Baby Brianna Needs Justice!

Reading the following, I just want to scream. What a lovely justice system we have. No mercy or fairness was given to this baby for it's short and agonizing life. Yet the perps who would so willingly destroy her, mind body and soul, THEY deserve it?? I would urge everyone to write to congress, the White House, the Court of Appeals, but sadly, I feel it would fall on deaf ears. It is so humiliating, to realize one's country has so little regard for the smallest, most vulnerable of life. They rip them from the womb, abuse and kill them, and no one in a position to stop it, blinks an eye. We are more concerned about the fair treatment of the animals who commit such hatred and atrocities. More concerned that they have cable, and time to exercise and access to the internet. Meanwhile, the ones they put in their graves so early or have left empty shells of to roam the earth are forgotten. It just boggles my mind.

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING CONTENT CAN BE DISTURBING AND GRAPHIC BUT WE HAVE USED IT TO SUPPORT THE MESSAGE OF BRINGING AWARENESS. CHILD ABUSE IS UGLY, BUT SHOULD NOT BE HIDDEN OR IGNORED! YOU ARE CAUTIONED THAT THE CONTENT TO FOLLOW SHARES GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS OF CHILD ABUSE THAT IS MOST HEINOUS. IF YOU FEEL DISTURBED BY THE NATURE OF THE ABUSE, PLEASE, USE YOUR OUTRAGE AND DISGUST AS FUEL TO CONTINUE TO BRING AWARENESS TO IT AND THE NEED TO STOP IT AT ALL COSTS. REPOST! SHARE! CONTACT CONGRESS, THE WHITE HOUSE, THE COURT OF APPEALS! ANYTHING! DO NOT BE SILENCED!

Baby Brianna Mariah Lopez was sexually assaulted and covered from head to toe - literally in bruises and bite marks. Brianna also had injuries that were old including fractures to her skull and legs. The fractures on her legs, as stated by the coroner is when an infant is picked up by a quick jerking motion by the legs. Baby Brianna also had signs of shaken baby syndrome. On the night of her death she had been thrown to the ceiling and hit the floor three times and also sexually penetrated. When she was found by authorities it shocked them so badly they needed counselling. Her father and uncle had raped her and were also the ones who threw her to the ceiling without catching her during a night of drinking. Her mother caused the many bite marks on different occasions and also pinched Brianna when she became frustrated with her baby. Briannas father, Andy Walters would throw her when he became frustrated. On Friday July 19th at 10:00am Brianas mother Stephanie Lopez, woke to find Brianna not breathing and called 911. On Friday July 19th at 11:10am 5 month old baby Brianna Lopez passed away at Memorial Medical Centre in Las Cruces from the injuries that were a result of this abuse.

Child abuse is one of the main causes of death and disability in newborns, toddlers and children. It can be hard to tell if a child is being abused as the abuse can range from emotional or psychological to physical in which case tell tale signs can alert an individual to an abused child. Signs and symptoms can consist of any of the following:
- Obvious bruising, swelling, cuts, cigarette burns.
- Withdrawal from friends.
- School work begins to suffer.
- Fear of a certain person or family member.
- Not wanting to go home.

This is just a rough guide, if you would like more information regarding signs to watch for contact your local police or child protection group.

We as a community need to be aware of what is happening around us, if you suspect that a child you know or even don't know is being abused, it is your duty of care to contact the authorities and report it.

We need and have to protect all children, they depend on us and need us to be their advocate.

In this civilised and advanced world we live in, we cannot let abuse reign in our society, we will not tolerate this pain inflicted on our children.

The family of Baby Briana refused to place a headstone at her grave, hoping the community would forget what had happened. They even went to the lengths of placing a steel cage around her gravesite so people who came to honour this little angel could not place flowers there. Baby Briannas family had isolated her in life and now they have isolated her in death.

Below is a link to a site regarding her resting place:
http://www.angelizdsplace.com/faceles3.htm

I hope to bring together people who will have her in their thoughts, prayers and pay respect to and honour the life of this little beautiful baby girl who had a short life on this earth and was gone too soon. May her memory live on through all of us for we shalll never forget...

R.I.P Baby Briana Lopez
14.02.2002 - 19.07.2002

ATTENTION: WE NOW HAVE THE PETITION UP AND RUNNING FOR ALL TO SIGN FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE METAL CAGE AND FOR GIVING BRIANNA LOPEZ A PROPER BURIAL. THIS PETITION WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF NEW MEXICO WHERE IT WILL AID IN ACHIEVEING THIS.

PLEASE SIGN PETITION BELOW FOR JUSTICE FOR BABY BRIANNA LOPEZ

http://www.gopetition.com/online/26696.html

:The picture of baby Briana above was one of the autopsy photos that were taken after her death. In her short life, not one of her family members took a photo of her. The investigators got some of Brianas autopsy photos airbrushed so as to see what she would have looked like when she was alive. The picture above is one of these airbrushed autopsy photos.

As unfortunate as this is, and as disturbing as it is to read.... This is the reality of child abuse.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS ACCORDING TO POLICE DOCUMENTS:

Thursday night, July 18th, at 6 p.m., Andy Walters stopped to buy a case of beer, and headed home to 5243 Comanche Trail in Las Cruces.

Three people-- Walters, 21, Stephanie Lopez, 19, and her twin brother Steven Lopez, 19, drink through the evening.

Stephanie went to bed after about three beers. According to court documents, Andy Walters and Steven Lopez admitted to playing with Stephanie and Walters's 5-month old daughter, Brianna.

Police records show that Walters and Lopez threw the child into the air, causing her to hit her head on the ceiling 3 times, then dropped her twice on the floor.

Andy Walters told investigators that Brianna was conscious and crying.

At around 12:30 a.m., Friday morning, Andy Walters fell asleep not knowing where Brianna was.

At three in the morning, Walters says he awoke to find Brianna on the floor near the bed. He said he wrapped her in a blanket and put her in a bouncer.

By 7 a.m., Brianna needed a diaper change. Stephanie Lopez asked about the bruises on Brianna, and according to court documents, Walters admitted that he and Steven Lopez "played a little rough with her".

Walters changed the diaper and took a baby wipe, wrapped it around his index finger and inserted it into brianna's anus.

The complaint also states Andy Walters admitted he bit Brianna on several occasions, but he told Dona Ana County Sheriff's Deputies he is not not the only family member to bite Brianna.

Walters also told authorites that Stephanie Lopez pinched and threw Brianna out of frustration.

The uncle, Steven Lopez, admits to throwing Brianna in the air and not catching her. Steven Lopez claims to have drunk ten beers the previous night.

During his interview with Sheriff's Deputies, Steven Lopez admitted to having sex with Brianna Lopez. (she was 5 months old!!!) Adding that he, as well as Andy Walters, had penetrated Brianna on several different occasions.

By 10 a.m., July 19th, Stephanie Lopez checks on her daughter, notices Brianna is not breathing, and she calls 9-1-1.

11:10 am, Friday July 19th, five month old Brianna Lopez dies at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces.

Autopsy results show Brianna Lopez had 11 bite marks on her body, broken ribs, skull fractures, bleeding of the optic nerves and brain swelling.

Below is a link to the actual legal documents/statements regarding the case
http://www.haussamen.com/BriannaConviction.pdf

THE LINK BELOW IS THE FULL TELEVISION NEWS REPORT, PLEASE WATCH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PztTA5EVGQU

The Struggle With Faith Against Insurmountable Odds

I am at a difficult place. I am questioning my worth as a spiritual being and the responsibilities as a wife, mother, citizen. Our family finds itself choking on debt. We have assets that the economy our esteemed leader has thrown us into, has rendered either worthless, or unattainable for a reasonable price. Our needs pile higher than our income and I find myself struggling with my faith that God will see us through and deliver us on the other side, to a place of comfort. Harder still, the difficult task of trying to keep my husband's eyes towards heaven, as opposed to being dragged down by frustration, and despair.

How can I continue to tell him, "God will see us through. It will be okay." When in my heart, I feel doubt, like the cold fingers of winter, creeping around my heart to crush it. Out of the depths of sorrow and the most harsh circumstances, I have seen miracles arise and wonder, "When will our time come?" "Have I not been faithful enough?"

Such doubts swirl in my mind, like the dust motes rising and falling in the sunshine on a silent afternoon. I feel like I cannot cry, because it would scare my kids and further hurt my husband's pride. I am bound by new life, from working more and harder to assist with our financial need. None of our creditors are feeling generous and in fact, seem bent on extracting more than the previously agreed upon terms had outlined. This financial atmosphere has robbed many of charity, generosity and humanity and I feel so alone, yet surrounded by so many with even more need than I. So, then I feel guilty. I am not in as dire a situation as some, how dare I beg anyone, God or man for assistance and compassion? Yet, here I am. Wishing some mysterious benefactor would hear my plea and cut our debt in half, freeing us to move into a healthier home before the new baby comes, and for my boys to grow in. For the lines of worry and hurt to melt from my husbands face. For the racing of my heart and fear in my mind to pass and feel at peace through this pregnancy. How I wish, just one pregnancy could be without so much inner turmoil. She may never wish to emerge, for fear of what this world may do to her, sensing her mother's anguish from the womb.

Where is my miracle?

Updates Galore

So, I have been decidely absent all this time due to a lot of stuff going on in our household. Some good, some bad. The bad was having the IRS drop the hammer without warning or allowing us time to work out a payment plan. We owe, but we have always gotten a letter saying basically that they received our return and to call to set up a payment. Nothing. Then one day, checks start bouncing and when I call the bank to ask what happened, I am told the IRS put a lean and took all our money. ALL OF IT. Then the checks bounced. I called and told them I had no prior warning. My last conversation I had with the IRS they had not yet received our income, but since it was in the mail, all was good. I told them they couldn't do that without giving us an opportunity to set a payment plan up, so they reversed the levy. That wasn't the end though. You see, $150 in fees for bounced checks were still there, then, the bank charged us a $100 fee which caused three more to bounce. Nice. Stress up to my eyeballs and I am scrambling to do what I can to fix our financial situation.

The one bright spot: I found out I was pregnant. Now, at first I was like "Oh no. We have no money and I need to look for a better paying job or get a raise!" but I realized, God has a plan for us. While it seems scary for the moment, at some point, there is always a break in the storm and we are always better having come through the weather. We are better prepared the next time things get shady and we are basically getting better every time. I wish it didn't have to take such an emotional toll every time, but I guess that is just me needing to have more faith and not let it get to me as much.

So, here is our little peanut's first picture!....



I am hoping to finally have a little girl. I have two boys as you may know and a girl would be fun. Besides, I need someone on my team! However, if I have another boy, I know I will be well taken care of. My two boys are so good to me and always are ready to defend me from daddy's pinches or tickes.

So, to conclude: there is always light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to hold tight to your faith, knowing that there is something greater in store for all of us. Try to find the lesson in the hardships you are going through and use that time to become a better person by the end of the trial. Especially since, you don't want to repeat the experience and we all know, that if you don't learn the first time, you are doomed to go through it again at some point! All is not lost, even though it may be darkest before the dawn, the morning after a storm is always breathtaking and a sigh for the soul.

Killer Kabobs w/garlicky yogurt sauce

Okay, so this is my first attempt at making kabobs (or is it shishkabobs) I don't recall the official term. I had watched Anthony Bourdaine on "No Reservations" and he was having some with a yogurt sauce and it just looked divine. I had to experiment. So, with that in mind, you must understand that the measurments are estimations and it is up to you to go by taste and your own instinct when it comes to foods. Are you ready? Lets go!

1/2 lb pork sausage
1/2 lb regular ground beef
1 Tblsp chopped garlic
1/2 large onion minced
1/4 C. minced orange bell pepper
3 green onions chopped fine
1 Tblsp fire roasted tomato (from tube)
1 Tsp minced ginger
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp lemon (like Real Lemon)
1 tsp curry
1/2 tsp dill
1 Tblsp olive oil (I used a basil infused oil)

mix all ingrediants well. Now comes the tricky part. Take approx. a golfball size ball and form along the length of the stick, remembering to leave 4-5 in. on either end so that there is a couple of places to prop the Shish above the grill. Roast the Kebabs until the meat is to your desired doneness, turning frequently to avoid burning. Or, if you don't have a grill, place the shish on a wire rack placed inside a jellyroll pan (to catch any juices) and bake for 30-45 min. After Kebabs are done, slide them off the Shish onto a large serving plate with warm pita bread and garlic yogurt dipping sauce.

Garlicky Yogurt Sauce
Ingredients:
•16 ounces (2 cups) of thick Greek yogurt

•4 to 10 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
•1/2 cup of diced or grated cucumber (Kirby or "English")
•1 tablespoon of olive oil
•2 teaspoons of lemon juice

Preparation:
Prepare all ingredients in advance. Combine oil and lemon juice in a medium mixing bowl. Fold the yogurt in slowly, making sure it mixes completely with the oil. Add the garlic, according to taste, and the cucumber. Stir until evenly distributed. Garnish with a bit of green and serve well chilled.