I heard this little girl's story about 2yrs ago. It broke my heart! It is one of the most heated debates on youtube, because everyone debates on what really happened. Last night I had a dream about Kelsey. Before I share the dream I will tell you, Kelsey was the center of a bitter custody battle between Kelsey's mom and grandma. Kelsey's dad was serving in Iraq and his mother wanted to raise Kelsey. Kelsey went back and forth between grandma and mom as claims of child abuse kept coming from both sides. Kelsey got a broken nose, black eye, and bruised back while at her mom's. She got 2 broken legs and several bruises and a severe emotional meltdown while at grandma's. Kelsey went back to her mom's and 5 months later was beaten and raped to death by her step dad at the tender age of 2.
The reason I bring this up is because last night I had a dream about Kelsey. I haven't followed her case that closely, but I dreamed that I ran in while her mom and grandma yanked at both arms, I grabbed her, ran out of the room, held her close, and promised her no one could ever hurt her again. I woke up feeling a knot in my stomach. I got to thinking about the case and all the debates I have heard. Kelsey's killer got a plea deal and will serve 30 years in prison. The debate is that Kelsey's mom was also charged for not preventing the tragedy and is serving 27 years in prison. Raye Dawn Smith was at work when Michael Porter killed Kelsey. All this time I thought it was good that her mother had to pay also, because there was obvious abuse she ignored. But recently Some one I sort of know(not close or anything) had a child shaken to death by her boyfriend while she was at work. I have seen how it has just destroyed her, living with the guilt that she left her baby with that monster. So I kept tossing and turning in bed trying to figure out what I think, and I am honestly completely torn. I was thinking what if they had arrested the gal I know for her son's death. They did not and I am glad, but how is it different from Kelsey's case? Does her mother deserve to be in prison? Do all mother's who leave their babies with dangerous people deserve more punishment than the torture of losing their child?
I seriously need feedback on this topic--Kelsey Smith Briggs
By savanah c - Posted on July 24th, 2009
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I think that the significant difference between your friend and Kelsey's mother is that your friend didn't KNOW that he was like that. Often times, the person involved with Shaken-Baby-Syndrome doesn't even know that they are going to snap previous to doing so, and they don't necessarily have signs of SEVERE anger issues, though they typically will have a temper. Some of the SBS abusers are pacifistic in nature! It's just something that snaps in some people's heads, and it can't always be predicted. Chances are your friend just assumed that her boyfriend would care for a baby; she might not have had any indication that he would be violent under pressure.
Kelsey's mother, however...there were obviously problems going on there. She might have even contributed to the abuse; who knows. The difference is that Kelsey was OBVIOUSLY and ACTIVELY experiencing pain in both "homes" where as with your friend it was most likely a one time thing. Of course, I don't know the full story but that's my thoughts. I don't necessarily think that your friend should go to prison because Kelsey was obviously being hurt and someone should have intervened, and your friend might not have had any chance to know of the abuse.