Unless you've been living under a rock, you have heard the name-and have an opinion regarding-Jessica Lunsford. The emotions circulating the loss of this child at the hands of a stranger are beyond words.
Two other young girls-Sara Lunde and Carlie Brucia-lost their lives at the hands of others around the same time as Jessica. As a result, sweeping changes in the laws occurred, at the city, state and federal level.
I recently came across the following statistic, cited in Paul Slocumb's book, Hear Our Cry.
Between 1976 and 1997 parents and stepparents murdered nearly 11,000
children.
Mothers and stepmothers committed about half these child murders.
Sons and stepsons accounted for 52% of those killed by mothers and 57%
of those killed by fathers.
Mothers were responsible for a higher share of children killed during
infancy, while fathers were more likely to have been responsible for
the murders of children 8 or older.
-"Women Offenders"
Bureau of Justice Statistics
U.S. Department of Justice
December, 1999
With all the focus on Jessica's convicted murderer John Couey, one question popped into my head.
Who is watching the children...at home?
Your thoughts? Opinion?