Petition Wants "Justice for Mia", Tougher Penalties for Baby's Mom
By: Eugene Daniel
Updated: October 2, 2012
WYOMING- Lindsey Blount and Melanie Stabler were shocked when they heard the charges against the mother of last week's missing baby.
"I was kinda angry because I didn't think it was enough," Blount said.
On September 27, police say Kendra Meaker, 19, left her baby in a ditch in Stark County. Then, she told authorities the child was abducted. Three-week-old Mia Graci Thompson was later found alive by volunteers. Meaker faces up to three years for obstructing justice and up to one year for endangering the life or health of a child. The latter charge is a misdemeanor unless the person has been charged with it before. This was Meaker's first offense.
Blount and Stabler don't think the penalties match the crime.
"She got more time for obstruction of justice than she did for leaving her baby on the side of the road. It just makes me sick," Blount said.
"To dump a child in a ditch, a newborn baby that needs constant care -- I felt that something bigger needed to be done," said Stabler, a mother of four.
They decided something needed to be done. Blount created a Facebook page, called "Justice for Mia." Then, Stabler started an online petition titled "Mia's Law." Both sites request stronger penalties for cases like this.
"There needs to be different levels of child endangerment," Stabler said. "If it can't be attempted murder, then what is it?"
In one day, the petition got nearly 900 signatures. They say they're overwhelmed by how far Mia's case has reached.
"Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin. One (signature) was from the Philippines," said Stabler.
"It's amazing. I can't even explain it. It makes we want to cry," Blount said.
Blount doubts this will change anything for baby Mia's situation, but she hopes it can bring justice for defenseless children in the future.
"If we let her walk away with a slap on the wrist, which is pretty much what's she's getting, then what kind of message is that going to send to the rest of the world, to moms that don't feel like doing their job?"
Blount is a friend of Mia's father and says the baby is at home with her dad.
"I was kinda angry because I didn't think it was enough," Blount said.
On September 27, police say Kendra Meaker, 19, left her baby in a ditch in Stark County. Then, she told authorities the child was abducted. Three-week-old Mia Graci Thompson was later found alive by volunteers. Meaker faces up to three years for obstructing justice and up to one year for endangering the life or health of a child. The latter charge is a misdemeanor unless the person has been charged with it before. This was Meaker's first offense.
Blount and Stabler don't think the penalties match the crime.
"She got more time for obstruction of justice than she did for leaving her baby on the side of the road. It just makes me sick," Blount said.
"To dump a child in a ditch, a newborn baby that needs constant care -- I felt that something bigger needed to be done," said Stabler, a mother of four.
They decided something needed to be done. Blount created a Facebook page, called "Justice for Mia." Then, Stabler started an online petition titled "Mia's Law." Both sites request stronger penalties for cases like this.
"There needs to be different levels of child endangerment," Stabler said. "If it can't be attempted murder, then what is it?"
In one day, the petition got nearly 900 signatures. They say they're overwhelmed by how far Mia's case has reached.
"Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin. One (signature) was from the Philippines," said Stabler.
"It's amazing. I can't even explain it. It makes we want to cry," Blount said.
Blount doubts this will change anything for baby Mia's situation, but she hopes it can bring justice for defenseless children in the future.
"If we let her walk away with a slap on the wrist, which is pretty much what's she's getting, then what kind of message is that going to send to the rest of the world, to moms that don't feel like doing their job?"
Blount is a friend of Mia's father and says the baby is at home with her dad.
Comments
Very proud of these girls for standing up for something that really does need to change. Please everyone sign the petition and speak for all the children who can't!
BECKY B.
October 3, 2012 at 9:32 am
