The mother didn’t want the child, had attempted suicide before, was “struggling with the responsibilities of motherhood,” and dad wanted custody. The solution, of course, is for mom to have custody, at least until the baby dies…
Make sure to watch the TV report on the page with the article–it’s all about how mom feels, how mom struggled, how sad this whole thing is for mom–even though mom left her little boy in the car for 7 hours without checking on him while she worked at Hooters.
Oh, and don’t miss the Arizona State University newspaper editorial Opinions: For some mothers, it’s a no-win situation, which defends Duchene and blames the US’ lack of  ”socialized childcare” for the little boy’s death.
Father of child who died in hot car wanted full custody
November 1, 2007
3TV and azfamily.com
Court documents reveal that the father of a toddler left in a hot car on Tuesday wanted full custody of his son.
The boy’s mother, Ashly Duchene, was arrested on one count of negligent homicide early Wednesday morning.
Duchene is still being closely watched, and it’s possible that she might have been transferred from Fourth Avenue Jail to another facility.
Police said Duchene left her 17-month-old son, Ryan Gallagher, in his car seat in her hot car for about seven hours on Tuesday.
Court documents show that the 22-year-old has attempted suicide in the past. Court documents also suggest that Duchene suffers from emotional problems and that “couldn’t take it anymore.”
Police believe Duchene was struggling with the responsibilities of motherhood.
“She’s not happy to care for her child,” Sgt. Joel Tranter said.
Duchene reportedly told police she almost forgot Ryan in the car on Monday.
The next day, she apparently forgot to take him to daycare before going to work at a Valley Hooter’s restaurant. She started work at 10 a.m., and got off at 5 p.m. That’s when she found Ryan in the car.
The decision was made to arrest Duchene on a charge of negligent homicide early Wednesday morning.
Investigators do not believe Duchene intentionally left her son in the car, but they’re not calling it an accident, either.
“She was very neglectful,” Tranter said. “She obviously failed to care for her child. … It was so grossly negligent that it rose to the level of criminal charges.”
Customers as well as strangers are dropping off flowers and teddy bears at the restaurant.ÂÂ
ÂÂ
|


