The Kelsey Briggs Story

Lost In Lima Ohio is very much on top of this story you need to take a look at. I've been a real slacker in linking this and adding her to the blog roll, too. Done now.

And don't even get me started on back email - had one last night from Clint Van Sandt from MSNBC BTW. I hope to be able to communicate with him more in the days ahead and say more, but I'll have to wait and see if he responds back.

Comments

[Clare]

I am just sick. I guess that NJ is not the only state with a screwed up child welfare system. Maybe this should be a wake-up call that this should become a national issue and that a massive overhaul of the system is needed--maybe with federal intervention b/c the states obviously cannot handle it. The worst part is that it could have been prevented. The mother and step-father should both get the death penalty, but with torture first.

[*flo*]

re: MSNBC article
The attorneys, the judge, or the case workers are all under a gag order.

Gag order my eye! What were they doing, testing the outcome for the sake of a childs life? All sounds robotic to me...Dan, I hope you wear this story down....I hope Ohio State officials diggs Lima a new A-Hole!

[cindi in pa]

The mother and step-father should both get the death penalty, but with torture first.

Posted by: Clare | Nov 27, 2005 11:32:00 AM

Sad part is, neither will get death. Our laws protecting children suck, as do penalities for abuse. Most wind up being charged with involuntary manslaughter,kept in protective custody while in prison, then out of jail in under 5 years. IMHO, these murderers should be prosecuted no different than a person who murders an adult. Think about the message being sent to our children by our laws. The message, we don't care, you are of little value to society. How freaking sad.

I hope Kelsey's father and family get the answers they want and deserve.

[Gina]

I was a foster mother for a few years and I have seen the dept return children to families that they NEVER should have been returned to. They do not have the manpower,time or places to properly place children. They need a total overhaul of the system.

[Pam Briggs]

I am a member of the Briggs family, Lance in my nephew. I just wanted to say that the whole family appreciates any help that any of you can provide to keep this in the news, we don't want another child to have to go through what Kelsy did, she was such a sweet little girl, she is missed. Thanks again Pam Briggs

[Sue Batt]

I just keep wondering why this supposed Mother is not in jail. The proof is stated many times that she knew about the abuse and was a part of the abuse. What goes on in this little town of Meeker????? It is time for Raye Dawn to have a long time to think....in a jail cell.

[Tommi]

i have noticed that many of you posted that we need a national overhaul of our child welfare systems. we in Oklahoma couldn't agree more. if anyone is interested, we will be holding national peace rallies in april at every state capital possible. please look at Kelsey's website for more information. also, please offer any condolences or advisements for the Briggs family. recent developements in the case are extraordinary and it just seems to get worse and worse for them. thanks for taking the time to read and care

[jmartinez]

Ijust don't understand how people much less parents could harm there own children no matter what Raye say's she knew something was going on and for her to sit there and let him do it is just so horrible i don't understand women who let men come into there lives and let them abuse there children i know that the D*** is not that good!!!!!! to keep him around i hope they both rot in hell!! and to the Briggs family keep your heads up the Lord has taken this in his own hands they will get what they deserve just remember they will suffer alot longer then you'll will they have to live with what they did for the rest of there lives.

[Suncana S Alvarado]

What is in the BEST interest of Children ?

Government agencies, Social workers, judges they all make decisions on what is in the BEST interest of Children ... decisions which often determine their destiny.
Sadly, when the wrong decisions are made - Children are murdered!
They are beaten, tortured, sexually assaulted and murdered.

Who is responsible ?
The One making the decisions!
WE are asking for justice ... for Help!

Help never came for Angellika Nicole Arndt , Isaac Lethbridge,Daniel Jack Matthews, Ricky Holland, Christopher Michael, Sirita Sotelo, Nicholas Contreras, Sarah Angelina Chavez, Martin Lee Anderson,Ebony Smith,Kayla Allen,Candice Raynor...... and sadly many, many more but perhaps one day justice will come for them all. For these children, it's too late to turn back the hands of time. May the spirits of those lost rest in peace and may we never forget or ignore what happened to them. http://suncanaa.com/in_memory_

Ricky Holland Story:
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061012/METRO/610120393

-"Ricky Holland was being abused by his adoptive parents and CPS did NOTHING to help him! As a result of their negligence, he was murdered by the people this state let adopt him. Where's the justice for Ricky and all the other children just like him? He was neglected by the very people that was supposedly protecting him.
To my knowledge no one in CPS was punished for this. And listen to this? The reason Ricky was adopted anyway is because his mother was poor!? She (biological mother of Ricky) went to CPS and asked for help, because she was homeless,undereducated ,and jobless. They(CPS) convinced her to temporarily give up Ricky to the state under the impression that the were going to help her so she could provide for her son. But they never helped her with nothing! She had done some things on her own,but in the states eyes, it wasn't enough. They stole her son from her and terminated her parental rights! How is that right? But they pay these foster parents and these adoptive parents thousands of dollars (tax payers dollars I might add) a month with no questions asked! Wouldn't you think they would want to help the biological parents that are trying and haven't harmed their children in anyway? It's cheaper that way. I don't understand! This is crazy, unbelievable! Ricky's mother had more children and they took them as well, because we have a law called Binsfield Legislation. They(CPS) took her other children and placed them with the same family that murdered her oldest child Ricky. The Binisfield Legislation law says that if you have ever had previous terminations, they can take any other child you have in the future. I'm all for protecting children, but CPS is ruining innocent families that haven't done anything and they ARE NOT protecting the children that really need their help! " -

"This is a wide, sweeping problem across the country." said Chuck Ragland, a former CPS caseworker in Van Zandt County. "And we are seeing a groundswell of parents getting upset." Ragland spent eight years as a caseworker and says he saw so many problems with the system that he dedicated his last three years with CPS to "making a concerted effort to try and figure out exactly what is going on." What he saw, he says, was troubling: caseworkers falsifying documents and removing children from families for very little, if any, cause. "They feel like they are above the law because they are doing something noble," he said. "They think, we might make some mistakes, but so what?"
Look at the biggest mistakes : http://suncanaa.com/in_memory_


We must find a way to stop the “system” from allowing this to happen. How many more children will be sacrificed before we do?

"When will justice come? When those who are not injured become as indignant as those who are." -Leon Tolstoy


Please spread the word and forward this email to your friends and family members.

[Maria]

As a resident of the same county I can't stop shaking my head and feeling the tears well up. Kelsey didn't deserve all she was served in her short life. More of here story can be read at

http://www.usobserverok.com/archive/edition1-07/kelsey-smith-briggs.htm

IT'S A MUST READ!!

[angelsonearth]

... now the judge that sent Kelsey back to those who put her in the grave wrote his own book? How screwed up is that? He had a duty to uphold the laws that should have protected Kelsey Briggs, and failed. His judicial career ended shortly after that... now he finds a new venue to profit. What a sick world we live in if we allow these people to upright their wrongs. That is what jail is for. Anyone thinking about reading this loser judge's book needs to instead follow the upcoming trial of Kelsey Brigg's biological mother, who will stand for Kelsey's death, and then donate the money they would have spent on the book towards a charity or organization that supports an abuse-free enviornment for children and laws that put perpetrators behind bars, if the death sentence isn't an option.

I hope the mother follows her ex-husband (Mr. Porter) to the clink for at least thirty years to life; facts in the trial should leave no doubt she allowed this to occur if not engaged in the actual abuse herself. Then at least she'll be too old to mother any more innocent children to abuse. My condolences remain with Kelsey for an innocent life cut short by murderers, and to the Briggs family for the legal way in which they continue to pursue justice and for never giving up. They did not let Kelsey down, but those who did continue to slander them. A double blow... shame on those who resort to diversion and distraction tactics to take the heated spotlight off of themselves. My prayers are with you Kelsey and all the Briggs members. Here's to an outcome of the trial that allows Kelsey to rest in peace. I have been following this case from the very first day I saw a video on the internet regarding her death by abuse, made more sad by the fact there were State Agencies, and law enforcement (yes, including lawyers and judges) who let this little girl down... let her die at the hands of the perps. It is my understanding in reading all that has been reported on this story that there were relatives of Kelsey's mother, Raye Dawn Smith, involved in keeping important facts of the abuse from reaching authorities. They know who they are. Perhaps they should also stand trial for crimes committed against this little girl. There is nothing that can bring Kelsey back, but a trial with all the facts, and everyone responsible for her death behind bars for life would at least show justice was served. Better late than never...

[CONNIE MATHEWS]

PLEASE DO NOT BY CRAIG KEY'S BOOK ABOUT KELSEY BRIGGS , DON'T LET HIM PROFIT FROM HER DEATH.

[frances pfeil]

I AGREE. DON'T BUY THIS BOOK WRITTEN BY CRAIG KEY. A LITTLE GIRL HAS BEEN MURDERED. WAS HE THINKING OF WAYS TO EARN MORE MONEY WHILE HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THINKING OF THIS CHILD'S WELFARE? THOSE WHO BUY THIS TRASH WRITTEN BY TRASH ARE SUPPORTING TRASH AND SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEIR ACTION.

I met this woman, long before I knew her child had been murdered by them. I only knew she had a child die of suspected abuse. She didn't seem to be mourning. I said "there's something wrong here!" I couldn't be happy and getting a tan after just losing my baby to a monster. She's guilty as far as I am concern. I do think it took the two of them to deliver the damages this child suffered. And I agree they should be subject to broken bones and rape and death.

[kandra pelkey]

I live in Lincoln county, the county where Kelsey Briggs was killed at the hands of these people, all of them, the mother, judge,and the step-father.The judge Craig Key was not re-elected and has now written a book about this girls life and death.I suppose his legal practice cannot pay his bills anymore! Please,please, no matter how interested in this case you are, DON'T BUY HIS BOOK! DO NOT ALLOW CRAIG KEY TO PROFIT FROM HER MURDER!!!!!I have a 3 year old daughter and I can't imagine the pain the father is living with.My condolences to the family.We will never forget Kelsey and her purpose.

[angelsonearth]

I am so happy today because of the verdict in the Raye Dawn Smith trial... hell, they both (Smith AND Porter) should have received the same sentence they inflicted upon little Kelsey Briggs... death. But, hey, better that RDS got 27 years than had she gotten off like O.J. did, and there is always that chance something can go wrong in a trial.

It is times like these that my faith in the system, and in jury trials, is restored. Better that Kelsey had the chance to live an abuse-free life with the paternal family that loved and tried to protect her, but nothing can bring her back now; she knows who abused her and who delivered the final blows that led to her death, and that couple will be haunted well beyond their sentences served if they even survive the prison enviornment. The jurors sent a clear message in that they deliberated only 2 1/2 hours. Child abuse will not be tolerated in our society.

[jennifer]

I am very glad to hear they were both in jail I will be very suprised if they make it in their....Jail is a hard place but even harder for people who abuse children...
My heart goes out to the Briggs Family I hope now you have some closure I could not imagine losing one of my children.....
Kelsey is with god now and I am sure she is right beside you at all times...

[Nicole]

i think this is terrible!
the mother should of been ashamed of her self. not even goin to menchine how the step fater should feel !
i could not imagine the fathers reaction when he came home !
hoping to see his beautiful dauhters face he has to bury his daughter in a grave
its not right.

KELSEY BRIGGS = HERO

[Past]

I also am very upset with the way the step dad got away with RAPE and Murder of Kelsey, but I feel her mother has got a raw deal, the Briggs lied about their son serving in Iraq and about the abuse they handed out their self, why was Kelsey afraid of her grandma Briggs? MRS. Briggs even threatened to kill her own kids when they were small, she is full of LIES and charges should be pressed againest her and her son, you better check into her past and seek out the truth.

[SAC]

I am so sick of everyone feeling so bad for Kathie Briggs & Lance Briggs...I didn't read all of the above comments, but I have read enough of them here and on others...It all makes me sick. A child is dead. To my knowledge none of you were there & neither was I. I have heard that the childs mother, Ray Dawn Smith, was working and going to school when the s.o.b stepfather was abusing Kelsey, and the day she the child died the child was in Porter's care. Everything I have read for on the internet has been for the poor Briggs family & I just want to know how it is that all of you people can just believe a woman that drove her own 5 children down to the Pottawtomie Court House and said, "Take these kids or I will kill everyone of them." Folks this is documented...& her wonderful son, that beats women and so she said fighting for our country in the war but it has been said that the war hero was actually in drug rehab, and assaulting a superior officer. No Kathie doesn't want everone to know this, because remember she is proud of her son. I honestly believe that Kelsey's mother did not know that her child was being abused by this monster, Porter...I think she was so busy working, going to school, so stressed out from being stalked by Kathie, and pregnant that she could have been blind to it...I mean hey, remember how it feels to "love" someone, & to believe them when they tell you your child fell, or she was jumping on the bed and fell off of it or whatever excuses Porter gave her whenever this little angel had a new bruise. I think Lance does whatever mommy tells him to do. I think Kathie is a I'll show you, bitch. She, in my opinion was bound and determined to see that Raye Dawn would pay, cuz it's her way or no way. I have to wonder if anyone has bothered to go to this web site and read any of this info: http://www.usobserverok.com/archive/edition1-07/kelsey-smith-briggs.htm, probably not, Huh....I really don't think this childs mother was ever given a fair shake.......I have 2 children, one will graduate from school in the spring and the other is a sophomore in college. I have thought back to when both of children were 2-3 yrs old and can remember several times that they would get bruises on the face, black eyes from another child throwing a toy in his face. One of my sons had a broken arm when he was 2 1/2 yrs old, boy I am glad my mother in law liked me, I guess I could of lost custody of my child...Now I am not disputing the fact that Porter killed this baby, & I don't even want to think about what else he did to her, but I think he should suffer, and suffer a long and painful death. I really don't care if I piss any of you off or not, but I am really tired of everyone having a pity party for Kathy Briggs and Lance Briggs, and acting as if the Smith family is not suffering just as much if not more for the loss of this precious little girl...I wonder how Kelsey feels when she looks down from heaven and she sees her innocent mommy in a jail cell, and Porter, who I believe killed her, is still alive, in prision, but he is alive and Kelsey is not......

[Snicki]

That post is pretty incredible. The mother may have been busy (aren't we all?), but how could she NOT SEE, NOT NOTICE the bruises, etc? Someone is living in a fool's paradise if they buy that. Maybe all the people involved are horrible, but it comes down to the fact that this "mother" ignored what her husband was doing to her child. There is no excuse for that.

[Papa Larry]

I just finished watching a great number of videos on You-Tube dedicated to Kelsey Briggs. There was one video that was a fight between Kelsey's mother and father, blaming each other for her death. STOP IT! Those that were even partially responsible should be on their knees begging God and Kelsey for their forgiveness. The government agencies that kept placing Kelsy back into Hell are also to blame. Don't start spouting, "Well that's the law" bunch of crap. If that's the law, then it's wrong. It's too late to change things for Kelsy, but not for the ones that are being abused now or will be in the future. I have two beautiful granddaughters (3 yrs & 5 yrs). It would be the end of me if anything ever happened to them. It is up to ALL of the people of this country to change things for the good. If some of you are thinking "what a foolish old bleeding heart". You are absolutely right. It is obvious that letting the hard core government pros take care of the child abuse problems isn't working. I cried throughout all of the videos. And I will continue to cry everytime I think of Kelsey and all the unfortunate wonderful helpless children who are recipients of these most horrible acts being perpetrated on them. They are surely "God's Little Angels". God Bless them all. Papa Larry

[CHRISTINE PINZONE]

I HAVE BEEN CRING FOR 3 HOURS ABOUT LITTLE KELSEY.I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSE AND I COULD NOT IMAGINE WANTED TO BE LOVED BY YOUR MOMMY BUT ALWAYS GETTING HURT BY HER AND NOT KNOW WHY.SHE IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND REMINDS ME OF MY LITTLE GIRL PRETENDING TO TALK ON THE CELL PHONE AND STANDING ON THE CHAIR.THERE IS A HUGE PLACE IN MY HEART FOR KELSEY AND I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT LITTLE FACE IN THE MOVIE.PLEASE STAY STRONG AND NEVER FORGET AS WELL. HER MOTHER WILL HAVE TO FACE GOD ONE DAY AND ANSWER TO HIM BUT FOR NOW LET HER SUFFER A MISERABLE LIFE IN JAIL. SHE IS AS HEARTLESS AS THEY COME.
ALWAYS IN MY HEART CHRISTINE PINZONE
HOLBROOK NY

[carissa mcdaniels]

i still cry every once in a while, she looks so much like my 2 year old cousin, and it is so hard to think about a little innocent girl being abused. kelsey is beautiful and its so true, god has a purpose for everyone and hers was to make a difference. god bless, my family and i pray for kelseys family everyday and hoping shes happy in heaven.

[Barbara]

i AM NOW JUST GETTING e MAILS ON kELSEY. i CRIED WHEN i SAW THIS. lET ME SAY ONE THING. iF ANYONE EVER TOUCH ANY OF MY GRANDCHILDREN IN ANY HARM WAYS. THEY BEST BETTER MOVE OUT OF STATE OR TAKE THEIR OWN LIFE. GOD PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR SAYING THIS. I KILL YOU. iN THE BIBLE IT SAYS ."AN EYE FOR AN EYE A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH. I AM NOT EVEN GOING GIVE YOU A CHNACE TO SEE COURT NOR A JAIL. I'LL GO TO JAIL KNOWNING THAT MY TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING TO BETTER USE THEN ON YOU.FOR THE STEP FATHER YOU ARE NOT A CHILD OF GODS. THE DEVIL OWNS YOU AND PLEASE GO WHERE YOU NEED TO GO. SAME AS THE MOTHER. 6 WEEKS OF CLASSES. PLEASE. KESEY, YOU ARE BABES IN OK. THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. FOR MR. BRIGGS. MY HEART BLEEDS FOR YOU. SHE IS WATCHING OVER YOU NOW MAKING SURE THAT YOU ARE NEVER HURT BY ANYONE. SHE IS YOUR ANGEL. GOD BLESS

[OKplainsmom]

Go to www.thetruthaboutkelsey.com and read the emails between the Briggs family and MIKE PORTER, Kelsey's abuser and murderer! The Briggs family was communicating w/ Porter and giving him updates on the case as they got them from the Prosecutor. The Briggs were helping Porter plea to lesser charges because they hated Kelsey's mom. Go look and decide for yourself!

[private]

dude you all have to say this guy sucks and needs to go to the devils house now fro that and you all know that Kelsy is in heaven

[Patricia]

wow this such a sad story. why would some scumball want to hurt a poor defensless little girl like that...

[Sandra]

What A Crock, Now Kathie Knows Dame Well That Raye-dawn did not hurt kelsey nd she knows raye-dawn wouldnt sit there and let someone hurt kelsey, kathie is a lying bitch and i willsay it to her face if she wants me too, kathie sits there 90 days after kelsey died and talks to mike porter having lunch with him, and kathie says " i just wanted to get into the mind of a murderer" well then she can just go into her own mind because she said if DHS wouldnt take her kids that she would KILL them,

"Kelsey's Purpose" If The Crap Dont Drowned You The Bull-Shit Will.

Kathie Is A Small Town Girl who earned my fame and fortune by exploiting Her grandbaby and twisting the truth so that Her ex daughter in law would get what was coming to her for putting Her sweet baby boy Lance through a divorce,

Kathie Thinks Her Family Is So Perfect and please dont get me started on lance, i dont like him one bit, he did the same thing he didnt protect kelsey, he never went to a court date and dont say it was because he was in Iraq i done heared that crap, i checked into it they would of let him leave to portect his baby, but did he go no she chose NOT to protect her he is much to blame, and dont get me started on how he treats women beating them around grabing them by the hair of the head and dragging them out of the house, and everyone says he is a soilder hes our hero he aint no hero to me i dont need him protecting me, my whole entire family first heared about kelsey 2 weeks ago and never heared anything from either sides, and still thought kathie was a bitch and lance didnt protect his daughter i didnt even have to tell them anything well thats all......

"FREEKELSEYSMOMMY"