Yes what happened was horrible. Yes what happened was juvenile and stupid. The mother should never have gone that far to harass a child. I believe someone in the other article asked why the family waited so long to tell the press or attempt to press charges. That if they had a law could have been passed to charge this woman. Well since the 'crime' was committed PRIOR then it would not have been possible to create a law THEN charge them. Note to self, the law must exist prior to the 'crime' having been committed. That being said I want to address the issue that Megan, while being an innocent child with 'loving and attentive parents' was on about 3 different drugs, She was taking Celexa for depression, Concerta for ADD, and Geodon.
Geodon is an atypical anti-psychotic. It has very specific approved uses,
and those uses are bipolar mania (to treat the psychotic symptoms of that
illness) and schizophrenia. It also has potentially deadly side effects,
like all anti-psychotics. Geodon in particular, a fairly new drug, is widely
reported to cause bizarre thoughts and behavior in some who take it.
(http://elfninosmom.wordpress.com/2008/01/16/mega n-meier-and-geodon/)
Now these seemingly LOVING and ATTENTIVE parents didn't have time to talk to their daughter long enough to find out what was wrong with her, instead they gave her 3 different types of drugs to get happy. Not to mention the fact that young Megan is prime age for the "choking game or the black out game"
The fainting game, also commonly known as the choking game is a loose
term that covers dangerous activities designed to induce a partial or
complete loss of consciousness brought about by the intentional deprivation
of oxygen to the brain for a period of time. There are two distinct methods
used to achieve oxygen deprivation: strangulation and self-induced hypocapnia.
The term 'game' is used because these activities have typically been pursued
by children as recreation; the practice among adults appears to be uncommon
and generally in the different context of the pursuit of erotic asphyxiation.
However, experts state that for some teens, the choking game can take on elements
of erotic asphyxiation.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fainting_ game)
Basically what the kids do is they either put the belt around their neck and hang themselves just long enough to feel the lightheaded or hold their breath until they almost pass out.
One of the charges to Ms. Drew (the adult who made the fake account to harass Megan) was conspiracy. CONSPIRACY TO DO WHAT?! To harass a child? Sorry fella's but there is no law against that! NEXT!
The other charge is three counts of accessing a computer without authorization and via interstate commerce to obtain information to inflict emotional distress. Now these might stick. Depending on the actual definition of this law in the California she might have to deal with these charges.
Long story short it still boils down to the parents involvement in their child's life. As upset as Mr. and Mrs. Meier are they should NEVER have had their child on that many drugs and if she was needing that many drugs for depression she should have been monitored constantly. Then their child gets online on sites like myspace and they have no clue as to what is going on there either. This story is about parents in todays world and their lack of involvement in their kids lives. No its about Parents in todays world and their lack of DESIRE to be involved in their kids lives. Megan Meier is a poster child for todays kids all hopped up on medication and emotional rollercoasters and the parents are to blame! Oh but we don't want to take responsibility do we? That would hurt too much, wouldn't it?
Another thing, Defense is going to have a field day on this little girl. Ms. Drew probably won't even do time. Now I am guessing that I have alot of you really steamed up and upset because even though you don't like it, you know what I am saying is true. There are NO LAWS against what Ms. Drew did other than the interstate commerce to inflict emotional distress. So get all that anger and write your congressman, write your mayor, write your governor, get off YOUR BUTT and VOTE. Write up a draft of a law! Because as angry and upset as I have made you statistically less than half of you even vote but I bet you are angry that we can't charge Ms. Drew with attempted murder or involuntary manslaughter of a minor.
So do something helium, protect our kids from 'cyber bullies'. Do something that might actually do some good besides sitting around and complaining about it. I know I am.