Posted on 03/30/2005 7:23:49 AM PST by RushCrush
CEDAR RAPIDS — On the day Jetseta Gage was buried, her relatives surrounded her mother and grandmother, saying they’re hurt by the criticism and gossip that followed the 10-year-old’s abduction and murder last week.
‘‘What really hurts is, there’s some out there that believe the family could have prevented this,’’ said John Opala of Marshall, Wis. ‘‘But Jetseta was just being the girl she was. That (talk) just adds to the hurt.’’
Opala, a cousin of Jetseta’s mother, Trena Gage, 29, was one of about 300 mourners, dozens of children among them, who attended services Tuesday afternoon at First Church of the Open Bible in northwest Cedar Rapids. Jetseta rode a church-operated bus to services and Sunday school there most weeks, Opala said.
Jetseta’s grandmother, Teresa Gage, 54, was the only immediate family member to speak at the service. Reading from handwritten notes, Teresa Gage wept as she recalled a headstrong, loving child who overcame spina bifida, thyroid disease and other medical problems.
‘‘We had beautiful times together, and we had hard times,’’ said Teresa Gage, who lived with Jetseta’s family. ‘‘I’d say, ‘Oh, I do love you, more than you ever know.’ You were my special girl, Jet. You would get mad and later come back and sit on my lap and say, ‘I love you.’ ’’
‘‘She had a unique laugh,’’ said the Rev. Charles Stevens. ‘‘Once you heard it, you’d never forget it. She loved to run and play, and she was always looking for someone to join her.’’
The Rev. Larry Slight, Trena Gage’s uncle, urged mourners to find meaning in Jetseta’s death through her faith.
‘‘Evil underestimated this family,’’ said Slight, of Des Moines. ‘‘We know that Jetseta’s in heaven, and we have the hope of eternal salvation.’’
(Excerpt) Read more at ee.gazetteonline.com ...
Time for a forced castration bill for sex offenders. None of this "chemical castration" BS either. Get a dull hack saw.
No - that still leaves them with hands and feet and a tongue - it's a power game to them, and any tool that allows them power over a child will be used. The only cure is a .357 to the back of the skull.
You are absolutely correct.
....saying they’re hurt by the criticism and gossip....
UM you let these freaky brothers near your kid....sure it hurts....but its not GOSSIP
Castration only works if the cut is done between the shoulders and the head.
When I heard the domestic 'arrangements' in that household, I was sick to my stomach. Mom was NOT being responsible. Now everyone here will attack me.
I was married for ten years to a survivor of abuse. The damage it does to them...well - her abuser did four years in prison for six years of abuse - it wouldn't bother me at all to find him in my sights.
I think the death penalty should be applied to anyone who sexually assaults a child under 12. Mandatory.
What is even more sad though, is that this type of thing goes on every day.
Truth to tell, I would never permit familiarity with men other than immediate blood relatives if I had a young daughter and I would be even more protective if the child in question was challenged in any way. What was mom thinking??? Mom was NOT thinking!
Not everyone.
Sadly, the sins of the parents often have consequences for the children.
Both of you have valid points.
I wanted to keep this situation in the limelight because I heard on the local news last night that there are other victims of this pervert who are now coming forward.
Please enlighten the rest of us.
I have refrained from mentioning it, but I find the name Jetseta very strange.
I confess that I prefer first names to be Christian names. So that's part of it. But this name seems to have been invented and I find that odder than, let's say, Tiffany.
Did the mother mean to suggest some connection with the jet set? That's what I hear every time I hear this strange name.
I know that Jet's mother's boyfriend (who is the brother of the guy who murdered her) is in jail for having abused Jetseta also. Sick.
I won't attack you. This was one tragedy that might have been avoided. Doesn't take away from the evil visited upon and the pain that the mother must be going through right now. Horrible, horrible incident.
I just thank God I'm not so foolish when it came to keeping tabs on my 10-year-old child and any who would associate with him. Call me paranoid and old fashioned, but I would never put myself or my child in such a sleazy and risky lifestyle or home situation.
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