Once again our community is grieving the loss of a little boy whose mother left him with his abusive “stepfather.” I know what I am talking about because my niece was almost killed by her mother’s abusive drunk boyfriend when she left her alone with him, knowing full well he was a monster. Thank God my husband and I were there to adopt her and give her the love and care she deserved.

You can bet Child Protective Services knew the family before yesterday. These men don’t just wake up one morning and turn into a murderous monster. I said it then and I say it now, when are these mothers going to wake up and put their child’s needs first place, way behind any “boyfriend”? Also, mothers who disregard their child’s well-being by allowing this to happen need to be arrested and charged with child endangerment.

We must stop this violence against the innocent children, and to do that we have to stop the moms who leave their children in the care of others that are well known to law enforcement and have criminal backgrounds. Only then will the mothers take seriously the consequences before they leave their child with a monster.

Nancy Cowles

Spokane