The Megan Meiers case has been given a lot of attention lately because of the bizarre situation surrounding it. Well, this case, which I was unaware of, is just as divesting, but more straightforward. I am just finding out about this because the parents are suing the man responsible of their daughters death, in a civil suit – since, as we know, no criminal charges can be pressed if you are responsible for someone you met and taunted online killing themselves.
In this case, a 14-year-old California girl met 30-year-old Kiley Ryan Bowers of Celina Texas in 2005. He traveled across state lines, “sexually assaulted her,” and then broke it off. When he did that, the girl fell into a deep depression. She killed herself in July 2006. Her suicide note suggested that her relationship with Mr. Bowers was partially to blame for her suicide.
The family is suing for compensation of medical and counseling bills and punitive damages for mental anguish. But of course, MySpace will walk.
You can read the full story here: Victim’s parents sue MySpace after suicide, assault by Celina man
The problem here is that MySpace was the playing grounds where this young girl fell in love with this older disgusting scumbag. He traveled half the country to meet her and have sex with her. Though the suit says she was “sexually assaulted,” I’m pretty sure it was consensual (otherwise why would she be depressed when he broke it off… enough to killer herself? C’mon.)
And now, MySpace will get away because it can’t be expected to verify ages and check each member. That may be so, but this is not an isolated case. It constantly happens. When will they be held accountable for the disgusting breeding ground they have created?
Never.
So… what then? Well, parents, protect your own kids. Don’t expect anyone else to. If parents monitor their child’s Internet activity and talk to their kids, this won’t happen as often. Monitoring software like PC Pandora helps parents keep their kids safe.
