Early this morning, Shaquan Duley was charged with murder after confessing to police that she killed her two children and tried to make it look like an accident.
When I heard this story yesterday morning I knew the mother had killed her 2 year old and 18 month old and I bet all of you did too. For as long as I live I will never understand why or how a parent can kill their child. Shaquan Duley told police she was tired of her mother telling her how she was raising her kids wrong and that she was doing a bad job and just wanted to be free of them. So, she suffocated them and then put them in their car seats and pushed her car into a lake. She then told police she had been in an accident and could not get them out.
This was exactly the same thing Susan Smith had done in exactly the same state. Shaquan Duley said that she was unemployed and was having trouble managing it all. In Nebraska they had a child abandonment law. I know there was some controversy about it and I don't know if it still exists, but basically if I remember correctly a parent could drop off their child at a government agency and know the child would be taken care of. In California we have a law which protects parents if they drop off their newborns after birth and they can do so no questions asked.
I can't watch or hear or listen to any more stories about babies and kids getting killed because their parents have other priorities. It is just so heartbreaking and it seems like there should be some phone number someone can call or someplace someone can go where they can leave their kids. There has to be a better way than more innocent children dying.
Heartbreaking
ReplyDeleteAt least this didn't drag out like the Susan Smith investigation. That one seemed to take a few weeks.
ReplyDeletethere is ALWAYS a better way than suffocating your kids.
ReplyDeleteHere in CO, newborns can be 'dropped off" at hospitals or fire-stations. Hope this has saved a few babies from going in dumpsters. I think you could probably contact social services about foster care.
ReplyDeletepatty, because that was the first we saw that...now it's prob a cop's first thought.
ReplyDeleteThis is just too damn tragic. Poor little angels hopefully they are in a much better place.
ReplyDeleteThis happened near me. Words fail me to describe the horror of the people in this area. I have two little ones myself under the age of two. I just don't understand all the evil in the world. Someone told me she has an older child who is with it's father. Police said they knew right away that she did it because there was absolutly NO evidence of an accident. Apparently she said she smothered them with her hand before pushing the car in the water. Chilren are gifts, not a right and not a liability. If you feel that way, contact the local authorities and make arrangements for thier future without you. It is possible.
ReplyDeleteI love my daughter more than my own life; I'd give anything to have another child but as a single parent I can't afford the fees to adopt again, and physically I can't have kids. I would have taken those babies in a heartbeat. Why the hell don't people realize there IS another way.... that if you want to walk away then give those precious lives to someone who WILL love them and cherish them?
ReplyDeleteGod rest those sweet souls. It breaks my heart to think their last moments on earth were not understand why the person they trusted above all would hurt them.
Was watching this on Nancy Grace last night (don't judge) and was just..so...SADDENED. Not sure this was the brightest woman in the world - she was apparently bone-dry despite claiming she escaped the car or something. Just incomprehensible.
ReplyDeleteDear Enty and CDANers -
ReplyDeleteThis post is a perfect example of why I treasure this site. While the BIs, Random Photos, gossip and comments are all fantastic (and addictive), when stories with social, cultural and world impact break, the moment is taken to acknowledge the bigger picture. I always value your perspective. This story is beyond imaginably tragic. I fear with the economy not rebounding and hope fading in many pockets of the country, more such tragedies are ahead. Thanks for your thoughtful considerations (and in other scenarios, your humor and snark).
@Sue (in MO) - my heart was already broken after reading this post, but you just broke it some more. Well said.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard-line opinion that would help alleviate the high number of unwanted babies born to unwed, unwilling, unemployed, under-helped, and in any other way unable women in our country.
ReplyDeleteI would create a reverse-welfare type of program that pays females early to have their tubes tied BEFORE they have either one or more than one baby.
They can always pay to have the procedure reversed themselves whenever they are capable of paying for the surgery, which would likely mean they are also at that point finally capable of caring for a child or more than one child.
Population is getting out of control and obviously anybody with a vagina has freaking babies around here.
Yeah, I figure she wanted the unconditional love she would get from her children, blah, blah, blah. Her own mother is obviously an OK person, being as she3 is caring for the 5 year old.
Hah! Fat load of good "unconditional love" it did for those poor little innocent people, huh?
My first was an "unexpected suprise" and i was an unwed mother for 14 years without child support. It was a struggle. I am trying hard not to condem her because it just isn't my right (and given that I have two new little ones now, no one in thier right mind would put me on a jury) but having two children back to back is stressful enough, having them without support or a loving partner would make anyone nuts. From what I am reading locally, former co-workers and friends say she was a sweet upbeat loving person and they just don't understand what happened. I am just praying for the family
ReplyDeleteThere are so many people in this world who have no business being a parent. I have no idea why God allows men and women who abuse, neglect, torture or kill their children to procreate. There is no logical explanation for this tragedy.
ReplyDeleteRight now I'm angered and speechless.
Sadly, some people think it's "cute" or "cool" to have a baby. Especially if the people around them have babies. I totally agree with what you said. I would also have this womans ovaries removed as part of her punishment. This goes for anyone who has ever abused or killed a child (including men). I hope this woman gets the death penalty. She deserves it.
ReplyDeleteSadly, some people think it's "cute" or "cool" to have a baby. Especially if the people around them have babies. I totally agree with what you said. I would also have this womans ovaries removed as part of her punishment. This goes for anyone who has ever abused or killed a child (including men). I hope this woman gets the death penalty. She deserves it.
ReplyDeletelet's be real here. some people have kids for the gov't check. it happens up here all the time,more kids you have,more money you make and don't have to work until your kid is in school...so you pop out another.
ReplyDeleteso rather than dealing with the outcome of abandoning her kids,she chose to murder them instead..not playing with a full deck to start.
TinselSass...that's why we all come here. ;o)
I am sure she will have an attorney that will get her off jail time for either she is mentally ill or Postpartum depression.
ReplyDeleteselenakyle - There is an organization that does pay people not to have kids. It's Project Prevention, here: http://www.projectprevention.org/
ReplyDeleteHelp get the word out. As usual, there is always adoption and I can't imagine any church that wouldn't help. All these small children don't need to be abused, much less killed. It's just wrong.
Sad and horrible! When people are losing their perspective, they need to just get the f*** out of whatever situation they're in and get away. When women with children lose their minds, they often can't think their way to a drop-off point -- I don't think any woman in her right mind would kill her children, and someone who was so out of control would probably not be able to take them to a drop-off point either. Sad stuff.
ReplyDeleteBURN THIS B!TCH.
ReplyDeleteStories like this break my heart. 2 years of trying to have a baby, thousands of dollars in fertility treatments, 1 stillborn child and another miscarriage later and I STILL DON'T HAVE MY BABY.
Why the hell does a piece of trash like this get what some of us want so badly? People like me would kill for the chance to be a parent.
Absolutely heartbreaking. I cannot imagine how terrified those little children were when they opened their eyes to discover their own mother, whom they love and trust above all others, was intentionally taking away their lives.
ReplyDeleteAt least this woman had the balls to finally admit it, rather than waste the police & everyone else's time and commitment trying to decipher what happened, unlike Casey Anthony or the Kyron Horman story.
Those poor children. I too will never understand how anyone, especially a MOTHER, can harm or kill their own child. That is without a doubt one of the lowest, cruelest, and most callously unjustifiable things a person can do, imo.
ReplyDeleteThere is always another way. I know that foster homes and orphanages are not always the nicest places on earth, but there is no excuse or no right to take a child's life instead of giving them the opportunity for a better one. One with someone who actually will love them and care for them and not see them as a burden. It's also a huge slap in the face to many people who would love to have kids but for whatever reasons cannot.
I hope this horrible woman pays dearly for what she's done, and I hope those poor babies are in a better place.
Awesome, _-_=_ !
ReplyDeleteI will check it out and I will spread the word.
With the damn uproar in Minnesota or Wisconsin or wherever about the sex-ed for kindergartners, why not start letting pre-teens know early-on that they can get PAID to not have unwanted babies.
Makes a hell of a lot of sense to me.
Lets just eat the babies.
ReplyDeletelet's get real again...there are poor women who have kids and do NOT harm them. they may can only care for their basic needs, and have to shop at the goodwill for clothes.
ReplyDeletehowever their rich and wealthy counterparts have unique ways to neglect and harm their kids, and tend to cover it up well.
i agree that a child born into poverty has tons of obstacles to overcome but,
welfare for many states has a limit on the checks that these moms can receive. my county will not carry more than two kids per family. it should be one, but it is what it is...
BIRTH CONTROL does wonders to prevent unwanted kids.
{I don't think any woman in her right mind would kill her children, and someone who was so out of control would probably not be able to take them to a drop-off point either. Sad stuff.}
ReplyDeletei agree.
If she was doing everything wrong in raising her children, why didn't the mother take them in, if she has custody of the older one? Sounds like she did this to get back at the mother. What surprises me even more is that she didn't stay in the vehicle and drown. Selfish bitch all around.
ReplyDeleteThis goes to show that family does not always know what is best. We were talking about this today at work and one co-worker said this is straight from Precious to the front page. Her "mother" will have to live the rest of her sorry ass life knowing that she had something to do with her grandkids death. Now, before yall jump on the Moose-her Mother had been riding her ass all day-and truth be told ever since she got pregnant with the first baby- and telling her that she was an awful mother, needed to do this and that. This murderer though, she had a choice. She could have walked away for a while, but instead, did something so horrid, that I swear she and Susan Smith have a front of the line privallage in hell.
ReplyDeleteI beg yall, if you know someone that needs help-depression, a hand up, just a break with their kids, if you are able, please help them.
^i don't know if i will place blame on the grandmother, but oftentimes signs of mental distress are ignored by the affected person and those around them. the grandmother could have been more empathic and sensitive, but she did not murder those kids.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the ages of her kids, I immediately thought she might be suffering from Post Partum Depression, specifically PPD Anxiety Disorder.
ReplyDeleteA lot of the comments here assume she just decided to harm her kids, or toss them aside, but what if she is suffering from PPD? It certainly doesn't condone her actions; it's not an excuse. But it could be the cause.
As a survivor of PPD Anxiety Disorder, I can tell you that it takes over your mind, your life, and it sometimes feels like it takes over your soul. It's a long road back to wellness, and I had loads of resources.
Two kids back-to-back is a hormonal nightmare, and add all of the other common triggers for PPD (which she may have had), and you've got the perfect storm.
Again, I certainly don't excuse her actions. But PPD is serious, common and in many cases (like this), deadly. Sometimes it's the mom who kills herself; sometimes she harms or kills her kids. Most of the time moms (like me) get through it without causing anyone any (physical) harm. But it's a friggin' nightmare all the same.
It's really hard to find support and resources, especially because it is still a taboo subject.
So sad for all concerned.
Annie, I am happy that you are well. These things need to be talked about more, so that women see that there is a light at the end. Poor and not well educated people are not always privy to these kind of things. Or so I assume.
ReplyDeleteIt's not just kids people are taking with them to their grave. We are seeing friends, spouses, employees and strangers being gunned down, just before the shooter commits suicide.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't they go alone? Why do people who have issues in their own lives feel the need to ruin other families? Selfishness is out of control.
There is help available, folks. And if not, consider the innocence of the lives you are taking with you. God bless those who spare the innocent.
As for this monster's mother, I think the monster's actions vindicate her mother's opinion.
ReplyDelete@Sue (in MO)
What a beautiful post. Thanks for making it.
The one exception I would take, and the most tragic part, is I'm pretty sure those kids knew exactly why their mother was doing what she did. And that she wasn't the person they trusted most in the world.
both this crime and the one susan smith committed are vile and reprehensible. however, susan smith's was premeditated, she planned to kill her kids in order to gain the affection of her boss' son. susan smith's ex-husband wanted those boys, and would have taken them in a hearbeat. susan smith gained national attention for blaming the disappearance of her boys on a carjacker, a black male carjacker; after she watched her car, with her boys, who were still alive sink into a local lake.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I can't have kids. When I hear of these tragedies, I wonder why we are unable, when we have the resources, to have had our own children. We chose not to go through IVF, and it is unbelievable how many people, who had children naturally, think that we don't want them because we decided against medical interference. We made a choice to not put ourselves through the mental, emotional and physical strain of IVF when we were in our 30s and our chances were bleak.
ReplyDeleteHere in Australia the authorities allow children to stay in abusive homes. I believe that if you are an addict, mentally incompetent, or too lazy to look after your children, then they should be taken from you. That way, there would be plenty of children going to loving homes. Thank you for your thoughtful comments on a devastating topic. My heart goes out to all involved, particularly those beautiful children.
BigMama - I'm from one county over from Orangeburg. I couldn't believe that another SC mother had pulled this again. :(
ReplyDeleteI think there SHOULD be a child abandonment law BUT didn't that cause a lot of issues for NE? Like some moron trying to dump his entire family or something?
Jax is absolutely right. I don't know of any place that has limits on welfare checks!? Too bad that couldn't be implemented EVERYWHERE for those that definitely abuse the system & eff it up for the people that are TRULY in need. Sorry if this offends...I'm only going off what people that work in government have said.
@shakey - I wondered the same thing!? (About the gma). Poor 5 year old needs to be in counseling.
What kills me most of all about this story is you can go to the damn free clinic and get a) condoms!!!! b) birth control!!!! FOR FREE!!!!!!! Makes me STABBY to think about how if this woman had just been a little less LAZY about her birth control methods, we wouldn't be hearing about this story now.
Wow... some serious judgement from people who have obviously never been seriously disadvantaged single parents at the end of your rope. And for all you that seem to think "birth control" is the answer... it doesn't always work, and it isn't always available. Neither is mental health assistance.
ReplyDelete@Jesse D - So you think she was right in killing her children? There weren't other options other than smothering them and rolling them into a river?
ReplyDeleteI HATE these women. I can't help it.
ReplyDeleteWe have one near us: She and her
husband had 3 kids and were STARVING them. Her 2yr old weighed 15 ponds. Her baby under a year had breathing trouble. You or I would call 911, she left the baby on the porch (in March) to play Scrabble. She claims to have forgotten the child was out there.
She said at a hearing that 3 children were too much to handle.
It wasn't for lack of food. She looked well fed and could have gotten help feeding these kids from the state.
This shite makes me want to do to these mothers what they did to their children.
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ReplyDeleteMS has an abandonment law. That's how I got one of my nieces...her mother brought her to the local hospital and left her with a member of housekeeping. Sis was at the top of the list to be called, and we all joke there were Road Runner vapor trails from her phone to the hospital within a minute of her answering that call. :)
ReplyDeleteI wish people would or could understand that there are folks out here who will take that baby you don't want or can't deal with and will love, care and raise them. It's just too sad and awful that some people think the only solution is death...
@Jesse D Mental health assistance is something I know about. I also know a lot of mentally ill people. Many of them are excellent parents. Plenty of sane sociopaths do similarly horrible things.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid my first and primary sympathy has to go to those children who died horribly. When there are mitigating circumstances (if there could ever be), I'll rethink my response to her.
@ Jesse - As someone who at one point WAS a young, single parent with 2 children that were 2 years apart, I can say that not once did I ever, EVER consider something like this. There are always options and if you try hard enough, you can find ways to make things work. Even the local DCBS office can help with finding mental health assistance. There is absolutely NO reason for this and my heart goes out to these children.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought was PPD, as well, but since I've never experienced a debilitating case of it, I can't honestly pass judgment here. However, I do wonder if this woman had ANYONE around her that cared enough to see signs and suggest help. I also wonder how financially disadvantaged this family was and what sort of atmosphere this woman lived with her entire life. It doesn't excuse her actions or make them any less horrifying, but I do wonder....
The way this post is written makes me think Enty is a daddy.
ReplyDeleteI'd guess she had some kind of psychotic break. People are coming forward and saying that she was quiet but sweet and that they are shocked at her actions. It's a really sad situation all around because she has a 5 year old who will grow up knowing that her mother killed her siblings. I can only imagine that the survivor guilt in a situation like that must be awful. The fact that anyone feels desperate and detached enough to take anyone's life because they are overwhelmed scares me.
ReplyDeleteOT but I watched the documentary '12th and Delaware' on HBO the other night about a Pro Life clinic and an Abortion clinic across the street from one other in Florida. I won't go into detail in case anyone watches it but it was truly disturbing. What I learned is that young girls (many under 18) don't have adequate education or resources about sexual health or pregnancy. Some are using (multiple) abortions as birth control and some are so scared that they have unwanted babies and then get pregnant again and find themselves back where they started. I was really disturbed and saddened by the lack of resources out there.
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ReplyDelete@Annie - PPD is scary. Watched a sister who had two 14 months apart (birth control failed) go through it. Which, btw, she is highly educated. I point that out to the people who assume that lack of education or rural surroundings are the only reason people go to extremes. She is an extrememly loving mother who later admitted that at one point she stood at the top of the stairs and imagined tossing the baby down them. She got help. My point is, what your saying is true. It took over her mind, body and soul for a moment. She was able to fight it and I think having loving family around helped. I don't blame the grandmother. I do blame the mom, but I feel sympathy for her just the same. With this last child I had, so close to her sister in age, I was on the look out for it. Miraculously I didn't suffer, but I warned my husband and teenage daughter to keep an eye out on me just in case. Anyway, still praying for the whole family.
ReplyDelete