Heartbreaking
Baby Killer Released From Prison Has Mom's Forgiveness
The crime that made Betty Smithey the longest serving female inmate in American corrections history is unspeakable. In 1963, she killed a baby in cold blood, ending the life of 15-month-old Sandy Gerberick. And yet, it's fitting that Smithey is being released on parole this week.
Fitting because she's served her time. Fitting because Sandy Gerberick's mother has long since forgiven her former babysitter for killing her child.
If a mother who lost her baby can forgive the woman responsible, can't we?
It took Emma Simmons 20 years to write a letter of forgiveness to Betty Smithey in prison, but the fact that she was able to do it at all earns her my respect. I am a grudge holder. I still don't like the kid who kicked sand in my daughter's face on the first day of kindergarten. And he's 5. And it was sand!
More from The Stir: Mom Kills Son for Potty Training Accident, Then Eats Pizza
Forgiving someone for the ultimate betrayal, forgiving a babysitter who was supposed to care for your child but instead killed her, is unfathomable. The anger is boiling up inside of me even as I write this, along with the fear.
And yet, if Emma Simmons can do it, it seems right that Betty Smithey walks out of prison a free woman after 49 years on the inside. She has served her time, a long, long time. She's battled breast cancer and a myriad of other ailments, including coming to terms with the psychotic tendencies that led her to murder an innocent child.
The state of Arizona says she's not a threat to society. Emma Simmons has forgiven her. Like it or not, we have to accept this too.
I'm not saying I'd hire her as a babysitter, but it certainly sounds like Betty Smithey should be a free woman today.
What do you think? Should Smithey be in jail or out today?
Image via Arizona Department of Corrections
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billsfan1104
The lady served her time. She was forgiven by the victims mother. That trumps your hatred for her.
Lena
kelli0585
I can't imagine what it would be like to suddenly be out of prison after 49 years, be thrusted into the media spotlight (at least on a local level), and have to re-learn how to live in the outside world again. And with psychotic tendencies, to boot. Oh, and everyone knows she killed a baby.
Not that I sympathize. I just. . .can't see this working out.
Carmen Martin
Forgiveness is a beautiful thing, but that doesn't mean that a woman who maliciously murdered a child has the right to walk free. It's not about revenge, it's about safety and common sense. If someone can do this once, what are the odds that they can do it again? Nobody else should be put at risk for the sake of leniency, and leniency doesn't exist in my mind for infanticide.
EvalynCarnate
Forgiving some one for cheating, or leaving, or stealing money from you is one thing, but forgiving some one for murdering your child is just unforgivable to me. Having hatred in your heart IS bad, but some things are just off limits. I would never have offered this woman any sympathies nor would I have ever wanted her to be free again. Call me sour, I guess...
Mike M
pupukeawahine
Forgiveness is not always so black & white. Sometimes it means just letting it go and walking away when you are finally able to (in this case it might be impossible to do that)--then get on with your life. At times there will be anger, and at times there will be a feeling of release. In this horrible case, however, if I were the mother of the murdered child I would be a lot happier with the killer in prison. It would be a lot easier to let go and get on with my life if I knew the killer were locked up and not a threat to me, my family, or anyone else anymore. Another consideration is that there is a reason we hold grudges and stay angry with people--certain people are to be feared and avoided because they're dangerous. It's not that they "deserve" our forgiveness, it's that it can be foolish to do so. I am not a Christian, but I love what Jesus said, to turn the other cheek. I don't think he meant turn the other cheek so you can be slapped on that side too, I think he meant turn and walk away. Let it go if you can and move on to new things in your beautiful life.
Annie Mae Stewart
Naomi Hernandez
Sandy