posted May 3, 2007
I just wanted to ask everyone to pray for this family that so tragically lost their child yesterday. And also to ask that before you pass judgment on Mr. Reid to please think about what he and his wife are going through.
Especially Mr. Reid. He has lost his child and also been arrested for what is obviously a tragic mistake that he will have to live with for the rest of his life.
I pray that he and his family will somehow be able to get through this and that they will be given the peace that only God can provide.
Elaine Cornwell
Chattanooga
* * *
How does a parent leave a child in a car all day? How does a parent take his three other children to daycare and school, yet somehow forget an infant in the backseat?
How can a person, someone supposedly intelligent that runs a business, just keep resetting his car alarm and never go out to investigate what is causing the alarm to activate?
Would Robert Reid have been more concerned about his luxury car if it were parked at the mall, or at home? Why did he not walk outside and look at the car instead of resetting the alarm?
Robert Reid should not waste the taxpayers' money or the time of the court system. Robert Reid should do the honorable thing - sit in his car till he expires like his child did.
Dwayne Cales
Hixson
heardacry@yahoo.com
* * *
Why should we not rush to judgment regarding Mr. Reid? Yes, I will pray earnestly for him and the rest of his family because of this horrible loss, but Mr. Reid was totally responsible for what happened to his baby.
Do I think it was intentional? Of course not. Do I think he acted irresponsibly? Of course I do.
His car alarm sounded several times indicating movement INSIDE his car but he chose to ignore the warnings.
My heart breaks for that poor child that suffered terribly throughout the day, and it breaks for that mother who lost her child because of an irresponsible husband. And it breaks for their other three children.
I'm just having a hard time feeling real sorry for Mr. Reid.
Jane Brophy
Hixson
hootiesmomtoo@yahoo.com
* * *
It makes me sick to think that there are people out there like Mrs. Cornwell who think this way. This was no accident that you forget your child in a car for seven hours. Mr. Reid should have the same punishment he gave to his young son.
There is too much forgiveness if you ask me. Mr. Reid deserves, nor his wife deserve, our sympathy but rather our outrage.
Mr. Reid should not have made bond and I hope our judicial system does not fail this small child. Can you imagine that little boy slowly gasping for air while his brain literally is cooking.
If you have children you cannot speak of forgiveness. It makes me sick at my stomach, but I will fill no sympathy for Mr. Reid or his wife.
How busy are our lives that we do not notice a child in the back seat of the car. Did no one frequent this business? Are we so preoccupied that we miss a small child slowly roasting in the back seat of a car?
W. Cate
Chattanooga
* * *
I am very confused by the comment/opinion made by W. Cate (who obviously doesn't want us to know the name of the person with such an opinion).
I can understand why you are offended by the actions of Mr. Reid, but why are you so angry with his wife? She obviously had trust in her husband for the last 15 months and, because of HIS mistake, everyone should now bring hate toward her?
I do agree with forgiveness. Where would we be if our Lord couldn't forgive us? HOPELESS.
It was a very neglectful thing and I am very sorry that it happened, but we do need to pray for this family - they sure don't need haters at this time of loss.
I am very grateful that others are perfect and will never do anything neglectful in their own life that they will need forgiveness for. We never say never.
Tomesa Johnson
Hixson tomesajohnson@yahoo.com
* * *
I have a friend who knows this family personally. This is a Christian family and neither parent would have ever done anything so careless on purpose. I can't even begin to imagine how the poor child suffered all day. It grieves me to even think about it. But the fact is, Mr. Reid, for whatever reason, was so busy or hurried or preoccupied that he made an honest mistake....sadly, a tragic one.
But as another person put it....where would we be without forgiveness from the Lord? We would truly have no hope. If Jesus Christ can forgive Mr. Reid, and all the rest of us who call upon Him for forgiveness, then surely we can do the same. Believe me....Mr. Reid will have the hardest time forgiving himself. I can only imagine the utter anguish that he and his family are going through right now. And it will truly take the healing of our Lord to get this family through this tragedy.
Can you imagine the hideous nightmares that will haunt Mr. Reid both day and night? Please don't heap more burning coals on his head......have mercy. The Bible says that God's mercies are new every morning. It also says that if we do not forgive others, then God cannot forgive us.
April Gordon
Soddy-Daisy
* * *
I have no problem in praying for the Reid family. This is a terrible thing they are going though. However, a child life was taken by Mr. Reid neglience.
I know Mr. Reid did not intend to hurt his child, but through his neglience a homicide occurred. He must be held responsible for this crime.
Just because it was his child does not mean that he should not be held accountable.
Martha Rice
Chattanooga
* * *
It is good that the days of vigalenties are long past ot the Some would have him hanging from the nearest tree.
Please tell everyone all the FACTS you have to support your condemination of a person like this man. I don't believe the hell he is putting himself through, but you can't make it any worse. You have told the world that you have taken God's place and have condemed him.
I will remind you of an old but true saying, "What goes around comes around." Think of this the next time you have a trouble or matter on your mind and let your child wander off in a store or mall. Your actions should receive your condemination.
One question: Are you telling the world that this man/father was so horrible that he left his child to die? God help your soul if you are.
As a father and grandfather, I can feel to my soul for this man. Any mother who put her child in a crib and later found it dead is in the same boat.
N.D. Hennedy Sr.
Ooltewah
n_kennedy@bellsouth.net
* * *
While this incident has invoked concern in the community, why did everyone not respond in the same way to the child left to die in the Tennessee Temple dorm room? To me, there is no difference in these two cases.
For some reason, the child's death at Tennessee Temple was quickly and discreetly swept under a rug.
Has the mother of the child who was abandoned at Tennessee Temple been charged with criminally negligent homicide, aggravated child abuse, and neglect? Why not?
J. Seagle
Chattanooga
seaglehomes@comcast.net
* * *
I will pray for the mother who lost her baby. I will pray for the children who lost their baby brother. I pray that Mr. Reid will receive the punishment that he deserves.
If you look at the facts of this case, they do not prove an "accident." The Reid's had four children. He somehow remembers to drop three of them off, but forgets the baby?
He has a very nice car. Anyone who drives a BMW or something similar is naturally going to take good care of it. I find it impossible to believe that he had enough sense and enough concern for his car that he had a first rate car alarm put on it, yet fails to check the car itself after the alarm gone off several times. If it had gone off once or twice, sure I could understand him not being too concerned. But seven times? Any intelligent adult would have gone to check their car if the alarm kept going off constantly like that.
He reminds me of those fathers that you hear about on the news. The hard working parents that work work work to provide for their family, but become desperate because it just gets to be too much, so they either end their lives, or the lives of their family. His actions were very deliberate and I hope he receives the maximum sentence.
I pray that his wife and children do not meet a similar end, but John Reid doesn't sound like a "good father and Christian." He sounds like a man who had too much on his shoulders and snapped, and his son paid the price for it.
Aubrey Buchannon
alphalima23@yahoo.com
* * *
I agree with Ms. Cornwell in that we not judge Mr. Reid for this horrifying tragedy because I think it was truly a shocking and horrendous accident. But I don't agree with the readers who believe Mr. Cornwell should "do the honorable thing" by dying the way his son did. I'm a little surprised by this simpleton thinking - seems like we have to blame somebody for something even if it is an accident.
I, myself, cannot imagine how one could forget there is an infant in the car, and I certainly would have checked the inside of my car if the alarm kept on going off, but we do not know what was going on in Mr. Cornwell's life, we don't know his thoughts and we certainly don't know his actions or lack of.
I think Mr. Cornwell is getting enough punishment by the absolute guilt he must be experiencing for the loss of his child. An accident is just that - an accident.
Judge not, lest ye be judged.
Katherine C. Ingram
Atlanta, Ga.
Katherinec_us@yahoo.com
* * *
To those who are writing to judge Robert Reid, realize that the unintentional mistake he made could happen to you. It could happen to me. Everyone gets into their own little world on a busy morning from time to time. Not everyone has taken on the daunting task of raising four children and trying to take care of their million comings and goings day after day while running a business to support them.
You should be ashamed of yourselves for pouring salt in Mr. Reid's wounds at a time when he and his family are going through the horrific experience of losing a child, especially in this way. I have no doubt that he would gladly give his own life for a chance to retrace his steps and save his son's.
Even if you don't change your minds, show some respect to this devastated man and his family by keeping your petty finger pointing to yourselves while they try to cope with the grief, shock and guilt. They are real people who love their children and live in this community; the anonymity of an email to an online newspaper doesn't excuse you from showing common decency to the grieving. I am sure if you were in their shoes (and you could be some day), you would appreciate the same respect.
Scott Brown
Signal Mountain
* * *
We know the Reid family personally, and I know for a fact that he DID NOT leave his child in the car on purpose. He is a good Christian man and his family is devastated by the loss and does not need anything else to put them down.
Please pray for the Reid family in this time of loss.
Last night i went to youth and the sermon was on Jesus' forgiveness.
John 8:2-11
2 Early in the morning he (Jesus) came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery, and placing her in the midst. 4 They said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now the Law of Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do You say?" 6 They said this to test Him, that they might have some charge to bring against Him. Jesus bent down and wrote with His finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask Him, He stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone at her." 8 And once more He bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before Him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."
Jesus' forgiveness...
1. Is not based on my INNOCENCE.
2. Is not limited by the SEVERITY of my sin.
3. Is not because He sets aside the REQUIREMENTS of the law.
4. Is the only thing that stands between me and DEATH.
5. Is evidence of His CONCERN for me as an individual.
6. Is not because he is not QUALIFIED to condemn me.
7. Proves that His desire for me is to HEAL me, not CONDEMN me.
8. Does not give me PERMISSION to remain in my sin.
That was my youth lesson. So the first one of you who is putting him down in his time of need who is without sin OR MISTAKE, go ahead and cast the first stone. Please pray for them in this time of need.
Jessica (12 years old)
Chattanooga
* * *
In response to those categorizing Mr. Reid's neglect and abuse as an unintentional mistake that could happen to anyone, I promise you it would never happen to me.
I would have to experience severe brain damage to forget that my child is in the car. It seems inconceivable that anyone could be so "distracted" by their job that their children are forgotten.
I believe Mr. Reid should be punished for his actions and will be punished throughout life by the same memory that failed him. He will always have the memory of his child's last tortured hours in that hot car before he died.
D. Seagle
Chattanooga
* * *
I have read with great interest all of the e-mails posted in regards to the tragic loss of a little boy's life. The postings range from anger and outrage to humbleness and forgiveness. It is so easy to condemn and recommend judgement, especially when one cannot put their self in another's shoes.
I would submit that the biggest difference in the messages posted is whether one's life is centered on Jesus Christ or not. This has nothing to do with whether there is a belief in God. It has everything to do with truly loving one another as brothers and sisters.
It is difficult for any of us to predict what we would or would not have done in Mr. Reid's situation although we find it easy to say it. We have no idea of all the things that make up this situation.
However, we are perfect in our own sight so we feel we have the right to be judge, juror and executioner.
Read carefully the message posted by the innocent 12-year old. "Out of the mouths of babes." It is not for us to judge lest we be judged. It is God who is in control and we do not know God's will.
If you find yourself unable to pray for this father, look in the mirror and pray for yourself that you may come to know your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am not appalled by those that take such a hard line.
Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do. God bless you, forgive you and give you comfort and direction, Mr. Reid.
Hal Cooling
Leighton Drive
Soddy-Daisy
hal284@comcast.net
* * *
As I heard the news Tuesday night about this horrible tragedy my family and I gasped. The wonder of "how in the world this happened" I know has crossed everyones' mind.
When I turned the TV on Wednesday morning I heard the name of the man that did this and I could not believe it. I know the Reid family. I met them in my child's classroom - the same one their child was in. I saw one or the other of them and many times both of them, every day at school, twice a day in the morning and again in the afternoon.
I saw them at every class party and at every play or event the school had. If for some reason Mrs. Reid could not be there, Mr. Reid was. More times than not they were together.
I saw them when the school needed parent volunteers. Mr. Reid went on every field trip I went on, and I went on every one of them. Mr. Reid coached his child's soccer team. He was always there offering to help my husband and me throughout every soccer season we organized. Mrs. Reid helped every year, Team Mom, bringing drinks, filling gift bags for their team. Today my husband reminded me of the time we asked the coaches to remember to pray with their team, to look at Mr. Reid as an example. He prayed with his team before every game and after.
The charges brought upon Mr. Reid (and I do understand the law), I cannot label him with. He is far from them all. I think you can see where Mr. Reid's priorities are. The Reids are a precious Christian family.
Please try not to judge but rather put the time you would take to judge Mr. Reid and his family into prayer. Jesus suffered for us all. If you can't find it in your heart to do this, then please pray for yourself.
Christy Coonley
bles0802@yahoo.com
* * *
People get on autopilot and think they have done things they did not do. Mr. Reid thought sure his son was at daycare. He'd probably dropped him off so many times that it never occurred to him he'd failed to do so.
We do things so repetitively that we often think we've done something when we haven't. In fact, every single thing we do over and over we are prone to think we've done it, because we always do it, and then on some occasion we find to our horror we thought we'd done it, but we hadn't.
Ever forget to feed the dog? To brush your teeth? To take out the garbage? To turn off the stove? Sure you have, and probably more than once.
Usually, when we forget things, they don't have dire consequences. I read that about 35 children a year are killed in hot cars in the U.S. But how many do you think were left in cars but didn't die because it wasn't hot outside? Many, many more than 35, you can be sure. Probably hundreds, if not thousands.
People are all negligent, but they're usually lucky enough to avert disaster some way. I would venture that every person who's ever raised a child has had a close call where if it weren't for a little luck they'd been up before the judge for negligence.
Mr. Reid hit the inverse lotto. The chances of him forgetting to drop off his son, not being prompted on the way to the office by a noise from his son in the backseat, it being a hot day, not being able to see his son inside the car from the office window, thinking his car alarm was malfunctioning, not having to go out to his car because he forgot something, daycare didn't call to ask where his son was, nothing prompted him to think and retrace his morning, no one else happened to look into the car, etc., must be in the millions.
There are so many little things that could have happened to preclude the horror that occurred, but none did. A whole lot of things aligned in the most unfortunate way possible.
We've heard from others that Mr. Reid is a good, responsible man. He will never forgive himself and never forget the tragedy that has befallen him, his son, and his family. That awful day he needed what all of us need from time to time to avert disaster, a little teeny bit of luck. He didn't get any.
People want to say, "Well, you can forget other things, but you can't forget a child." Yeah, you can, too, because you can assume you've done something you didn't do, and when you do, when you forget your child is in the car, or you forget to put a sharp object out of a child's reach, or forget to put a poison, or gun, where a child can't get to it, you need some luck to avert disaster. Then, you can take a deep breath, shudder, wipe your brow and say, "Whew, that was close. Thank God."
If you don't get that luck it's hell to pay. My deepest sympathy to the unlucky Mr. Reid and family.
David Saluk
* * *
While I find the actions of Mr. Reid unfathomable, (it’s impossible to forget a baby in the car) and the actions of all the people defending him ridiculous (if he were a middle to lower class citizen who didn't drive BMW, this social status crazed, hypocritical town would have wasted no time condemning him) I find the actions of the day care the most reprehensible.
When I was in school, elementary thru high school, If I was over a half hour late the school always called my parents home and business to see what the deal was. These days it’s just the opposite. There has been a couple of times when my child had to stay home from school due to illness, and for whatever reason, I got sidetracked and failed to call the school to let them know. No one from the school ever called my home, cell phone, work, or husband's cell phone or work to check on my child. I find that outrageous.
While it is the parent’s responsibility obviously to make sure their child or children are safe and sound, it is also the school, daycare, church and neighbor’s responsibility.
It's not just Robert Reid's fault that his son is dead, although he is at the top of the list. There were so many ways this death could have been prevented, had any adult bothered to take five minutes out of their schedule. This is a very loud wake up call to all of us adults out there. Whether your parents, teachers, day care providers, pastors, neighbors, whatever. It is the responsibility of all of us to make sure the children are safe.
Hopefully next time another child is not where they're supposed to be, an adult who notices will take the time to find out where the child is. They just might wind up saving that child's life.
Sara Goodwin
sss_200628@yahoo.com
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