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Child found dead on Old Sonoma Road
Sunday, June 01, 2008
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By KERANA TODOROV
Register Staff Writer
A 2 1/2-year-old girl was killed in a hit-and-run accident early Saturday on Old Sonoma Road, according to police.

The child, identified as Mattea Reynolds by her grandmother, may have wandered away from a nearby apartment complex where she lived, Napa Police said Saturday.
The child was reported missing at approximately 5:30 a.m. Saturday, police said.

The case remains under investigation, Napa Police Cmdr. Andy Lewis said.
“We’re trying to put all the pieces together at this point,” Lewis said.

As police responded to the early morning report of the missing child, a pedestrian alerted a Napa County Juvenile Hall employee who was on her way to work that she had seen a child wandering in the street, police said.
The Napa County Juvenile Hall employee found the girl lying unconscious along curb on Old Sonoma Road, across the street from Juvenile Hall.

“It appeared that the child had been struck by a hit and run driver,” police said in a written statement.

The employee carried the child across the street, where she and emergency personnel rendered first aid, according to the written statement.

The child was then transported by Piner ambulance to Queen of the Valley Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, police said.

As she was consoled by her husband and a friend, Mattea’s grandmother, Betty Reynolds, grieved for the child whom she described as  bright and who liked to explore.

“She was a beautiful little girl,” said Reynolds as she held pictures of her eldest granddaughter.

Reynolds hopes witnesses will come forward so that the hit-and-run driver will be found.

“It’ll help finding out who was so callous to hit a baby and just drive away,” said Reynolds, as she sobbed.

Old Sonoma Road was blocked Saturday morning from Harvest Middle School to Seymour Street, where Napa Police Department’s accident reconstruction team took measurements for the investigation.

After the road was reopened, neighbors left flowers, a balloon and teddy bears at a makeshift memorial near the curb where Mattea was found.

Neighbors said the child would occasionally play with other young children at the apartment complex.

“It’s sad and I’m scared for my kids,” said Lisa Aguilar, a resident at the apartment complex, whose children helped create the small memorial Saturday afternoon.
96 comment(s)

hudds5 wrote on May 31, 2008 5:06 PM:

" This is a very disturbing and heartbreaking story to read on so many different levels. "

napawoman wrote on May 31, 2008 5:29 PM:

" My question is, Why didn't the pedestrian that saw the child in the road stop and pick her up or at least stay with her and lead her to the side of the road and not just leave her there in the middle of the road? "

ADark1 wrote on May 31, 2008 5:50 PM:

" True it is heartbreaking.

I wonder why the "pedestrian" didn't take the time and see the child safely to the proper authorities. Having a granddaughter, ( another is on the way) my heart would be broken. I feel for the family and you're in my prayers. "

southnapareader wrote on May 31, 2008 5:52 PM:

" My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and anyone involved. May she rest in peace and may they be comforted. "

gogojr1 wrote on May 31, 2008 6:57 PM:

" I was there this morning..i was walking to family drugs when i saw that the street was closed and i wondered what was going on..later i discovewred that a little girls had been hit by a hit-and-run driver..i was shocked and felt really bad for the family who from what they told me are the managers of the complex in which the girl lived in..

my prayers go to the family... "

NValleyGirl wrote on May 31, 2008 6:59 PM:

" This is one of the most heratbreaking things that I have ever heard.

My heart goes out to that poor little baby. "

Tweety wrote on May 31, 2008 7:22 PM:

" I hope this pedestrian feels really bad now. I don't know what person in their right mind would see a young child at that time in the morning or any time for that matter wandering in the street and just continue on with their day! And I hope whoever this monster who did this is caught and prosecuted to the fullest! "

momtoo wrote on May 31, 2008 7:25 PM:

" This is one of the saddest things I have ever read in this paper. How could that pedistrian not stop and give a little care for that baby?! How could someone hit a child and drive away?! I pray they catch the murderer quickly. "

hmmm247 wrote on May 31, 2008 7:57 PM:

" Who would see a small child in the street that early in the morning and not take the time to see where they belonged? I also have a concern about why/how the child was out unsupervised at that time of the morning. Where was the family? We can't put all of the blame on the "pedestrian" "

mytwocents wrote on May 31, 2008 8:11 PM:

" How sad! Don't be so quick to blame the family either. My condolances to the family- how incredibly awful this must be for them. "

Napachild wrote on May 31, 2008 8:35 PM:

" I happened to be at the hospital this morning as this little girl's father arrived. The mother was already there and had been told. I was just so heartbroken for them. I lost a child in 1995. I know the pain they feel. I have a 2-year old granddaughter. I called my son and told him about this. Asked him to make sure my granddaughter is always locked in at night. So sorry for this family!! Can't understand how anyone could just hit a little girl and drive off!! I hope they catch the person responsible!! Also agree with the person who said they can't understand how a pedestrian could see the child walking around and not take charge of her. My deepest sympathies to all the family and friends. "

Straight Talk wrote on May 31, 2008 8:36 PM:

" I drove by the exact spot shown in the picture. 5 or 6 children had put up a small table with flowers for the young child and I pulled over to talk with them.

The kids were holding up a sign that said "Please drive slowly." They knew they child who was killed and lived in the same apartment complex.

I have a 3.5 year old and 8 month old. It was crushing to talk with these kids (ages 5-13 I'm guessing) who were coping with the loss of a child from where they live. I can't imagine the pain the family is going through. My prayers are with them all.

With playground Fantastico and Harvest Middle school so close... why are there no stop signs on the entire length of Old Sonoma Road? There is a wide and long crosswalk at this site. While I was there I watched as other children (alone) crossed the street. It's busy there and cars travel too fast.

Maybe it's just me....Would it really be so bad to put up a stop sign there? Or do we wait until another life is lost? "

aid wrote on May 31, 2008 8:57 PM:

" I live near and and saw all the people around 5.45 this morning but this arternoon when I ask what happened I was shock I heard the little girl wake up and did't see her mom so she run away to look for her I feel so bad because I have little kids too "

mamyt wrote on May 31, 2008 9:05 PM:

" Here is a reason a person might go into their office and then call the police rather than stop, The world is full of sick people, what if some one used their child as bate to get a good Samaritan to stop so they could cause them harm.

I want to say I would have stopped to see what was going on but what are the chances of a 2 1/2 year old roaming the streets at 5:30 am? I'm sure we will hear more about this story and there will be plenty of people to blame but it's unfair for the caller to be blamed for this. "

newshound wrote on May 31, 2008 9:50 PM:

" What a horrible situation. My thoughts and prayers go to everyone hurt by this. This is the second hit and run of a child in the last week or so in Napa. What is going on? Who could hit a child with their car and just keep going??? It's so disturbing. "

LMW wrote on May 31, 2008 10:06 PM:

" I have a 4 year old son....and I voice for safety of all children in my community...it's important we push for their safety where ever children play, walk or the routes they may use....get involved and make a difference for accidents do happen...and we may save a childs life...

My prayers to this family and friends and this beautiful child, a borrowed angel. "

Napa wrote on May 31, 2008 10:29 PM:

" My God, My God, another hit and run the vehicle that hit this sweet little angel didn't stop???? Public decency has been destroyed in this day and age! What in the heck is this world coming to???? "

monsterboneeightball wrote on Jun 1, 2008 12:34 AM:

" my name is Anthony Mitchell
I am the father of Mattea Faith Reynolds and i wanted to thank all of you for your thoughts and your prayers in this terrible time in our lives. She was my little angel and now she is in Heaven with the Lord and with all the other children of God. Jolene and I are grateful for all of your support you have no idea what this means that our little girl is recognized and not ever to be forgotten. I am going to make sure that this person is caught and justice is served. We cant get her back, but we need closure. Keep us in your thoughts and God Bless all of you. Thank you
Jolene & Anthony Mitchell "

vocal-de-local wrote on Jun 1, 2008 1:22 AM:

" When my son was a toddler, I was one of the most protective parents you could ever meet. Yet, one day when I took a ten minute snooze, my wonderful and very curious toddler opened the door, went through the garage and ran down the street. The house was too quiet and I soon recognized something was wrong. I called for him and there wasn't an answer. I ran down the street and I saw a group of kids congregated around my youngest son. My curious toddler had followed his brother down the middle of the street. We had elderly people living on that road and any one of them could have run over him because there were corners where they wouldn't have been able to see him. Toddlers are so low to the ground, they are really vulnerable.

Luckily, my son survived his curious toddlerhood. Curiosity is such a gift but it can also draw little people into trouble because they have not yet learned to recognize danger.

If you were to ask anyone I know, they would tell you that I was THE most over protective parent they ever met. Yet my toddler son managed to disappear out of my sight long enough to potentially endanger his life. If this can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.

When I saw the NVR photo of this child, there is something in her face that reminds me so much of my son. I think it's the curious big eyes. You can just see it in her eyes that she was filled with grand curiosity about the world.

I hope the parents can find the strength to get through this. I am terribly saddened by this story. "

vocal-de-local wrote on Jun 1, 2008 1:37 AM:

" I just thought about something. How many people travel down this particular road at this time of the morning? It must be someone who lives in the area. Who heads for work at this particular time on a Saturday morning? I doubt it was someone heading home. Who would get up at that time to go home unless they have a graveyard shift. Nursing home employment comes to mind. "

vocal-de-local wrote on Jun 1, 2008 2:00 AM:

" What business in Napa has a 6 o'clock shift on Saturday morning? I believe this person was on his way to work. Does someone in the neighborhood have a roommate who left for work around 5:40? I hope someone distributes flyers in the neighborhood asking this question. I'm guessing that the person was heading to work because of the time the toddler disappeared. Someone with a graveyard shift that ended at 6:00 should be home around 6:20 or so. This person was leaving the neighborhood to go to work I think. The timing is more indicative of that possibility. "

richaelsmommie wrote on Jun 1, 2008 2:33 AM:

" girl im soooo sorry to hear what happened...my love for an old friend...a loved daughter...and family...i love you and hope you hold your head up. i know its been a long time but im here. i love you.
-mariah "

skippert wrote on Jun 1, 2008 7:26 AM:

" This is a horrible accident. I am so sorry for the family. As for the person that did this, you must turn yourself in. You can not continue on this way, this little girl deserves at least that. "

Indigo99 wrote on Jun 1, 2008 7:38 AM:

" I walk on Old Sonoma Road four days a week, from the bottom intersection at Jefferson St. up over the top of the first hill to Congress Valley Road. I am always amazed at how fast drivers go along the 'bottom' stretch of the hill (in city limits) which has signs posted at 25mph and 35mph!
Many drivers completely disregard the pedestrian cross-walk sign in front of Juvenile Hall! Unfortunately, pedestrians have to be doubly careful anywhere beyond downtown.
People who grew up here or have lived here a number of years settle into that feeling of it's my town I can do what I want, including speeding through their own neighborhoods too fast. Old Sonoma is traveled upon by residents and tourists alike, this should be a community wide wake up to slow down and be careful just as we get back into full swing of the tourist season. We need more policing of the local streets too; speeding is just as much of a problem as running red lights.
Last, while the driver who reported seeing an unsupervised child perhaps should have stopped - at least they called. Ultimately the parents, and the driver in the hit & run have to take responsibility. I feel sorry for them both. "

hudds5 wrote on Jun 1, 2008 8:11 AM:

" Mr. Mitchell...may God be with you and your family. "

calisa wrote on Jun 1, 2008 8:24 AM:

" Oh, this poor family, my deepest condolences to you, this breaks my heart.

As a parent this has been a fear of mine too, if a child wants to get up and wander they will find a way, so those who lay any blame to the caretaker they should not. Kids get into things and at that time of the morning you may be asleep and not even hear it. We installeed those what I call "motel locks" the brass ones that fold over way up high on the door so the kids could not reach as they figured out the deadbolt. And at ages 2 and 4 they figured out that if they moved a chair from the kitchen to the door they could climb up, unlock and open the door. I have woken up to them playing outside in the front yard in the sprinklers at 6:30 in the morning and had no idea they were even up. This is just a horrible horrible situation, compounded by the fact that whomever hit her, left her. We will never know if "immediate" medical attention could have saved this little girl, but in the "perfect" world she would have received it rather than laying in the street left alone to die. Again, my heart breaks for this family and I hope the person responsible, accident or not, reads this blog and turns him or herself in. "

Skip M. wrote on Jun 1, 2008 8:42 AM:

" This breaks everyone’s heart. Mr. And Mrs. Mitchell, we pray for you.

When our oldest was about that age, he would sleepwalk regularly. What was most frightening about that was that he seemed to be able to get through most barricades, locked doors, and fences, even though he was asleep. One night, I awoke to the sound of our front screen door slamming shut, and moments later to the sound of our son screaming outside. He had made it to the front gate (about five feet from the edge of the street), and could not open that one. I jumped out of bed, stark naked, and ran out to get him. You can only imagine the thoughts racing through my head at that moment. The reason I tell this story is for those who question “How could this happen?” “How could she be out and unsupervised?” My answer, you never had a sleep walker. No matter how careful and caring we are, sometimes terrible stuff just happens.

We want to blame the person who hit this child. But before we jump on that bandwagon, look at the “crime scene” photo. There is an incline just before the sidewalk. If she had been down there, then darted suddenly out to the street for whatever reason, it may not have been possible to see her until impact. The one I really question is the person who saw the child alone and did nothing. If that person had simply stayed near the child and waited for a parent or care giver to arrive on scene, that little girl would be alive now. "

zomboo wrote on Jun 1, 2008 8:47 AM:

" My thoughts and prayers are with the family of this poor little girl.

I left my daughter with my ex-husband, she was 2 at the time, and she had figgured out how to un-lock the front door. She was wandering down the street looking for me. I was lucky, I found her before anything happened to her. But people, don't blame the parents, kids are smart and know more than ANY OF US THINK THEY KNOW. "

kbf wrote on Jun 1, 2008 8:52 AM:

" What in the world is wrong with someone who would not stop and take the child to juvinele hall. I bet they would do things different. Everyone who knows someone that would be in that area that time of the morning, go out and check their car, if there is damage call the police. It was probably a horrible accident but the person who did this needs to step up and own up to it, you knew you hit something.
Love and prayers to the family of the precious little girl. You did nothing wrong. At two and half our granddaughter would open the doors and you do not expect them to get up at that hour and go out. "

Kathy Concened wrote on Jun 1, 2008 8:58 AM:

" ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
mamyt wrote on May 31, 2008 9:05 PM:
" Here is a reason a person might go into their office and then call the police rather than stop, The world is full of sick people, what if some one used their child as bate to get a good Samaritan to stop so they could cause them harm.

1. The juvenile hall employee should have picked the child up and taken her to the county facility and called the police. Is this the type of employee we want working with our juveniles??
2. I am not sure where the parents were.
3. How did the child get out?
4. Police should saturate the area during the time the accident occurred looking for witnesses or maybe get lucky and find a suspect. "

tinkerbell2112 wrote on Jun 1, 2008 8:58 AM:

" My heart and prayers go out to this family. I am so very sorry for yours lose. It is such a sad and heart breaking accident.
The only person to blame for this is the person who did the Hit and Run. None of us should be reading this and judging a person who didn't hurt this child. Yes most of us would have stopped - at least that is what we say now , but we don't know why or what this pedestrian was thinking so we have not right to judge.
I remember an issue that I read where 3 childern where on the Highway walking to school and a women pick them up to take them to school. The police man who stopped her said next time just call police don't put the kids in her car. Maybe that is what this perosn was thinking to and went to Napa County Juvenile Hall and let the first emplyee they saw know. Maybe it wasn't the right choose at the time but we shouldn't blame them . I am sure it is hard enough for that pedestrian. I am sure they are blaming themself just as the mother is and the person the child was with. It is a accdent that they all had no control of. The only person with the control was the person who did the HIT and RUN! "

piecesoftime wrote on Jun 1, 2008 9:07 AM:

" My name is Michael Russell , my wife and I Cheryl Russell are the paternal grandparents of Mattea. Her biological father is John Anderson. Everyone from Mattea's parents, step parents, paternal and maternal grandparents, sisters and other extended family members shall deeply miss little Mattea. Her smiling face never failed to make me smile. I will forever miss Mattea, my lil Tater Tott! "

skigirltige2000 wrote on Jun 1, 2008 9:11 AM:

" Oh my gosh, Jolene- I am SO sorry for your loss. I was deeply saddened to read about this little girl, and even more that it happened to an old friend of mine. "

KRossi wrote on Jun 1, 2008 9:33 AM:

" I also drove by the closed road early in the morning and figured that another person had been killed, not thinking that it was a small child. Later that day my son and I had driven by the accident site, and saw people holding signs asking people to "Slow Down, Speed Kills". Being a mother of a soon to be teenage driver, my heart just sank. My son and I came back to the site to bring flowers, and found 2 small children by the memorial who ran up to our car and Thanked Us for the flowers. We have been stressing to our son how accidents happen so unexpectedly, it broke his heart to see these small children, and to know that someone had lost their life because of a car. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family, and we hope that the person responsible will come forward. "

duckfan wrote on Jun 1, 2008 9:45 AM:

" My family will be praying for you and your loss. I hope you get the closure you need and that your family heals from this! "

momtoo wrote on Jun 1, 2008 9:55 AM:

" This is one of the saddest things I have ever read in this paper. I hope the family can find the strength to go on. I also hope they find the person responsible, it's sick to think they are still free and driving around. And, as for the pedestrian I'm sure they would re-do walking away while a baby was wandering alone in the street.However, I know I would have run into the middle of a busy highway to save a defensless child no matter what. "

real707 wrote on Jun 1, 2008 10:42 AM:

" Oh, and you can't put this on the pedestrian. The ped. saw a little girl in the street. Now, it would be nice if this person would have gone and talked to the little girl or helped her out, but its not a perfect world we live in... At least they told the juvenile hall worker of the girl. People need to take responsibility for their own actions, mistakes, and their own kids. You can't expect a random person to take care of your kids. "

4gnapan wrote on Jun 1, 2008 10:43 AM:

" People dont stop to help children anymore because they are afraid of being accused of being child molesters... or some other such nonsense, along with our society being conditioned to "leave it be, the police will sort it out".

People need to remember that we are all potential Samaritans, and we all have the right to Help when it is needed.

Farewell, Little Spirit, May you have joy in Heaven, and may your family have Peace. "

pharper wrote on Jun 1, 2008 11:35 AM:

" The thing to remember is that this person may not have even realized s/he was running over anything. In dim light, on a slight incline, a child is very difficult to see. If the driver didn't notice them, he or she may not even have noticed the small bump or any impact, particularly if they were in a large, heavy vehicle like a pickup truck or a Hummer. My heart goes out to this family, and I am so sorry for your loss. "

madisonhall wrote on Jun 1, 2008 11:46 AM:

" This is one of the worst I have read in a long time. My heart goes out to the parents and the grandmother. Being a grandmother my self, I can imagine how she feels. Please anyone reading this should go out and buy one of those chain locks and install it high on all doors leading to the outside. It will help prevented a child from exiting. My grandson would wake in the middle of the night and open the doors in the house. This helped solve our problems. May god help all those close to this story. "

reason-ator wrote on Jun 1, 2008 11:54 AM:

" What a nightmare ! My prayers and thoughts for everyone involved.

Several years ago on a dark cold and rainy night, I found a 3 or 4 year-old boy in our driveway when I went out in my shorts and slippers to see why our dogs were barking. Long story short, I walked around the block with the little boy going up to houses where the little boy said he lived. About a half-hour later, we had come back to where we'd started. I was soaking wet and cold ( I wasn't going to go into the house and change in case the boy's parents came by looking for their child ). It was at this time that an adult ( who I'm assuming was the child's father ) noticed us and called the child. I walked up to explain what I'd done for the child, and got a cold look that made me feel accused, and the man spoke not a word. Not "thanks", or anything. Suffice to say, I just left. Who knows what kind of story an unthankful parent could conjure up to cover up his neglect, and I didn't want to get thrown under the bus as a smokescreen for this person's neglect. So I can understand why someone might hesitate to get involved. No, it's not right. But it's the world we live in now. It is an unpleasant situation. The blog-bot doesn't like the first word I used

At the very least, I hope at least one person puts some child-proofing on their doors because of this. "

napavalleyman wrote on Jun 1, 2008 12:48 PM:

" God has told us in His Word that innocent children are automatically saved, so, we know that she's in Heaven with God right now.

We also know from the Bible that all hit-and-run drivers are known to Him, and that they will be revealed to us in His Own good time for judgment. "

mytwocents wrote on Jun 1, 2008 1:42 PM:

" A few years ago a family member died in an accident in this town. What made it worse was the newspaper articles. I am not saing the NVR has reported anything out of the ordinary in this case however, some of these blogs can further hurt the family. Please don't moralize or advise them, the worse thing that could happen has already happened. Again I offer my sincere condolances and I pray for your beautiful child and I know she is in a special place in heaven today. God bless her. "

gntlspirit wrote on Jun 1, 2008 1:46 PM:

" How sad that in my lifetime I have seen our own country going through its own destruction.
We are killing ourselves and have no one to blame but ourselves.
I am a parent and my child had taken off once, but luckily he was found. If anything had happen to him, I would have blamed no one, but myself. Why? For one, he is my responsibilty and sometimes children just walk out in front of someone and nothing they could of done.
2. God gave me him to protect him and I would have not been doing my job if that had happened.
3. It is dark in the morning and I know that I, myself, do not have night vision.
Some questions to pawn to yourself.. What time frame do you think the child snuck away?
Is it not dark before 5:30am?
Would you have stopped at that time of the morning?
In good conscience most would, but we have no clue what was the mindset of the pedestrian.
We have no one to blame but ourselves unless it was a kidnapper, child molester, or killer and I do not believe the driver of the vehicle was out to hurt anyone.
I, for one am sorry to hear of such a loss, but you can not blame the driver alone. You must look at all factors that led up to the incident.
May God be with all. "

funnyme wrote on Jun 1, 2008 1:59 PM:

" This is a horrible tragedy indeed. Our prayers and hopes for healing go out to this family and friends. God may help you all.
I sure hope we change some things within ourselves from THIS unfortunate but REAL learned experience:
1) Drive slow within neighborhoods. Get off the darn phone and pay attention. Picture in your mind this accident everytime you feel like putting the "pedal to the metal".
2) Install a lock on all your doors or an alarm system (dogs are good "alarm systems") for as long as you have a toddler or a sleep walker.
3) If you see a "lost" kid, please do whatever it takes to make sure he is safe even if it means you stay with her until someone else arrives (being late for work is not the end of the world).

Please don't let fear take over your soul. Just because there are plenty of idiots out there willing to accuse you of wrong doing to cover their lack of intelligence and gratitude YOU still have the responsibility to do what your heart knows is THE RIGHT THING TO DO!
It's not that hard to stand up for what you believe in, soon others will follow. "

local_bree wrote on Jun 1, 2008 2:03 PM:

" My dear Tony and Jo,
My heart goes out to you and the whole family. Tator was one of the sweetest children I have ever had the pleasure of spending time with. She always had a smile to light up the room. And what a beautiful child she was. God, how she will be missed. I love you all so much. Tony, call Ed and get my phone number and give me a call. Love you guys.
~Brenda "

kbf wrote on Jun 1, 2008 2:10 PM:

" Kathy Concerned,
The person was walking not in a car, she went over to juvinele hall, it wouldn't have been too hard to take the child over with her.
Reason-ator, I applaude you and say thank you for helping out that little boy. His father didn't seem to appreciate what you did but that little guy might remember you for years to come and be thankful you were there. "

007WYNWM wrote on Jun 1, 2008 2:32 PM:

" my deepest condolences to you if you need me I will be here for you. "

wowquebonita wrote on Jun 1, 2008 2:50 PM:

" This is so sad. How could someone see this little girl and just keep on going about their day? Mattea could still be alive if the person that saw her would have done something to help. The person that saw her, and did nothing about it. They should be just as responsible as the person that hit her. It's gotta be a crappy feeling knowing you could have saved this baby girl and didn't . I hope they can live with themselves.

May she Rest In Peace. "

vocal-de-local wrote on Jun 1, 2008 3:00 PM:

" Does anyone know if this child was in the east or west bound lanes when hit? How about the estimated time that the child was hit? I have a few theories on this.

East bound would indicate the person was heading TO work unless there are some businesses west of the accident site which have a 6 o'clock shift end. But it sounds to me as though the accident happened prior to 6 o'clock. The time of the accident might provide a clue about where this person works. If a shift began at 6 o'clock and the accident happened at 5:40, it would probably take this individual twenty minutes to get to work. What businesses have a 6 o'clock shift within a 20 minute radius of this area? My first guess would be hospital/rest home shift. Next guess would be a cook at a fast food restaurant. I suppose Walmart might even have a 6 o'clock shift. Are there any vineyards within a 20 minute drive of the accident which have a 6 o'clock Saturday morning shift?

And here's a question for business managers in the area. Do you have any employees who live in this area who were expected to arrive for a 6 o'clock shift Saturday morning? Fellow employees should also think about this question. Did a coworker show up acting a little despondent Saturday morning? Come on everyone. This family needs closure. The sooner the person confesses, the better it will be for him. Maybe it was an accident. Maybe they didn't even realize they ran over anyone or thought it was a pothole or something.

Come forward. It will catch up with you sooner or later, no doubt about it. They will find you. "

rebob wrote on Jun 1, 2008 3:07 PM:

" Before we hurry to put a blame on anyone lets think. Possibly the driver has no idea he hit a child. My guess is a 2yr old weighs maybe 20-25 pounds. In a big vehicle you probably wouldn't feel any impact and a little car you probably thought youthumped a cat or something. Nobody expects a child to be in the street , let alone at 5:30 am. So it's possible the driver has no idea.
Under any circumstances this is a very sad situation and we need to all learn a valuable lesson from this.
May you find peace knowing your daughter is in a very safe place. "

vocal-de-local wrote on Jun 1, 2008 3:16 PM:

" reason-ator, here's a solution for a situation like that. Don't go inside with the child unless it's dangerous remaining outside. Stand in the porch area, ring your doorbell if you do not live alone and have someone inside the house phone 911. But do not leave the child alone. If the parent arrives prior to the arrival of the police, make certain to ask their name. Make certain the child knows this person. Perhaps the child was running away for a reason. Tell the person to please wait until the police arrive. If they are unwilling to do so, keep an eye on which direction they are heading.

If you are traveling down a road and you see a child alone, pull over and tell the child to remain off the street. Let them know you are there to help them. If you have a cell phone, call 911. If not, walk up to the nearest house and ask someone to call 911.

I understand a person's reluctance today to become involved, but there are ways of doing it which won't make you appear like a kidnapper. People who kidnap kids do not call 911 and they don't remain with the child until help arrives. "

hawkeye wrote on Jun 1, 2008 4:16 PM:

" As others have said, we live in a fearful society. We get involved and take custody of a child we see wandering, and their parents could end up accusing us of kidnapping their child. Very scary stuff! On the hand, if you don't take action, that kid could very well end up killed, as tragically occured here. What is a person to do? I guess it depends on the circumstances. At least call 911. As far as springing into action and getting a hold of that child, there are no easy answers. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Obviously if you see a crane about to fall on a kid or a truck barreling at them and you KNOW, then without a doubt you push that child out of the way or grab them. It all depends on circumstances. "

xmrs09 wrote on Jun 1, 2008 4:23 PM:

" I, too, have children (now young adults) but it is still hard for me to understand how a 2-year old gets out and wanders off at that hour of the morning. The article doesn't state how far the apartment complex where she lived is from where she was found??? I'm not passing judgment on her parents or whomever she was with that morning, but based on the information here, it is hard to understand how she wandered off and how far she traveled. This is a tragedy and I'm so sorry for Mattea and her family. Peace be with you. "

LMW wrote on Jun 1, 2008 4:29 PM:

" My prayers again to family...numbers on postings are climbing, and many care so much...

contact city council to take action for the needed signs and improvements in this area...Children's Park with Schools and apartment complex all in a corner of Old Sonoma Road...many ways can be done to improve the visibility of the children and signs and paint....take action this street needs more done with action from community and school officials including city officials need to hear your voices on this issue for change...

god bless this family during a really tough time "

delilah wrote on Jun 1, 2008 5:38 PM:

" First of all I would like to say that she was a fun, beautiful little girl. Second of all the only person to blame is the hit and run driver. You know when you hit something and you stop and look to see what it is....how can you not know it was a child. Third of all,she knew how to unlock doors. You had to keep your eye on her, and she was a little explorer, she wandered off when her parents were sleeping. And WHY did that juveinille hall worker just pick her up and take her to the police station?!?!? There would have been no harm in doing that!!!!!!!!! They wouldnt have been accused of anything, they wouldnt have been in trouble, they would have done the right thing and everybody knows that. How can you just watch a little girl walk down the road at 5:30 in the morning and keep driving? I know its not the workers fault but come on, use your head. And by the way a mother has just lost her child, a family has just lost a relative...so lets not try and make it harder by bashing them with harsh comments. They do not need that right now. They just need love,support and prayer. "

aid wrote on Jun 1, 2008 5:51 PM:

" this story remainsme about two years ago I was driving south on silverado rd. just passing lincoln av. when I saw two little kids like 2 or 4 years old playing on the road it only took me about 20 seconds to put them on a safe place I stayed with them until the mom? if it was the mom or the babysiter maybe start yelling for help I felt so happy to be there just on time my second time I was driving north on jefferson when a 3 year old boy was on the middle of the street when I asked the boy where did he lived he didn't answer so I told him to take me home with him he took my hand and we walk two block's to he's home the mom wasen't there the father was at sleep so he just walk out this time on my way to work on saturday morning I was to late I wish I was there on time to save her my prayers are with this family "

hawkeye wrote on Jun 1, 2008 6:00 PM:

" I agree with vocal-de-local's solution. It would be a very bad idea to bring the child into your house unless their life depended on it. But you do have to consider the possibility of the child running away for a good reason. Unlikely, but plausible. What if a burgular broke into their house and the child panicked and ran away? And now the crazed burgular is looking for the child and sees you with the child and pretends to be the parent. That's why you must call 911 right away. Or there could be domestic violence in the home or a custody dispute, and now you've just turned the kid over to the kidnapper!It's not so cut-and-dry anymore. You'd save your butt by at least calling 911 and let the authorities determine if they're the real parent.
And we don't know the crucial details yet, so it's too early to start blaming. An unimaginable tragedy has occured here. Hopefully the parents can find peace and the cops can find the driver. Very sorry for your loss. With all the daily bickering in these blogs, at least we all have one thing in common right now. And that is, ALL our hearts go out to this family! "

wheezygirl wrote on Jun 1, 2008 8:03 PM:

" Dear Sweet Mattea,

You will never know how many strangers have fallen in love with your sweet little face. We will not know what happened to you that morning but God must have some very special plans for you. If I would have found you, you would be a safe happy girl. I once found a child about Mattea's age wandering down West Park Ave and I did not hesitate to get out of my car and go over to him and ask him where he lived. He did not know and I did not see anyone looking for him so he and I went walking door to door asking. Meanwhile a frantic father came running down his driveway looking for him. Children get away very easily. This child had been sleeping while dad was working on his car and then the little one walked past him and down the road. Please everyone go to the store and buy some extra locks for your doors. We do not own our children, they are on loan from God for us to guide and to help grow into be happy healthy and wonderful human beings. We owe it to them to keep them safe! I hugged my 4 year old Grandson a million times today. Go do the same with yours too and say a prayer for Mattea. "

bloodagar wrote on Jun 1, 2008 8:37 PM:

" My heart absolutely aches for all involved in this horrible situation. Seeing this beautiful little girl reminds me of my oldest child at the age. I had many a sleepless night worrying about her and possible dangerous situations...and hearing about this little angel just kills me. I have great empathy for her parents and grandmother. I am so sorry for your loss and I pray for you to find comfort soon. Goddess bless you. "

innapaand21 wrote on Jun 1, 2008 8:40 PM:

" this is a horrible tragity and my thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this beautiful young girl.

to some of you bloggers.... READ the story before you comment. it was NOT the juvenile hall worker who saw her then went to work. SOMEONE ELSE alerted the worker and when the worker went out she found the child already hit. the worker stayed with the child until emergency workers came. the worker also helped render first aide to the child. if anything this worker was a HERO not someone who should be blamed for this unfortinute tragity. "

monsterboneeightball wrote on Jun 2, 2008 1:57 AM:

" this is Anthony Mitchell Matteas father I'm one who has took care since she was in the womb and I'm the one who has changed diapers after diapers and stayed up with her while she was sick I raised her
and taught her just about everything she knew including fishing. she learned how to work on cars at two yrs. old and loved the fact that she was just helping so how dare any one say that they was her father and not be there for there child how dare you.
If you wanted to get me upset well you can't do that I'm already more irate then you would ever know in your life I think I have said enough and in closing I would just like to thank all of you for your prayers and thoughts and may God bless each and every one you and may God keep all our kids safe and sound sincerely Anthony Mitchell "

ssaalvarez wrote on Jun 2, 2008 7:00 AM:

" Thank you to Innapaand21 for putting out there that people need to READ the article first. I am the Juvenile Hall Employee who was walking to work when a woman told me she saw a baby running around. When I found Mattea I stayed with her and made every effort to help her including CPR. My heart goes out to the family and I'm deeply saddend by this whole event. I have two daughters both under age 5 so this hit really close to home for me. I hope people stop pointing fingers and judging, that's not our place. This was a tragedy and it's affected a lot of people in the community. Little Mattea is in Paradise now.....God Bless Her and her family. "

MarshaMarsha wrote on Jun 2, 2008 10:21 AM:

" Sad, sad story. My heart goes out to anyone who's life was touched by this child.

As for those of you who insist on recalling stories about your own child wandering off... How would you feel if your child didn't make it and all day long you get stories that imply "sorry about your loss, but my baby is okay"??? What are you thinking? I'm sorry you have to deal with that, Anthony and Jolene. "

hayleybayley wrote on Jun 2, 2008 11:11 AM:

" toddlers are good at finding ways of getting out. i did it myself when i was young and was later found on the railroad tracks that ran behind my home. my name is hayley and i am the step aunt of mattea. betty had adopted me into the family when me and jolene were in high school because i had bad living conditions. mattea was such the sweetest thing. the cutest curly-strawberry blond girl ever. she loved books and always wanted someone to read to her. she would often pick books out and pretend to read the herself. i cant believe someone would do this to a child, let alone a human being. i pray that they are found and get chaged with what they deserve. i am currently in iraq at the moment and trying to come home to help support everyone. thank all of you who are praying for my family. god bless you all.
tony, i hope betty told you i called. its so hard to call out from here. im trying to get emergency leave to be with you guys but i can only go home in you guys send a red cross messge requesting for me to come home. my mom said she is going to do it but i dont know if she has yet. if she hasnt please make sure that it is done so i ccan be with you guys. i just cant belive this...i love you guys so much.
hayley "

John Richards wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:02 PM:

" Seems like parents are pretty careless nowadays. When our children were small, we knew enough to have a latch on the door, high enough that a toddler could not reach it. "

John Richards wrote on Jun 2, 2008 12:18 PM:

" Why are you all so quick to blame the driver? The little girl may have stumbled into the side of the moving vehicle. If the driver felt any impact at all, he probably thought it was a pot hole. The amount of daylight is going to be limited at 5:30 AM. "

NapaKin wrote on Jun 2, 2008 1:58 PM:

" My prayers and empathy for all who are related to Mattea. God Bless her. What an absolute tragedy. I wish I had been one of the people who noticed her walking the street. I certainly would have stopped and picked her up, then found help. God Bless the ones who worked to save her precious little life. True heroism. It is so sad driving past the memorial and not be able to turn back time and be there to help get her back into her loved ones hands. God Bless everyone. My prayers are with you. "

mytwocents wrote on Jun 2, 2008 2:04 PM:

" To JRichards: I disagree. Parents these days are more cautious than ever before. "

Skip M. wrote on Jun 2, 2008 3:58 PM:

" Marsh Marsha: The reason we tell our stories of escaping children is to shut down those that would launch into the “careless parent” attack on Mattea’s family. It is by no means to rub salt in wounds. In fact, here is another parallel, when I was two years old, I too got out of the house while my parent’s back was turned. It was when Highway 29 was a two lane road and being expanded to the four lane it is today. I wandered about a mile and was found by my Dad’s barber in the middle of the construction zone. That story is for John Richards claim of “When our children were small, we knew enough to have a latch on the door, high enough that a toddler could not reach it.” The fact of the matter is that is a little one is determined enough, he or she will find a way into some pretty surprising situations. "

glenroy wrote on Jun 2, 2008 7:15 PM:

" John Richards...I would agree with you in this instance in particular...there is much more to this story than is publicly known. A toddler on an island in the middle of Old Sonoma Road in a waking dawn is not easily identifiable unless standing upright and the likelihood she was just standing there is pretty slim. From what I’ve been told, indirectly from those who found her, it sounds to me that her injury was likely a glancing tire or bumper....very difficult for a driver to even know they had hit something....it is a tragedy no doubt...for the child and her family, and those who are now 2nd guessing themselves and whom are carry a very heavy burden.

This is a very dangerous area for adults trying to cross..and there is no excuse for a child of her age being anywhere near vehicle traffic without adult supervision...and that’s a burden that will never go away "

MyThoughts wrote on Jun 3, 2008 6:50 AM:

" Could have, should have, would have..I'm sorry but the moment is gone. These thoughts can be destructive We are left in the now, with the absolute power of now. What can we do now? Let this be a reminder that each moment of life is a "gift", each moment, this very second perfectly named..."The Present"
Right now, My prayers for Jolene and her family overflow. Right now, I step back and recognize that her baby is an angel filling us with love, compassion and bringing us closer to support her family and our own. "

savetycoon wrote on Jun 3, 2008 8:45 AM:

" With all sympothy and reguards to this little girls familys. No one should have thier life ended like this, expecially a baby.
i am truly sorry. this is a very sad story/inncedent.

JOHN RICHARDS!: how could you even say that its not the drivers fault, just because the lighting was dim? You must be very dased and confused about the part where, this person hit and killed a child, and then fled. How can you not say that the death of this child wasn't this persons fault? There is no way that hitting a two year old sounds like a pot whole. a cat sounds worse than a pot hole. so No this person would of known to stop, but his mind capacity obviously wasnt in place, because he forgot the little detail of being a human being with a heart, to stop after you hit anything. EXPECIALLY IF YOU HIT ANOTHER HUMAN AND A BABY! "

John Richards wrote on Jun 3, 2008 10:11 AM:

" Again, there is no evidence that the driver was aware he hit a person. The contact could have been very minimal, but enough to send the child spinning with her head hitting the curb. For that matter, she could have simply been frightened by the approaching vehicle, ran back, tripped, and hit her head on the curb.
The primary responsibility lies with the parents to prevent a child that young from leaving the house unsupervised. "

misspeg wrote on Jun 3, 2008 10:20 AM:

" Dear Betty and family, I am so sorry for your loss, When i heard of what had happed my heart broke for you and your family and that little ANGEL that was sent to God way to soon, My prayers are with you , your old friend peggy, if you need anything call me . "

Concerned citizen wrote on Jun 3, 2008 10:25 AM:

" This is so so sad. I am so sorry for Ms. Reynolds loss. What a tragedy. I can't imagine how this must feel; my heart goes out to the family of this beautiful girl. May her sweet little soul find love and a new life. "

besmartbesafe wrote on Jun 3, 2008 11:27 AM:

" How sad for these parents to have to go through the pain of losing their baby in such a horrible way!!!
My herat goes out to this family in their time of grief. May your sweet baby rest in peace. Though it may have been a short time that you were able to hold her in your arms, may your memories of her live on forever in your hearts!!! "

daleschip wrote on Jun 3, 2008 12:50 PM:

" Mr. Richards - when you hit something, anything, with your car...don't you want to know what it is? Would you be playing all of this out like that if it were your grandchild? I know these people; they are not irresponsible, uncaring people. You have children? Then you know you can't watch them every second. This was a tragic accident that someone tured into a murder. Pleople drive too fast down that overpass; I know I lived next to it for 14 years. Slow down Napa! "

IDONTLIVEHERE wrote on Jun 3, 2008 4:48 PM:

" I've been following the story/comments since I heard of this terrible accident. I'm in awe of how people jump to conclusions. Firstly, let me say, I have had a member of my family involved in a hit-n-run. Thankfully they were not killed, but the thought lingers as to what led up to the incident, and how someone could just leave your loved one to die, basically. It's unfortunate that in this case the outcome was the worst possible, but no one that came across that little girl that morning could have forseen the outcome. Hind sight is 20/20. No one knows if in fact the pedestrian that came across the little girl wandering the street, did try to help. What if she did try to deter the child from entering into danger? What if she did stay with her for a while? what if (speculation) she didn't speak English well enough to convey to the child that she was trying to help? What if she (Mattea) ran from her? Is it better to scare the child or to look for help? No one else was there, you cannot say what you would or wouldn't have done. I'm sure in this case a cell phone would have been a perfect tool to have, but the reality is, if this woman was walking with her lunch to somewhere (probably work), what are the chances that she had a cell phone? And I have to agree with John Richards comment on what if she tripped? it is a possibility. We are all wanting to put the blame on someone, yet none of us know all the circumstances, and even if we did, we were not their to change the outcome.
So sorry for your loss, you are in our thougths and prayers "

her maama wrote on Jun 3, 2008 6:03 PM:

" my name cheryl russell I'm mattea's maama (grandma) i have sat back and read all the stuff that is being written about my angel and i must say im so upset that some people are taking the side of the driver saying maybe they didn't feel that they hit something or it was a pot hole and it really doesn't matter what matter is they should call in to let the police know they were on that street at that time and may have seen something but they haven't and like i always say the one that makes the victim the guilty must be the guilty one themselves. All of us will never recover fully from the pain of losing a part of our heart i know i never .Tater i know u r here with us baby girl and maama loves u so much and u will always be with me. "

her maama wrote on Jun 3, 2008 6:37 PM:

" I have more to say and it is to all the people that has heard or believe that jolene was a bad mom YOU CANT'T BE MORE WRONG I HAVE KNOWN HER FOR ALONG TIME AND YOU CAN'T ASK FOR A BETTER MOM SHE LOVED HER BABIES WITH ALL THAT SHE IS AND AS FOR TONY YES HE IS HER DADDY MY SON IS HER FATHER BUT IT TAKES A SPECIAL PERSON TO BE A DADDY AND TONY IS THAT PERSON HER DADDY. love you both jo and tony "

local_bree wrote on Jun 4, 2008 1:44 AM:

" Jolene and Tony are wonderful, caring parents. Anyone who thinks differently must not know them. Mattea was the oldest of two beautiful girls. Yes, it is true that Tony was not Mattea's biological father, but that makes no difference. A father is a man who exercises paternal care over other persons; a paternal protector or provider. Tony was there from the time Mattea was still in Jolene's womb until the time she died. He was a wonderful father who was there for her. She was his pride and joy. Jolene loved her with every ounce of her being. She is a wonderful mother, who has been through so much in her life. Her two girls were her world. Everything she did was for them. When she was pregnant with her second child, she was still working trying to make a life for her and her babies.

This is such a tragedy and anyone who blames Tony and Jolene should be ashamed of themselves. THIS WAS NOT THEIR FAULT. Why are we trying to place blame, period? Shouldn't we instead be working to make sure this NEVER happens to anyone else's child. "

Snowmom wrote on Jun 4, 2008 8:52 AM:

" As I read the comments, I couldn't help but notice how the driver who hit the little girl was being defended....a few wrote that the driver may have thought he/she hit a cat or a pot hole...or that visibility was bad at 5:30 a.m. I am appalled at statements like this. This is yet another instance -- this time fatal -- of a driver who isn't in touch with the road or what's going on around the vehicle. Who knows where the driver is from; not fair to say it is a Napa driver...but it doesn't matter. When you get behind the wheel you are basically in control (or not in control) of a giant moving weapon. I am witnessing near-accidents almost every day as I drive in my car, and most I think are attributed to careless driving and/or speeding. People shave in their cars, put make-up on, read maps, drink hot coffee, read the newspaper, and dial their phones....all things that take precious attention away from the road and anything IN the road. A lot went wrong in this situation, but let's not defend the driver, who at the very least could have stopped to see what he/she hit! Hitting a two year old child is not the equivalent to a wheel hitting a pot hole. "

Baraki wrote on Jun 4, 2008 11:23 AM:

" Justification and blame aside, this is an incredible and disturbing tragedy -- my thoughts are with the family. "

lahrgsp wrote on Jun 4, 2008 12:55 PM:

" I say the best thing would be to scare the child!!! She would get over it and still be alive!! "

kimmysue wrote on Jun 4, 2008 2:05 PM:

" After reading all the comments of this tragic incident of an adorable little girl, it is so sad to read all the blame games and I'm sorry that the family has read all these posts. It stressed me out to read them and I'm not involved intimately in this tragedy. I don't think this site is being used in a positive way.

To the family and friends of Mattea - I'm so very sorry for your loss. I hope in time, the pain lessens and wonderful memories remain of your little one. God bless you. "

mardog wrote on Jun 4, 2008 9:35 PM:

" I have already written in and commented but something still keeps sticking in my head. I, myself have raised kids and I know it is tough with a 2 year old. They get into everything and they are quick. I hate to say this but if I, as a parent or grandparent knew that my child had a history of getting out of the house by unlocking the door, wouldn't you put a lock high up on the door that she couldn't reach? I don't think this would've ever happened if the door had a high lock on it...sorry for your loss but this is my opinion. "

misspeg wrote on Jun 5, 2008 1:47 PM:

" I WISH YOU PEOPLE that are blaming the family, would STOP. and not write in keep it to your self. the family is already hurting enough, they dont need to hear negative comments, "

MOM67 wrote on Jun 6, 2008 12:03 AM:

" SINCE I KNOW THE MILLER SIDE OF THE FAMILY I HAVE NOT MADE ANY COMMENTS BUT TIME HAS PASSED AND IM WONDERING WHY THE COPS HAVENT CAUGHT ANYONE? THE PERSON LIVED IN THE NIEBHORHOOD OR WORKED THERE OR THEY WOULDNT BE THERE.{MAYBE} YOU WOULD NOT BE IN THAT AREA UNLESS YOU LIVE THERE OR WORK THERE WHOS COMING TO WORK OF GOING TO WORK IN THAT NIEHBORHOOD AT FIVE IN THE MORNING? IT IS OBVIOUSLY A CRIME COMMITED BY SOMEONE CLOSE ARE YOU GONNA SAY SOMEONE DIDNT COME HOME ONE DAY AND NOONE NOTICED? DID SOMEONES CAR COME HOME DAMGED AND NOONE NOTICED NOT LIKELY. EVEN IF YOU DIDNT KNOW YOU HIT HER IF YOU THOUGHT YOU HIT A BUMP YOU WOULD CALL IN OMG I HOPE IT WASNT ME... BUT SINCE NOTHING HAS COME IN I CANT HELP BUT FEEL IT HAS ILLEGAL TIES TO IT. YEAH I KNOW I SOUND RACIST I DONT CARE!!!!! PLEASE DONT LET THIS BE A CASE LIKE THE MURDERS OF THE TWO GIRL A WHILE BACK AND A MAN CONFESSES AND NAPA POLICE SAY HEY LOOK WE SOLVED THE MYSTERY?????
AND IF ITS NOT THAT THE ONLY OTHER OPTION ISNT GOOD EITHER HERES HOPING THERES STILL ENOUGH GOOD OUT THERE TO FIND THIS PERSON APPARENTLY THEY DONT HAVE A HEART OR MIND TO STEP TO THE PLATE IF I TOOK SOMEONES LIFE IM GONNA STEPUP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!!! THIS MOM NEEDS JUSTICE ITS ALL SHE WILL EVER HAVE PLEASE DONT LET HER FALL INTO THE ABYSE I FELL INTO WHEN MY SON DIED SO YES I FEEL FOR HER AND ALL INVOLVED...ARLENE A FRIEND OF THE MILLERS AND A BABY I DIDNT KNOW WELL BUT KNOW THEY TOOK GOOD CARE OF HER!!!! "

savetycoon wrote on Jun 6, 2008 8:15 AM:

" I am sorry, but for some reason, my other message came out as some one elses, because those were not my words.

i meant to say that
John Richards: We are so quick to blame the hit and run drivers for the fact that they left the crime seen. The thing was that this two year old being alone at 5:30 in the morning is bad enough. but haveing been killed, and no one stop is just innexcuseable.
And you cant say that the lighting was bad in the morning. well if its dark arn't drivers supposed to put thier lights on?
and there is no way that a person could of hit this child and not know. People know when they have hit a cat or raccoon. they should know if they hit a child. Or at least stop to see what it was that they hit. but no, this person hit this deffensless baby, to die. All i know if, its time to stop defending the person who killed this baby, and find this person. and lock them behind bars for a long time for not stopping and letting her die...


I am so sorry for this little girls family, and for her herself. "

Skip M. wrote on Jun 6, 2008 9:59 AM:

" Mardog: I am not sure when you last rented a house or apartment (especially and apartment), but most property managers or owners will not allow renters to modify the property in the way many have suggested (moving the locks up high). A two year old on a chair, step stool, or bar stool can easily reach more than three quarters of the way up a door. So what is your next suggestion, put them in cages? People have actually done that for this very reason and gotten in big trouble over it. This is just one of the incredibly horrible tragedies that we will all remember for a long, long time.
I recall around 1987 or 1988, after the Town and Country Fair Demolition Derby, the contestants and their families were all in the arena clearing the wreckage. Small children were running all over the place as heavy equipment and 4 X 4s were being used to remove the wrecked cars. A small girl, about Mattea’s age was standing on a log that one of the cars was pinned on. The family was completely focused on getting two jeeps hooked up to this car, and making sure no children got in front of them. No one looked at the log except for those of us in the stands (I was at the rail). We all assumed that the parents knew the child was there. Then the drivers got in the jeeps and started revving their engines. They could not hear us yelling to them about the girl. With a lurch, they yanked the wreck free of the log, the log rolled, and the girl was instantly crushed to death right in front of us. The blink of an eye and it was done. "

mardog wrote on Jun 6, 2008 1:20 PM:

" To Skip M,
Just so you are aware, I am a mother of 5 children and I am a renter so I do know some landlords dont let you modify their places. Usually they mean not painting crazy colors in the house or knocking down walls, things that the landlord doesnt want to deal with after you move out. I dont think putting a simple lock up high on the door so your 2 year old cant get out pertains to modifying, that would be for the safety of the child not to cage them in. In waking hours and when the parents or grandparents were in eyes distance, the lock couldve been unlocked. Even with a chair, a lock high enough up couldnt be reached by a 2 year old......whats done is done and yes it is a sad tragic accident and I hope the family finds peace in the loss of Mattea....I couldnt imagine going through what this family is going through right now "

Tati wrote on Jun 7, 2008 10:18 PM:

" Jolene and Tony, I am so very sorry for your loss, and also for the fact that I was unable to be there for you right now. You and your family are in my prayers. Hold your youngest close and thank God that you have her in your life. It will take a long time, but if you seek the Lord for strength, he will help you heal and get through these difficult times. Know that you are wonderful parents and my heart and love goes out to you both. "

her maama wrote on Jun 8, 2008 11:01 AM:

" I feel that instead of wasting time looking and looking and guessing why dont they just call in physic (spelled wrong but i really dont care) and get that S.O.B to pay for taking her away from us. Everyday that goes by is another day that person goes on with life unlike our little angel and i am so angry i feel like im losing my mind. she is my youngest grandbaby out of 3 she has 3 half sisters 5yrs and 3yrs 1 1/2 yrs how do you tell them their sister is with god and the person that sent her there is still walking the street enjoying life,stop wasting time call in a physic to atleast to put the police on the right path. tater maama loves you more than words can say. LETS FIND THAT S.O.B "

grape wrote on Jun 9, 2008 8:58 AM:

" MOM67, as a friend of their family, do you have any additional details on the type of car they are looking for? I know it said 80's model with chrome trim but is there more of a discription; any small details that might help? "

her maama wrote on Jun 11, 2008 9:03 AM:

" just wanted to invite everyone that has a myspace acct to come and and be part of are little angel's friends and there you can view more picture's and share in her short little life. you can find her at friendsofmattea on myspace. "

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