Police: Woman killed daughter, 13, tried suicide

This accused mother endured 13 years of agony...dedicating her time, money, family, everything toward the care and benefit of this adopted child. Sad for the child. Sad for the mother who could no longer cope. She's Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity!

Some people just fail at everything they attempt.

How can we be so judgemental when this women took this child out of the goodness of her heart, tried to give her a normal life, but the child became abusive towards her, the only one who had given her love? She probably thought the child turned on her, what would she do to others? So tried to take her life as well. Yes it is wrong but who are we to say if we were put in same position what we would do?

dlr wrote:

How can we be so judgemental when this women took this child out of the goodness of her heart, tried to give her a normal life, but the child became abusive towards her, the only one who had given her love? She probably thought the child turned on her, what would she do to others? So tried to take her life as well. Yes it is wrong but who are we to say if we were put in same position what we would do?

Goodness of her heart? You do not adopt children just to murder them. You cannot be serious. Who are we to say that if we were in that position, what would we do? I can tell you something I wouldn't DO, and that is MURDER A CHILD. Are you telling me the adoptive mother did not have any other choices? Pleeeease! I cannot believe the sympathy some people fall into. How anyone can feel sympathy for a murderer is beyond me.

I'm certain the judge and jury will be judgmental too.

dlr wrote:

How can we be so judgemental when this women took this child out of the goodness of her heart, tried to give her a normal life, but the child became abusive towards her, the only one who had given her love? She probably thought the child turned on her, what would she do to others? So tried to take her life as well. Yes it is wrong but who are we to say if we were put in same position what we would do?

The scariest part is people like you are roaming the earth. You're one of the reason why this weak nation is extremely lenient on it's criminals.

The mother died in the hospital. I wonder if her family took her off of life support?

So sad for all involved.

Lauren wrote:

The mother died in the hospital. I wonder if her family took her off of life support?
So sad for all involved.

Yes it is very sad. Very sad that she didnt ending rotting in jail for what she did. Now she can rot in HELL instead.

Donna obviously was not in her right mind, and she knew she could no longer handle Gracie as each year went by and Gracie grew physically stronger but mentally was still a 3-year-old child at best. A few years ago, Donna could sense that Gracie was becoming more socially withdrawn. In her search for answers, Donna walked in on Gracie being physically restrained (literally tied to a chair) in a school classroom that was supposed to be focused on handling the challenges of disabled children. Donna and Paul were able to find a new school that actually cared, and Gracie seemed to eventually bounce back. Gracie obviously had no clue that her recent escalation in physical aggression toward her mother was wrong. This went on for at least the last year and became fairly regular when Gracie didn't get her way (like the tantrums of a 3-year-old but Gracie was considerably more physically aggressive (a 3-year-old mind in a 13-year-old body) with hitting and kicking, but Donna just continually sucked it up month after month after month (on a more-regular basis that any of you will ever know about) because she loved Gracie more than anything in the world. Donna knew Gracie didn't know any better, and, because of Gracie's severe mental handicap, Gracie could never be taught to ever know any better. Family and friends had suggested putting Gracie in a home (institution) that could handle her, but, in Donna's mind, Donna could only foresee more physical abuse in Gracie future if she did so, similar if not worse than what Donna witnessed a few years ago, and that no one else would care enough to ensure her safety. Yes, murder is wrong, so is suicide. I know Donna must have felt the only way to protect Gracie forever was for both of them to leave this world together to be with God. Their final departure did not occur in a physically-violent or aggressive manner. Thankfully, God is forgiving. Donna was a close friend of mine. I would still take 10 people like her over one arrogant judgmental stranger that has no clue. Pray to God you never EVER feel as lost as she did.

Lauren wrote:

The mother died in the hospital. I wonder if her family took her off of life support?
So sad for all involved.

Yes, the family took her off life support Wednesday evening when the doctors indicated there was no longer any brain activity and, therefore, no chance of regaining consciousness.

Someone who knew her well wrote:

Thankfully, God is forgiving.

..and how would you know that?

Government Foe wrote:

<quoted text>
..and how would you know that?

...and how would you know otherwise?

Tony wrote:

I'm certain the judge and jury will be judgmental too.

No they won't. South Lyon Police closed the case now that the mother has passed on as well.

Tony wrote:

Some people just fail at everything they attempt.

Better to try and fail than to succeed at doing nothing.

Someone who knew her well wrote:

<quoted text>
Better to try and fail than to succeed at doing nothing.

Im not shocked that this is coming from the person defending a child murderer. Better to try and fail and when u do fail, murder a child? Great advice! The poor excuses your trying to make for her are only showing how much you deserve to be right there with your beloved murderous friend. You expect people to feel sorry for her that she tried and tried for years and years? Guess what? Thats called parenting!! You dont give up and murder them when you feel defeated. I pray you do not have any children of your own!!

Someone who knew her well wrote:

<quoted text>
Yes, the family took her off life support Wednesday evening when the doctors indicated there was no longer any brain activity and, therefore, no chance of regaining consciousness.

She deserved to die!

Someone who knew her well wrote:

<quoted text>
...and how would you know otherwise?

I don't, which is why I don't claim one way or the other. But it's a bold statement to assume when there is no proof of such, especially when viewing society as a whole.

Someone who knew her well wrote:

<quoted text>
Better to try and fail than to succeed at doing nothing.

Rather than fail, it's better to let someone more capable do the job.

You sing the loser's anthem loud and clear.

[QUOTE who="Their final departure did not occur in a physically-violent or aggressive manner. Thankfully, God is forgiving. Donna was a close friend of mine. I would still take 10 people like her over one arrogant judgmental stranger that has no clue. Pray to God you never EVER feel as lost as she did.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for this kind and generous explanation, and for putting this into a perspective of someone who knew the family. Yours is the first comment I've read that has helped me resolve some of this in my own mind. No one can put themselves in Donna's place, but what a horrible place to be in. My only hope is that she and Gracie are at peace and that her daughters (M, C, and C), and Paul, will find it in their hearts to forgive and grieve, and eventually find happiness in their lives.

Before more judgement is cast, please remember that there are many other family members who are trying to come to terms with this tragedy. Find kindness in your hearts for those who remain on this earth if your can't find kindness for anyone else in this situation.

Also know family wrote:

<quoted text>
Thank you for this kind and generous explanation, and for putting this into a perspective of someone who knew the family. Yours is the first comment I've read that has helped me resolve some of this in my own mind. No one can put themselves in Donna's place, but what a horrible place to be in. My only hope is that she and Gracie are at peace and that her daughters (M, C, and C), and Paul, will find it in their hearts to forgive and grieve, and eventually find happiness in their lives.
Before more judgement is cast, please remember that there are many other family members who are trying to come to terms with this tragedy. Find kindness in your hearts for those who remain on this earth if your can't find kindness for anyone else in this situation.

What part do you people fail to understand? The comments are directed towards the mother who killed the child. There is sympathy and kindness towards the family members who must question the psycho mother's action. There is no kindness for her. A mother doesn't kill her child when rearing becomes difficult. THERE IS NO EXCUSE for her action. If she wanted to kill herself, so be it, but allow someone else to care for the daughter, then kill yourself. Otherwise, to excuse her for doing so simply supports her decision and inserts the same psychotic mentality.

If you family members do not want to read negative comments, or yet, read the "truth", then do not participate within a PUBLIC forum.