Senseless Death

*Disclaimer - I may get judgemental. If you don't like my opinion I understand and respect it. Just as I will respect your opinion.*
There are many things that really upset me. There are only a few that bring me to not only tears, but to the point of anger where I feel I could lose control. Today it was reported that the son of an NFL player was killed by the child's mother's boyfriend. A man who during a previous relationship spanked his girlfriends 3 year old so hard that he needed ice for the welts. A man whose previous girlfriend had a restraining order against him. A man who had also previously plead guilty to simple assault last year - he assaulted the mother of his son. And yet for some reason these red flags weren't enough for this woman. She still moved him into their home. She left him alone with her boyfriend and now her child is dead. Clearly the blame for this is 100% on a man who for whatever reason, thinks its acceptable to beat on babies. And I realize that women are also capable of abusing children. I happen to believe that when you are a parent, you are responsible for the people you bring into the lives of your children. There are always people who can fool you. There will be cases where the red flags, maybe aren't so red. And there are so many people who are able to only show you what they want you to see until they feel comfortable and feeling like they've done what they need to do to keep you around, no matter what. That is how some women date a man for years w/no signs of him being abusive and then 6 months into the marriage it begins. Have you seen the J.Lo movie "Enough"? In the movie she dates this wonderful man and a few years into the marriage, not only does she realize he's a cheater, but she find out he's ok with beating her if she gets out of line. Not gonna ruin the ending in case you haven't seen it but I will say it is the only J.Lo movie aside from Selena I enjoyed.

I'm getting off topic a little - I am 100% aware that parenting is tough. Single parenting is even tougher. Especially if you're dating. Everyone deserves the opportunity to find that person they want to spend the rest of their lives with. But when you get into a relationship, your children should always be your #1 priority. Their health and safety should come before your desire to have companionship. If the person you desire is potentially hazardous to your child, then they should never meet your child. They certainly shouldn't be allowed to move in and or have alone time with the child. And if you have any hesitation, go with your gut! Every fiber of my being hurts when I think of how this child died. And I pray for his mother. I pray for the father that didn't really get the chance to get to know his son. And I pray for the obviously sick man who could do something like this to a child. And before I say anything more... I'm going to leave it here. I don't have anything nice to say... It is what it is and frankly, it sucks!