I would argue just the opposite. I think seeing death gives you respect for life. Perhaps if kids were exposed to hunting more and knew what death really is, they would respect life a little more. Death is natural. Sheltering our kids from it only makes it tougher to deal with later in life. To think that death is something that we can just hide from is naive'. Perhaps if Miss Bustamante had been taken hunting, she would have gained a new respect for life and wouldn't have been so curious as to what it's like to kill something...or someone. Fact of the matter is that your claim of a correlation between hunting, seeing dead animals, and violence towards other people is completely unfounded and based on your own feelings.

Elizabeth Olten's death is tragic. But, if you think for a moment that seeing death, whether it be a deer, a dog, or people on TV does not desensitze children, you are sadly mistaken. My father was born and raised in the country. We learned gun safety VERY young but I can assure you, not on helpless animals. If he hunted, he did not parade the carcasses for us to see. When you take a life, any life, it isn't entertaining and most certainly should not be published in the newspaper.

I just read Alyssa was on Prozac..mind you I'm not saying this is an excuse but wasn't giving anti-depressants to children known to cause suicidal thoughts and rage/violance and dark thoughts...I'm surprised this isn't a big deal in this case....

Deer hunting is not evil. Child killing is. Deer hunting provides meat for many Missouri families, protects the deer population from starving due to over-population, and is a time-honored sport.

Humans are omnivores, meaning, along with vegetables, we also eat meat. While butcher shops and supermarkets have taken us a step away from the process of killing animals we intend to eat, the animals are still killed. Do you believe it's wrong to do the actual killing? Do you feel the same way about the employees of farms and factories who do that job?

Also of note, teaching children firearm safety at a young age prevents them from accidentally injuring or killing themselves or others. Guns don't kill people.....yeah, you've heard that one.

Please refrain from stereotyping based on your own opinions.

Carol Ann Moore wrote: "I am reading this horrific story about how a 15 year old killed a 9 year old and out of the corner of my eye .... I see pictures of dead deer with small children looking at them. What is wrong with you people?!!! There is nothing fun or happy about killing. My Mother in Law is from Missouri and now I understand......"

Way to stereotype, Carol. Also, what do dead deer have to do with the murder of Elizabeth Olten? And what do your comments have to do with the story other than to stereotype and take a jab at Missourians? Thanks so much for your constructive comments.

"Later that night, courtroom testimony revealed Bustmante's family drove her to St. Louis and checked her into a psychiatric hospital."

Sorry, I was there and I didn't hear anyone testify to this, or even mention it.....

Who said this???? Which hearing????

Thanks!

I am really wondering why her grandparents did that, they had to know something! And I am not sure why there's not more coverage on that situation other than just what took place. I sure hope details will emerge on the basis of the sudden trip!

Why are not the grandparents and or the mother of Alyssa charged with aiding and abetting (or whomever took her)? They had to know, why else would they have whisked her off to a psyiatric hospital?

I bet she told her family she wanted or needed to go STL because for whatever reason she gave them, but I think that was her way out of stearing clear of the police investigating her, even though it put a target right on her.

That is a good question though.

And, I also agree with "HI HI", I hope they give her what she deserves, which is a lot.

I am reading this horrific story about how a 15 year old killed a 9 year old and out of the corner of my eye .... I see pictures of dead deer with small children looking at them. What is wrong with you people?!!! There is nothing fun or happy about killing. My Mother in Law is from Missouri and now I understand......

The family that drove her to St. Lou should be charged with something because they apparently had to know what she did. I hope the other inmates at the M. County jail where she is being held find out what she did and give her a little reality check and let her know the pain Elizabeth went thru.