Heartbreaker

I recently read of the story of a missing boy who wandered by himself and was found dead a mile from this home after about 2 days (source: CNN). Itwas sad.

According to the report:

A 2-year-old who went missing from his home in Dewey, Arizona, on Monday night was found dead Wednesday, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.

The body of Emmett Trapp was found by search and rescue personnel at 11:30 a.m. about one mile from his home, lying in a muddy pit once used to collect waste products from a former mining site.

“We are just devastated by the loss of this little boy,” sheriff’s spokesman Dwight D’Evelyn said.

The area where his body was found on the former Iron King Mine site is being treated as a crime scene, which the sheriff’s office described as “common protocol.”

The cause of death appears to be a result of spending more than 24 hours exposed to Arizona’s elements, Sgt. Jeff Newnum said. An autopsy was scheduled to be performed later Wednesday, he said.

….

The mother told authorities that she and her four children were at their home in the Dewey-Humboldt area, about 80 miles north of Phoenix. When the mother awoke from a nap Monday evening, Emmett — last seen wearing a pajama top, diaper and no shoes — was missing.

The family dog had also apparently wandered off with Emmett, but returned when called. The mother told police she searched around the home and immediate area without success.

Newnum said the door to the house was unlocked at the time of Emmett’s disappearance, and it appears the boy walked as many four miles, crossing hilly, rough terrain, before he was found.

Newnum credited the muddy terrain in the area with helping find Emmett. He said the small footprints around the site indicate the boy “was by himself.”

I can only imagine the despair felt by the family, especially the mother, who is being criticized by some people for being pabaya. As if the grief of losing a child was not enough, guilt will also haunt the mother for the rest of her life.

Having kids is a difficult task. No matter how protective and vigilant you are (social security disability and other insurance can only do as much), the fact is accidents can happen. Let’s not be too harsh on the mother. Yes, this accident could’ve been prevented (eg, they should’ve put locks on the doors that can guarantee that children cannot go out by themselves), but let’s not go too far judging the mother. No matter how much you love your child, you cannot guarantee his/her safety 100%.

I pity the boy…he could’ve lived a full life. Now, no one will know.

May his little soul rest in peace.