Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Remembering Nina

Just when you think you might have something to complain about...think again... 

This is Nina's Senior Picture. She grew up and went to high school here, in Aberdeen. (She graduated in our daughter's class.)  She took all of my classes...I know exactly which chair she sat in...I can hear her voice and imagine her mannerisms when she participated in class discussions.

Shortly after lunch today, I learned that the horrible story about Christina Harms in Utah...was about our Nina.

Here's part of one newspaper story.
"Christina Harms was capable but not self-sufficient.
She graduated from high school and could do many things for herself, friends and family said, but the effects of her fetal alcohol syndrome meant she functioned at a preteen level. She needed someone there to care for her.
But police say it was the very people charged with caring for the 22-year-old Harms who abused her, putting pepper seeds in her eyes, binding her hands, even strapping her, crucifixion style, to a pole in a closet — and eventually killing her."
(She was born with fetal alcohol syndrome...something that she had to live with...and that was not her fault.)
"She [Christina Harms] must have been living in hell," Nelson added. "She didn't deserve this.
Officers were called to a possible overdose at a home in the 4900 South block of 5415 West at 3:11 p.m. Friday and found Harms’ body, said Unified Police Department spokesman Justin Hoyal. Investigators said Harms had marks on her ankles that were consistent with plastic zip ties. She had bruising on her thigh and head, and police found a pepper seed in her lower eye lid. Harms’ arms and hands were completely covered with bandaging material that would have prohibited her from pulling the pepper seed from her eye, police said."

I am sick and disturbed, 
I am mad, 
I am sad.
Please rest in peace, dear Nina.

Take care,
~Natalie

19 comments:

Unknown said...

MG! This is horrible! How can people be so mean! I do not know this young lady but my heart breaks for what she had to go though in her life. She is at peace with our good Lord. Hugs to you for being in her life and to your daughter for losing a classmate at such a young age.

dee begg said...

Natalie,

What a sad, sad world we live in some days. The level of human cruelty is appalling. It is so sad that a child that has had to struggle since birth, had such uncaring caregivers. I hope that whoever did this to her gets theirs in the end...Oh my! Such a shame.

D

Deanna said...

Please Natalie, please tell us that this was not her family that did this to her.

She will be seated near our Lord. One of the Highest Angels in Heaven. God rest her soul.

Deanna :D

Busy Bee Suz said...

This is so heartbreaking...how could anyone be so cruel? I hope there is a hell for her caretakers and a beautiful heaven for Nina; she certainly deserves better.
xo

Cat Nap Inn Primitives said...

I am from Utah and this is close to home..this is just so sad that anyone can be so capable of doing these horrible things..honestly its just sick..I am sorry to hear about this..

Barb said...

Natalie,
I was listening to the news and yes living in Utah it was the top story. I was so sick to my stomach to think this happened in my backyard basically.
I am hoping I am on the jury. I normally am a kind person but at this point I would vote for the death penalty for all involved. To do this to an innocent child-like person who could not defend herself.
I like you am horrified and sickened by this tragedy. I have had to call my brother who is a police officer with the Utah Highway Patrol to see if he knew any more about it, then my sister who is a Mental Health worker for the State to talk it over with her.
Apparently I am a mess over this and I cannot even image what you must be going through. Sorry, I had to just ramble, I am so sick over this.
Hugs to you and all of you that knew her.
Barb

Brenda said...

Oh my gosh! How utterly horrible! That poor girl! At least she had you and your daughter in her life. I just don't understand how people can do this sort of...I can't even think of a word to put here. I am just so sad over this. Gosh, I want to say so much here but I need to control my anger and know that this beautiful girl is now in heaven and not having any pain.
Brenda

Unknown said...

What a sickening thing to happen. Poor Nina. I can't even imagine the horror of what she suffered. How people can be so sick to do that to another human being. It breaks my heart.

Nancy

Deb said...

My sympathies to you Natalie and all who knew Nina, horror such as this is hard to imagine when you read about it but then to have it happen to someone you know..I can't begin to comprehend what you are feeling right now. I pray the people who perpetrated this horror are caught and receive the harshest penalties possible under the law and I pray that Nina has now found peace. Deb

Maggie said...

This is heartbreaking. I feel so horrified and sad for that poor young woman.

I wish I could tell myself it's an isolated incident and unlikely to be repeated, but we have had a similar story in our town. About a year ago, a mentally challenged 30-year-old woman was tortured and murdered by "roommates" she was living with. The trial is coming up this spring and three of the defendants are up for the death penalty. The others will (hopefully) spend their lives in prison. One of the defendants (the one who allegedly instigated the attack out of jealousy) was only 17 years old at the time, and it's not known if she will be tried as an adult or a juvenile.

Sorry to go on and on with another tragic story...just know I can feel your horror at this. Nina is at peace now, even though it may be small comfort.

Sabrina @Falling Leaf Woodworkers and Primitives said...

oh my gosh, how horrible. What is wrong with people. How can a human being do that to another human being. It is just so wrong and sick. I hope this brave girl is finally finding some peace and knows that there are people in this world that love her. I hope this was not her family that did this to her.
my she finally find peace.
Sabrina

Valley Primitives Gift Shoppe said...

My goodness, that is just horrible!! I just can't believe this, very disturbing and I am just sick!
Kim

christopher said...

My heart bleeds for the poor girl.Why did no one notice what she was going through? Or did folk turn a blind eye , so not to be involved?.It is beyond comprehension ,that there are such cruel people in this world.
God rest hr sweet soul.Hugs Rosie.x

Amy, a redeemed sheep said...

My heart is just sickened....

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

What a sad, horrific story. I can't imagine how people can be so cruel. It's beyond cruel, it's sick. I am so sorry for her and I am sorry for your loss, too. I hope the people that did this to her will be held accountable - twice. Once in our courts and again, at the time their souls leave their bodies.

jdavissquared said...

Oh, Natalie.
This is terrible. It just makes me sick. What a horrible story. :(
May she rest in peace.

jodi said...

That is horrible. I can't think of what else to say except condolences to you and your daughter.

Willoughby said...

So upsetting, I just don't know what to say....

Leah said...

This is a terrible story - and unbelievable... may Nina rest in peace and justice be served upon those who did this to her.

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