[jenn_e_ritter]

This is absolutely sickning!

(LANSING, Mich.) -- A mother who hit her adopted son on the head with a hammer, then left him to slowly die, will spend the rest of her life behind bars.
A Michigan judge choked back tears as she sentenced Lisa Holland to life without parole. Holland showed little emotion and declined to speak in court. Jurors who convicted her of murder returned for the sentencing.
Holland and her husband initially claimed seven-year-old Ricky had run away. But six months later, the husband told police the truth and led them to where he helped dispose of the body.
The husband eventually testified how his wife abused Ricky for years. He was sentenced to between 30 and 60 years in prison.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[Sniffles]

Jenn, I read that article too. It just made me sick. The husband "claims" that his wife has been abusing them for years. There is something seriouly wrong with that. Here it the full article I read.

Mother gets life for adopted son's death

By DAVID EGGERT, Associated Press Writer Tue Nov 28, 11:27 AM ET

http://news. yahoo.com/ s/ap/20061128/ ap_on_re_ us/boy_slain

LANSING, Mich. - A woman who hit her 7-year-old adopted son on the head with a hammer and didn't seek help while the boy slowly died was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without possibility of parole.

Lisa Holland, 33, was convicted in October of first-degree murder, and the sentence was mandatory.

Ingham County Circuit Judge Paula Manderfield choked back tears - as she did earlier this month when sentencing Holland's husband, Tim Holland, to 30 to 60 years in prison for his role in the death of Ricky.

"Basically you buried your dog, but you threw away your child," Manderfield told Lisa Holland, citing trial testimony.

The case led to ongoing scrutiny of the state's child protection system and whether workers did enough to protect Ricky and his siblings.

The Hollands initially claimed Ricky had run away from home in July 2005, sparking a nine-day search by 1,700 volunteers and hundreds of law enforcement officers.

In January, Tim Holland led police to the body in a rural area and admitted dumping his son's remains. He told authorities his wife hit Ricky in the head with a hammer while he was away from home.

Holland said nothing as she was sentenced. "Lisa Holland is going to be punished, the jury has spoken. Lisa Holland wishes to maintain her silence," said Mike Nichols, one of her attorneys.

Tim Holland testified that his wife had abused the boy for years, restraining him with ropes in the basement. He said the boy was listless and unable to walk in the last week of his life - not eating, drinking, walking or talking and smelling like urine.

The Hollands became Ricky's foster parents in 2000 and adopted him in 2003. They also adopted Ricky's three younger siblings and had a child of their own.




Just makes me sick that someone did not step in and stop the abuse.

[lonni]

Lansing State Journal:Ricky Holland case

There were many professionals who turned a blind eye to this,as well as members of Lisa Hollands extended family.Here is some of the history of this poor baby.

[Sniffles]

Thanks for sharing that Lonni. It makes me cry and very angry at the same time.

[myheart]

It breaks my heart ...to see so many people in this world killing their children. "You buried your dog and through your son away"...judge. Those words were difficult to type....how can she have more sympathy for her dog and less for her precious boy....I am so sick to my stomache.
That poor little boy he was the same age my angel is today....How, how can people be so cruel? How?

[lonni]

It is such a horrible case.The birthmom was homeless,asked for help.They said to put Ricky into fostercare until she got on her feet.They placed him with the Hollands and they tpr'd the birthmom.The Hollands adopted him and the next 3 babies the birthmom had while homeless. In fact,they finalized the 4th child after they murdered Ricky.(although no one knew he was dead)To this day,they STILL have full parental rights.

[Sniffles]

Originally Posted by lonni

To this day,they STILL have full parental rights.

Now that really makes me sick to my stomache.

[BuffaloBob]

I am not so amazed that this flew under the radar. I grew up in an abusive home. Looking back, I can see that remarkable skill was employed in hiding the truth from outsiders.

What really saddens me is that the system that was supposed to offer these children a better life completely failed.