[Irene Adler]

Elizabeth was a quiet, intropspective, scared 14-year-old girl thrown into a very, very frightening situation totally out of her experience. She may have been physically abused; we do not know. She was certainly emotionally and psychologically abused. Not all kids are loaded with moxie. By all accounts, Elizabeth was shy, submissive, compliant, and sweet.

As I said on another thread, Hedda Nussbaum in NYC let a defenseless 6-year-old girl (whom she and her boyfriend had adopted) die of a head injury because she wouldn't call 911 even after the boyfriend, who had beaten the child senseless, had left their apartment and stayed gone for 4-6 hours. The child died because her brain swelled during the time she was unconcious on the floor. The killer was imprisoned, but Nussbaum was never punished for allowing the child to die. If a grown woman can be too terrified to help a dying child, even when the attacker has left the premises, then why can't we cut a shy 14-year-old some slack?

In addition, Elizabeth is reported to have said that she was watched at all times. This would not be impossible for two people to do between them. BTW, the incessant insinuations about her family by several FReepers are sickening and based on no evidence.

[Zavien Doombringer]

We do not know if she was thrown into this situation, but the evidence that I am starting to put together is saying other wise. Yes this is a great homecoming! It was a tragic event for the family. We will never know why. We can be told anything and the people will buy it. All I am saying is that there is more that meets the eye and tickling the ear. Daddy looks to be the controling type, look at what he is doing with the media. Just wait until Elizabeth writes her book on the ordeal and see what she has to say.

[johnb838]

Along the same lines is the kid that got away from Jeffrey Dahmer and went and found a cop. Dahmer caught up with him, told the cop he was drunk, took him home, killed, and ate him. I say don't judge a man (or little girl) until you've walked a mile in her moccassins.

BTW, to the other poster, a fourteen year ole will NEVER be a 'young adult' in this country.

[Palladin]

Funny you should bring up the Steinberg case. When I got a look at the photo of Wanda Barzee, I thought: "She reminds me of Hedda Nussbaum".

[Hildy]

Irene, you said it. I'm dumbfounded by the remarks about the family made on this board.