Saturday three boys, ages seven and four, were found locked in a filthy basement, malnourished and abused. One of the seven-year-olds was found died and decomposing in a bin.

The boys were under the care of Sherry Murphy because Melinda Williams, her cousin and the children's mother, was in jail. Now Williams is in a hospital because of a car accident.

There is a manhunt for Murphy.

The story is constantly evolving. The four-year-old's father wants custody and today, Joseph Reese, a friend of the mother, was arrested for molesting the surviving seven-year-old.

The boys are in a hospital, reportedly in fair condition.

More here.

We heard a little on the news here about this horrible case and what really bugs me is that the mother has had 11 abuse charges against her already! (I understand that she isn't the one solely responsible for this and the woman who is, may she get flayed alove) Surely that would be grounds enough to take any child away from her forever. It bloody annoys me that the government departments always will give the child to the mother even when clearly the mother ISN'T always the better option.

What I never understand in these cases is how it is possible for NO ONE to notice the children missing for days on end. You would think other family members, neighbors, schools or someone would catch on to something suspicious after a couple days of not seeing the children. In this case, the family KNEW of ongoing abuse, so WHY didn't they step in and do something sooner? That is what I don't understand at all. Anyone who knows a child is being abused and doesn't intervene in some way is just as guilty (in my opinion) as the one abusing the child. Sitting by and letting it happen is horrible.

Sad to say these cases or real tragedies are becoming more and more common.The number of child murders and abuse by members of the victim's family are now appearing everyday in the media. We have had several very nasty examples in this country and,only last week ,one very close to home.
You don't associate the Scottish Highlands with child abuse and murder,but,sadly. it's happening here.
Don't always blame Social Services(I used to) or neighbours but put the blame squarely on the shoulders of the monsters who commit these crimes.Lock them up and throw away the key!
Sorry-very upset by this subject! I find it difficult to be reasonable or have any understanding.
Children rely on adults so much. We sometimes let them down-but these cases defy definition.

In reply to:

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Don't always blame Social Services(I used to) or neighbours but put the blame squarely on the shoulders of the monsters who commit these crimes.Lock them up and throw away the key!

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I put the blame on the shoulders of those who commit these horrid acts against children. But there comes a time when the family, neighbors, etc have to speak up for the children who can't speak for themselves, either because they are too small or because they are too terrified.

This is a subject that sickens me to no end. Sometimes I want to scream, knowing there are monsters who treat their children horribly, yet are able to have child after child while there are people who would love and cherish children yet aren't able to have any.

Murphy has been found.

Here is an update on the story.