I rarely quote or post stories about local crime, but this story caught my eye for the sheer depravity of the two people charged:
A Glendale couple said they couldn’t afford a baby sitter, so they strapped their 14-month-old son in his stroller at home while the couple went out, police alleged.
Rachel Anderson and her live-in boyfriend, Mitch Laputka, were ordered to stand trial Thursday on charges they neglected baby Gabriel so badly that his body was covered with diaper rash, his body temperature was 12 degrees below normal and he stopped breathing, requiring 21 minutes of CPR to revive him. Police said the couple admitted to leaving the boy home alone because they wanted to party. WISN
While the “parents”, and I use quotes there for obvious reasons, of the child deserve everything and more they have coming to them in criminal court, it really breaks your heart to hear about these kind of stories, especially when they’re in your community.
You have to ask yourself, “How could anyone do that to any child, especially their own?”. The question is pretty easily answered by the response the man in the case gave when asked why the baby was only changed once per day. His response? “He didn’t do diapers”.
The whole thing is really sad.
I live in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI with my wife Jen, our daughter Emerson, and son Carter.
Police said Anderson told them that she often left Gabriel strapped in his stroller when the couple went out or to work
Both parents pleaded not guilty Thursday
Huh?!
Losers.
I not for locking everyone up, but I hope the judge throws the book at these morons and anything else that may be near by!!
To be sure, this is a sad story. That said, isn’t it all to easy to state that it’s sad? No one asks the burning question: How did society fail in this case? Why could the couple not afford the diapers? Why do we have a system where minimum wage workers have no access to babysitting and childcare? What’s funny to me is that Daniel Cody puts parents in quotation marks. I will not put politician in quotation marks because it is so typical of a politician to bemoan the sad state of affairs and have zero proposals or solutions to make it better. Cody is hardly a hero in pointing out the obvious – that this is unfortunate. At least he has a pulse. I’ll be sure to take my vote elsewhere – to a politician that at least discusses his vision and solutions to these sorts of problems. I predict this entry will be removed from this website immediately on review. If it is, I will devote a lot of time and effort to make sure everyone knows that Cody is afraid of real dialogue. This is generally true of both parties. I don’t even know what party Cody represents. I would much prefer to see a response from Cody. Please prove me wrong in what I expect the response will be!
One last thing – as I am close to this issue: the CPR was not to revive the child. His heart rate dropped dramatically due to the stress of intubation. It would be a rare thing indeed for a clinician to perform manual compressions in a hospital for over 20 minutes to try and revive a dead patient. Of course this real version of the story does not provoke as much anger, is not sexy, and requires a real explanation. Evidence the media’s job is to sell a product rather than give useful information to the public. Not knowing the true story, how can we as a community act to make things better? Again, media, politicians – just there to stir things up. No compassion. Let’s just “throw the book” at a 22 year old. She’s just a kid, naive, uneducated about how to care for a child, uninformed. I am sure she was not actively trying to kill her child. Now we should lock her up until she’s 47? Please someone tell me how this is productive for her, for this child, for society (who will end up paying a lot to keep her in prison for 25 years), or for anyone? How about starting to proactively educate impoverished parents on how to care for a baby? How about counseling and rehab for this very young parent, who is in many regards a kid also? How well-adjusted will she be as a 47-year old who has spent more than half of her life in prison for an immature mistake?
As the article stated, they couldn’t afford diapers because they chose to spend the money on getting drunk instead.
As for me, you should read my weblog a bit more before coming in here and calling me out as some sort of heartless politician who doesn’t care about people in tough situations or living below the poverty line. If you had bothered to read, you’d know that I was one of those people. Regardless, this has nothing to do with societal issues and everything to do with two people who cared more about getting drunk than their infant child. That’s not a reflection on society, it’s a reflection on two individuals who obviously have issues with alcohol abuse. Unfortunately for them, when their actions affected those other than themselves, in this case their own child, that crossed over from the “I’m only hurting myself” realm to the criminal one.
And if you want to have a dialog, that’s great. First, let’s start by using a real name and by explaining how you would vote for me if the IP address of the computer your posted these comments with is registered in the UK.
I mean, the timing of your comment, your apparent medical background, it’s content and the fact that you don’t post a real name or website combined with the apparent randomness of trying to label me as some sort of heartless politician who you wouldn’t vote for in a post that has nothing to do with politics are all suspect.
Dan – I’ve got your back on this one.
Anon WonTon … you are part of the problem that allows “society” to get to this point. Quit making excuses for people and wishing politicians can solve their problems.
How did society fail in this case?
It didn’t .. these two “parents” did. Yeah – I will use quotation marks because real parents do not leave their children strapped in a stroller so they can go party it up.
Why could the couple not afford the diapers?
How about using the beer money for diapers instead? With a little self motivation this couple could have scored some free diapers from one of several Wisconsin programs that provides assistance to families in need.
Why do we have a system where minimum wage workers have no access to babysitting and childcare?
What? I guess I missed the part where every citizen is guaranteed babysitting and childcare. Personally, I cannot afford a babysitter either, but hey it was MY decision to have children. I do not blame “the system” for my inability to have access to babysitters or the fact that my daycare costs make me drive an old piece of crap car because I cannot afford a new(er used) car and live in a lower tier house because I can only afford a tiny mortgage.
I predict this entry will be removed from this website immediately on review.
Obviously, you do not know Dan. He is a standup guy and will keep your comments on this post.
She’s just a kid, naive, uneducated about how to care for a child, uninformed.
Oh my goodness …. a kid? 22 years old. Twenty Two years old. Sorry .. she is not a kid anymore.
Please someone tell me how this is productive for her, for this child
The child will no longer be strapped to a stroller until her parents get home from their party.
How about starting to proactively educate impoverished parents on how to care for a baby?
Sure .. when do you start organizing it? I am not against this concept and this is probably a better path for this lady to have to follow instead of jail.
How about counseling and rehab for this very young parent, who is in many regards a kid also?
That sounds reasonable, however there has to be some punishment doled out for the child neglect (punishment) these two have put this child through. As Dan stated, the actions of the parents crossed over to the criminal arena.
Dan – as usual, well articulated response.
Not to beat a dead horse, or sound TOO sarcastic, but Anon Won Ton, I have one question for you: Is your name either Rachel Anderson, or Mitch Laputka?
I am astounded that someone is trying to make an excuse for these people. The mother is NOT just a kid….I was only 21 when I had my son and NEVER considered leaving my son alone so that I could go out and party. WonTon’s response may have had a chance at making a little bit of sense if the couple left the child so they could work, but they didn’t; they were partying. There is no justification for that. There is no one to blame here but the parents, not society. So they couldn’t afford diapers eh…that’s what cloth diapers are for! I had to use them on my son for a while. The boyfriend’s response when questioned about the matter was simply “I don’t do diapers;” that doesn’t sound like he was too concerned about the child’s health. If the mother honestly couldn’t afford to care for the child, she could have gone to a local church, shelter, or welfare office for assistance, but she decided to go out and party instead. This child deserves a normal life and a nurturing family, so I would be pleased to see the mother locked away for the rest of the baby’s childhood so she couldn’t corrupt the poor baby’s life any more than she already has.
I beleive people who abandon there child or kill em are very dum. there are people out there that cant have children and we are out there killen them and leavin them alone we as a society need to be happy that god gave them a chance to create such a beautiful thing.
I think that making excuses for a “child” that’s 22 years old.. well that’s sad to even say about anyone.. If they are a child.. they why in the hell are they allowed to even care for a child/infant.. The person above is making excuses.. and that is very wrong.. A child is a big responsibility and if you can’t take care of a child, then don’t have one. Either be a parent or let someone else take care of the child or something.. But there is no excuses for anyone that has a child/infant to leave them unattended (abuse and neglect) just to “party”…What in the world is going on with this world. I’m not sure about the “throwing the book” at them or the parent… But that child needs a better home and family to be with then that. Someone who will take better care of the child and his/her needs. That’s just the responsibility of having sex and having a child afterwards.
Well I have read all of the comments on this article.
I would see that there is question on blame to society for this selfish 22 y.o. and her boyfriend for leaving their baby in the stroller.
I think a lot of people may not be grasping the damage done to this little baby. He was strapped in a stroller for hours on end as we are all commenting on. But, are we seeing the entire picture? If he was strapped for hours in a stroller when they went to work or partied, you can imagine his poor little body physically and emotionally.
The next steps to happen to him if it went on longer and wasn’t caught, is he would have died. And changing his diaper ONE time per day. What the **** is that? I have a 5 month old and she requires diapers minimun every couple hours or so. You mean to tell me a 22 year old doesn’t know her poor little baby is getting tortured in discomfort all day with a soggy bum and soiled one?
You mean to tell me they could not get welfare? Or social services could not have helped them in someway? You mean to tell me they could not have gone without a dinner in their selfish bodies in order to buy him a pack of diapers? You mean to tell me a six pack is more important than my babies comfort?
I’m sure this baby didn’t even get fed well enough. I’m sure he was suffering with bonding and emotional comfort. Look at their photos. Come on…..she is fat and sure could do without some food and buy her baby diapers. I am sounding very angry right now….and look at the loser boyfriend…I’m sure the child was abused physically and emotionally by him as well especially chances are he was not his father….I am tired of these women taking in men that I’m sure ruled “her” roost and took no part in her child whatsoever therefore her even turning on her own child. This may not be the case in this particular situation, but I’m sure it most likely is. And, no I don’t have the facts.
All I know is that MY BABY or CHILD comes BEFORE ME in any instance. I will go without food or a roof to give my child more than I have. If I can’t afford to live and pay rent, I will get emergency shelter so I can house my child and keep them safe. I will sacrifice ME to give to them.
Don’t give me excuses on affording diapers or babysitters. I don’t have a babysitter and it is me and my husband BUT we make due and our child is our priority.
They are disgusting excuses for humans. And, I sure hope this child is saved and given love from someone that will love him and care for him. He has been severely damaged emotionally and I HOPE people are seeing the WHOLE picture and not just “oh a tidbit of news” as child was left in stroller so parents could party.
This society really needs order and no longer should people “get away” with these actions.
I am saddened by this story and this poor little baby boy.
To think he as been in this world for a short 14 months and THIS is what he gets.
A parent and human Being.
Attn: Anonymous
Your statement below.
# Anonymous WonTonon 07 Oct 2007 at 4:08 am
One last thing – as I am close to this issue: the CPR was not to revive the child. His heart rate dropped dramatically due to the stress of intubation. It would be a rare thing indeed for a clinician to perform manual compressions in a hospital for over 20 minutes to try and revive a dead patient.
My statement
Are you for real?
I don’t care if it was to save his life or something they did medically to maintain him somehow. This should not occur and is inexcuseable.
Just a question to. How would you feel if you sat in your feces and urine ALL day and only got to change your underwear once? Which would you prefer? Changing your underwear before bed after sitting all day in it? Or going to BED in it and waiting til morning and then changing your diaper…therefore adding some MORE URINE on top of it?
22 y.o. child? Are you for real?
They both should be sterilized and there should be a law passed to sterilize anyone that treats any baby or child in this manner.
If there were a law pending, I would be #1 to support it.
Did the mother of the child ever hear of adoption? And lets not say that the child would have sat on a list and gone from home to home……there are MANY agencies out there that will place a child directly to a loving family that is on a list looking for a child.
And did these two sore excuses for humans ever think of juggling a work schedule? How long did this little baby sit in his dirty diaper longing for some food or a bottle? Or did they just KILL HIS SPIRIT and he just sat there in his stroller no longer trying to get out of it? Let’s just put a leash on him and stick him outside.
And I will say, if I had to resort to stealing diapers from the local walmart to make sure he had some, I surely damn well would.
I am very sure this mother was probably on some substidized housing and probably got a big cut in her rent. And this guy lived with her for free. She thought of nothing more than her and the guy and not her son. I hope to God she and he go to prison and people hear of what they did and they get it 10 folds over.
That is my hope.
And I hope this little boy is now getting a calm and loving life from someone. I am grateful he was discovered and saved at least physically from dying. I am sure he will suffer emotionally for years to come. I sure hope the emotions of this baby can be fixed in the years.
An angry parent.
There are programs out there that will provide every child with daycare, food, and pampers. There is no excuse. Especially seeing that they left the child so that they can party. Once you have a baby, the parting is over. I hope they do hard time