Missing Pennsylvania woman reappears 11 years later in Florida Keys

[Onkel Neal]

http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/01/us/pennsylvania-woman-reappears/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

Wow, this is one of those really weird stories. Walking away from your life, who hasn't wondered what that would be like? Jean Valjean, hmmm...

"There's nothing illegal about her walking away from her family,"

Well, if this had been a man, he would have been branded a "deadbeat dad". Not sure how it's legal to abandon your children. :down:

[Mork_417]

:nope:

[Wolferz]

This puts the spotlight on the inequality of the legal system when it comes to a parent abandoning their children. Like you said Neal, if it was the father he would be branded a deadbeat dad and face jail time until he made restitution.
But momma can walk away free of any legal entanglements. There is the possibility that the authorities might sue her for restitution of funds expended in their search for her.
She should, at the least, be charged with abandonment of her children after dropping them at school and hitch hiking away.
She seems somewhat similar to my ex-wife.:hmmm:

I can only hope that these peeps can find a happy ending to this situation.

[Schroeder]

There are some strange people on this planet...:shifty:

[Jimbuna]

That's pretty sad IMHO...she must have been on a real downer at the time.

[Platapus]

Well, if this had been a man, he would have been branded a "deadbeat dad". Not sure how it's legal to abandon your children. :down:

Unfortunately, the answer is there. :nope:

Life is fair... not.

[Onkel Neal]

The tale of Brenda Heist, the Pennsylvania mother who abandoned her two children only to turn up in Florida 11 years later, has taken another unlikely turn. (http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/04/us/pennsylvania-woman-reappears/index.html?hpt=hp_c2)

[Jimbuna]

This is obviously more complex than was first reported :hmmm:

[mookiemookie]

This woman clearly has some serious mental issues. I hope she gets the help she needs. Even if she does, she's still probably irreparably destroyed a family. Sad. :nope:

[Jimbuna]

This woman clearly has some serious mental issues. I hope she gets the help she needs. Even if she does, she's still probably irreparably destroyed a family. Sad. :nope:

True that :yep:

[Platapus]

I would not throw out the word "irreparably" so freely. Many other families have endured this and worse and have been able to press on.

From the interviews published, it sounds like this family is not letting this woman have that much influence on them.

Not saying that this family has not suffered. But I don't agree with the hyperbole of "Irreparably".

People are pretty tough. :yep:

[WernherVonTrapp]

It's a tragic story all the way around. I feel bad for everyone involved. I suspect that there is much more to the story of her disappearance than the media is reporting or either spouse is talking about. To walk away from one's children/life is an extreme undertaking. I don't know if we'll ever learn the full story, or if those involved can even recall all the minute details after all these years. Very sad situation.:nope:

[mookiemookie]

Not hyperbole at all, and nor did I intend it to be so. I don't think you can forgive and forget and go back to the way things were, and it certainly doesn't sound like the family will be doing so. So the family, as it was, is irreparably broken.

[nikimcbee]

When they showed her photo, she looked like she's using meth.:dead:

[AVGWarhawk]

I see a Lifetime movie in the making. She will get a hefty check for her story. Only a matter of time. :yep:

[Reece]

Amazing, I can't understand how a mother can abandon her children like that!! and I can certainly understand why the family don't want to see or talk to her!!:hmmm:
She certainly stuffed her life up, silly girl!!:doh:

[AVGWarhawk]

She is a stranger to her family. I can understand completely their actions or inactions.

[Red October1984]

I see a Lifetime movie in the making. She will get a hefty check for her story. Only a matter of time. :yep:

Or a TLC Reality Show.... :har:

EDIT: Anybody else automatically think of that movie Nell with Liam Neeson from like '96?

[Reece]

Thinking about it one of the greatest things in life is to forgive, lets face it she has certainly suffered over the years.:oops:
Reminds me of the prodigal son.:yep:

[Platapus]

Thinking about it one of the greatest things in life is to forgive, lets face it she has certainly suffered over the years.:oops:
Reminds me of the prodigals son.:yep:

Not sure I follow that

The woman did not appear to be have lived extravagantly nor has she especially apologized to the family.

And it would be prodigal not prodigals.

[Reece]

And it would be prodigal not prodigals.
Steve pointed that out didn't he?:yep:

nor has she especially apologized to the family
From what I gather they haven't actually spoken directly, the fact that she returned and gave herself in is a step in the right direction - maybe.:hmmm:

[Sailor Steve]

Steve pointed that out didn't he?:yep:
Until now I haven't posted in this thread at all. Besides, I don't do spell-checks, just obvious butchery.

[em2nought]

Steve pointed that out didn't he?:yep:


From what I gather they haven't actually spoken directly, the fact that she returned and gave herself in is a step in the right direction - maybe.:hmmm:

This is the time of year that most beggars leave Florida. Too hot to stand interrupting traffic pretty soon. ...and the rain get your cardboard wet. :har: