's the strawberries that already has berries on them. The lilac bushes are beautiful, and you can not forget about the elephant ears. Amazing!
I have waited all year to enjoy this am so glad that the time is finally here. Things are so green and multicolored that it almost takes my breath away. The temperature is perfect. The smell of fresh cut grass is also a big love for me. I can not explain why, but I love the smell of fresh cut grass. In the area in which we live some one is always mowing. It has become sort of a competition in our neighborhood I think. When one mows, we all mow. It is like we all think to ourselves "why did they have to start that because now we have to too". There is not one of us that can sit around when someone else is working out in their yard, we all must join in.
Enough babbling, I love the spring and summer season!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Turnaround Ranch sued
This is disturbing. A lawsuit was filed this week that alleges that an 11-year-old boy was molested and raped by an older boy last year at Turnaround Ranch, and that the treatment center for youths failed to report the matter to the state’s child abuse hot line. The lawsuit has been filed in Jasper County Circuit Court, Freeman Health System, Ozark Center and Turnaround Ranch as defendants. Two counselors and a case manager have also been named as defendants. The mother of the boy claims four incidents of assault on her son while he was at Turnaround Ranch. The lawsuit states that another resident struck the boy with a belt, a 16-year-old resident who lived in the same cottage with him allegedly groped him, neither boy was transferred to another cottage, and the older one subsequently raped the younger one in a restroom and sexually molested him a second time the same day. Sheriff Ken Copeland said his department investigated an alleged sexual assault at Turnaround Ranch involving two juveniles, he also stated that he could not discuss details of the case any further than that.
This is so disturbing to me, I know people who's children have been residents int his place. my younger sisters have both had their turns in this place, and to think that this could have been anyone that I know, let alone anyone at all is just sickening to me. This is supposed to be a place for children to go that is secure and well monitored. Obviously I was mistaken in what I thought that this place was supposed to be. It is one thing to have our children court ordered to a facility like this, it is something completely different when you hear of something like this happening to our children. This just makes me sick. Where were the responsible parties at the time of these incidents? Are they not there to keep an eye on things? Are there not individuals assigned to each one of these separate houses? I think that there are. Where were they?
The reason that I reacted this way is because these are children. Where on earth did that child get the idea to rape another child. They are not in prison, they are in a center for troubled children, children! They are supposed to be being watched by capable adults. I do not understand what happened or how this could have happened under the watch of adult supervision. This is really upsetting to me. And I hope that whatever comes out in the wash in this case, the adults are made to stand up and take some responsibility for the apparent lack of supervision.
This is so disturbing to me, I know people who's children have been residents int his place. my younger sisters have both had their turns in this place, and to think that this could have been anyone that I know, let alone anyone at all is just sickening to me. This is supposed to be a place for children to go that is secure and well monitored. Obviously I was mistaken in what I thought that this place was supposed to be. It is one thing to have our children court ordered to a facility like this, it is something completely different when you hear of something like this happening to our children. This just makes me sick. Where were the responsible parties at the time of these incidents? Are they not there to keep an eye on things? Are there not individuals assigned to each one of these separate houses? I think that there are. Where were they?
The reason that I reacted this way is because these are children. Where on earth did that child get the idea to rape another child. They are not in prison, they are in a center for troubled children, children! They are supposed to be being watched by capable adults. I do not understand what happened or how this could have happened under the watch of adult supervision. This is really upsetting to me. And I hope that whatever comes out in the wash in this case, the adults are made to stand up and take some responsibility for the apparent lack of supervision.
Life throws curves
One year ago, I went to the doctor and discovered that I had a lump in my breast. I was told it was nothing to worry about because there was some pain associated with it and that it was more than likely a cist. Well, one year has gone by and we have recently discovered another lump, and this time no pain.
After a lot of procrastination, I finally made an appointment for the dreaded mammogram. I was a little freaked out, I will admit, waiting for the testing date. When the day finally arrived, I did the mammogram and the ultrasound. When the doctor came back into the room I wanted to die. The words that came out of her mouth were straight forward and honest and scared me to death.
Yesterday I was told that the lumps in my breast are not cists, they are not limp nowds, and they are not the type of cancer that you can see. What I was told, was that there is a certain type of breast cancer that will not show up on these tests. I have been scheduled for a surgical consult to try and figure out what it is. Because at this point, they are not sure what it is. I have to tell you that this is the hardest news I have ever received in my entire life. I can not even put into words how I feel at this moment. All that I do know is that I am trying not to cry at all times and I am trying to act like nothing is wrong for the sake of our children. How do you tell your children something like this? I mean, who they even be able to understand. Telling my mother was bad enough, I tried not to have to tell my mother in law, but she could her something in my voice and told my sister in law that she thought that I did not like her anymore.
I do not know how to deal with this, I am not sure how to feel, or how to act. All that I do know is that I have got to try and hold it together for the sake of my family, when all that I want to do is to fall apart. Everyone keeps asking "What can I do" and all that I seem to be able to spit out is "pray". I just want to cry, I want to fall apart to tell you the truth, I want to stay in bed and not get out until it is all over with. Getting up to go to class this morning was very hard. Even writing blogs today was a major push. It is 11:30 and I am finally making myself write them.
How do I do this? How do I stay positive? How do I do what is right for the sake of my children and my family? I want to cry at every moment, I have never been this scared in my life and I am not sure how to feel.
After a lot of procrastination, I finally made an appointment for the dreaded mammogram. I was a little freaked out, I will admit, waiting for the testing date. When the day finally arrived, I did the mammogram and the ultrasound. When the doctor came back into the room I wanted to die. The words that came out of her mouth were straight forward and honest and scared me to death.
Yesterday I was told that the lumps in my breast are not cists, they are not limp nowds, and they are not the type of cancer that you can see. What I was told, was that there is a certain type of breast cancer that will not show up on these tests. I have been scheduled for a surgical consult to try and figure out what it is. Because at this point, they are not sure what it is. I have to tell you that this is the hardest news I have ever received in my entire life. I can not even put into words how I feel at this moment. All that I do know is that I am trying not to cry at all times and I am trying to act like nothing is wrong for the sake of our children. How do you tell your children something like this? I mean, who they even be able to understand. Telling my mother was bad enough, I tried not to have to tell my mother in law, but she could her something in my voice and told my sister in law that she thought that I did not like her anymore.
I do not know how to deal with this, I am not sure how to feel, or how to act. All that I do know is that I have got to try and hold it together for the sake of my family, when all that I want to do is to fall apart. Everyone keeps asking "What can I do" and all that I seem to be able to spit out is "pray". I just want to cry, I want to fall apart to tell you the truth, I want to stay in bed and not get out until it is all over with. Getting up to go to class this morning was very hard. Even writing blogs today was a major push. It is 11:30 and I am finally making myself write them.
How do I do this? How do I stay positive? How do I do what is right for the sake of my children and my family? I want to cry at every moment, I have never been this scared in my life and I am not sure how to feel.
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