The Boogeyman Is Getting Younger And Younger

Does anyone else find it odd that two recent kidnapping/murder cases involving two young girls (ages 10 and 12) were allegedly commited by teens? Teenage boys. Ages 17, 17 and 15. A young man in Colorado. Two brothers in New Jersey.

The Boogeyman is getting younger and younger.

And it has me frightened.

It has me wondering, what is the catalyst? Lack of supervision? Movies and television? Video games? Rock music?

Of course, I’m not completely serious about T.V., music and games but it makes me wonder about the desensitizing that happens when our children are exposed to Warcraft and Hellraiser at too young an age. I’m familiar with pop psychology that points to a teen’s inability to firmly grasp the concept of death and consequence as it applies to them. A Superman mentality. An It’ll-Never-Happen-To-Me way of existence.

I have a need to make sense of it all. But I can’t. I’m appalled that these young men had the urge to snatch a frightened, young girl. That despite all of her pleading, they would not let her go. And when they had no use for her, it was easier to kill her than let her go back home.

Two innocent, loving, joyful young ladies. With so much life ahead of them.

As I grasp at theories to try to understand, it doesn’t comfort me.

And it certainly doesn’t comfort the poor parents of little Jessica Ridgeway and Autumn Pasquale.

Sending prayers and love to the families of the victims and the families of the accused. And a hug to the mother who turned in her own sons when she suspected they might be involved. What a horrible cross to bear.