Was Mother of Caleigh Harrison Negligent?

The parents of Caleigh Harrison have finally accepted the investigative conclusion that the little girl was swept out to sea. After months of denial, their address to the media earlier today was seemingly heartfelt, but it should also be a reminder that Allison Hammond is currently being investigated for child neglect regarding the missing child's sister, "Lizzie."

Do you think Allison Hammond's actions are what led to this child being swept to sea? Her stories to the media have never fully meshed together with slight contradictions and clarifications that make it evident that this child was not being watched. Caleigh Harrison was left alone on a beach facing the Atlantic ocean near high tide the day she vanished. Hammond claimed to have thrown a ball, which went over a wall leading her to retrieve it out of her children's sights for an undetermined amount of time. The distance she allegedly threw this ball was approximately 40 to 60 yards (reports vary), meaning she couldn't have possibly thrown it that far. It seems as though she is trying to compensate for what may have happened. This is meant in no way to harm the family who are undoubtedly suffering in this time of loss. However, it's important to pinpoint just what happened so as to direct attention to what parents should not do when playing with their children in dangerous areas like beaches, pools, lakes, and parks.

There have been comments made by family members of Allison Hammond that this isn't the first time she lost track of her children in public places, especially beach environments. Some speculation has even gone as far as to question if the woman may have fallen asleep at one point at the beach, or went to the bathroom leaving the children unattended, but these claims are not confirmed. What is known is that the child is gone and most likely drowned after being left unattended. It's tragic accidents like these that make way for laws against child neglect in the first place, which leads one to question just why she is being investigated.

Comments: 4

Margie Wilson-Mars Jul 18, 2012, 9:35am UTC

Life jackets. Such a simple thing. When we'd go boating out on the river, you would be shocked at how many people on their boats have no life jackets on their kids. One of our older boys didn't like wearing one because 'it felt weird being inside with it on'. Too bad. Our daughter slipped off the dock once as we were leaving, if her dad wouldn't have been RIGHT THERE, she could have got caught under the dock, etc even though she was a great swimmer. So simple. Sad.

Marilyn M. Jul 18, 2012, 12:36pm UTC

It is simple. When we lived on the Gulf Coast of FL and TX, responsible parents made sure their kids had "swimmies" on whether in pools or at the beach.

reply to this comment

Amanda Ludden Jul 18, 2012, 9:06pm UTC

This is really common unfortunately. When I was in the 8th (1998) We went to OOB (Old Orchard Beach, Maine) for our 8th grade graduation trip. There were two teachers in charge of 60 students. Thats not even possible to watch all 60 of us. We had one rule and it was to not go past the bouy, but so many of us tested the waters and one boy ended up getting swept out, and when he was found he was barely alive, if they didnt find him a moment sooner he could have died. If a teenager can get swept out to sea, a baby so easily could be walking along the seashore and toppled down by a decent size wave. Like Marilyn and Margie, it is so simple to a floating device on children and oh i dont know WATCH the kids, and if theres too many to watch have more adults available to supervise. Very rarely ever do I see any rule boards at beaches that state other then no dogs on the beach, or no trash.

Amanda Ludden Jul 18, 2012, 9:09pm UTC

there needs to be boards that state rules that apply to children. My computer likes to push the enter button before im finished :P

reply to this comment

Was Mother of Caleigh Harrison Negligent?

1 person recommends this post

Comments: 4

Join the Conversation