careful. she may get pregnant again!

and no one will stop her most likely, but the state won't let me marry my partner of 11 years.

Every time I see the word Texas it seems to be linked with something like this......must be the water.

I could care less about the MOM.........I just hope her kids are going to be ok over their lives...she should be locked up for life and have her tubes tied for that alone.

It doesn't take a genuis to see how hopelessly stupid your average American is by just reading the posts on articles like this.

Truely pathetic.

and no one will stop her most likely, but the state won't let me marry my partner of 11 years.

It is all about you, tompca.

TEXAS: executes retarded men, puts crazy women who attempt murder back out on the street. Maybe they just want her to succeed in murder so that they can execute her.

But Debbie McCarten COULD care less.

Now I understand why we closed down so many mental facilities and cut the taxes that were used to run them. It is obvious that this woman has a deep abiding respect for life and isn’t a threat to the people around her (including her children) as long as the devil is not chasing her. Or there isn’t any military.

Let’s put her back on the streets where she can contribute to society in her own special way.

I do my best to keep my opinion to myself when it comes to women's reproductive choices because I believe women should be the ones making decisions about their body/health. In this case where 2 children's lives have been so traumatized, I say MANDATORY TUBAL LIGATION before she gets pregnant again.

You do know that can be reversed..I would much prefer that she be locked away in a mental institution for the remainder of her life..

She was locked up for four years and now is free? If she doesn't comply with her probation, she will be locked up again.... will they wait until she hurts or kills someone else? Is birth control part of her "deal"? What about the children, are they receiving counseling? How will they ensure she never finds them? We need a justice system, instead of our present legal system.

She clearly had something wrong with her when she threw everyone off the overpass. Presumably that something has been addressed. If that's true, then releasing her is better than paying for her upkeep for the next 10 yrs or whatever. Now she can get a job, pay taxes, and not be a burden on the rest of us anymore.

Prison isn't a solution. It's just a way for criminals to cost us even more. IF it's appropriate to release someone, then doing so is in our best interest as well as theirs.

She threw her children over, but she also threw herself over, clearly mentally ill. She was released with no ability to contact those children, not allowed to have custody of any child at any time, etc. Do you want to foot the annual bill to keep her locked up? I don't. Keep her on probation, keep her on her meds, save $36,000 annually for us taxpayers.

Now she can get a job, pay taxes, and not be a burden on the rest of us anymore.

AG99 - the article clearly states, "Now that she is released from jail, the 32-year-old will live a restricted life in a Dallas boarding home". That boarding home isn't free. More than likely, the taxpayer is footing the bill for that as well as when she is in prison. I doubt that she received welfare, etc., while in prison, but you can bet your next pay check that she will when she is living in the boarding house.

hmmmm............hope she don't inspire a new idiomatic phrase.

Another mutt that should have been put down.

This is another child shooter and/or stabber waiting to happen like we have seen all over the news lately. Lock this "Devil" mommy up for good.

Yes, she caused tremendous injury and problems for her children. Equally, this woman has served what was to have been determined enough time in the institution. Very, very few cases actually have the insanity pleas work. For this mother to have done so, she had to have been seriously mentally ill.

The reason she is now released is that the review process has determined she is better able to live with society now. Is it right to treat her as though she is a murderer? Let's remember, that she served her time. She has serious restrictions (see the above and she has no contact with her children) and if she fails, she will return to her original housing (institution it sounded like).

You ask why she is released? Pray tell us AZdrummer89, would you lock up everyone for the remainder of their lives? How does that teach anyone that there is a second chance? Do you do that with your children? My kids have made a ton of mistakes (yes, even dangerous ones) in which they learned from. So have I. If someone is considered mentally ill and they receive treatment, they would not return to prison after their conviction is finished. They are two separate and different punishments.

How does that teach anyone that there is a second chance?

Seriously ? A 2nd chance to throw her children off a bridge? A 2nd chance at a new family? Don't see where she deserves one.

This stigma against people with mental health issues has got to change. As long as she is under proper treatment, she CAN live a productive life. No pun intended because I don't think she should get pregnant again.

I don't think she should get pregnant again, either, lonesome george. But she is free to do so, and that's the problem: She. Is. Free.

If we didn't have to worry about known nutcases with a history of violence roaming around amongst us, we might be more understanding of the disease. Self-preservation trumps compassion. The stigma is compounded when this type of thing happens.

She is obviously very seriously mentally ill. We as a nation no longer want to foot the bill for mentally ill individuals. She will go off of her medication and have serious issues and maybe or maybe not hurt herself or someone else. I have great anxiety for her children, they will be in fear of her all of the rest of their lives, most of us cannot understand that level of fear. I firmly believe in extreme cases like this, she needs to be put to sleep. Release her sole to be born again or however you want to rationalize it with yourselves.

.And she's being released, why?

Because, azdrummer, she was adjudged to be mentally ill and, in this country we do not lock up the mentally ill and throw away the key. She was presumably treated and medicated. Depending on the cause for her mental illness (physical abnormality, genetic deficiency - we don't know what it was), we can assume it's continuing to be treated and she has been adjudged to be safe to society as long as treatment and medication (if any) are ongoing.

Or, if we want to indulge our own delusional fantasies, we can accuse her doctors and the authorities of malfeasance and just plain incompetence in releasing her to randomly attack others. Those sorts of accusations and fantastic musings are, after all, what these threads are for.

She tried to kill 2 children.

8 oz of lead, less than $2 solves this problem, no need for costing the taxpayers any more than neccessary. A more proactive stance on capital punishment makes the crazees think a little more before they go throwing babies off an overpass.

Because she wan't being punished. She lacked the capability to make the decision. In that case the law doesn't punish you, as it wasn't your fault. The point is rehabilitation.

In fact Christina she made the right decision based on the facts she had. She was trying to protect her kids. Her decision wasn't wrong, her facts were.

I believe you two are both correct. The problem with these postings is the public feels as though justice is due all of us. The fact of "justice" is a vague notion. In this mother's case, she was tremendously ill and is now better. When she was tremendously ill, she harmed herself and her children (yes, dreadfully). Beyond the fact that she harmed people, she is now better and that requires on our part (civilizations part), a second chance.

All of live is experiences and some are good and some are bad. If we look beyond "right and wrong", "good and evil" and even "abuser and victim", we are all people living together in society. All of these postings writing "she should still be in prison" and the like, aren't we better than that? At what point do we use the idea of disposable people and incarcerate forever?

1. Alcoholics - "they'll never quit" and yet look at the success of AA and other treatments. I would hate to discard all alcoholics based on the few that I know that are unable to quit or choose not to (at the present time).

2. Jailees/Ex-cons - "all they do is return to crime or learn more skills" and yet how many prisoners have been exhonerated for wrong convictions? Perhaps even some of us may have family members that have sold drugs (I do) and been incarcerated. Are they forever ex-cons? When does the labeling end.

3. People living off government funds - "they never want to stop the cycle" and yet Mitt Romney's dad used government monies and he seemed to have been able to stop the cycle. While the Romney's certainly aren't my favorite positive role model, if he can do it isn't that proof that the cycle does end?

This woman committed a horrible crime. Without doubt that is true. It's also true that the court system (who heard all of the evidence we did not and have not read), ruled her mentally incompetent at the time she committed the horrible crimes. Of course she has been released. Why wouldn't she? Our justice system does work when people are released from it without committing further crimes. Do you honestly think this mother doesn't think about how she caused her children trauma both mental and physical? Who out there can have their children away from a night without worrying about them? I can't and mine are heading to college shortly. This woman (I feel certain), feels the same way but she was legally insane at the time she committed the crime. She isn't that same person today. I know my life has changed dramatically since 2008, hasn't yours? How about we stop judging people and start praying for them instead. It doesn't have to be a formal christian prayer, how about just thinking positively for her children to heal physically and mentally? How about thinking positively for the mom to heal from the guilt I'm certain she feels. Don't all parents feel guilty when we harm our children - even with words? How about mercy, instead of hatred.

Because she wan't being punished. She lacked the capability to make the decision. In that case the law doesn't punish you, as it wasn't your fault. The point is rehabilitation.

Her strict supervision suggest that she is, indeed, being punished. The let her out, only to put her under vary strict restrictions. Why? The only real reason is as part of her punishment, because if she is still thought to be a danger by reason of mental instability and thats why she is being restricted, then that is proof she should not be on the streets.

I am all for separating those with mental illness so they can be treated. In this case though, continued punishment seems to be the reason for the tight restrictions. Everything they listed suggested to me to be punishment and not part of rehab.

Margo-2235341

I am not judging, but it seems odd to me to release her and put he on strict supervision of they think she is ready to be let go. If she was not sane and now she has changed, then she should be freed. What this suggests to me is that the restrictions are a substitute for jail because they now feel she is sane enough for that punishment.

I think a bit of time inside would reinforce the notion that she needs to watch her step when she is out for good. I am not suggesting judgment beyond what she has already had.

Well, it doesn't matter how the children will feel knowing the woman who tried to kill them is free and not being punished by the law for their attempted murder, as long as a woman doesn't have to suffer.

Agreed!

This woman's "early" release makes absolutely zero sense to me. She is under very tough restrictions, but why? Because she's not well and/or fully rehabilitated, if there is such a thing with mental illness. I cannot imagine anyone would want to be in the same boarding house with her. What if Satan and the military come after her again and she feels the need to stab her roomies with knives, needles or even chew their faces off? I, for one, would advocate against her release. I would expect her to be kept in a mental health facility and heavily medicated as she is clearly schizophrenic. Something is very, very wrong with this whole situation, and just because her children survived doesn't mean she didn't kill them inside. Indeed, my prayers go out to those two babies. They've been to Hell and back.

Oh, and considering that some 30,000+/- Texans want to succeed from the union, PLEASE take this bat @!$%# crazy woman with you when you go!

If Texas succeeded in seceding from the Union, I doubt very seriously that their secession would be a success.

I'd like to see her have a second chance at jumping off that overpass. Maybe the second time would be the charm and the crazy b!tch would be turned into another grease spot on the road.

Her freedom might cost someone their life. It isn't worth the risk. She should never spend another day outside of prison walls.

Best wishes to those poor kids. They're the ones who deserve second chances. I hope they find great foster parents.

Hey this is Texas! All she did was throw her kids off an overpass. It is not like she had an abortion or taught them about evolution or anything really serious!

Sheesh! Try to keep some perspective!

Giver her a second chance alright, let her jump off the overpass again but make it on a busier day.

Oh, please, Peas. If you have a problem with the wealthiest actually having to pay their fair share, your taxes aren't high enough.

machspeeddemon

Oh, please, Peas. If you have a problem with the wealthiest actually having to pay their fair share, your taxes aren't high enough.

So it's fair for money to be forcefully redistributed so deadbeats can suck on the government teet from cradle to the grave? I smell libtard logic.

So it's fair to pay for money to be forcefully redistributed so deadbeats can suck on the government from cradle to the grave? I smell libtard logic.

You'd rather spend 60K per year on prison instead of 12K a year on welfare. Sounds like someone is getting their emotion in the way of their reason and making irrational decisions that are not in their best interest of the interest of the nation. Funny how this article is an analogy for the conservative way of thinking.

I'm for abolishing welfare altogether and implementing a workfare program. I'm also for everyone paying their fair share of taxes.

I'm also for eliminating the use of ridiculous words like "libtard". What are you, twelve?

I've never been on welfare, either. Since you feel comfortable calling me a welfare for life baby hatchery, I feel comfortable with calling you ignorant.

stally

You'd rather spend 60K per year on prison instead of 12K a year on welfare. Sounds like someone is getting their emotion in the way of their reason and making irrational decisions that are not in their best interest of the interest of the nation. Funny how this article is an analogy for the conservative way of thinking.

Only a moonbat would prefer to reward criminals with welfare handouts rather than bring justice by keeping them in prison for the protection of soecity. Bleeding hearts like you make me sick.

Only a moonbat would prefer to reward criminals with welfare handouts rather than bring justice by keeping them in prison for the protection of soecity. Bleeding hearts like you make me sick.

Who said anything about Criminals? Your original statement seems to imply that you would prefer to lock up ANYONE who didn't have a job. You're statement is just as irrational as the woman who through her kids over the bridge. Yet like her you think it's sane.

If you can essentially cure someone of a mental illness (which in fact you can through medication) why wouldn't you do that instead of incarcerate them at a great expense for the rest of their life? That's the moral and fiscally responsible thing to do.

Don't you think with all the comenting going on here, that this woman's neighbors are going to be on her as well?

Who is this idiot that feels this woman is pushing out all the "welfare" babies? He completely disregards the comment from earlier when he could adopt these kids. Would he? I won't be holding my breath, they aren't white. All the worst spouters were old, white, insecure men spouting off on "welfare babies" and other comments such as he has made. Could he be bothered to help another? Possibly, if they fit into his role of helping themselves. What if these two children have substantial brain damage. Has that occurred to him? Will they then work and support themselves? No, not likely, that's where he'll have his proof of "welfare babies sucking from the government teet". This type of man, the old, insecure white male idiot, just lowers the bar for all other males - sadly.

Neighbors should not have to live in a hyper-vigilant state because of someone this disturbed. That is grossly unjust. She should be treated humanely while being treated as the danger she has proven herself to be. Her only neighbors should be in the cells next to hers.

Probably the guy that screwed her.

So, from your thinking, no one that commits any crime should be released from jail or prison into society? How would you possibly motivate anyone?

If you see only wrong in the world, your life must be horrible. If she was mentally ill and has received treatment, she would not be incarcerated in prison. This is the same with a crime of passion. Studies show these people kill only that person - they are not dangerous to the general public. Shiela, you would do better to have the psychopaths incarcerated, and the drug addicts, the murders with crime of passion released. This woman was mentally ill - same as Hinkley when he shot Reagan. Hinkley hasn't committed further crimes and he's been released many times.

I can't believe they would ever release her into society. I would rather pay to keep her in prison than to take a chance she might unleash on someone else.

We all have to potential to be released on someone else. The only difference with her is that she is a known quantity which makes her easier to treat then those who walk the street undiagnosed.

Margo doesn't seem to care about the victims of crimes as long as women are shown more mercy than anyone else.

Question Margo, what if this woman went after the kids again because she thinks that foster care is so horrible the children would be better off dead? It is a distinct possibility.

I think you are probably right, and that is where she needs to stay.

Who says she's looking for them? Your own paranoid fantasies are beginning to show.

Seems to me that the argument should be, how can we get help for the mentally ill when they need it?

Thank you for the background information, jachca. It makes me feel a little better for those children, knowing that family members were trying to help them.

I'd still prefer that she never see a free day again, but at least those poor kids might know that family members cared, for what it was worth.

I'm from Dallas area too. I was on I-30 that morning headed to work, coming from Mesquite headed into downtown. The freeway was a parking lot and I got stuck at Buckner. She threw the kids off there at the Jim Miller overpass (if I remember correctly). I had to call my boss and tell him I was going to be late. It was announced on the radio what was going on and it was just awful. This woman's family had tried for years to get help for her. It was a very tragic event. But this woman was truly disturbed. Still, I don't see how someone gets well enough to be released after only 4 years, even if it is to a boarding house under supervision. No doubt, she didn't have control of her faculties, but that doesn't mean that she is not a danger to society. You'd think that by now in 2012, there would be a satisfactory solution on how best to deal with the mentally ill, in a cost-effective manner.

Why would you think that in four years a "satisfactory solution" on how best to deal with the mentally ill in a cost-effective manner would occur? Are you kidding? We just had an election in which I can guarantee you this woman would have had far less mental health care had Romney been elected.

Families with a mentally ill member (I have a suicidal sister and she's been suicidal for 25 years now), live in fear that the member will kill themself or their family - WHEN they are off medication. When my sister is on her meds, she's absolutely delightful and there is no indication of mental illness. Unfortunately, the meds make her lethargic and unable to work (she is an artist). When she cannot work, he moods blacken and she is in despair again. It's a horrible cycle and my sister has been on various meds over the past 25 years. Cost effective? For whom? I help support my sister and so do my other three siblings. I support my own family. All of us do. When my sister is in despair and requires intensive "intake" therapy, I pay for her to stay at the residence to get well. This stay checks her med level, determines whether or not it needs to be changed (not all meds last a life time for a patient) and she typically stays for a few weeks. I take care of my niece and nephews during this time - same with my siblings. There is not one magic "satisfactory solution" to mental illness. The patient has to understand, over time and with love and patience that the medication helps them manage their daily activities and must be taken. It's the same with diabetics, those with high cholesterol and other daily managed medication. Regrettably, a diabetic knows when they are sick and the mentally ill just feel "better" or "worse" and they can't always tell. My sister is exceedingly productive and paints remarkable work when she's off her meds. Her work sells for a great deal of money providing she can get it to a gallery once it is complete. Sadly, her mental instability makes it tremendously hard for her to accomplish the details to make it to the gallery.

We, the families of the mentally ill would love a cost effective manner to take care of our loved ones. Who is going to come up with the money for it? My sister's money is held in a Trust so she cannot get at it. It provides for her children to go to college (her husband left her years ago and is now dead), it provides for her if all of the siblings can no longer take care of her, it provides for her to live a life when she is well. Who, please tell me who, will find this "satisfactory" solution for our mentally ill? It could have easily been my sister throwing my niece and nephews off that overpass in 2008. I can't remember but it's highly likely her kids were living with me during that year. Either that, or they lived with another sibling.

And actually, I can tell you right now, I'm not looking for a "satisfactory" solution for the mentally ill, how about we treat them just the same as everyone else? The difference is they need help - same with someone on crutches trying to manipulate a revolving door. The same help that an alcoholic needs to pass by a bar until they are able to do it on their own. The same help that a student needs when studying for a test. It's help we need to give our mentally ill societal peers, not judgment such as this woman is receiving. Mercy - not judging, is what would be a satisfactory solution, in my opinion.

Why would you think that in four years a "satisfactory solution" on how best to deal with the mentally ill in a cost-effective manner would occur? Are you kidding?

That isn't at all what people are cra-zy said.

Mercy, I have. Until they throw their children off of bridges, or the alcoholic drinks, drives, and kills innocent people. Then I judge. Then mercy makes way for judgement.

The difference is they need help - same with someone on crutches trying to manipulate a revolving door.

That's just silly.

Why the frenzied rush to punish another for organ failure? The brain is an organ with a specific function, just as other organs in your body. If your pancreas begins to fail, diabetes is the result; do you have a problem with that? If your heart begins to fail, there are serious consequences. If your brain begins to fail (and there are a great many things that can cause such a failure), it can lead to bizarre and often uncontrollable behavior. Or don't you believe the brain is an organ?

She didn't kill anybody, so how can she kill again.

sorry, Peggs, the only draft-dodging president we had was Clinton. Bush served whether you like it or not. They don't give out pilot's licenses to dummies whether you choose to like THAT or not either. If you choose to insult everyone who served in The National Guard during Vietnam, then so be it. What have you done to serve your country lately?

My state closed just about all of the state-run mental health facilities in the late 1980s. There was little effort to replace them, just some group homes, which are very well hidden. Group homes are in many upscale neighborhoods, I think people would be surprised where they can be found. Not everyone makes it to a group home, there was a big increase in the homeless population right after the hospitals closed, and that number has remainded to this day. I know that my state is not the only one to close all hospitals, either. It's jail or the street for most persons with mental health issues and no family.