The Tragedy of Vanishing Children

The breaking news as I started my radio show yesterday was that a girl’s body was found in a landfill in Georgia. Although it was still being investigated during our investigation, the grim reality has been established.

Police are confirming that body to be that of missing 7-year-old Somer Thompson, who disappeared Monday on her way mile long walk home from school in Florida.

I have been blogging for a while now. And this is only one of a couple of blogs that have made me cry as I write it. I have had to step away a few times, actually feeling as if I would become physically ill from this story and its tragic end.

I have a son that just turned 7 last week. I have kids who are 8, 10, almost 11, and 13. And a beautiful baby girl who will turn 2 at the end of this month.

The part in the story of Sheriff Rick Beseler calling Somer’s mother last night and telling her the grim news broke my heart. I can’t even imagine being the one to have to let a parent know that, let alone BEING that parent.

So a beautiful little girl was thrown into a landfill like a piece of debris and the maniac who did it will most likely do it again. And again. We need to catch these maniacs. We need to throw the book at them. HARD. No parole. No rehab. Shackles and a jumpsuit and an iron door to stare at forever.

And now I just read a story about a 9-year-old girl, Elizabeth Olten, who has been missing since last night after walking home from a friend’s house. ONLY A QUARTER OF A MILE AWAY!

Our kids aren’t even safe walking 1/4 of a mile from a friend’s house? Or a mile from SCHOOL in the company of siblings and friends?

WHAT…THE…HELL…IS…HAPPENING.

If I were a drinking man, I’d go have a stiff one right about now.

But I am not.

So the best I can do is put my head in my hands some more.

And continue to make it my eternal quest to protect my children against all dangers whenever possible and pray to God that they are safe when I cannot.