Some may remain determined to feel that way about the 17-year-old, who was initially reported to have abandoned her child so that she could attend last year's staging of the annual Sting concert. However, we are sure that many will see beyond the horror of what she did, to the frightened, overwhelmed child that Letford showed herself to be.
In fact, The Gleaner's story, under the headline "I love my baby", states clearly that even physically, Ms Letford defies stereotypes. It reads:
"There are no tattoos, no signs of skin bleaching and no figurative horns one would expect to find on a 'devil' who could leave her baby at the mercy of the elements in premises fit only for wild pigs and dogs."
And the first quote from Letford explains her state of mind at the time she left her baby girl alone for four days:
"What happened is that I just could not manage. I love my baby very much, but I couldn't keep her any more and there was no one in my community that I wanted to turn to for help. I did not tie her up and I did not want her to die. What I was hoping was that someone would find her and give her a better life."
Horrendous act
So, before she abandoned her physically handicapped child, Nicolette Letford, herself, felt helpless and abandoned. She also speaks about the baby's father taking one look at the handicapped girl and having nothing to do with parent or child since, although he is in the same community. And although it does not excuse her laying her burden down, literally, hoping someone else would pick her up, one must understand Letford's state of mind.
Of course, the media cannot interview every youngster who is brought before the court for some horrendous act. However, we can only imagine the tales they would have to tell, some of them undoubtedly exaggerated, but many others with that kernel of truth which passeth if not all, then at least, some understanding.
Negative reports
That understanding is key to having some hope for the future, which we do have despite the deluge of negative reports involving young people. It is also key to conceding the society's responsibility to its young, not only on the level of providing institutions to support those who fall through the numerous cracks, but also simply as communities and families that provide a space for the expression of and assistance with problems.
We are not, of course, absolving the young of their responsibilities, sometimes brought on themselves by their own actions - Letford did not get pregnant by some miraculous visitation. However, those who administer the country's social services must redouble their efforts to catch those falling through the cracks, remembering their youth, even when they look and act beyond their years.
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