Posted on 08/27/2002 5:47:49 AM PDT by CholeraJoe
Augusta kids killed
By CAROLYNN BRIGHT, IR Staff Writer - 08/27/02
Swanson faces 2 counts of murder.
A 46-year-old Augusta mother allegedly shot and killed two of her four children as they slept in their beds at the family ranch about 15 miles southwest of Augusta early Monday.
Jeanette Swanson faces two counts of deliberate homicide in connection with the shootings and is being held in the Lewis and Clark County Jail without bond.
Swanson was placed on suicide watch at the jail Monday afternoon while the bodies of her children — a 10-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy — were brought to the State Crime Lab in Missoula, where an autopsy will be conducted, said Undersheriff Cheryl Liedle.
According to Liedle, emergency responders flocked to the Swanson Ranch just before 6 a.m. after Swanson called 911, reporting that she had shot her two children.
Swanson’s other two children — boys, ages 16 and 20 — were in the house at the time of the killing, but were unharmed in the incident.
Swanson’s husband, Gene, was sleeping in a camp trailer outside the residence when the shootings occurred, Liedle said.
According to reports, Swanson was waiting at the door of the residence when emergency crews arrived.
Her children were located in their beds inside — both were dead at the scene, Liedle said.
Liedle said a firearm believed to have been used in the shootings was recovered at the family home, but officials will await the results of the autopsies to determine whether it was, in fact, the murder weapon.
Court documents indicate that Swanson’s 20-year-old son reported to authorities that his mother had a .38 Smith and Wesson gun in her possession when she placed the 911 call, but Liedle would not confirm whether that was the same make of gun seized at the scene.
Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Sam McCormack said Monday morning that a motive for the killings was sketchy.
However, he said that Swanson and her husband had argued last week about Swanson’s decision to enroll the two children in school in Augusta — Gene Swanson wanted his wife to continue to home school the kids on the ranch while she wanted them to attend public school.
The children attended their first classes at school in Augusta last week.
Then they shouldn't have children in the first place.
Most parents are the best persons to teach their children.
The number of children murdered, or mass-murdered even, have occurred at public schools.
Fortunately or unfortunately, it is not against the law for wackos to procreate. THEREFORE, it is safer for the progeny of wackos to get their education from someone other than the WACKO PARENT.
You just won't let it rest will you? YOU are the one that said something stupid, not me. Now please let me get back to enjoying the dogfight and butt off.
This is sad.
Plenty of evidence of that on this thread IMNSHO....
Well, sounds like you're managing the best you can, as mostly all parents do. I returned to work in just eight weeks after each of the first two, though I worked graveyard shifts and weekends. I really didn't want to return to work right away, but I didn't have much choice. My boss was great because she was so flexible with my hours. But, when we found out we were expecting the third, my husband asked me to stop working altogether. He earned more money (oh, what a surprise that is, right?), and he couldn't handle them at nights and then go to work at 7:00 a.m. the next morning. I was relieved to be able to get some sleep finally and just concentrate on the kids. Speaking of whom... I should make my exit about now.
So its now the father's job to work and make all the money while his wife stays home. Its also his responsibility to homeschool the kids. What on God's green earth is the mother responsible for? Geez people, there are some wackjobs out here on FR. I can seriously say now that I've heard it all.
Since time immemorial.
Since the Creation.
It was the Hebrew tradition, and carried forward by the Apostles.
Washington, Adams, Lincoln, and even Stonewall Jackson recognized that responsibility.
Your question would not have been asked prior to the 20th Century - it was a given.
I could go on, but I've got to get to work.
Later.
Yes.
From the parents who adopt them after they are removed by the civil authorities from the home of the "wackos".
No I dug this story up because it was front page news this morning in MY county. Augusta is 27 miles away from where I live.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.