No Charges Filed against Mom Who Played My Space "Prank"

The prosecutor in Missouri said yesterday that there will be no criminal charges filed in the case of Megan Meier, the teen who killed herself last year after being cyber bullied by a boy called "Josh".  Megan's parents found out after her death that "Josh" was not a teen boy...but was actually THE MOTHER of one of Megan's friends.  A neighbor, Lori Drew, who is a suburban mother-from-hell.

My husband pointed out this case to me and I am shocked at the insanity.  Here's a summary:

• Megan was a 14 year old girl who was contacted by "Josh" on MySpace.
• "Josh" was a cyber bully, who turned other kids against Megan and made Megan very upset.
• Megan killed herself one afternoon after reading and entry by Josh that was unspeakably cruel
• After Megan's death, her parents found out that "Josh" was actually their neighbor 
• Lori Drew, a grown woman and mother of one of Megan's friends PRETENDED to be "Josh" online
• Lori started the "prank" to get back at the child after a falling out between HER daughter and Megan

There are no laws to cover this kind of cruelty because Drew's actions took place online.  The laws need to catch up to people like Lori Drew.

I get extremely upset, like most parents, when I hear about crimes against children.  I wrote a short letter because I will never be able to talk to Lori Drew to tell her how I feel.  Go here to read my letter.  My stupid letter won't make any difference but it made me feel better.

I am going to send a note to Jack Banas, the Prosecutor for St. Charles County.  He can't prosecute a crime for which there are no laws.  I just want him to know how I feel, in the hope that maybe he will be moved to get the ball rolling on some legislation for cyber bullying.  If you want to send Mr. Banas a note, here is his address and fax number.   Don't be mean to Mr. Banas but help me inspire him to get some laws about cyber crimes.  And say a prayer tonight for Megan's family.

Jack Banas-Prosecuting Attorney
St Charles County
Courts Administration Building
Room 601
300 North Second Street
St. Charles, MO 63301
Fax: 636-949-7360

Comments

[Mrs. C]

If things went down the way it's been portrayed in the news (if), then this woman deserves NO friends and NO job connections. She should be shunned by everyone in her community.

But... did anyone think about the parents' responsibility to protect their child? If it was known that she was chatting with some boy and she had mental problems already, I would NOT stand for it. End of story.

I know everyone is upset at the lady who posted this series of lies about "Josh," but I'm concerned about what kind of law would get passed in response to this. I think most of us value our freedoms and use them responsibly. I can't imagine where, even though this was a wicked and thoughtless manipulation, Lori Drew should be held 100% responsible for the child's death.

(Conversely, I would say it's a bit of a stretch to say that nothing she did was wrong too because we can tell she was TRYING to inflict severe emotional harm, yk? I just can't see charging her with murder or something. What is it everyone is thinking would be appropriate??)

So, would you mind letting me know what exactly a "cyber-bullying" law would entail and how ordinary people would be protected from over-enforcement?

For example, I'm NOT really "Mrs. C" and I do comment anonymously on blogs sometimes. Would we need first and last names on everything? I think I'd speak up a lot less because I don't know who else is out there and if they know where I live.

Just saying. Thanks for listening.

[Mrs. C]

If things went down the way it's been portrayed in the news (if), then this woman deserves NO friends and NO job connections. She should be shunned by everyone in her community.

But... did anyone think about the parents' responsibility to protect their child? If it was known that she was chatting with some boy and she had mental problems already, I would NOT stand for it. End of story.

I know everyone is upset at the lady who posted this series of lies about "Josh," but I'm concerned about what kind of law would get passed in response to this. I think most of us value our freedoms and use them responsibly. I can't imagine where, even though this was a wicked and thoughtless manipulation, Lori Drew should be held 100% responsible for the child's death.

(Conversely, I would say it's a bit of a stretch to say that nothing she did was wrong too because we can tell she was TRYING to inflict severe emotional harm, yk? I just can't see charging her with murder or something. What is it everyone is thinking would be appropriate??)

So, would you mind letting me know what exactly a "cyber-bullying" law would entail and how ordinary people would be protected from over-enforcement?

For example, I'm NOT really "Mrs. C" and I do comment anonymously on blogs sometimes. Would we need first and last names on everything? I think I'd speak up a lot less because I don't know who else is out there and if they know where I live.

Just saying. Thanks for listening.

[Kelley]

Oh. MY. GOD. That is truly unbelievable. That woman would have known EXACTLY what buttons to push....

That has sickened me.

[whitetrashmom]

Brandy-I appreciate you leaving your opinion. I see your point that the little girl did take her own life. I don't agree with you because of the fact that and adult and a mother, who should know better, took advantage of a weaker, younger person. I realize that in school kids are bullied and I am sorry you were bullied. But once people "grow up" they have a a responsibility to be better, to act in a way that adults should act.

[Brandy]

I agree that it was immature for the mother to pull a prank like that, but come on. What do you think high school is all about? Kids get made fun of, picked on, stabbed in the back by friends, "bullied", etc every day.

I got picked on a lot in school, but if I went and killed myself over some stupid words that won't matter in a few more years, well then, I needed help long before my little online boyfriend made fun of me.

Maybe we should press charges against HER mother for not noticing the kid was obviously having some mental issues. While we're at it, let's just take the high school principal, bus drivers, employers of teens, and everyone else that comes in contact with them? It seems pretty stupid that it's even been publicized this much. She killed herself...happens everyday, only since it was online(OMG!)we have to be all worried about what "the internet is doing to our kids".

I suggest yes, hug your kids, but don't toss out the computer just yet...instead, actually pay attention to your child and be sure they don't get so depressed as to actually take their own life. These things happen for MANY more reasons than just internet boyfriends.

[baseballmom]

This whole thing makes me SICK. I can't believe that an adult would pull a stupid stunt like that, and get away with it. So, so sad.

[Bridgett]

I'm in St. Louis...it's been all over the news lately, and it is heartbreaking. Makes me want to toss the computer in the dumpster and hug my kids by candlelight.

In the real world, though, the laws do need to catch up. I believe I heard something on our local NPR about such a movement here in Missouri, based on this case.

[lla]

This story is so heart-breaking, and unbelievable...

When I first heard of it (on CNN) I did think of you, knowing that you had had firsthand experience with bullying issues in the past. I admire you for encouraging people to contact the attorney - the laws DO need to catch up.

And your letter to the psycho-mom? spot on and perfect. and far more restrained than anything I could have written.

My hat's off you, WTM...