Posted on 04/07/2015 10:01:59 AM PDT by PROCON
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. (AP) — A single dad and his seven children were found dead in their one-story home, relatives said, and though officials gave no details on the cause of the deaths, the man's stepfather said he had been trying to keep the family warm with a generator after the power was cut because of an outstanding bill.
Lloyd Edwards told The Associated Press that his stepson, 36-year-old Rodney Todd, had bought the generator after the power was shut off to the home in Princess Anne, about 60 miles southeast of Annapolis on Maryland's Eastern Shore. He said those who died were Todd and Todd's two sons and five daughters.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
36-year-old Rodney Todd, had bought the generator after the power was shut off to the home in Princess Anne...
Oops...that was the man’s son. Still...I’d like to know how much the electric bill was at the time.
I do not know his situation as far as employment goes, but I do know it is a rough job market out there. I know I could fall into being unable to meet my obligations quicker than I care to think about if my job disappeared tomorrow.
What was the cause?
This is why Liberals and the Democrat Party want to ban carbon dioxide; it’s twice as bad as carbon monoxide.
At least no FReeper has brought up the names of the dead children YET
This is an awful series of events.
And I can actually understand the guy running it in the house, if theft is a neighborhood issue. But, warning labels are there for a reason....
LOL!
I'd think that the incident probably happened at night. It's entirely possible that they all were overcome in their sleep.
I just read a follow up story. The authorities are already going after the utility.
It sounds like nothing but a tragic accident. He spent some time in prison for a domestic issue, then when he got out, he found his wife in bed with another guy, who was apparently abusive to the kids. She took off, leaving him the kids.
From the article, he sounded like he was trying to be a good dad and provide for his family the best way he knew how.
A few years ago, I was the victim of an act of vandalism that ended up involving police and a little bit of civil disturbance. (it’s amazing how quickly things settle down when laser beams get pointed at chests) All of the perpetrators were black youth. I was actually gratified to see several of the youths fathers come to the scene even though I’m sure they were mad at me for reporting them and well, I guess it was sort of my fault one of them threw a rock through my windshield.
A black man, who has a record and lives in the lower rungs of our society who acts as a father to his children is to be admired. It’s unfortunately all too rare.
Sometimes you can borrow or rent a generator. But once the electricity is turned off, getting it turned back on is very difficult. The utility will want not only the entire balance but a reconnect fee and a big deposit. This might not be attainable for a man who had so many children to support. I don’t blame the utility company; they can’t know that there are children involved unless they are told.
It’s been unusually cold in Maryland, as in much of the East. Normally we would not need heat in April. The father might have been trying to make it through the last few weeks until heat was no longer necessary. What a terrible sorrow.
You would be surprised at how many people don’t know about the dangers of using a generator. When we had a long power outage during the winter, some of the brilliant, highly-educated professional men in my community went to Home Depot and bought generators. Because the noise was irritating and they were worried about theft, they put the generators in the garage, right beneath the master bedroom, or in the basement. Ostensibly intelligent people! The cops finally came around banging on doors and telling them to STOP THAT. So if these geniuses didn’t have the common sense to know they were risking death, yes, I can see that this sad man might not have known that you don’t run a generator indoors.
“He had already reproduced.”
His error apparently took all of his offspring with him; that still counts. Perhaps even more than just killing himself.
Update - Delmarva Power said they disconnected the power to the house back in October because there was an illegally connected stolen electric meter - had to disconnect it for safety reasons. Also the father had gotten help paying bills through energy assistance programs in the past but did not apply this year.
We have had a long and brutally cold winter in Maryland this year. How that family got through the single digit days in January and February only to die this way once the weather began to warm up is beyond me.
No matter the circumstances, prayers for their souls.
The electric utility company involved was just following the rules either imposed or allowed by the local or state PUC...
Okay - another report just issued saying the illegal power was disconnected on March 25th. I guess that explains how they got through the harsh winter.
“I refuted the assertions”
He killed not only himself, but also all 7 of his progeny. He retroactively ensured that his Darwin Awards remained safe.
Seriously, I thought you were being sarcastic. And, by assuming your earlier post assarcastic, I thought it was mean. Now that I know that you were not sarcastic, it am going to re-state my observation of your earlier response — that was dumb.
No, they were HIS children.
However, I hear now his wife was screwing someone who was abusive to the kids, and she disappeared. Deadbeat. Apparently he took over.
Such a shame.
We had a freeper who’s son died from CO some years ago.
A shame.
I would say that would make him dumber than dumb. But I’ve a feeling otherwise.
Tragedy, such a tragedy.
“I wonder if the man’s family will sue the electric company for not working it out - BECAUSE OF ALL THE CHILDREN. If it was just adults; then you can act different .. but NOT WITH CHILDREN WHO HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE FINANCES OF THE HOUSE.”
So now utility companies need to give free electricity or gas to households with children? Or do you want a new taxpayer-funded welfare-type check for this new free handout?
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