There are so many times when children die from circumstances out of our control like incurable disease and freak accidents that no one saw coming. So I think that's what makes deaths that could have been prevented so incredibly tragic. Like the case in Utah this past Sunday in which toddler Richard Moore was killed while riding on his father's motorcycle.
I'm sure Shannon Moore, 48, had only the best of intentions when he took his 1-year-old son out for a ride on his motorcycle. I'm sure he was looking to do some fatherly bonding and figured they'd be fine since they were just riding around their apartment complex parking lot. But they weren't.
According to ABC, the boy was riding between his father and the handlebars; neither was wearing a helmet. They were going more than 10 miles an hour and took a corner too sharply, when Shannon lost control of the vehicle. The boy was thrown from the motorcycle, hit the pavement, and the motorcycle landed on top of him. He died at the scene.
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Neighbors said it wasn't the first time they'd seen the father and son on the motorcycle, but tragically this will be the last. While there is no law that prohibited what they were doing, there should be. Police Department Detective Levi Hughes told the station:
Even though laws don’t regulate the age of the passenger of a motorcycle, common sense has to dictate that kind of decision. If the passenger’s feet can’t reach the pegs and he can’t wear a helmet, he shouldn’t be put on a motorcycle. If you don’t listen to your own better judgment you will pay the ultimate price.
The fact is there aren't always rules and regulations telling us what to do with our children, but there are some things we should just know as parents not to do. Of course, while the father may or may not deserve the criminal charges he possibly faces, I'm sure he'll punish himself more than the law ever could, and there's nothing he can do to change what happened. At this point the best we can hope for is that his story serves as a warning to others, and perhaps prevents a similar, senseless tragedy from taking another innocent life.
Would you ever let your children ride on a motorcycle? What other senseless risks do you see people take with their children's lives?
Image via Elvert Barnes/Flickr
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Comments 103
I would have to say this is natural selection at work. This child would have had a horrible upbringing. Its better the poor dear be relieved of the years of pain and suffering now by natures culling thus sparing who knows how many people in the future. Sad, but necessary. No one deserves a parent that ill-equipped. I see people taking unnecessary risks every day simply because they are lazy. Would I let my "child" ride a motorcycle? Yes, but she is 20. I would have let her ride a scooter @ 16 or so. Now if you are asking would I let her ride a motorcycle under someone else's control? No. Never.
Just stupid and selfish! If he wants to bond with a 1 year old, he should be playing with blocks in the living room. Just selfish and stupid! Poor baby! It is the parent's responsibility to keep their children safe. These days, parents seem to think that their life is most important and the kids - even a 1 year old must do what they want. What kind of parents do this? They are parents who never should have children. Rest in peace poor little baby doll!
OMG that poor baby!!
So sad. That poor baby and his Daddy. He didn't mean it.
I just talked to a friend of mine who lives in Utah, and they were saying that they have some of the worst drivers there!! I'm sure the dad didn't mean to take the turn that sharp, but he did and he's lost his son because of it. Now, my family is full of avid motorcyclists...I've ridden with my day...but I was 10 and I had a helmet on!! For this dad to allow his 1 year old on a moving motorcycle WITHOUT a helmet on was so beyond irresponsible!! I have a 1 year old and I know that they are just learning to walk and keep there balance on solid ground....this had bad idea written all over it from the start. My heart does go out to this family though...no one should have to endure losing a child.
That's supposed to be *Dad* not day
YES, my children have grown up on motorcycles and even...........gasp............guns.
fortunately, no harm has come to them, and they are well adjusted, college educated young adults..........some of them are now, even parents.
Inside an apartment complex, parking lot, less than 10 mph.........................a true TRAGEDY..........
NOT a single one of us feels this loss greater than the parents do.......................so, just stop adding " superior judgement" to the wounds.
Your feelings of superior thinking will not lessen the grief, educate the parents, and I can assure you, it WILL NOT protect your own children from all possible harm that could come their way.