Reader Comments

" I Hope that Angie see's just what she has done here! She has ruined this childs life. I would hope that our system couldn't possibly let this women go free for committing such a harsh crime on a child! Angie Smithers needs to face a jury and let them decide what is in store for her!!! My thoughts and prayers go out to the family you have suffered enough heartache! "

" The family of this poor child needs to realize that this child CANNOT legally testify at trial. If you have been told that the child will be called to testify, you have been lied to. Take this case to trial and allow justice to be served. If you follow through, maybe someone else won't suffer the same fate in the future. "

" As a member of the family of the toddler that was burned, we are very grateful to the community for all the support that we have recieved. In regards to the plea deal, we just want the victim (my grandson) to see Ms. Smithers being led off to jail in handcuffs so that he knows that she can't hurt him again. Our real interest is in his recovery. Physical as well as emotional. We want to be able to put this behind us and move on. Every day that passes is a day that he is scared that she's going to come after him and hurt him again. I hope that Ms. Smithers will apologize to our family for the heartache and physical pain that she has caused but I don't think that will ever happen because to be truly sorry you have to have feelings. Anyone who could do what she did to my grandson and NOT call 911 to get him help, to let him sit for 2 hours before she called his parents wrapped up in a towel, I can only imagine the screaming and crying, cannot have the feelings that a normal human being would feel. Our family have all discussed this and we had come to the conclusion that a lengthy trial and possible not guilty verdict would do more harm to the child than good. We went along with the plea deal to keep him from having to testify. I urge all parents of young children to do 2 things; 1. Know your babysitter, if possible do a background check. Even if you think you know them, check them out, get references and CALL the references. 2. Please please please, always test the bath water before you put your child in the tub. Although I don't think it would have made a difference in this case, there are many accidental scaldings each year because parents don't check the bath water. If the water feels too warm on the inner part of your arm, then it's too hot for baby's delicate skin. If just one parent remembers to check the water and one less child is burned, then all of this will mean something to us. We don't even worry about Angie Smithers any more. Our focus are the children, raising them to be good law abiding citizens. I know that that sounds like I am trying to say we are morally superior, but in this case I hope we are. Children need to learn that their actions have consequences and repercusssions. And when my grandson sees Angie Smithers taken away from her family and put in jail, I hope thats the lesson that he learns. "

" As a member of the victim's family we would like to Thank everyone for their support during this terrible time. We are looking forward to the day when we have the chance to speak in open court about the pain she has caused not only our little man, but the rest of us as well. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. "

" I agree make her serve her time. Let a Jury hear this case. kate ..I say to you do the job you were elected to do. So far you have been a disapointment. You need to turn your record around and be tough on crime like you promised when running for that office or you will go Bye-Bye in three years. "

" Just another example of how our new commonwealth attorney does not appear to know her job. The family wants the case taken to trial because the evidence is so overwhelming that a jury would convict on all charges and likely give her the stiff sentence she deserves. The commonwealth wants to offer her a cushy deal....WHY? The only cases deals should be made on are the ones where you might not get a conviction. If the evidence is complete the commonweath should try the case. "

" it's just amazing how you can do anything in bracken county and get a plea deal and then they tell us she is a persistent felony offender? um..wake up folks..shouldnt that raise a red flag? make her serve her time and maybe we'll finally start getting some REAL justice around here! "