This is soooo wrong! - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

The_Dude · 11-26-2003, 11:26 AM

Quote:

From joy to heartbreak
Toys' disappearance ruins dying boy's birthday
By ALLAN TURNER
Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle
Steven Rael's 13th birthday was the best day of his life -- for three whole hours. Then the joyous day went heartbreakingly sour.

Here's the story the way Diane Lewis, Steven's mom, told it. She choked back tears to get it out.

Steven's dying of cancer. It's eating at his bones and now it's moved into his lungs. Doctors didn't expect him to last much beyond his 11th birthday. So far, he's proved them wrong.

On Monday, the spritely birthday boy -- the youngest of five children born to Lewis and her fiancé, Jose Gonzalez -- got his wish: a three-hour shopping spree at a Toys "R" Us off FM 1960.

With store employees, friends, family and representatives of the Texas Wishing Well Foundation at his side, Steven made his way through the store, packing shopping carts with the items he liked. He started at 3:30 p.m and by the time he finished three hours later, Steven had filled five carts to the brim.

He picked a Play Station 2, DVD movies, computer games, a bike.

The value of the toys as well as donations made by other well-wishers came to about $5,000, Lewis estimated -- more than her family ever could have hoped to spend. Lewis works only in the home. Gonzalez, a construction worker, hurt his back and is awaiting surgery. Without Texas Wishing Well's help, Steven's birthday celebration wouldn't have been as grand.

"He told everyone it was the best day of his life," his mother said. "You had to be there to see his face. There was happiness and joy."

As family and friends milled about outside the store, taxi driver Cedric Edmonson, 25, helped load the boy's presents into his cab. "He hugged me. He cried. He said he was so sorry for what Steven was going through," Lewis said of the driver. "He told me he hardly could wait to meet Steven."

After that, Steven and his folks and a few others climbed into the shiny, silver Hummer that Santos and Rose Matos, owners of a Spring hair salon, brought to chauffeur the boy in style. With the cab bringing up the rear, they entered late-afternoon Beltway 8 traffic en route to the family's West Airport Boulevard apartment.

After a while, other cars pulled between the Hummer and the cab. And what happened next is a matter of unpleasant question.

"We got home and the cab didn't come," Lewis said. "It didn't come in half an hour. It didn't come in 45 minutes." In fact, it didn't come at all.

Finally, Texas Wishing Well head Frank Willis reported the cab missing. "The other cabdrivers began looking for it," Lewis said. "They didn't know whether he'd been in an accident. They finally stopped him -- one pulled in front and the other in back -- and made him stop."

The cab's rear was empty.

Details of the stop are uncertain. Citing privacy and legal restrictions, the cab people won't talk about the incident. The episode crossed police jurisdictions, and Houston Police Department spokesman John Cannon said it is unclear in what manner city officers were involved.

What is certain, though, is that Edmonson was transported to Harris County Jail on four outstanding warrants, including allegations of writing bad checks and failing to appear in court.

Liberty Cab Co., for which Edmonson works as a contract driver, said in a prepared statement that the driver claimed he had been hijacked and the presents stolen. Liberty Cab has pledged $3,000 to help replace the missing presents.

Edmonson was released from county jail late Tuesday after posting bond. He was not initially charged in the toy theft.

While the toys' fate has yet to be determined, Lewis and her son blame the cabdriver.

"We just couldn't believe it," Lewis said. "Why would someone do this to Steven? Don't they have a heart?"

Steven is taking the blow as well as he can, his mother said. "Someone asked him what he would tell" the person who stole the toys, Lewis said. "He said he never wants to see him again. He should stay away. He's a monster."

link

That's just wrong on ALL levels. the guy is like the grinch, expect he stole the poor kid's birthday. what an evil bastard!

mb99usa · 11-26-2003, 11:32 AM

They should let the kid torture that dude until he gives up where the toys are.

Averett · 11-26-2003, 11:35 AM

That is terrible.

Kaos · 11-26-2003, 11:44 AM

Unbelievable.

Just when you think humanity couldn't sink any lower...

Holo · 11-26-2003, 11:52 AM

I vote for public stoning. I will throw the first stone, sinner or not.

Snakebyt · 11-26-2003, 12:04 PM

i cant believe some people can be so cold hearted...Time to bring back the Lynch Mob

World's King · 11-26-2003, 12:08 PM

Jesus fuckin' Christ.

How can you be that evil?

rogue49 · 11-26-2003, 12:12 PM

Sad
I will stop bitchin' this very moment.

And there is nothing you can do this man to teach him about his heartlessness,
just put him in jail
harm or death would just put us at his level.

Hopefully, the news about this will make more aware,
and the boy will get his gift and then some,
and hopefully help the family out a bit.

The shameful thing is children are in these situations everyday,
and people do these type of things everyday.
It's enough to make you numb.
But maybe this time, a little more caring & sharing will happen.

In the end, no matter what
there is Hope.

feelgood · 11-26-2003, 12:18 PM

Time for a major league ass whupping

yournamehere · 11-26-2003, 12:25 PM

On a happier note, the owner of the taxi company immediately wrote out a check for the value of the stolen toys.

Nice to see someone taking responsibility.

Sho Nuff · 11-26-2003, 12:34 PM

damn, even I wouldnt steal toys from a kid with cancer...

txlovely · 11-26-2003, 12:35 PM

This was unbelievably heinous enough to make the front page of the fourth largest city in the nation's newspaper this morning.
Here is some of the latest info:

Quote:

Edmonson (the cab driver) was arrested on outstanding warrants. The cab company felt so badly that the company has decided to furnish a check for $3,000, because the most important thing is that this child gets both his toys and his wish.

The cab driver does have a felony theft record. He is not yet charged in this case, but is still in the Harris County Jail for other outstanding warrants for writing bad checks. Edmonson claims he was held up at gunpoint Monday night. But he never bothered to call the police.

The_Dude · 11-26-2003, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by txlovely
This was unbelievably heinous enough to make the front page of the fourth largest city in the nation's newspaper this morning.
Here is some of the latest info:

the story is from the houston chronicle

Arc101 · 11-26-2003, 01:17 PM

Hopefully they are a few people waiting for him in jail to explain that somethings are out of order and he needs to be taught that this is one of them.

dragon2fire · 11-26-2003, 03:28 PM

That is so sad

put him in jail and let him rot

rogue49 · 11-26-2003, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Arc101
Hopefully they are a few people waiting for him in jail to explain that somethings are out of order and he needs to be taught that this is one of them.

This is true...he's going to get the shit beat out of him in prison.
They take anything dealing with kids seriously.

arael · 11-26-2003, 05:17 PM

STONE THAT BASTARD!!!

Seriously though, that's just not right. How could anyone..

MacGnG · 11-26-2003, 06:42 PM

hope more ppl help him out

LewisCouch · 11-26-2003, 07:05 PM

Within the bowels of hell a special place awaits those who have no soul.

Fire · 11-27-2003, 02:24 AM

yeah- most of the time lynch mobs wind up killing the innocent- and are just a bad idea- this time though- hell, does anyone think this guy needs to keep breathing- it will cost us, what, $ 30,000 per year that he's locked up- fuck, its about $.50 for a realy nice 9mm bullet.......(it should be noted that I spent my 13th birthday on a cancer ward watching my dad die from bone cancer, so I may be slightly biased- cancer sucks.)

monty121052 · 11-27-2003, 05:10 AM

Pretty shitty act.

User Name · 11-27-2003, 05:56 AM

On a somewhat insensitive note, he wouldn't have been able to enjoy the toys for long anyway.

glasscutter43 · 11-27-2003, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by User Name
On a somewhat insensitive note, he wouldn't have been able to enjoy the toys for long anyway.

YOU DESERVE TO TAKE A RIDE IN THAT TAXI.

Rodney · 11-27-2003, 09:43 AM

Yes, jail will be hard for that guy. The screws will let the appropriate prisoners know what they need to know. The rest is a forgone conclusion.

Cycler · 11-27-2003, 09:56 AM

Mn that is one bad run of Karma coming up on someone.

remiel · 11-27-2003, 03:13 PM

man, what a fucking asshole.

surely he KNEW he'd be caught.

hobo · 11-27-2003, 05:31 PM

this is soooo wrong indeed! i'd like to punch that guy in the face.

OFKU0 · 11-27-2003, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Snakebyt
i cant believe some people can be so cold hearted...Time to bring back the Lynch Mob

I second that. The Lynch Mob was so much better than Dokken.

As for the ripoff guy. Well,...he'll get his one day

merkerguitars · 11-28-2003, 08:13 AM

Man....that person is so fucking horrible....at least he's getting some sort of compensation....

Minx · 11-28-2003, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Holo
I vote for public stoning. I will throw the first stone, sinner or not.

And I will throw the second one. This is absolutely horrible. It is just beyond me how anyone could do this at all.....let alone to a child who is dying for God's sake. I am just appalled.

Quote:

Originally posted by User Name
On a somewhat insensitive note, he wouldn't have been able to enjoy the toys for long anyway.

SHAME ON YOU FOR SAYING THIS!

tokaok · 11-28-2003, 09:04 AM

innocent till proven guilty.

seethreepo · 11-28-2003, 09:31 AM

as horrible as this is why couldnt someone go in the cab with the driver and 5000$ worth of stuff?

or better yet eliminate the cab and take the stuff with them ?

uv7piy · 12-04-2003, 08:17 AM

I vote for having someone in the cab as well. No excuse for the cabbie's behavior (if, in fact, he stole the stuff), but why give him such a golden opportunity.

taliendo · 12-04-2003, 11:11 AM

I know that I'm a cynical bastard, but I couldn't help it. . . I laughed my ass off when I read this story. Its sad. Its wrong -- in every way that it could be. . . but its still kinda funny.

*ducks while you all throw the proverbial rotten tomato

itchy93 · 12-04-2003, 01:20 PM

taliendo

I didn't want to be the first to say it... thanks.

It is absolutely terrible. It is inexcusable. The cab driver is a horrible person. But something about the whole situation is humorous. Maybe it's one of those defense mechanisms that make us laugh when something is so bad that we can't comprehend it.

The kid did get reimbursed $3,000, and they were just toys... it's very wrong, but it is kinda funny.

Evil Milkman · 12-04-2003, 01:34 PM

Yeah, that's bad. What a childish and insensitive act!

bender · 12-04-2003, 02:25 PM

As I read that I was thinking to myself that it has to be a hoax, but once I read more of the thread I found that it's not and that has me just sitting here wondering just how much lower a person can get.

Gortexfogg · 12-04-2003, 04:29 PM

Some people just don't understand kindness. That guy is not only incredibly stupid, he is almost not human.

Cherry · 12-05-2003, 02:18 AM

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

The cabbie is a complete tool for stealing toys from a defenseless kids. How could he have possibly thought that he could get away with this mess?

The whole situation is completely absurd.

Sure, lock his ass in jail - but what you have to do is make the guy wear a special shirt that says "I'm an ass who steals from dying children."

I don't think the taxpayers will have to foot the tab for his 3 squares for very long. Lots of inmates have kids, ya know.

dragon2fire · 12-05-2003, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gortexfogg
Some people just don't understand kindness. That guy is not only incredibly stupid, he is almost not human.

danger its always bad to dehumanize some one

like i said thorw him in jail

11-26-2003, 11:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
mb99usa Keep on rolling. It only hurts for a little while. Location: wherever I am	They should let the kid torture that dude until he gives up where the toys are. __________________ So, what's your point? It's not an attitude, it's a way of life.

11-26-2003, 11:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
Averett Is In Love Location: I'm workin' on it	That is terrible. __________________ Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

11-26-2003, 11:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
Holo A Real American	I vote for public stoning. I will throw the first stone, sinner or not. __________________ I happen to like the words "fuck", "cock", "pussy", "tits", "cunt", "twat", "shit" and even "bitch". As long as I am not using them to describe you, don't go telling me whether or not I can/should use them...that is, if you want me to continue refraining from using them to describe you. ~Prince

11-26-2003, 12:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
World's King Here Location: Denver City Denver	Jesus fuckin' Christ. How can you be that evil? __________________ heavy is the head that wears the crown

11-26-2003, 12:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
feelgood Free Mars! Location: I dunno, there's white people around me saying "eh" all the time	Time for a major league ass whupping __________________ Looking out the window, that's an act of war. Staring at my shoes, that's an act of war. Committing an act of war? Oh you better believe that's an act of war

11-26-2003, 11:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Kaos Ssssssssss Location: Ontario	Unbelievable. Just when you think humanity couldn't sink any lower...

11-26-2003, 12:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
Snakebyt Psycho Location: Lubbock Texas	i cant believe some people can be so cold hearted...Time to bring back the Lynch Mob

11-26-2003, 12:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
rogue49 Loser	Sad I will stop bitchin' this very moment. And there is nothing you can do this man to teach him about his heartlessness, just put him in jail harm or death would just put us at his level. Hopefully, the news about this will make more aware, and the boy will get his gift and then some, and hopefully help the family out a bit. The shameful thing is children are in these situations everyday, and people do these type of things everyday. It's enough to make you numb. But maybe this time, a little more caring & sharing will happen. In the end, no matter what there is Hope.

11-26-2003, 12:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
yournamehere Invisible Location: tentative, at best	On a happier note, the owner of the taxi company immediately wrote out a check for the value of the stolen toys. Nice to see someone taking responsibility. __________________ If you want to avoid 95% of internet spelling errors: "If your ridiculous pants are too loose, you're definitely going to lose them. Tell your two loser friends over there that they're going to lose theirs, too." It won't hurt your fashion sense, either.

11-26-2003, 12:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
Sho Nuff Addict Location: Harlem	damn, even I wouldnt steal toys from a kid with cancer... __________________ I know Nietzsche doesnt rhyme with peachy, but you sound like a pretentious prick when you correct me.

11-26-2003, 01:17 PM	#14 (permalink)
Arc101 Addict Location: Nottingham, England	Hopefully they are a few people waiting for him in jail to explain that somethings are out of order and he needs to be taught that this is one of them.

11-26-2003, 03:28 PM	#15 (permalink)
dragon2fire Junkie	That is so sad put him in jail and let him rot

11-26-2003, 05:17 PM	#17 (permalink)
arael Banned	STONE THAT BASTARD!!! Seriously though, that's just not right. How could anyone..

11-26-2003, 06:42 PM	#18 (permalink)
MacGnG Know Where!	hope more ppl help him out

11-26-2003, 07:05 PM	#19 (permalink)
LewisCouch Insane Location: Pacific NW	Within the bowels of hell a special place awaits those who have no soul. __________________ "The gift of liberty is like that of a horse, handsome, strong, and high-spirited. In some it arouses a wish to ride; in many others, on the contrary, it increases the desire to walk." -- Massimo d'Azeglio

11-27-2003, 09:56 AM	#25 (permalink)
Cycler Float on.... Alright Location: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plains, i.e. Oklahoma	Mn that is one bad run of Karma coming up on someone. __________________ "I'm not even supposed to be here today." "I assure you we're open."

11-27-2003, 02:24 AM	#20 (permalink)
Fire Warrior Smith Location: missouri	yeah- most of the time lynch mobs wind up killing the innocent- and are just a bad idea- this time though- hell, does anyone think this guy needs to keep breathing- it will cost us, what, $ 30,000 per year that he's locked up- fuck, its about $.50 for a realy nice 9mm bullet.......(it should be noted that I spent my 13th birthday on a cancer ward watching my dad die from bone cancer, so I may be slightly biased- cancer sucks.) __________________ Thought the harder, Heart the bolder, Mood the more as our might lessens

11-27-2003, 05:10 AM	#21 (permalink)
monty121052 Insane Location: Newcastle-Australia	Pretty shitty act.

11-27-2003, 05:56 AM	#22 (permalink)
User Name Banned Location: Urf	On a somewhat insensitive note, he wouldn't have been able to enjoy the toys for long anyway.

11-27-2003, 09:43 AM	#24 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	Yes, jail will be hard for that guy. The screws will let the appropriate prisoners know what they need to know. The rest is a forgone conclusion.

11-27-2003, 03:13 PM	#26 (permalink)
remiel Insane Location: Gastonia NC	man, what a fucking asshole. surely he KNEW he'd be caught. __________________ "Then said Joseph to St. Mary, henceforth we will not allow him to go out of the house; for every one who displeases him is killed." Gospel of the Infancy of Jesus Christ, 20:16

11-27-2003, 05:31 PM	#27 (permalink)
hobo Archangel of Change	this is soooo wrong indeed! i'd like to punch that guy in the face.

11-28-2003, 08:13 AM	#29 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Man....that person is so fucking horrible....at least he's getting some sort of compensation.... __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

11-28-2003, 09:04 AM	#31 (permalink)
tokaok Crazy Location: Canada	innocent till proven guilty.

11-28-2003, 09:31 AM	#32 (permalink)
seethreepo Addict Location: outer reaches of space	as horrible as this is why couldnt someone go in the cab with the driver and 5000$ worth of stuff? or better yet eliminate the cab and take the stuff with them ? __________________ rub it and see.

12-04-2003, 08:17 AM	#33 (permalink)
uv7piy Banned Location: Near NYC	I vote for having someone in the cab as well. No excuse for the cabbie's behavior (if, in fact, he stole the stuff), but why give him such a golden opportunity.

12-04-2003, 11:11 AM	#34 (permalink)
taliendo Insane Location: an indelible crawl through the gutters	I know that I'm a cynical bastard, but I couldn't help it. . . I laughed my ass off when I read this story. Its sad. Its wrong -- in every way that it could be. . . but its still kinda funny. *ducks while you all throw the proverbial rotten tomato __________________ -LIFE IS ABSURD-

12-04-2003, 01:20 PM	#35 (permalink)
itchy93 Tilted Location: Wandering North America	taliendo I didn't want to be the first to say it... thanks. It is absolutely terrible. It is inexcusable. The cab driver is a horrible person. But something about the whole situation is humorous. Maybe it's one of those defense mechanisms that make us laugh when something is so bad that we can't comprehend it. The kid did get reimbursed $3,000, and they were just toys... it's very wrong, but it is kinda funny. __________________ That's just my opinion; I could be wrong.

12-04-2003, 01:34 PM	#36 (permalink)
Evil Milkman Addict Location: Illinois	Yeah, that's bad. What a childish and insensitive act!

12-04-2003, 02:25 PM	#37 (permalink)
bender Addict Location: around the corner	As I read that I was thinking to myself that it has to be a hoax, but once I read more of the thread I found that it's not and that has me just sitting here wondering just how much lower a person can get.

12-04-2003, 04:29 PM	#38 (permalink)
Gortexfogg I and I Location: Stillwater, OK	Some people just don't understand kindness. That guy is not only incredibly stupid, he is almost not human.

12-05-2003, 02:18 AM	#39 (permalink)
Cherry Tilted Location: Yonder	I don't know whether to laugh or cry. The cabbie is a complete tool for stealing toys from a defenseless kids. How could he have possibly thought that he could get away with this mess? The whole situation is completely absurd. Sure, lock his ass in jail - but what you have to do is make the guy wear a special shirt that says "I'm an ass who steals from dying children." I don't think the taxpayers will have to foot the tab for his 3 squares for very long. Lots of inmates have kids, ya know. __________________ In walked a man in the shape of a man, holding a hat shaped hat...