Stop Blaming Nancy Grace
I am a fan of Nancy Grace. I have been watching her for years, even before I had children of my own. When she started her intense coverage of the Caylee Anthony missing person case, which then turned into the murder case of Casey Anthony, I tuned in nightly.
But before the Anthony family stories, Nancy had already made a name for herself over intense coverage, and a wrongful death lawsuit brought upon her by the family of Melinda Duckett, a woman who killed herself after Nancy covered the story of her missing toddler with the typical intense questioning. Melinda willingly went on the Nancy Grace show, like many others and responded to many questions.
Only to later take her own life. To this day the missing toddler in question has not been found.
Recently Nancy took on the story of Toni Medrano who she dubbed “Vodka Mom” personally, I like the real Vodka Mom much better, but it was a fitting nick name since the mother in question drank herself into a drunkin’ stupor then jumped in bed with her three week old baby while heavily intoxicated. Something we all know is a huge no-no, but also simple common sense.
Not long after Nancy Grace covered the story, the mother in question lit herself on fire to commit suicide. This is where I am going to pull my soapbox out once again, and probably be called a giant heartless bitch.
I feel for her and her family. The situation as a whole is incredibly tragic. I don’t even know what I would do if anything ever happened to any of my children. I have told my husband on several occasions, if something ever happened they might as well book me a white padded room for the rest of my life.
Anyway! Back to my point.
My first point would be the fact that there was something far more serious in this situation from the get go. For a mother of a three week old baby to go out and consume 9+ alcoholic beverages, and come home to hop in bed with the baby. There was a serious red flag. After that kind of alcohol no parent should be taking care of a child. But was there some kind of postpartum depression? I mean the baby was only three weeks old. It isn’t your run of the mill behavior.
Second – with the above and the fact that Ms. Medrano actually lit herself on fire… is this something that would have happened without the media coverage? Maybe? Maybe not?
Third – the family blaming a single television host for her coverage is ridiculous. Why?
After over four years of trashing Casey Anthony from here to Hawaii, she is still alive. She didn’t kill herself, and clearly we all know she is one nut short of a funny farm.
Do I think Nancy Grace can be completely harsh? Of course I do. That is what she is being paid to do. Do I think it is her fault a troubled young woman took her life? Not at all. Do I think it is ridiculous her family is lashing out at her? Yes. Maybe if they had cared this much when their clearly troubled family member was right in front of their eyes, she may still be alive!
Not to place blame around to anyone, it is clear this is a horrible tragedy, but the family needs to not be ridiculous by blaming Nancy Grace because she is the last person anyone should be blaming.
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Tags: hot topics, Nancy Grace, Toni Medrano, Vodka mom
I agree with you that this girl clearly had something crazy going on in her head. I’m very 50/50 with Nancy grace. Sometimes I agree with her and sometimes I think she is way too harsh and her opinions are ridiculous BUT she is allowed to think whatever she wants to. I don’t think she should ‘ve getting the blame for this one though.
I agree.
I have a strong belief in “owning up” to your choices and actions. This article hit multiple nerves because I have close friends and family who have lost a child, and also battles an addiction to alcohol.
First off, we all know what alcohol does to an individual. And majority of the time, you make horrible decisions. Well, guess what? By her being careless and laying with her infant, the unfortunate result was death of the child. Point blank: If you know you are going to get trashed, do not come in contact with your child. You protect your child by any means necessary—-even if it’s from you.
I know a mother who lost a child due to suffaction. The mother fell asleep while feeding her baby. The next morning, the grandmother walked in and shook the babys leg because she seemed “too peaceful.” The baby didnt budge….she was cold..and she was dead. The baby suffacated on the milk. The mother of the child was devestated! In my small town, word had gottten out…and all hell broke loose! She was called a baby killer, un worthy and rumors spread like a wild fire. Did she commit suicide? No. Instead she became a BETTER mother for the rest of her children. Nancy Grace’s comment should have fueled her to be more careful, seek help and learn from her “mistake.” Regardless of the situation, IF IT’S YOURS..YOU OWN IT! You don’t light yourself on fire over someones words. You NEVER give anyone that much POWER over your life.
Suicide is a touchy subject, but I’m going to take it there. SUICIDE IS A SELFISH ACT. What this mother did was selfish. She left behind three children along with the rest of her family and friends because of what a public figure said. A nickname that probably would have been forgotten within weeks really is a good reason to commit suicide? Do you want to know what’s trending now????? Damn sure not Nancy. It’s Justin Bieber being sued by a mother for hearing loss. Oh yes my friends………Justin…Bieber.
Lets not blame Nancy…….because I feel this mother has been fighting her demons for quite sometime. I mean really, she didn’t pick up a bottle of Moscato….she picked up Vodka. That screams depression/mental health issues. Lets keep it real ladies and gents, she had issues way before Nancy put her on blast. If you want to play the blaming game, you mind as well blame every bully, employers who turned down candidates, bad bosses etc for suicides.
It is devestating that this child passed. But I will not fault Nancy for doing her job and being the person she has been for years. Yes, it is sad that the baby is now dead and a mother should never have to endure such pain of losing a child——-but at the end of the day, it was her careless act that killed that child.
I dont have any children, but I do have common sense.
Feel free to blame me for not “understanding”
Im all ears!
I think your idolization of Nancy Grace is overriding your common sense here. She went and pushed somebody already on the edge about a horrible accident caused by her own neglect and KILLED her with her words. And it’s NOT the first time it’s happened.
Let’s run this down:
“My first point would be the fact that there was something far more serious in this situation from the get go. For a mother of a three week old baby to go out and consume 9+ alcoholic beverages, and come home to hop in bed with the baby. There was a serious red flag. After that kind of alcohol no parent should be taking care of a child. But was there some kind of postpartum depression? I mean the baby was only three weeks old. It isn’t your run of the mill behavior.”
Neither is a ex-DA personally hounding a woman AFTER she was convicted of her crime ON NATIONAL TV. How the hell is that EVER right?
“Second – with the above and the fact that Ms. Medrano actually lit herself on fire… is this something that would have happened without the media coverage? Maybe? Maybe not?”
Hmm, considering that at least one other woman has commited suicide after being on Nancy’s program, I’d say “definitely not”.
“Third – the family blaming a single television host for her coverage is ridiculous. Why?
After over four years of trashing Casey Anthony from here to Hawaii, she is still alive. She didn’t kill herself, and clearly we all know she is one nut short of a funny farm.”
LOL WHAT? Wow…Why don’t you google Melinda Duckett’s name?
“Do I think Nancy Grace can be completely harsh? Of course I do. That is what she is being paid to do. Do I think it is her fault a troubled young woman took her life? Not at all. Do I think it is ridiculous her family is lashing out at her? Yes. Maybe if they had cared this much when their clearly troubled family member was right in front of their eyes, she may still be alive!
Not to place blame around to anyone”
But you just did. This is a HORRIBLE ARTICLE. My God. Would you dare repeat this in front of the family that you’re basically blaming for this outcome?
I am flabbergasted. I hope nothing like this ever happens to a relative of yours..and if it did, that you NEVER read something like this about them.
I’m posting this link to a few boards that are support ones for parents/children who had a loved one kill themselves for various reasons. I think they would like to have a few words with you.
@Rob – Clearly you did not read most of what was written. I did discuss Miranda Duckett as well.
You are free to your opinion, just as I am free to mine. I choose to believe an on air legal commentator is not to blame for an unstable woman killing herself.
One of the biggest things *I* see in society is the perpetual blaming of others instead of personal responsibility.
Look, maybe I overreacted a bit at first. But as someone who has had friends and relatives kill themselves for various reasons, it just seems rather startling to point the finger at the family like that. Plus – why did nancy feel the need to talk about a case that was already settled and the suspect was already sentenced? What was the point? She couldn’t talk the DA into upping the sentence or anything. It comes off as media vigilantism to me.
I admit I am NOT a fan of hers, and haven’t really liked her since she started on the air. but I know she’s popular with some so I can understand why she’s on the air. But this latest stuff…it just seems over the line. There needs to be some fixes here before there is a third one (and at that point she could be consided criminally liable, not just civilly as it appears right now). It might mean taking her off the air. I don’t know. But I don’t think HLN/Viacom is too comfortable with this.
Rob Cypher recently posted..What If Vol. 2 – #1-8 (1989 issues)
@Rob – I have been watching Nancy Grace for years, and this is all nothing new. She has been like this as long as she has been on the air. And actually I think she has become SOFTER since having her twins than she was before.
I have lost someone close to me in my life. I know what it feels like, but as a parent I am a strong advocate for PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
Almost seven years ago I worked in a mental health care in-patient facility, I have seen it first hand. I am not heartless, I am a realist.
I am also not the kind of person who thinks blaming and suing the media for stuff out of their control is acceptable.
Thank you for your insight and comments, but I will stand by ever word I said.
I suspect your view would be VERY different had you personally experienced someone close to you killing themselves.
This situation bothers me because my girl does watch NG sometimes, and now when I see her face I get angry. That’s not good. :/
She’s going to lose her show (IMO) unless she does some major PR repair work here. We’ll see – she already dodged one bullet with Duckett, but this woman is more tragic than the 2006 incident.
Rob Cypher recently posted..What If Vol. 2 – #1-8 (1989 issues)
@Rob – Speculation on your part. I have lost not one, but two people close to me who have taken their own lives.
I still stand my ground. It is heart wrenching, but as Monique above said, it is selfish.
Maybe if you are having such a strong reaction to a television personality you should refrain from watching her show, or even
think about some kind of anger management classes.
As for her losing her show, I highly doubt that. This has been going on for years. There is nothing for her to do.
This is her show as a whole.
Anger management? That’s not really the issue here.
I do normally refrain from watching her show, but my girl watches it so…
If reaction is strong enough either the advertisers will run, making the show unprofitable or people who mad will boycott those advertisers, making them run. I don’t think HLN’s audience cares enough so she’s probably safe. However I doubt we will see her on “Dancing With The Stars” or any other type of celebrity show for a while- too much baggage right now.
@Rob – I am not sure why she would be on Dancing With the Stars again since she was on last season.