Like this:

Child abuse stories, particularly those where the child died, are absolutely heartbreaking.  Yet many of us, myself included, have become so numbed to such stories that all too often we just shake our heads, mutter “What a pity”, and go about our lives, unable to comprehend or understand such a tragedy.

This story, though, really got to me.  To the point where I went to bed with it on my mind all night.

Caged and doomed, boy leaves sad account of his life

As usual, a million questions surface.  How could a child fall off the face of the earth for two years without anyone asking questions?  How could CPS not notice anything was amiss?  Why didn’t the mother have custody?  Why did it take so long to find out her child died?  And why didn’t the doctors who had previously treated this boy report their suspicions of abuse to the authorities, as their professions require by law?  To name a few.

What breaks my heart the most are the written words of Christian himself.  How he wished that his family would like him.  How he wondered why nobody would come to look or check up on him, to see how he was doing.  How he wanted to die because nobody liked the way he acted.

I wish I could teleport myself back in time and space to where I could pick that kid up in my arms and just run away with him.  Take him someplace where he could be loved and cared for, and play and enjoy life like a normal kid.  And be told he was safe and wouldn’t be hurt anymore.

As for the wretched piles of fecal matter posing as the parents responsible for his death, I would in this case argue vehemently against giving them the death penalty.  I’d rather see them locked up for the rest of their sorry lives in a supermax prison somewhere, where their fellow inmates are given but one instruction: don’t kill them or allow them to die.  Aside from that, let them be fair game at their new “neighbors” disposal.

But at the end of his miserable life, I believe Christian’s most heartfelt prayers were answered.  For someone at last came and took him away, to someplace where he would be happy for all time and eternity, and no one would hurt him ever again.  Where he had a set of the most loving and caring guardians in the universe.

He now is in the tender care of Our Heavenly Father, and His Son Jesus Christ.

Rest in eternal piece, Christian.  We all love you.

“Gentle Jesus, look kindly on those children who have been denied the gift of a safe and happy childhood. Protect them from abuse and neglect and let them find comfort in Your love and protection.
Help all of us to show sympathy and compassion to troubled children whose words and actions test patience and understanding. Let these children see the world as the beautiful place You created. Help them find the courage to overcome their fears so they may learn to trust and love.
Grant those who have young lives entrusted in their care Your wisdom and kindness so they may provide the kind of love all children need to grow and mature. Amen.”

(reposted from an earlier post)

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