Back in 2001, a body of a young girl (about the age of 3 or 4) was discovered in Kansas City, Missouri. The baby had been murdered and decapitated, and this story dominated local newscasts for an unprecedented amount of time. No one came forward, police investigated, sketches and busts were made in attempts to identify this precious girl who had lost her life. She was given a name, Precious Doe, and it took 4 years to determine her true identity (Erica Michelle Marie Green) and unfold the horrendous and sickening story of her demise.

This child died at the hands of her parents (her mother and stepfather). The people that she should have trusted most, the people that should have loved her most, committed the unconscionable sin of murdering this child. It shook the city to its core, because quite frankly, it was unbelievable.

Not everyone is meant to be a mother.

When I read of Shaniya Davis, I thought of Precious Doe. I thought of what kind of person you have to be to do harm to a child. Maybe I’m fortunate that I will never know. When I look at the pictures of Shaniya Davis and Erica Green, all I want to do is wrap them up and love them. All I want to do is protect them and make sure they feel safe and secure. All I want to do is see them smile and laugh and play.

But they will never do that here on this earth again. Because someone decided, for whatever reason, their lives weren’t worth living. Someone decided their smiles weren’t enough, their laughter wasn’t music, and their mere presence was a nuisance. To know that it was their mothers who made these decisions, makes me ill.

Not everyone is meant to be a mother.

I recall after the story broke about Little Miss Erica, her mother was on television crying about what she had done. I wanted to put my hands on her. Because she didn’t deserve those tears. I was so angry that I stopped watching the news. I didn’t want it to ever affect me like that. Unfortunately, I have discovered that you simply can’t avoid it..it will find a way to worm its way into your life, whether you like it or not.

These babies deserved better. I try not to think of the countless other stories that we don’t hear about children who go missing or who have died at the hands of mothers and fathers who were supposed to love them. Instead, I focus on the fact that they are now smiling and laughing and playing to their hearts’ content on heaven’s playground.

Rest in peace, little angels.

Blessings…