Teen Tried to Flush Newborn Down Toilet!

Here's my question.. Why is it a crime to kill a baby after it is born but not before? Isn't it the same child? I am not using your discussion to get in an anti-abortion jab.. I just find it ironic. This teenage girl could have gone to have this baby killed by a professional the day before but now that it is born the girl just a child herself is accused of murder. Sorry Folks I just don't get it! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

"..." Not the first time I've heard of a case like this. There are plenty of them out there (even a basis for the safe haven laws). My thoughts are all over on this one. While this is definitely a sick and unexcusable event, this is a young teen we are talking about. No I'm forgiving no one, and do not ever entertain the thought. I'm simply considering the known issues. We have an innocent life, and we have a teen that didn't want the child, but had no idea what to do (hmm...perhaps...). If the parents had actually been involved, this most likely would have been avoided. One thing to note is some parents' stance on their children getting pregnant (or in the case of males, getting a girl pregnant). Some state they won't take care of the children in such an event, or they'll be disowned. Others don't claim this, or they'll only say it as a threat and then adjust when reality hits home. There is also the mindset of the teen to take in consideration as well. The teen probably thought (rightly so) that the parents wouldn't take the news well. Some teens worry about this situation and end up with a feeling of entrapment, be it real or part of their own fears and doubts. Its possible the teen here, faced a situation similar to disownment or some other problem at the house (be it real, or simply imagined.) Of course these are more optimistic possibilities, as other possibilities with the parents include apathy most notably (and this too could have led to the teen feeling trapped in the situation). She could have also informed other family members or someone other trustworthy individual, though this in itself could also prove difficult depending on the circumstance. No matter what, I say everyone involved could have handled this much better... I can never fully understand what happens in these matters. I have ideas, past cases and other experience, but in the end, people play these out with what they've got.

What this girl did is reprehensible, but how sad is it that a teenage girl feels that she has no-one she can turn to in times of need? Like everyone has said before, you really have to wonder what is going on with her parents that they don't realize she ispregnannt or at least that something is troubling their child. I don't think she should be punished too severely as this is something she is going to have to live with for the rest of her life

That is awful. What in the world is wrong with people these days? I also wander where the parents are these days too. these kids are acting out in ways that alot of adults would never dream of.

When the heck are we gonna stop hearing these kinds of stories?! And how long was this girl in the bathroom before anyone realized she was not in class? And what kind of blind parent does it take to not notice your kid is pregnant? Especially in middle school!! There are no excuses for situations like this, none.

This is absolutely shocking. I could understand how distressed the girl would feel to have a baby at 14, but trying to kill the baby is just ridiculous and sickening. Dx

Annie I can not blame the 14 year old for this one I really can't like you say where are the Parents, why was the Girl not able to trust her Parents and why did the Girl have to go through this alone If she had Parents that really cared they would have noticed something was going on, specially the Mother, if she had the Help and support from her Parents she would not have been so scared and tried to kill the Infant. So I am sorry the Parents should be made responsible for this If People say well she is rebellious and that again if the Parents would take the time to be there, bond a proper relationship it would not be happening I have 2 Children that I brought up and I was working while bringing them up, but I always had my time with my Children and I always told them no matter what Problem there is or what they have done to talk to me and we will sort it out together (their Dad was never there he was to busy with social Life and also lost his temper to quick) and to this Day My Children 21 and 24 still come to me no matter what it is So sorry I blame the Parents, I do not care what anyone says we raise the Children and how we raise them is how they will turn out

Her parents should be punished for this. they should take care of her.

I agree it boggles the mind how her parents or guardians didn't find out she's pregnant. Anyway, she should definitely go to jail. It's murder, plain and simple. We need to teach these teens the value of human life. Otherwise what kind of society will we end up with?

Annie, the thing that saddens me the most while reading this is the fact that the teenager thought she had no one else to turn to. That just breaks my heart. I agree with you!! Where in the heck were her parents and why weren't they actively in their childs life? Had they been, I doubt that it would have came to this. My heart hurts so much reading this. I couldnt imagine having a kid and not being in my kids life. They would have had to see a change in her.

Crazy,,, 9mos? How horrible.. Don't know why these people exist..

Parents must have been too concerned with their own lives to care about their pregnant teenager- that is messed up! Where do you find these my friend? This world is just one messed up place sometimes!

That's awful in two respects - that she didn't turn to anyone for help or support when there is always so many sources of it so readily available, and that nobody around her even noticed there was anything wrong. I don't see how anybody could not notice a person being pregnant. I hope both the girl and the baby get the support they need.