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.
'Peers to me you're half right. Dad was "homeschool-minded" all right, but it appears the Mom didn't feel up to it and, tragically, she was right.
With respect to the Augusta case -- I would remind folks that there are laws against murder, already on the books, and they don't prevent people like this, despite the penalties. The homeschoolers get concerned over cases like this which are used to spin into an anti-homeschooling story. It's just like the media consistently labeling [pick a conservative individual or organization] as "right wing" or "far right", but never placing a commensurate label ("far left" or "liberal") on left-wing organizations or people
Look, I quoted the article, which is more than you did. Threads frequently stray from the articles. I was sticking with the article this time.
I should have included Private school teachers as well..in 1st grade my daughter (and 23 other youngsters) experienced such a nut. A number of us pulled our children out and the teacher is no longer teaching. It's a good thing.
I know of a few nutty public school teachers that shouldn't be in charge of our little darlings. The union keeps them in their positions.
The majority of ps teachers I know of are wonderful. Same goes for private school teachers and homeschool teachers.
Randy Yates should have removed the children, yes. I think in the days to come we'll learn more about the Montana man. While he may be pro homeschool, his wife won the decision to put the kiddos in public school. Unfortunately this probably should have been the best decision years ago. This woman obviously needed serious help. So very sad for the children...soooo sad.
I think I know how you feel. My sister decided that she'd rather send her kids off to school than teach them at home. I believe she felt somewhat inadequate though she is well educated. She is a very committed Christian, but this didn't seem to be her "cup of tea".
For what it's worth...I am of the opinion that every mother and father are "homeshoolers" whether they realize it or not. I sincerely believe that many parents would be absolutely delighted to homeschool if the process was economically more feasible, and yet those same parents would be suprised to see how it all seems to work out in the end when they make a committment to undertake homeschool despite the financial "impossiblities".
Geez, that's a little statist, even for me.
I do agree, that the child has a basic right to get educated, but I would favor measuring the Childs progress, as opposed to the parents credentials....
You betcha! :o)
Obviously the parents. To a point. Just as in cases of abuse, the Child should have at least a modicum of protection by the state, with regards to his ability to get through life....
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