Ten Year Old, Arrested for Giving Food to Terri Schiavo, Apologizes

LifeSite ^ | August 31, 2005

[NYer]

LifeSiteNews.com

Wednesday August 31, 2005

Ten Year Old Arrested for Giving Food to Terri Schiavo Apologizes

TAMPA BAY, August 31, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Ten year-old Joshua Heldreth, the eldest of eight children, was arrested on Good Friday of this year for trespassing while attempting to bring a drink of water to Miss Terri Schaivo.  Days later Schiavo died of intentional dehydration.  In court Joshua pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 25 hours of community service and ordered to write an apology for his actions.

The boy whose arrest photo was splashed on front pages of newspapers across the nation wrote in his apology letter, "I was arrested on Good Friday for trespassing on the hospice center's property . . . Not giving Mrs. Shiavo (sic) food or water was wrong.  The reason I had to go on your property was because Jesus would do the same thing.  It made me sad that she was so thirsty and it made Jesus sad too.  I knew she would die without water and I am called by Jesus to be a defender of the defenceless.  So I had to go on your property to try to bring her a drink."

Joshua added, "I am sorry that you didn't like that and wouldn't allow me to help save her life and one day you will have to tell God why.  I won't be able to help you then like I tried to help her. I will pray for you every day . . ."

LifeSiteNews.com caught up with Joshua's father Scott Heldreth today.  Scott told LifeSiteNews.com he is very proud of his son.  "My son has amazed me through this whole thing," said Heldreth.  The proud father said it was his son's own initiative to attempt to give the starving woman a glass of water, and despite the warning of his parents that he'd be arrested, the boy insisted.  "He was the one who begged us to go down, because he wanted to give her a glass of water . . . We explained that police will never let you help . . . you'll be arrested, but he went anyways."

Pro-life leader Rev. Flip Benham of Operation Save America told LifeSiteNews.com that the whole pro-life movement shares Heldreth's pride in his son.  Benham recalls the reaction of Heldreth on Good Friday as he watched his son being arrested: "When that all took place Scott was weeping, this father was weeping tears of joy seeing his son not only talk the Christian talk but walk the walk."

While the apology letter has been submitted, Heldreth told LifeSiteNews.com he's not completely sure it will be accepted.

See Joshua's full handwritten apology letter here:
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005_docs/JoshuaApolog...

[Stone Mountain]

Did you read the part about how it was Joshua's idea to go? His parents told him what would happen - but he felt so strongly HE HAD to go?

So you really believe that he came to this idea all by himself and that his parents actually tried to discourage him? Really?

[Just Kimberly]

No disrespect intended - but you have been a member here since 2000. How can you not understand this - other than the fact that you did not read the thread?

Why is it so impossible to believe that Joshua did this of his own FREE WILL? Because MOST children would not?

And, if they would not - what does that say about the parents raising THEM?

I truly would have thought FReepers would be raising this child up, rather than condeming his parents.

Those thoughts, however, are something you will have to explain to God when you get there. JK

[drlevy88]

I'm sure you're salivating all over your self over this.

[Stone Mountain]

If Christ moved this boys soul to do this, who are we to question that. In fact....WHY would anyone question that?

Becaue he's only 10 years old and is clearly expressing the views of his parents. If Christ moved this boy to protest the Iraq war and get himself arrested for trespassing, am I to believe that most everyone here would be supporting him as well?

[joesnuffy]

Apologies ala re-education camps of Vietnam

[joesnuffy]

If only our leaders were as bold and courageous as this kid

WOW

[MadeInAmerica]

That is a fallacy of logic. You can't combine the two issues like that. Iraq War is one thing......Starving and dehydrating a brain damaged woman in a hospital is another!!!

[Just Kimberly]

Are you sure you are posting at the correct website?

Even before I became a FReeper, I have witnessed only the 'peace' people using children and shoving them out the door to protests.

When children are raised in a home based on Faith, and are taught values and morals - the response Joshua displyed is natural.

They are taught right from wrong, know right from wrong, and make decisions based on what they know and believe.

Jesus works through those that are like children in their hearts - why not a child specifically? JK

[Stone Mountain]

No disrespect intended - but you have been a member here since 2000. How can you not understand this - other than the fact that you did not read the thread?

Well, it does sound disrespectful. I have a point of view different than that of yours. That doesn't mean I don't understand the issue. I hope you can recognize the distinction.

Why is it so impossible to believe that Joshua did this of his own FREE WILL? Because MOST children would not?

That's one reason. Also, he is expressing the views of his parents, and most people understand that a child's "free will" is still a work in process at age 10. Again, I will ask - what if this child was arrested protesting the Iraq war? Would you still be as supportive of a child being exploited in this way?

And, if they would not - what does that say about the parents raising THEM? I truly would have thought FReepers would be raising this child up, rather than condeming his parents.

I don't have a problem with the child. I have a problem with his parents for allowing him to be used this way.

[Just Kimberly]

Yes.

[Stone Mountain]

That is a fallacy of logic. You can't combine the two issues like that. Iraq War is one thing......Starving and dehydrating a brain damaged woman in a hospital is another!!!

This is my point. For certain people out there, these are both moral issues. Obviously not for most people here, but that's why I made the analogy. You can't say that it's alright for a 10-yr-old to make his own moral choice and act on it for one viewpoint, but not another because you happen to disagree with one of the viewpoints. My point is that a 10-yr-old isn't really capable of making these decision - he is parroting his parents views. Now since many here happen to agree with the parents, they are cutting them slack for allowing their child to be used in this way. But it's a different story when they don't agree with the political message.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

If he did, DA would have brought it up, wouldn't he/she? I mean, it is kind of embarassing that the only one you can nab in this is a 10 year old?

[HungarianGypsy]

I don't think a lot of people give 10 year old's enough credit. Ten year olds are capable of watching the news and coming to the same decisions we are. He may have said, "I want to do this." and his parents said, "Okay."

[montag813]

What a disgusting spectacle. May God keep me far away from Florida.

Florida is the Land of Satan BUMP

[Old Student]

"To do so is to force a person to admit guilt; something anathema to our justice system."

He did admit guilt, though. I like to think I'd plead not guilty, and accuse the judge of acting as an accomplice to murder. On the other hand, maybe he doesn't see this as something he's going to have to explain to The Judge, when he stands before Him, so while guilty isn't exactly what he is, he'll admit to it to let things calm down, while we supposed adults figure out what to do next. And the children shall lead them...

[patriot_wes]

Joshua added, "I am sorry that you didn't like that and wouldn't allow me to help save her life and one day you will have to tell God why. I won't be able to help you then like I tried to help her. I will pray for you every day "

Nominate this kid for something - he's a real American!

[Stone Mountain]

Are you sure you are posting at the correct website?

Wow, someone who has been here for a few months is asking me if the site I've been posting at for 5 years plus is correct? Yes, I know where I am.

Even before I became a FReeper, I have witnessed only the 'peace' people using children and shoving them out the door to protests.

Yes. I have a huge problem with that too. Children shouldn't be exploited for political purposes.

When children are raised in a home based on Faith, and are taught values and morals - the response Joshua displyed is natural.

I agree that having those feelings is natural. I don't believe that him showing up at the site and getting arrested is, though. I believe that his parents encouraged him to do so by taking him there and telling him that his actions were like those of Jesus Christ. I have a problem with parents using a 10-yr-old to make a political point. Even a point that I agree with.

[darkangel82]

Maybe the Florida GOP can run him against Bill Nelson.

Heck, give him a few more years and they just might.