Re: The news must be kidding me

[Guest guest]

Thiw might be triggering,but check out what the neighbors said about this

" mother " :

Neighbors say mom tough on 4-year-old

Water death: Witnesses testify the parents treated the victim more harshly than

their biological daughter

By Hunt

The Salt Lake Tribune

PROVO - and Jennete Killpack, on trial for allegedly killing their

4-year-old adopted daughter by making her drink excessive amounts of water,

treated the child much differently - and more harshly - than their biological

daughter, according to testimony Friday.

Cassandra Killpack was alternately deprived of food and forced to eat, and

endured hours-long timeouts for her purported bad behavior, the witnesses said.

In contrast, there were few rules for Cassandra's 7-year-old sister, who, said

one witness, was " free to play and roam and be a kid. "

None of the witnesses could recall seeing Cassandra do anything to warrant the

discipline meted out regularly by her adoptive parents, who claim the girl threw

tantrums, destroyed property and was unable to bond with them.

The testimony is part of the prosecution's theory that Cassandra's death was the

culmination of long-standing abuse.

On June 9, 2002, her parents allegedly forced Cassandra to drink cup after cup

of water as punishment for stealing a sip of her baby sister's juice.

The excessive amounts of water caused the girl's sodium levels to fall, and her

brain swelled to fatal proportions, according to medical evidence.

Charged with second-degree felony child-abuse homicide, the Killpacks claim they

were merely following the advice of counselors from the now-defunct Cascade

Center for Family Growth.

The Springville couple have told police the girl suffered from

reactive-attachment disorder, which can occur when babies fail to bond with

their birth mothers. Cascade has denied recommending forced-water drinking as a

cure.

Cassandra was brought to Utah from South Carolina in April 1999 by an adoption

agency. parent Stauffer testified she was " a normal, happy young

girl. " The Killpacks adopted her in July of that year.

Other witnesses agreed Cassandra began her life with the Killpacks as a cheerful

and outgoing girl, but said she became quiet, withdrawn and fearful.

" She started out as a loving, warm, affectionate child, " testified friend and

neighbor Wilkey.

" By the time they moved [just before Cassandra's death], there was nothing

there. No expression, no warmth - nothing. "

Wilkey said Cassandra would " let down and be a kid " when away from her parents.

" But she had a lot of fear when they were around, " she said.

Another friend and neighbor, Bobbi Condie, said the " rambunctious and lively "

Cassandra eventually turned " very guarded . . . her expression became blank. "

Cassandra spent hours in her room as punishment, said Condie, who once saw her

forced to stand in a corner with her hands over her head until hands and legs

were shaking.

Friend and neighbor Dale Green recalled an incident where everyone was eating

ice cream except Cassandra, because her mother forbade it.

" I told [Jennete Killpack] that wasn't nice, " he said.

But neighbor Sumsion said she saw Jennete Killpack force spoonful after

spoonful of food into Cassandra's mouth, until the girl's cheeks puffed out.

On cross-examination, defense attorney Esplin said that Jennete Killpack

showed her love for Cassandra, an African-American, by spending hours braiding

her hair into corn rows.

Esplin also asked witnesses if they were aware Cassandra was in therapy and that

the discipline had been suggested by counselors.

But there was testimony that Jennete Killpack's actions went well beyond

discipline.

Andra Green testified that Jennete admitted hitting Cassandra in the head with a

spoon hard enough to cause bleeding.

Wilkey testified that Jennete Killpack showed her bruises on Cassandra's neck

and said she had choked the girl because she refused to eat.

According to Wilkey, Jennete Killpack had once said of Cassandra: " I'm not sure

that I want her. "

Source: sltrib.com

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> Check out this story guys. I cannot believe anyone would even consider

> letting this woman go home to her biological children. Whoa. Insert bad

> words here of your choice.

>

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51036982-76/killpack-girl-jennete-parole.html.\

csp?page=1

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