Between this story and the one out of Sask two days ago, I have found myself once again crippled in the face of the news. How can I/we persist in believing that there is hope for this world when such things happen?

I hope who ever left her is prosecuted. I hope she is placed with a family and she can grow up and be as happy as little Frances. Every child deserves that. I thank the stars above this little abandonned baby girl didn't perish in that cold stairwell. It's so hard to beleive such awful people exist.

This story saddens me as well. I look at my two girls and feel the joy and love they bring me, and I can't even imagine what it would take for me to just get rid of them.

I hope she finds love and peace again...soon.

I find myself wondering if we even deserve to be saved, if this is the best we can manage.

Oh man. That is heartbreaking. I despair of the human race sometimes.

I'm following that story obsessively. One article said that, in fact, the maximum sentence for child abandonment is only two years, and few people are prosecuted. The police believe something unusual is going on here, in which case there could be additional crimes involved. Apparently it is very rare that no one steps forward to say "That's my niece" or "That's my neighbor" so they think there is a chance the parents are also in danger.

The little girl looks a bit like my daughter -- my husband held the picture up the other day and said "Do you want to adopt a baby?" And in fact, today's paper says 15 families have called to ask about adopting her.

I have hope that she is young enough, and only superficially damaged, so that a few months of loving care will bring her smile back.

Those two little girls in Sask, though. The pain is too much.

I've been trying to avoid both of these stories because it is so painful. Obviously, since I posted about it, I got sucked in.

The whole thing is so strange and awful. How could nobody recognize this girl?

Ohhhhhh ow.

That's the sound I make when my heart breaks. How far back and how deep down does pain go that one is so something (dead?) inside to decide this is all that can be done?

Not too long ago, a little two year old was found stuffed in a trunk. She floated ashore on the coast a little south of here.

People were shattered over it.

They searched locally at first, to no avail. When they widened their search, they found a father and grandmother seeking a toddler missing, never returned from a visit with her mother.

The father and grandmother held photos on the news and cried, begging people to tell them anything about their missing little girl. They stoically answered nosey news questions, hoping the little girl in the trunk wasn't theirs.

But she was. Mom and new boyfriend had done it.

And why? Why? You don't want her but you won't let her go, not to a dad who wants her, and why not?

I can't find any compassion for that mother and her boyfriend.

That little girl reminded me of Persistence and I had so many of the same feelings you describe here.

I'm having a hard time handling this story. But the story about the two sisters in Sask? Cannot handle that one. Unthinkable, all of it.

This makes me feel physically ill.

When I heard on CBC that 15 families had called CAS offering to adopt her, I got a little annoyed. I know people feel their heart pulling at stories like this. I told my husband that I hope CAS told all 15 of those families to come in and get an application, start a homestudy and the PRIDE (adoptive/foster parents training courses)because even if they don't adopt THAT child, there are at least 14 others out there who could use a home. It is pretty disgusting to see how some people treat their children.

LisaC, I know what you mean. The good thing is, it got us talking about actually maybe adopting for real in a couple of years. I googled immediately and read about PRIDE etc. So if any of the other families took it seriously also, there may be a little bit of positive change.

there have been a rash of horrible stories about children lately. babies thrown off bridges, cooked in microwaves (if you haven't heard about that one do not go looking for it, just a friendly suggestion) and each time a little part of me dies. it's unbelievable how some people treat babies, and how they can ever live with themselves.

The poor baby. And, I can't help but think, the poor mother, because something must be dreadfully wrong with her for this to have happened. I hope that baby lands in a loving home, and that maybe some other children do as well, due to the publicity.

I don't think I can bear to go find out what happened to the two sisters in Saskatchewan. (It hasn't been reported down here in my part of the world.)

Andrea, this is an odd post for me to delurk on, but I really appreciate your blog. You are a wonderful writer, and clearly also a wonderful mother for Frances.

Thank you, Cloud. It's nice to 'meet' you.

This morning's adoptive family count was up to 35. I hope some of them do carry through with other kids. It would be a good thing to come out of this.

The thing that is striking is that hte baby was well cared for, well dressed and clean and well-fed--which is why they think the mother may be in danger too. Which is even worse, I think. I almost hope that it was her decision to "throw her away," because at least then it's only the baby who is suffering, not also her mother.

jen, no worries here. I will not be googling "babies" and "microwaves".

jen is right that there are so many awful news stories about children right now. I don't get it, I mean, how I should feel. Is it desperation that is driving it? or just cold-bloodedness? And which is worse?

Those eyes are heartbreaking.

I cant imagine what must be going on with this child. To be left alone, in a parking garage. But perhaps the mother was in danger too and she thought it was the best chance for the little one.
Thinking about the two girls in Saskatchewan really tore at my heartstrings this week. The visions of what the kids went through haunts me still

I am so sad about this.

That is just sick. Awful and sick.