Hi friends,

It's Wednesday morning and there are no updates on Austin. He is still the same. No improvement at all!

The medical examiner is not releasing Sierra for burial yet either. Wonder what that is about?

From the preliminary investigation, they determined that both children were only wearing part of the seat belt. Either the lap belt or the shoulder harness! I don't understand this....I thought that all newer car seat belts.....when buckled........connected the shoulder harness and lap belt at the same time. It was a Ford Focus.

If this is the case, I see some charges being brought against the mother.

HD

I'm going to hold on to the hope that "no news is good news" and continue praying for young Austin. Jesus is the Great Healer and everything is possible in Him.



I believe it takes longer to release the body to the family when there is an investigation going on. I recall a girl at work whose father died of what was apparently a heart attack when he was alone at home. Had they asked for an autopsy by the state it would have taken about a month before the body would be released. They decided against it, but in Sierra's case the state may demand an autopsy because of the circumstances. I know that is no consolation to the family but it is just standard procedure.



I don't know about the Ford Focus in particular, but it was my understanding that all new cars have both the lap & shoulder belt in both front and back seats. What children typically do is put the shoulder harness behind them if they aren't on a booster seat because the harness comes across their face if they are too small. I can't say that this is the case with your daughters stepchildren but it is a possibility. That is why it is so important, if a child no longer fits in a car seat, to put them in a booster seat. The seat belt works better on them if they are sitting slightly higher. I hope they don't bring charges against the mother. It seems to me she has suffered enough.

You are constantly in my prayers HappyDad. Please keep us posted to Austin's condition.

God bless,

Mrs. R

Mother has suffered enough. I pray that no one even thinks of bringing charges against her.

Stay strong so that you can remain a comfort for your loves ones.

Thursday evening..........................

Since they could not do an MRI on Austin.........a CAT scan was done this morning and Austin has a severed?? spinal chord.

Tomorrow morning after all the family is present.........the life support will be terminated.

The family has decided to have a double funeral on Tuesday.

What more can I say? I'm numb and my heart aches for Ron.

I will be there by noon tomorrow. My flight leaves at 9:15 AM.

Thank you all for listening to me.

HD[/b]

Happy Dad:

We're glad you shared this with us. Even though we may not have known these persons of your family, our heart aches for them all as well, and our prayers are with you my friend. Even though we have not met in person, yet, be assured we are still here for you, and we share the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I know many things are emotionally unsettling for you now, and I know you may not call but I am going to Private Message you my home phone if you ever need anyone just to talk too we're here DAY OR NIGHT -CALL COLLECT IF YOU WISH and just say it is Happy Dad.

Blessings to you and yours my Friend.

Happy Dad!

My heart goes out to you. I have no way of knowing how much pain you and your family are going through right now, I don't think any of us can know. I am so sorry for the pain you must be felling right now.

You and your family are in my prayers!

HappyDad, I am so, so sorry for all the pain and suffering you are going through. I wish I had words to make you feel better, but I know none exist. I was listening to this song, called Held, by Natalie Grant. Perhaps you will find some comfort in it:

Two months is too little.
They let him go.
They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling.

Who told us we’d be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We’re asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It’s unfair.

Chorus:
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held.

This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred NUMB our sorrow.
The wise hands opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow.

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held.

Bridge:
If hope is born of suffering.
If this is only the beginning.
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held.

May the Lord keep you in His arms at this very difficult time.

Blessings,

Mrs. R

Good day all!

I want to bring you all up to date on this thread and it will be my last post on this family tragedy.

I thank all of you for your kind thoughts and prayers.

It's Wednesday morning and for the first time since I got here on Friday, I have the house to myself. My daughter and Ron went to work today
and that is what they need (especially Ron) to keep their minds occupied.

When my plane arrived about 11:45 Friday morning. Ron was in Tampa with his son Ron Jr., his mother and the ex's family. They took Austin off of life support at 12 noon and he was gone by 12:07. A very sad time for all. My heart just aches for what Ron is going through!

In my first report about this accident, I said that the mother of the kids had leg injuries that needed surgery. I reported what I was told but that was not the case at all. Her only injury was bruising of the ribs. However she did go into cardiac arrest that evening but they got her through that.

It was supposed to be closed casket, but Ron's ex and family (no love lost there) took it upon themselves to have it opened. Ron left early to drive the 45 miles to Palmdale (a small community near Lake Okeechobee) for the family viewing. That is when he told all concerned that it better not be opened for all to view. Sierra had to be so reconstructed that she did not even look like herself. The family agreed that Ron was right.

My daughter and I rode with Ron's mother and her friend and when we got there, we were allowed in the church to view Sierra and Austin. Then the casket was closed.

Both kids were in the one casket shoulder to shoulder and it was so heart rending to comprehend all of this tragedy. The service was at a small rural Baptist church and the service was very good and scriptural. The minister did very well since he personally knew the kids and the family. The kids had gone to vacation bible school there and everyone knew them.

So many people came that the social room next door was used for overflow and some still had to stand outside. Someone from the church put together a video of Austin and Sierra along with all the other kids who were at the VBS and gave copies to the family.

We then drove about 15 miles to the cemetery and after a short service there, it was back to the church where the church members put together a meal for all in attendance in the social room. I saw more love and concern from that small church than I ever saw in the KH by JW's.

Three women friends from my daughter's church came for her and Ron's support and it was good to see them there. I already know the one who my daughter is very close to.

So now they have to get back to normal activities and I pray that all works out well for them. Me.......I can't wait for Monday evening when I can fly back home and get my life in gear once again.

Talk to you later,

HD

I'm so glad your daughter and son-in-law have support from loving friends and family. They will need it to get through the next few months. I will continue to pray for you all. At least we know that Sierra and Austin are now with the Lord. They are well taken care of in His Arms.

Blessings,

Mrs. R

...All our Love and Prayers, HappyDad.

Chris and Beth Stire, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada.

Hope to see you at WNFJ if you can still make it.

Blessings;