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
You know, I think this kid probably was in shock. However, I wouldn't go so far as to say he isn't a hero. He may have saved the life of his sibling with his actions, and his own. No matter what, he's his sibling's hero.
Not that I'm trying to stand up for anyone, but I Googled the articles. The father killed the mother and sister and himself. He purposefully left the two boys alive. Authorities did say the boy was in a state of shock when he arrived at the school. It happened April 16th, in Las Vegas.
Here's a stupid question... Why does everyone on this site attack each other over an opposing view? I don't agree with what you say so you're the devil and must be banished!!!! The kid saw something terrible, was OBVIOUSLY in shock because anyone would be, BUT we didn't know details because this is The Stir, not CNN. These are not journalists, they're glorified bloggers. Calm down.
Bottom line about this is that the boy and his younger sibling are now without a mother. No matter who did it etc. He now has to go through his days without a mother. Hopefully the father had nothing to do with it so they can heal together. If he did and those little ones have to go into the system like Monica referenced they need all the blessings they can get. If I could help I would make sure he was accepted into a loving home. The unfortunate thing is that SO many children end up parentless and they all need the same.
how is this boy a hero, um he got dressed and headed off to school after his mom and sister were killed why hadnt he called for help when the incident was taking place??? Instead he went about his day like nothing happened and walked to school and then mentioned that his mother had been shot and his sister. A true hero would have called for help as the situation took place but since the damn story is so vague we will never know. The stir needs to get better writers its like its been written by a ten year old.
I wish I could take this poor baby and his 4 year old brother in my arms and make all the bad pictures and feelings go away. Oh my heart goes out to the both of them. Poor babies!!!