A 9-year-old boy became one of the quiet heroes of America this week in the saddest way possible. He walked into his elementary school and told teachers that his mom and sister were dead. And it only gets worse from there.
Police say they went to the boy's home and found the bodies of his mom and older sister (listed as 10 years old by some media outlets, 11 years old by others), his father alive but covered in blood, and his 4-year-old brother sitting amidst the chaos. Dad's now being investigated to determine whether he played a role in the tragedy. Guess what that means for the 9-year-old?
He's the adult in this situation ... more or less. He had the wherewithal to keep it together until he made it to school, his safe haven, and actually talked to a responsible adult. What he did was smart and pretty darn incredible. Most adults couldn't have kept calm enough to do that. And he's 9. NINE!
Now he's a 9-year-old without a mom. And with police saying there was no sign of a break-in or some intruder, things are looking pretty bad on the dad front too. That makes him, what. The "man" of the family? In what world does that make sense?
I know "they" always say kids will surprise you, but I can't help sitting here today with tears in my eyes for this little boy. He shouldn't have had to surprise people with his strength. He should be just a little boy going about his day doing little boy things. Playing LEGOs and eating candy. He shouldn't be the one who had to figure out how to escape a home of horrors and how to find a responsible adult to help his family.
He's a 9-year-old hero. But I wish he could just be a 9-year-old boy.
What would you like to do for this young man today?
Image via OliBac/Flickr
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Comments 302
I can't imagine what was going through the child's head, whether or not it was "Erm... shock" all I know, is that he defintely witnessed something horrific, and he managed to do something about it. He told someone, and got himself somewhere safe.
I hope this poor baby, and his 4yr old sibling, find peace and love.
I'm not a horrible person I just don't believe that this journalist should call anyone a "hero" for something that's (obviously terrible and shocking and I'd never wish on anyone ever!) not heroic.
The child may not be a hero in your eyes, but he was heroic in his actions none-the-less.
He has suffered a tremendous loss here, and there is no need to downplay what the entire family has been through, or their reactions to it.
The Stir is about many people who only write what they THINK including the journalists but you both have ignored that in favour of taking what I said the wrong way!
Bottom line, the boy was in shock and this journalist is calling him a hero... Also where do you read that he "saved his brothers life and his own?" (probably) and how is walking out of a house, all the way to school "heroic"? Did he take his 4 year old brother with him? You have no idea if his father did this, he coul have saved the boy, told the eldest son to run to school and tell... Not enough information in this story.
I'm not belittling this tragic event I was not aiming to do that, BUT my opinion is not bitchy but as valid as is yours.
Geez, way to attack people.
You all have your opinions.... Even if I think you got it wrong.
the4mutts im LOVING you more and more with every comment I read!! LOL.... poor kid this is so sad and I just hope this doesnt affect him in the long run(wishful thinking, but im hoping for the best)