Update on my cousin: Why is the step-mother not in jail yet?

Question

Here is the story of the crash that claimed the life of my 11 year old cousin Amber: http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=50163

The step-mom is out of the hospital and on house arrest with a ankle bracelet. Why is she not in jail right now?
(She caused the crash on her own, driving 80mph with 6 kids in the car, crash and killed Amber)
(Also she had been mistreating her, making her into a slave,not allowing her to have any contact with her blood sister or her father's side of the family. I still cannot figure out why my cousin -the child's father- is still standing by her)
I did not know of the abuse until it was too late, we live in different states. I would have done something had i known.
Alot of people on here said to me that it was just an accident but she was on drugs while driving so tell me why is she not in jail and how long do you think it will be before they put her there were she belongs?

Also she has been having nightmares of amber which is good.

Hope it haunts her forever.

She don't have no money.

Just because that vehicle was not smashed all up does not mean that she was not going at a high rate of speed, when there were witnesses to it and the polices reports you all dont know. The step mom should have made them buckle up if she cared which she doesnt.

Of course it did not say anything about drug use, the speed of the crash until all those was conducted by the hospital and the law, that story had been on the news only hours after it happened and alot has happned since Oct. 15.

Answer 1

god will deal with her as he is with the nightmares. also she may never go to jail but that is something you may have to deal with. she will eventually get whats coming to her just be patient she will screw up again and then hopefully she gets what she deserves. as for amber its too late to help and i'm sure you would have if you had know. don't be hard on yourself amber is in a better place now and isn't suffering at the hands of this woman anymore may god bring peace to you and your family

Answer 2

From what the news story has stated was the car accident was just that "an accident" No where in the news story states there was drug use, or high speed envolved. I can't understand your pain because i've never lost a family member before, especially by that kind of circumstance. I can say that i'm deeply saddened by your loss. It must be pure torture to have a close family member taken away from you like this. Just know that Amber is in a better place right now. As for the mother who lost control of her vehicle-you must understand that even if she was on drugs she will still be a grieving mother. I seriously doubt that she caused the accident on purpose to kill her step child, and injure the others.

I'm sorry for your loss, and if she really did do something illegal i'm sure she will be punished for it.

Answer 3

I am very sorry and I hope your family will somehow recover from your loss. I think she is at fault and should be punished even if it were found that she wasn't on drugs. Although Amber was old enough to put on her own seat belt, she was a child none the less. Her stepmom, being the adult, should have made sure each child was properly buckled in before she even started the van. It is my understanding that no matter how old your passengers are, the driver is the one responsible for ensuring that everyone is wearing a seatbelt at all times while the vehicle is in motion. If this isn't a law in your state, it should be.

Answer 4

Wow you sound really angry. From the news reports this was an accident. She is responsible for not having the kids in the seat belts, but I don't know what the laws of the state they are in are. Amber was old enough to put her own seat belt on, so I don't know why she didn't. It says they were on their way to Amber's ball practice and that she was a happy kid. That doesn't sound like a slave who is being abused. And depending on where it is, 80miles an hour is high speed, and not right with kids, but not necessarily illegal. I saw the vehicle, and frankly I don't believe there would be so little damage if she was going that fast. Unfortunately your niece died because she was unrestrained and flew out of the van when it rolled. That's what happens, and that's why most kids are brought up never driving in cars without using a seat belt.

I'm just using the report you linked. It sounds like you are looking to place blame in this horrible ending to your nieces life. I am sorry for your families loss. I'm not convinced of the circumstances.

Answer 5

I'm sure there will be a trial first before she goes to jail. They probably want to determine her mental state and just exactly how much and what kind of drugs were in her for the trial. It could be involuntary manslaughter, or worse. They also could say that she's not stable and go for an even lesser charge. In any case, there's a process to go through.

I'm sorry to hear about your cousin. Unfortunately, it's up to her father to protect her. I've been through what your cousin went through. It wasn't until I became an adult that my father believed me regarding his second wife and how horrible she was. Nothing is worse than when your parents don't stand up for you.

I just hope that the other kids will now be protected from her.

Answer 6

Step mom sounds like a troubled person. You sound angry and grieving. I don't have answers except to say the system is difficult to deal with on any level, especailly in what you are talking about. It's out of your hands to put her in jail where you think she belongs. The Judge thought otherwise. I don't want to disagree with you, but I don't know what I would be agreeing to? Ignoring the phrase "don't do drugs" can come with a high price.

Answer 7

It's hard to say. It takes awhile sometimes for authorities to jail someone. It has to be fair, and most the time the want to know the cause of her crazy driving, and why she abused her kids. Just keep updated, and it's good to tells somebody close how you feel about the step-mother. Also they have to have and alibi, it makes this a lot easier.

Answer 8

They should lock her up and throw away the key...What sort of Mother is she to be driving while under the influence of drugs??? It is not fair that Amber died and she lived. I hope she has nightmares every night for the rest of her life.

I am so sorry for your loss.

Answer 9

It sounds like it will,And if it doesn't I'm sure you will be Johnny on the spot to help out making her life a living hell . And i agree with you, I know it didn't sound like i did but i do.

Answer 10

Well, there are lots of laws around here but little Justice. Perhaps they'll put her in jail, but I wouldn't count on it. Especially not if she has plenty of money.