This was the only fair verdict that could have been reached. I feel such deep sadness for these parents who obviously loved their new little boy very much. I will keep them in my prayers that they find peace in their lives and can eventually forgive themselves.

Posted by tooger (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Negligence...but not *gross* negligence, huh? I wonder what Chase would say about that?

Posted by dingus3 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One can only imagine the prison this man's heart has been locked up in and will continue to be in until such time as he can forgive himself for what happened.

Posted by obviously (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This absolutely is not negligence. It is the only fair verdict. This family will have a special place in many prayers this holiday season.

Posted by priscila (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The idea that society would benefit by paying to have that man incarcerated is ludicrous. Good call by the judge.

Posted by st50taw (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dingus,
And you will continue to wonder. For all you (and I) know, Chase could be very thankful for the parental guidance he received with his father during that time. On the other hand, he could say the opposite.

Point is, we don't know, so you shouldn't imply...

Posted by -CN- (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by Degenerate (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:10 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by capone1 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:13 p.m.

If forgetting that you have a child in a car, epecially on a hot day, isn't negligence then nothing is.

Feeling terrible about it afterwards has no bearing on whether it was negligent.

Posted by Avar (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am glad he didn't get jail time. He has convicted hisself probably over and over again. He has suffered far more than jail would have made him suffer. I wish his heart peace.

Posted by cherita_whiting (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The facts are of course heart-wrenching. The legal issue is really more interesting. Gross negligence, as opposed to regular negligence, is usually described as conduct that "shocks the conscience." There is a conflict here between our perception of the horrific result of the father's actions and our realization what he did is not so far beyond the pale that none of us can be sure we'd never do it. I think I agree with the judge that he was negligent, but not grossly negligent.

Posted by DCDowntown (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i had hoped that the commonwealth's attorney would have passed on the case. i am thankful the judge made the right decision.

Posted by charli3601 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What a tragic story, the memory and pain of which will last a lifetime. May God bless the parents.

The judge is to be commended for his compassion. I can't help but wonder, though, if the judge's decision would have been the same had the father been of a lower socioeconomic class, ethnicity or race.

Blind justice?

Posted by rukidding1 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Washington Post switched a link (again). Why have they removed the earlier comments? Did not like what they said.

This couple should not be allowed to adopt another child. It appears that while he went through some motions of doing right, he was more concerned with his career.

Why did they bother adopting a child if they promptly placed the child in daycare. I don't get it.

Posted by iThink2 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just leave the man alone. God knows he's going through enough.
I'll pray for him.

Posted by Lakers_3761 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by Fallen1 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:23 p.m.

OH THANK GOD, THANK GOD-THIS JUDGE IS TO BE HAILED FOR HIS WISDOM HIS SAGACITY IN THIS HORRIFICALLY SAD MATTER-THERE IS SOME JUSTICE AND COMMON SENSE IN THE JUDICIARY SYSTEM OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VA.-THAT WAS SO THE RIGHT DECISION!

OH I KNOW-COMMONWEALTH'S ATTY'S OFFICE-YOU WANT TO CRIMINALIZE EVERYTHING! YOU'RE JUST AS STUPID AS THEY COME-BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE AROUND WHO AREN'T AS STUPID AS YOU-THANK GOD SOME OF THEM ARE SITTING ON THE VA. BENCH!

Posted by arrabbiato (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

how do you know he doesn't already remember daily of his son's suffering. You have no knowledge of how great of little he is punishing himself. If (and the keyword is IF) he is truly suffering from his loss then no amount of physical punishment would top the emotional punishment caused by the lost of his son. It's unfortunate the kid had to pay for his father's mistakes, but don't be mistaken that he didn't have to pay either.

And the issue isn't whether negligence was caused (because it was), but whether the scale of it was high enough to warrant any sort of punishment. That is something left up to the interpretation of each person.

Posted by tipsytom (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have found myself accidentally taking the turn to work rather than the turn to daycare on the mornings I drop off my children. If they were both asleep in the backseat and I had started taking calls, I could see how it would happen. I would be stricken with grief for the rest of my life. Poor man.

Posted by Allison5 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Poor man - Hell no. He got away with murder. I am sorry but that is something you don't do. NEVER NEVER NEVER I can not understand how you can forget. No EXCUSE

Posted by jwright4 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with rukidding--the verdict was a fair one, and I do feel for the father and his wife, but I can't help but think what the difference would be if this was a poor, black man in SE DC. There'd be a different verdict, and that's where the legal problems lie.

Posted by cjomiller (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This was a very sad case everyone knows that Mr. Harrison had not intended to allow this to happen to be honest I think that this should not have never been brought to trial, I am glad that the judge decided this way. Mr. Harrison is already living in his own prison something he may never recover from.

My prayers are with this family and hope that they are able to move pass this someday and adopt another child if possible to share their love with.
Mr. and Mrs. Harrison please be strong and hold on to one another.

Posted by dbarnes1 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And for those of you who are so heartless to think this man should go to jail for what someone said was murder, you know nothing until you have walked in this man's shoes. You do not know what the hack he is going through on a day to day basis.

Posted by dbarnes1 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Horrible, horrible event. Those of you who would condemn this man may never have been in his position. If you are able to do many concurrent things well, then good for you. Many of us can look at this and see ourselves in his shoes. We are not monsters, we're human.

Posted by tomcanick (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What else could you expect from a self-absorbed SUV driving boomer who acquired a child as a lifestyle accessory?

Posted by mofomofo (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mofomofo, your online name describes you well. Try a little compassion. Just a wee bit.

Posted by tomcanick (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He's legislating from the bench

Posted by AHappyWarrior (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mofomofo,
There are few people out there who can hack the grueling process of adopting a child from a Russian orphanage. It is costly, uncertain and extremely arduous. You must pass a criminal background check, be finger-printed, have letters of reference from 3 non-related paries that have known you for more than 5 years. You must provide a full medical history. Any medications or counseling must be explained. Your paterlineal and materlineal family health history must be documented. THEN, you get to take 3 separate trips to Russia, on a moment's notice, disrupting your work and family schedules repeatedly. Finally, if you are lucky, you can bring home a parentless, unwanted child that has suffered institutional neglect. He or she will be malnourished, developmentally delayed, and possibly unable to ever bond with you emotionally.

Adoption is NOT a lifestyle accessory. It is the most completely unselfish way to become a parent and is a everlasting gift to a child. Your comment reveals an astounding level of ignorance.

Posted by conchfc (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am heartbroken every time I hear of this case. The judge wisely emulated the forgiveness that we don't deserve, but that I pray that we all receive one day. I also pray that the Harrisons find peace.

Posted by eed017 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank God that in our current gotcha, lock-em-up-and-throw-away-the-key, "must set an example," legal culture one judge still believes the quality of mercy is not strained.

Posted by Cossackathon (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

May Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Katherine E. Stott never make a serious mistake in her life. The judge showed much more wisdom and compassion than the prosecution.

Posted by mortified469 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He should go to jail....Enough said imagine the poor lil boy who was dying a slow pain full death. Just becasue you have money and a high powered position doesn't mean u can get away with that.

Posted by Vanessa703 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm sure Mr Harrison has suffered enough....let the man moved on. God will surely take care of the rest.

Mr. Harrison I will keep you in my prayers.

Posted by themajesticbygwen (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So very sad. I pray for Chase's family -- and that this horrific incident will make many, many more parents think to look in the backseat every morning. That is the only good that can come from this. (A fellow Purcellville resident)

Posted by valandsend (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

While we can all be sympathetic toward the pain the father is going through. It doesn't remove that fact that he showed "callous disregard for human life". No job or busyness of our lives should ever get in the way of caring for an infant son.

I agree with the Judge that no prison term will cause more pain than what Harrison is going through. However, that is irrelevant. You can say that about many law-breakers feeling the consequence of their actions. It really shows a low view of human life that he goes unpunished through the legal system.

Posted by isguy (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank God that judge had a heart. This family has suffered enough. No prison could make it any better. As parents we all have done things we wish we could have done differently in raising our kids. Maybe not life- threatening, but nontheless, we all make mistakes we have to live with. May God bless and keep this family close.

Posted by wandap667 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Would the father have been convicted if the father was not such a great dad? Being or Not Being a great dad does not prove "negligence so gross, wanton and culpable as to show a callous disregard for human life."

Instead of the father, suppose the person was a trusted long time family friend who was doing a last minute favor of dropping off Chase - would the friend be acquitted? How about the local neighborhood teenage babysitter? a close relative? Would the father forgive them so readily? Or would he be calling for jail time? What would you do?

Posted by motherseton (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yep. Proof yet again that the adopted are second-class citizens.

Posted by Wooden_U_Lykteneau (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is one reason why parenting is one of the hardest jobs. You have complete responsibilty for the health and well-being of your child, even in the most mundane or hectic situations. I can't even imagine the depth of despair these parents are experiencing.

I have to agree that I don't think a parent of a different socio-economic, racial or ethnic group would have been given the same consideration as this dad. Also, I think most people who accidently cause injury or death to another must feel horrible about it, but don't they often get sent to jail?

Posted by momof2 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is not the first time, nor will this be the last time a parent leaves a baby or toddler in a carseat on a hot day.

A simple law to avoid confusion about a parent's gross negligence in the future is to require a driver while transporting a child in a rear carseat to place a simple movable sign on the dashboard to remind the driver a child is in a rear carseat. If the sign is NOT found to be in place, and a child dies as a result of being left in the rear carseat, then gross negligence by the driver is easier to be ascertained. However, it's important to note placing such a sign would not necessarily make gross negligence more difficult to be prove. Critics on both sides of a proposed law are correct. But there is no doubt that if a parent chooses NOT to physically place a simple sign on their dashboard, and their child dies in the backseat, then the parent will not be acquitted as easily.
What is most important to consider about such a law is the placement of a simple fifty cent orange and yellow sign may be the difference between a lifelong loving parent/child relationship and everlasting heartache, guilt, and despair.

Posted by motherseton (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For those of us who are able to self-reflect, even a little bit, and those of us who rush through every day -- multitasking our way through everything we need to get done, we know 'There but for the grace of g-d...' For iThink2 - you clearly don't think enough to know that most families now require 2 working parents to make it, and for mofomofo - ditto Conchfc's comments -- your ignorance is truely astounding.

Posted by Ishaak (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's funny(peculiar, not ha-ha), a woman did this once and her child died. I didn't hear any uproar over that when it happened and I don't even think she was charged with anything.
Why should this be any different?
Some people think just because a father does this he should get punished or more punishment than a mother who does the same thing?
Do you really thing the father did this on purpose?

Posted by joshnnova72 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would bet that this sorry excuse for a parent did not forget his Starbucks coffee in the morning. He certainly did not forget to go out and make money that day. People have more compassion for pets left to die in cars.

Posted by dollyq (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 6:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We, as a society, are failing in protecting our children. It is our RESPONSIBILITY as parents, as adults to protect; not to fabricate ludicrous excuses as to why we fail miserably with our children.

Posted by tico1214 (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 8:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Until you have experienced the grief and trauma of losing a child you cannot appreciate the awful guilt this man is feeling. My girlfriend lost a child when she feel asleep with the chid in her bed. She was trying to get the baby to fall back to sleep and waiting until she could put the baby back in his crib because he would not stop crying. it was in the middle of the night. it was a horrible tragedy that caused a loving, devoted and caring mother to punish herself to this day for the mistake in judgment. How many of us living in the hectic workaday world of DC have driven to miles and miles to work without even realizing how they got there, could not even remember getting onto the expressway, or turning into the parking lot. Exhaustion, stress, distractions from work. Yesterday I took out the trash before leaving for work, but driving in could not even really whether I actually did it or not. How many times have we gone to mail a letter and drove right past the post office only to find the letter in our pocket hours later. Yes, it's not the same as being responsible for a child, but our minds are not perfect. This man will give himself far more punishment the rest of his life than any prison term can give out. And what punishment would his imprisonment give to his wife who was totally innocent. She would have to deal with this tragedy alone. So for everyone here saying bad things about this man, please stop and think and pray that you never make a similar mistake.

Posted by dlpetersdc (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 6:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm sure many of the other parents who have been convicted of wrong doing in similar incidents were just as loving. What this ruling says is that there is different brands of justice for different people. I believe that the negligent death of a human being no matter how unintentional should be met with a punishment appropriate to the crime. I nthis instance some jail time, to my mind, is imperative!

Posted by youngj1 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 6:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

dlpetersdc, I totally agree. This man has suffered enough. We should all keep him and his wife and family in our prayers.

Posted by bllycrm (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 7:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The idea that this man was the "best father I've ever seen," indicates how low expectations were for him and are generally for parents responsible for the safe-keeping of their children. I reject that he was a great father; he was a terrible father. He was callous: from leaving his child in the car to collect dry cleaning to putting his problems at work above the caregiving of his son. This man was lazy and so self-involved he did not deserve a child. He may never be incarcerated, but that doesn't change that he killed his son.

Posted by funinfundraising (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 7:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There's harsher penalties for leaving a dog in a car on a hot summer day (even for a few minutes).

I am amazed at all the sympathetic career people posting that this could be 'any one of us.' It's not that I'm perfect, so don't bother remarking in that manner. But this child was left in the car ALL DAY and got slow-cooked to death. At the very minimum, this couple should not be allowed to adopt another child.

Posted by iThink2 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 7:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If this had been the nanny or a daycare worker, these same sympathetic people would be asking for her imprisonment. How protective they are of each other, but primitive to the people raising their children.

Ishaak--thanks for your concern. We do fine on one salary (military) and just bought a home far from DC. We also have a student at TJ. So I guess I do better thinking than you think I do!

Posted by iThink2 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 7:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

After reading about this heartbreaking situation happening over and over again, couldn't day care centers, which would be expecting the child, call the parent if the kid is not there by a certain time? I had my kids in a home day care situation for many years. If I did not show up, the day care provider would have called me to see what happened to us (car accident, emergency, etc.)Are there a lot of parents who do not take their kids to daycare when they are supposed to? I don't think it would be that hard for a daycare center to call on missing children.

Posted by jonebb (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WOW----thank God for Jesus!

Posted by lrich1450 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

...leaving his newly adopted 21-month-old son in a sweltering sport-utility vehicle for nine hours in July, killing him.

By any and every objective standard, while Mr. Harrison was plainly negligent," Ney said, his acts did not rise to the level of callous disregard for human life.

IF LEAVING A BABY IN A SWELTERING HOT CAR FOR NINE HOURS IN JULY ISN'T A CALLOUS DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE, THEN WHAT IS??? SEEMS LIKE THE JUDGE ACTED ON EMOTION RATHER THAN THE LAW.

Posted by nosurprise2me (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

iThink2: Lighten up and quit patting yourself on the back...you might bruise yourself. Pride before the fall.

Posted by tjlincoln (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nine hours! Not nine seconds, not nine minutes an entire work day plus and hour of overtime. He got his son ready for daycare and he didn't think about him the entire work day? Did he not have any pictures of his son at work? At least every ten minutes I see something throughout the day that reminds me of one of my daughters... This man didn't just forget a kid, he forgot about the life he was supposed to protect but he remembered to drop off his dry-cleaning... That poor child literally went through a living hell before he died. Why is everyone protecting a fully grown man? When will people start protecting the children? It's just setting the bar for other idiots to be less responsible for their actions. Way to go justice system!

Posted by awills (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

you have got to be joking!!!!!!!! how did this fool not go to jail?? i bet he didnt forget to take his cell phone out of the car. of coarse thats much much more important than a child. this man should rot in prison along with that idiot judge!!! this poor child would have been better off staying in the orphanage, at least he would still have his life. Attorney Katherine E. Stott's comments is 1000% correct. when you have a child, nothing else in your life matters more than loving, protecting, and most important, keeping that child alive!!!!

Posted by tbrown (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

and all you that are defending this man, i sure hope you dont have children. oh this poor man, he has punished himself, B.S!!!!!! lots of people in jail have punished themselves for the things they do. IT DOESNT MAKE IT NOT A CRIME!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by tbrown (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This is totally CRAZY! Leaving your child in the car for 9 hours and not even think...hmmm i wonder how my baby is doing today??? Not even 5 minutes go by that i don't think about my child and how he is doing... what the HECK is wrong with the jutice system??? When will people start protecting children??? What the heck is wrong with this world?? Oh but now he will have time to grieve??? Are you serious??? How about now his child isn't alive because he "forgot" about him... how in the world do you forget about your child?? who does that?? He should ROT in jail for this...

Posted by ahawes (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

for all you that are defending this man, i sure hope you dont have children

Posted by tbrown (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am thankful for the family that the judge made the best decision under the circumstances. I remember the sadness I felt for Miles when I first read the story. He must have been devastated - - and still is. I pray that God will restore this family and ultimately use their circumstances to minister to others who have lost children regardless of the situation.

Posted by cgraybea (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This judge was very wise and my own heart is so happy for this man. I have kept up with his case and wish I knew how to send a card with my condolences and best wishes.

I do believe he and his wife are caring people who will make good parents, and I hope that they will be able to adopt in the future, though I doubt it. I know a MISTAKE like this will never happen again in this family. He will probably become an overly-protective parent.

Posted by dcpsinsider (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I pray this family finds peace during this trying time. This was a mistake and the judge made the right decision, whether we want to agree with it or not. Our heavenly Father would forgive and so should we. We need to be more empathetic in times like this. This is truly a "what would Jesus do?" situation. My heart goes out to both the mother and father.

Posted by rdormon (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It was a very tragic incident, however, the judge made the right decision, and, I commend him for that.

Posted by spidy99 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It was a waste of time and money to prosecute this case. This was a terrible accident. Anyone who thinks the Father deserves jail time is an uncaring idiot! Thank God the judge was the only involved law enforcement official to show some common sense.

Posted by MH916 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have experienced the loss of a child and hold them most dear. In my mind there is absolutely no reason why a child should be left in a car. This man should have not have gotten off. There are plenty of people who feel guilty about killing people as he killed his child and he should have gone to jail over the incident.

You need a license to operate a car, a boat, a plane but you don't need one to be a parent-you don't even need to attend pareneting classes-this man needs to be taken to task. I feel very strongly about protecting children.

Posted by tiger12 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The judge succumbed to sentiment and publicity and ignored the law.

Posted by bucephalina (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Spidy99 and Rdormon: Find the guy guilty and let the judge show empathy in the sentencing...Have you figured that out yet?????? Think about it....

Posted by nosurprise2me (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

MH916-- So lets worry more about spending your tax money than justice for a helpless child. I do pray, I pray for parents who "think its a waste of time and money to prosecute" cases where a defenseless child is forgotten and dies a slow horrible death. BTW--9 hours!!! I think that's pushing the "accident" category a bit much. I think stupidity, ignorance, irresponsible fits it.

Posted by awills (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Whether or not justice was served here - If you are a parent, then above all else you are responsible for the care and well-being of your children. If you discover that your daily routines get in the way of making your children your top priority, then you must make up your mind to change your routine. If that seems to be too inconvenient for you, then the least you can do is to find someone - paid if necessary - who will take the responsibility. Mr. Harrison surely did not intend to take his responsibilities lightly - but he obviously did not take them seriously enough. If nothing else, let this serve as a tragic reminder to all of us to examine our priorities.

Posted by Mike4 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sadly incidents of parents unwittingly leaving young children in hot cars is an unintended consequence of front passenger airbags. I'm not bashing airbags - they're a wonderful advancement in vehicle safety - but they're also the reason young children must ride in the back seat. When a child could safely ride in the front passenger seat where the parent would constantly see him, this wasn't an issue.

Posted by gieriscm1 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone who thinks this is *not* a case of gross negligence is nuts. It IS negligent to put an infant in a rear seat of any kind of van or large vehicle. They can choke, get strangled by car seat belts (seen this happen to an infant locked in a car alone at the Safeway in Montgomery Village, Md in 1990 while Mom shopped! I was the one to report it), or otherwise stop breathing. This man stuck his child as far away from himself as possible and not for safety reasons, then proceeded to speak 13 TIMES on a cell phone. I heard someone who had worked with him say he was a huge jerk of the worst used car salesman personality sterotype.
This shows you how well adoption agencies check out prospective parents. They are as corrupt and greedy as IBM, HP, GM or any other big business. This guy should have been thrown in the slammer for life. I don't want to pay for his dinner, believe me, but he does not deserve to walk the streets.
And the sooner the better for automatic disabling of cells in cars AND getting rid of anything bigger on wheels than a station wagon of old. This is a travesty and I hope he suffers the rest of his life for what he did to his son.

Posted by tscoll (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The judge decided that this act was not callous disregard of human life AND of the probable consequences of his act.

I don't agree with the judge's decision that this did not fulfill those, but I don't wear the black robe. I believe this was a callous disregard of human life, BUT I can see how the judge would not see that the father foresaw the probable consequence of his act. I honestly believe that if the father had foresaw this, he would not have done what he done. It was grossly negligent in forgetting his child. But he did not foresee this happening. If the prosecutor had been able to prove that he knew what would happen, but went with his normal life regardless, then that would probably have swayed the judge. It seems to me that in being grossly negligent and forgetting the child, it truly meant he had no forethought that he knew the child was in danger and left him there regardless.

I think the prosecutor himself may have over reached here. He had a plea agreement, but did not accept it. He gambled, and lost.

Posted by Rogueperson (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tscoll,

Let me remind you, any convicted felon or 13-year old crackhead can birth a baby. Only adoptive parents are subjected to screening. Your comment, like others, displays tremendous ignorance of the adoption process. There are no adoption agencies that are big businesses "like IBM." They are small businesses with staff of less than 10 people and although adoption is very costly, the agencies do not make much money. Most of the money goes to exactly the kind of background checks and examination this family completed. Agencies also are not the only ones responsible for checking out adoptive parents. There is FBI fingerprinting, local police background checks and visits by state and county social workers before adoptions can take place. In the case of Russia, the Russian government conducts its own background check and adoption is a court proceeding. Russia is very strict and this family will not be able to adopt again.

However, if this family, like any non-adoptive family, wants to use in-vitro, or a surragate mother, etc. to have a child, no background checks are necessary.

Posted by conchfc (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't believe all the bleeding hearts on here. I am single parent and the thought of forgetting that my child is with me is incomprehensible. I'm not advocating a lot of jail time, but I think there should be some societal consequences. This sends a great mesage to Russia; allowing self-absorbed middle-aged wealthy Americans to adopt their kids, neglect them, and get away with it.

Posted by jbfromfc (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

does forgeting you have a child in the car free you from care, custody and control ? this man killed his child the same as if he had held a gun to his head, but a lot slower and more agonizing. he should have had some jail time.

another reason cell phones should not be allowed in cars.

Posted by lynnecatlover (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Perhaps child seats could be designed or retro-fitted with an alarm that sounds when three conditions are met.
1) Pressure sensor in seat registers mass of child
2) Buckles and Latches are in closed position
3) Ambient Temperature exceeds safe threshold

We shouldn't need devices like these, but we hear about this situation many times a year.

Posted by EKeesee (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Although I feel within my heart that there is NO excuse for not protecting a child and that NO-One should be exempt from doing just that. Let us be mindful that only God knows the heart of man and what Mr. Harrison was thinking/not thinking that day is not for us to decide. The Law had a man to Judge Mr. Harrison, but we all have a Higher Judge who will one day Judge us all and I pray that not only in this instance but in all instances we can stand and be accountable for our actions.

I too believe that he should not be allowed the privaledge or the luxury of having another child.

Posted by outland.deborah (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Amen, lynnecatlover. It seems that "the law" has more compassion for an animal than it does for a child. This man (who should be doing jail time) must NEVER be allowed to adopt or to 'care for' any other child - - EVER!!!!

Posted by segeny (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sadly this is not an isolated incident. Every summer this seems to happen in just about every state. So many people are quick to jump to the defense the poor parent who will suffer for life. Courts and prosecutors are so consumed with sympathy for the poor parent. Did it ever seem that this is now the easiest way to murder a child and get away with it? For this reason alone, every similar case should always be investigated and prosecuted. The burden of proof should always be on the neglectful parent, since the person who was strapped helplessly into a car seat and left to die an agonizing death has no voice in the matter other than the prosecutor.

Posted by greasycat (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Could all god-loving people who left comment here saying that they were going to pray for Miles Harrison and his family please also pray for the parents of these kids as well? http://nobodyisforgotten.blogspot.com/20...

Posted by HollyG1 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

May be it would be better for a father to go to jail, just to punish himself, then sitting at home knowing you got away with the murder of your child.

Posted by valyabelavina (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow! 9 hours in the Summer heat. That's the mother of all mental lapses.

If I was him I would want to go to jail.

Posted by OhTheHumanity (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

From the beginning, I've found this story to be incomprehensible. Harrison didn't forget to stop by the cleaners, did he? Or fail to take those 13 very important calls. How on earth do you leave your son in the car...all day? I bet his wife asked him the same question. Simply unbelievable!

Posted by 2k9s1 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Russians must stop giving their children to Americans. Too many of them got tortured and killed. This is not to say that the overwhelming majority of adopted American parents are not loving and caring. But enough is enough. Everyone in Russia is infuriated by this shameful verdict. Russian Foreign Office protests against it. How can anyone forget about a child left in the car for NINE HOURS!!! In Russia this is not called "plain negligent", we call it "plain murder"!

Posted by bykovo (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My heart went out to this man until just now when I read that on the way to work, he "had made or received 13 calls on his cell phone." Well, there you go. I see parents like this every day, and I've just withdrawn my sympathy.

Posted by DCResident10 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am a native Russian. This case touches a raw nerve, it is discussed on Russian news, family and adoption forums. People are ashamed and outraged, there is more coverage on social problems, a demand for a reform of adoption system, support to struggling families. More and more Russians are applying for adoptions every year, it is a good thing for russian society and its future.
My sincere hope is that every child can find a loving home regardless of nationality. I think this verdict is grossly unfair to the child and sends a wrong message.
To conchfc: imho, it seems to me that you think of the adoptive children as the second class on whom "an eternal gift" has been bestowed by the "unselfish" adoptive parents.
Fortunately, the adoptive parents I've met don't even think in those terms. Silly them, they think that they are the lucky ones to finally have a child to love.
You seem irritated, like "hey, I've paid my fees, I want everything to be perfect".
This attitude is ok for appliance stores, but not for dealing with humans. Heck, a natural pregnancy under favorable conditions can be a huge gamble with no absolute known outcomes.
You expect a kid,- who has been through God knows what to come into another country where he doesn't know a soul except his adoptive family (who might be lunatics who shouldn't be trusted with a cat), doesn't understand a word, goes through a loss of usual caregivers, friends,surroundings, - to be cheerful and compliant and convenient?
There is no warranty on "emotional bonding" (there are plenty of people who are not emotionally close to their own biological families and have no warm bonds with them?).
Yes, Russia has its own standards and requirements on adoption. You don't like it? Adopt here, there are plenty kids in foster care system here. Guatemala is easier to adopt from. Kids are kids everywhere.
People who adopt from Russia don't choose this country because they want to have more difficulties, or they want to exercise their angelic patience. The truth is that a lot of people who adopt specifically from Russia might have some cultural/historical connection to the country (ancestors or interest in this country). To be even more honest, many want a WHITE child. Russia has plenty of blond and blue-eyed children and people DO know it. Russian orphanages try to match the child to a family based on looks, especially if there are other kids in the family.
Again, conchfc, a small child is not the one who the emotional or financial bill should be presented to. People are not buying slaves who have to work for the cost of their purchase and upkeep. People are trying to create families. There is nothing more demanding or more rewarding than that. If you have a loving family, consider yourself blessed.
IMHO :)

Posted by sshendrik (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sshendrik,

Wow -- I'm not sure how you got all of that out of my posting. I am the adoptive parent of a Russian child. I agree that the children are the gift to the parents, but my point was that it is not an easy process. I wasn't saying that the kids should be perfect. In fact, our child is special needs and is perfect to us. I was stating the fact that some of these kids exhibit health and developmental issues from their time in orphanages. You maybe didn't read the full thread, but I was responding to someone who characterized adoption as "acquiring a child as a lifestyle acceeesory," which I think many people believe in light of the Jolie-Pitt and other celebrity foreign adoptions.

Russia is very tough and will now get that much tougher, which is a loss for children who need loving homes. It is a balance.

You need to step back and not bring your defensiveness to the conversation. For example, your point about race was very unnecessary. Those are exactly the type of comments that feed into the belief that people adopt children the way they purchase trendy purses or shoes.

Posted by conchfc (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If that photo is Harrison's mug shot from the same day he realized he killed his son in a sweltering car, IMHO he doesn't look devastated, remorseful, or even sad.

He has a "are you gonna steal my parking spot" look on his face ...

Posted by OhTheHumanity (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

People, hope for another trial. Is there no justice in the land, is there no mercy for the children? This verdict is an insult and a mockery of anything closely related to humane values. People who think this 'judge' is Christian, consider this: can you forgive something which was not done to you? You feel very generous? Go ahead and forgive someone who hurt you like that (G-d forbid anything like this should happen to you or your child). If someone would do this to your child would you forgive him? How can you forgive on someone else's behalf? Only G-d can forgive. We have to live by the LAW, and the law was broken here; the child was betrayed many times: first he ended up in an orphanage, then his 'forever dad' killed him, then the justice system betrayed his memory, and now people here are dancing on his grave... If this judge and these who agree with him are "god-loving Christians" then I want to be an atheist!!!

Posted by sshendrik (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am a parent of an 18-month-old! I could never imagine forgetting about my son when he is with me! As a parent, he has my attention every minute I am with him. Work! That takes a back seat to my family! I would forget about work to be with my son!

Posted by hapewer (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If he was black or Latino he would be in jail. Not right, but true.

Posted by egas (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The verdict was wrong, but was it delivered because of the limited choice of possible sentences had it been the opposite?

Making the punishment fit the crime is often much more difficult than pronouncing a person guilty or not guilty.

Posted by ECDH (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You just can't be serious. That's not "gross negligence?" So, this child must have been asleep, making no noise, no movement, no sound, NOTHING! I just don't see that. A 21 month old child is pretty active and I know from experience. This man must have never even looked back or paid any attention to this child at all. Give me a break, not him! I don't believe he should have been aquitted! That was ridiculous on so many levels! "KILL A BABY, AND STILL BE FREE!" Does that not sound crazy to anyone else! Sounds pretty insane to me. He murdered a baby and should be in jail as we all speak!

Posted by wifey_1_day (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How many people walked by that child in those nine hours and did NOTHING?

Posted by ECDH (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For all the people that think this man should be convicted of a crime. I hope karma comes ramming into your prefect little lives like a tornado.

Posted by metroman76 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

conchfc, perhaps something was missed in this form of communication. I apologize. Yes, I too am sad for the children who might not get loving families because of cases like that. There is a phenomena in sociology: people within a group A see themselves individually as unique and different from each other and certainly very different from group B; people outside the group will see one big group A and not individuals :(
I am guilty of that too, we all do that on some levels. This case has a huge negative potential. Russians might look at the verdict and think Americans are lunatics, don't care about children, some might think it happened only because a boy was adopted from Russia, some will focus on dozens of perished children adopted from Russia and will not see (they don't know, media doesn't show it, it doesn't stick in the memory) thousands of happy children adopted and well loved.
You see how easy it is to be misunderstood even here.
Maybe if 2 people can hear each other out and see they have more in common than previously thought, maybe there is some hope.
I wish your family health, joy, and prosperity in the coming new year.

Posted by sshendrik (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry, but why is the car manufacturer not partially to blame? In this day and age of computers and chips that do everything, how difficult is it to create a system that blows the horn when movement or crying is detected inside a vehicle over 95 degrees? How much can it cost? $5 is a small price to pay. It should be standard on all cars. Time and again we hear of this situation. When will technology step up to the plate and fix this before more children and pets die?

Posted by jennyk1 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How do you think karma treats someone who wishes bad karma on people?

Posted by Eagle1211 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WOW thats crazy!! so NOW people can say i had a million things to do and so much on my mind and i forgot about my child in the back seat of my vehicle and get away with murder!"--- such a shame for the children, who have no protection whatsoever....

Posted by tajuana_n2000 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think a check-system should be set up with day care providers. If a child is expected and does not show up, then a phone call is in order to see if everything is okay. That would have certainly brought this to a much different conclusion. Our public schools are required to account for the whereabouts of each child that is unexpectedly absent, for the childs safety, why not day care providers? I used to provide day care and I know it is extra work, but a phone call only takes a minute. Please let's make some good come of this tragedy.

Posted by tooger (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If we are not going to hold parents accountable for negligence that results in the death of a child, why have the laws on the books in the first place? I'm sure that this man is sincerely sorry and that he had no intention of harming his son, but the fact remains that voluntarily put himself in the situation that resulted in his son's death. All of that "work" he was involved in could have easily waited until he arrived at the office, but he was so busy on his cell phone that he neglected several primary responsibilities. First, of course, was to his son. But also to all of the other people sharing the road that morning with his totally distracted self. What I find even more disturbing, though, is that not once during that entire day did even a flicker of awareness about his son cross his mind.

I've seen posts here asking why day care providers can't do some kind of check-in, and even the suggestion that the car manufacturer was somehow negligent for not putting some kind of sensor in the car to detect the kid. How about hanging up the !#$@#$ phone and staying mentally connected to the car, your kid, and the rest of the world around you? If you are important enough that your business requires you to yak on the phone in the car, you've got someone else to drive the car. If you have to drive yourself, you're just not that important.

Posted by alert4jsw (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 6:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So, can any of you imagine yourself dying in a hot car a slow and painful death all day strapped and not being able to move or be heard when you scream?! If this is not gross negligence, I don't know what is.

Posted by dura (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The verdict as well as the adoptive father's "absent-mindedness" are just beyond my understanding. In spite of all the good and sweet words it IS murder and like any crime it must be punished if only this state and society are really free, democratic and fair.
On 18 December the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs made an official commentary in connection with the not guilty verdict of the Fairfax Circuit Court (link: http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/sps/4654ADE0...). It runs the following: “We are outraged with the verdict of the Fairfax Circuit Court, Va. We consider it to be odious and unexampled… The decision of the Court which didn’t perceive in M. Harrison’s actions any corpus delicti and exempted him from any punishment is beyond all the judicial and moral laws.
It is not for the first time when adoptive parents in the USA who were guilty in death of their adopted children from Russia didn’t get the proper punishment. But it is for the first time when the Court has demonstrated such a disparaging attitude towards a Russian kid’s life.
Serious doubts are arising in the propriety of the existing practice of adopting our children in the country where their rights, first of all their right to life, are not protected. And where there is no adequate and what is more important inevitable punishment of those who are guilty in this and similar tragedies only on one ground – they are “full-fledged” American citizens and their adopted children are not.
We will be trying to make American authorities appeal against this verdict which is crying injustice itself. The further cooperation with the USA in the sphere of international adoption shall depend on Washington’s readiness to take practical measures that should help to get rid of our anxiety”.

Posted by natali-shep (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The judge must have thought a Russian, from a communist country kind of, is not as valuable as an American life, plus the contractor means taxes to pay judge's salary = "he can try again, from Poland next time perhaps".
And you better believe it, I have hectic, really, really messed up days, of 9, 12, 14 hours, and I still do not skip getting to think of my house, which chores I need to do as a part of my family, and going to buy groceries at lunch time when needed, and... of what my children are doing here and there.
This guy must have either a hole in his psyche or wasn't considering the child his problem-a hole in his psyche. Fry him.

Posted by SouthStar (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This guy deserves an Academy Award! He put on a great show, from the moment his child was discovered to his reactions after the ruling. His defense team also deserves kudos, getting the trial without a jury. I want to know can the prosecutors appeal this verdict with a jury trial? This is the American judicial system. It's not perfect, but it's the best there is. I believe this guy should have gone to jail! The length is not important.

Posted by kailanwong (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 6:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great post, Natali-shep. I hope and pray that the Russian government puts a halt to international adoption until this child receives a modicum of justice. I guess that Russian children are considered expendable especially when they are "developmentally delayed".

Posted by dollyq (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A horrible accidental death is not the same as murder, so you can stop calling this father a killer. He is not a Dahmer or anybody who intends to kill. Putting him in jail along with real criminals would not bring this child back to life, so this judge's verdict and sentence was correct.

Posted by cy31b (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is very sad and unfortunate. I have a 13-year old and have passed the turn off for her school twice this year as I have had work issues on my mind. She is old enough to ask me what the heck I'm doing and brings me back to the moment so I can get back on track. I'm not a dingy or forgetful person, but I think we all get so preoccupied with our busy schedules that we lose touch with things we should pay closer attention to. I have heard of this same tragedy several times over the past few years, so who knows if they might ever make the same mistake? My heart goes out to Mr. Harrison and his family - I'm sure he will never forgive himself.

Posted by Pionono1 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 7:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Man, you pathetic white trash will forgive anything you dumb goobers do.

Posted by wangbang747 (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hail the Judge. Harrison is free and can adopt more children. He loves them medium-to-well done.

His SUV has been cleared and ready for service again.

Posted by loudouner (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Russia needs to put a halt to these adoptions. There have been too many instances where the children have met premature deaths at the hands of the American parents who adopted them. This man could forget he had a child in the vehicle but he can remember all of the phone calls he made and received. I don't buy it!!!

Posted by Amelgepo (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Natali-shep, thank you for your post.
Hope that Russia will take appropriate measures to protect the children. I don't understand how the judge failed to see the implications of such a verdict. I am absolutely shaken for a whole day today.
There are so many things wrong in this picture. The Harrissons are completely out of touch with reality, they should not have even attempted their parental journey, it was clearly not for them! I do not care what people here think, at least the boy would have been alive if he was still in the orphanage. Maybe he would have had a different family. Maybe his birth mom would have been rocking him to sleep tonight... what a shame.
Most of the children in Russian orphanages are not technically orphans, their families are going through tough times, sometimes parental rights have been taken away due to neglect or abuse. Often parents give their rights away in the face of immediate pressures(illness, poverty, alcoholism in a family, unwanted teenage pregnancy etc) not realizing the full consequences. Every effort should be made to support and reconnect birth families safely, providing them counseling, parental support, substance abuse counseling/rehab, job training, - whatever it takes to ensure that a family can stay together and children can benefit from the presence of strong parents in their lives. If this not possible, then the next step adoption within a country by a russian family. Placing children abroad should be a last resort, only after a suitable family or reconnection with a biological family or relatives is not possible. Russia should most definitely make the laws tougher for foreigners to adopt + do everything possible to place children successfully within a country, they view Americans as a risk category now :( I don't understand how this guy got such a small child. I personally know russian family who are waiting for a small child to adopt in Russia! They would have made an excellent family for this poor kid .
Enough is enough. It is high time kids everywhere are valued and appreciated, it is time Russia is viewed as an equal partner and not as a source of genetic material in forms of mail-order brides and children!

Posted by sshendrik (anonymous) on December 19, 2008 at 2:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Was lucky enough to have such loving parents who suffocated him to death ? A toddler developmentally retarded ? Are you kidding ? Does not it seem to you that this 49-year old freak is developmentally retarded to start the ordeal with the adoption of this poor kid whoh had already been several times betrayed ? Ask the judge all these questions. Even a jail with all its tribulations is too mild a sentence for him. Or next time ask him to adopt an American child and see what other show of his will be staged.

Posted by optim123 (anonymous) on December 19, 2008 at 6:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

iThink2 - why do people adopt if they are going to put them in child care? How is one parent suppose to give up their job and somehow still pay the $50,000-60,000 it costs to adopt? We've been in the process for over 4 years with Russia and the tab will probably be around $75,000. NO ONE truly understands the issues adoptive parents deal with unless they've have been there. It is such a different world and insane some of the thing you have to go through. Unfortunately there have been various adopted Russian children murdered by their US parents in the past few years and yes they were all eager to adopt. I think this case is different as he wasn't starving the child on purpose, beating the child to death. Same result, true, but a different case. I can assure people this couple will never be able to adopt again and unfortunately never have children. I hope someday he is able to deal with the situation. I also dont' understand why people are saying he should have never got this child. Where are you coming up with this and how would you have know this would have happened. On sshendrik's comment, do you know there are over 1,000,000 orphans in Russia and less than 10,000 are adopted out of the country each year? Do you know that Russia has a stigma of any father taking care of children other than his bio ones (adopted, step)? Do you know that children place out of the orphanages at 16 years old and 80% turn to drugs, crime, or prostitution? Since you do not support adoption, does that mean people like myself should never have children? We prefer to go the adoption route opposed to fertility treatments since these children are already out there and need homes. As for adopting in the US, no way. It's too hard to have a birth mother change her mind (although I totally understand it), it is difficult to adopt from the foster system, and don't want to risk the parents wanting him/her back. It makes me sick to my stomach to think about what this poor boy went through on that July day but pray he is at rest. Of course everyone is welcome to their opinion but should be knowledgeable about the situation.

Posted by us4998 (anonymous) on December 19, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The point is not about adoption. It is about any parent leaving their child alone in a car. It should never happen there is no excuse! Mr. Harrison clearly was thinking more about unimportant things then about the one important thing in his life his child. He was negligent.

Posted by MyraFreeman (anonymous) on December 19, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What did Mr. Harrison have/do for lunch that day?

Posted by OhTheHumanity (anonymous) on December 19, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I find it hard to believe that Harrison was not found responsible for the death of Demitry/Chase.

It's also little odious to read posters who suggest that a 3 months in the US and being roasted in a car was really the best deal Dima/Chase could have hoped for as a poor Russian orphan.

Sure the adoption scene in Russia is not great, nor are the institutions where they grow up but Dima was a blue eyed, blond baby (18 months when they took him). As you might imagine that would make him very adoptable and sought after.

Sadly the "best" children go to foreign parents with large bank accounts, who can afford to grease the wheels. If Harrison hadn't killed Chase, it's quite likely he would have gone to another family - perhaps even in Russia. He didn't get a break here.

Hopefully something good will come out of this sad case and the Russian government will do more to encourage and support adoption within the country.

Posted by n.wilsdon (anonymous) on December 19, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How do you forget your child is in the car with you. i am a full-time student and I work 40 hours plus and never once have i forgot my kids in the car. Stress from work is NO EXCUSE! If your work is that stressful then your not ready to be a parent. I know we are not perfect and people make mistakes but when your a parent, theres no do overs. You are responsible for another life. Sorry doesnt cut it!!!!

Posted by sara.velazquez (anonymous) on December 19, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One of the things that sums this situation up perfectly- when this guys sister was being interviewed after the verdict, she declared what a wonderful father he is. WOW! I guess that speaks volumes to what these peoples beliefs. The bar is set so low it's on the ground. If that's her idea of a good father..

Posted by qazwsxedcrfv (anonymous) on December 19, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I feel bad for everyone involved, but forgetting for 9 hours is a long time. There must have been a way to save the child's life. The mother doesn't talk to the father all day? The daycare doesn't call any of the parents to make sure no accident happened?

Posted by jterrazas (anonymous) on December 19, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If the roles had been reversed, and the mother had left Chase in the car, she would be in prison right now. Judge Ney has a long sexist record of favoring men and fathers. Look it up. It doesn't take much to be a good father in his courtroom...a few tears and the father gets off the hook.

Posted by stacyb1 (anonymous) on December 19, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

AHappyWarrior-I thought it seemed like he was interpreting a 1930(outdated?) law. Guess it's a fine line..better him making that kind of decision than me. I have a hard time believing that he didn't think of the baby in the NINE hours at work..

Posted by mlod2 (anonymous) on December 20, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am all for adoptions! know plenty of those who adopted or are adopted and i'm involved in & affected by both sides of the issue.
My wish is not to keep Russian kid in the orphanage just so that a loving decent American family doesn't get him. NO!!!
The whole system is messed up, the whole approach is not working... The foundation needs to be fixed. B. Franklin said :"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"
Russian society needs to care for its own children: for families in need to get the support they need so they can parent effectively, for children who do lose their parents to know that they are not abandoned by a whole society, for the whole society to realize and act on it that a moral and a demographic catastrophe is unavoidable should they forget that the country's biggest resources are not oil and gas but PEOPLE, little people especially so because they are the future.
One simply can't easily FIND a child to adopt in Netherlands, or France, or Germany, Japan.
I want the same for Russia, want it to be off the list of "suppliers". Some childless couple will suffer, well ... it would be a lesser of 2 evils. It is irresponsible to encourage policies which promote a steady supply of abandoned children just to satisfy some (even if their numbers are in thousands).
Someone wrote that how unfair: Americans have to go through all these background checks while russians don't. First of all, the info and more importantly the resentment it causes even this info were true is strange!
1) For a Russian wanting to adopt there is also an endless pile of paperwork, medical (psychiatric included) checks, family, residential evaluations, financial, references etc. Yes, things are easier because there is no language or cultural barrier and the fees are not 20k, but less. still there are fees and of course the family is on its own afterwards.
2)if one truly cares about the issue (abandoned children) wouldn't he/she want it to be easier for more Russians to adopt? i think much more can be done to educate about a pressing need to adopt, to assist Russian adoptive families. Otherwise this comment is very contradictory and hypocritical.
3) And even if it was true... Imagine a reverse situation. Suppose, a German/Canadian couple would want to adopt an American child and take him out of the country (and then he is totally under their control without immediate legal and social assistance should it be necessary). Would you not want American authorities to take precautions to ensure safety and happiness of that kid?

Posted by sshendrik (anonymous) on December 20, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Here's my question: how does his wife continue to live with him? Killing your kid has to be tough on a marriage.

Wasn't there another case in Virginia where a man forgot his toddler in the car while taking care of his other nine kids? I would have liked to have seen a similar solution here -- that man was required to have a blood drive in memory of his child every year. Then at least something good could come out of something so horrible.

There is a simple solution for parents who might forget a child: put your briefcase or workpapers or purse in the back seat, something you need for work. Then you have to check back there before you go in.

How sad that no one saw the child in the morning while he could have been saved. I wonder if his windows were tinted black?

Posted by KatherineWertheim (anonymous) on December 23, 2008 at 2:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

People!!! Maybe I don't understand something... Can you explain to me how the KILLER can walk away from justice unpunished in the United States of America? HOW??? It does not make any sense to me at all!

Posted by nataweyman (anonymous) on December 26, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

...You must provide a full medical history. Any medications or counseling must be explained. Your paterlineal and materlineal family health history must be documented. THEN, you get to take 3 separate trips to Russia, on a moment's notice, disrupting your work and family schedules repeatedly. Finally, if you are lucky, you can bring home a parentless, unwanted child that has suffered institutional neglect. He or she will be malnourished, developmentally delayed, and possibly unable to ever bond with you emotionally... - All this is in vain. The little boy is killed by a negligent parent.

Posted by fikgad1 (anonymous) on December 30, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)