Dad took away a life of "chances" (Denver, Colorado)

Dad AARON THOMPSON was just convicted of murder in the case of his daughter, who has been "missing" since since 2005. We've posted on this case numerous times, especially as it went to trial. What the press hasn't paid too much attention to is that Dad abducted these kids from their mom back in Michigan. Here, we finally hear from the mom. Yes, the petty folks may say: But look! Mom had drug issues! True. But then there's no evidence that mom ever tortured or killed any of her kids, is there? The same certainly can't be said for Daddy Dearest.

http://www.denverpost.com/frontpage/ci_13441316

Thompson took away a life of "chances"
By John Ingold
The Denver Post
Posted: 09/29/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT
Updated: 09/29/2009 01:19:18 AM MDT

If she were alive today, Aaroné Thompson would be 10 years old, a new fifth-grader her mom likes to imagine wearing capri pants or painting her nails or maybe still playing with Barbies.

But then Lynette Thompson opens her eyes and the pain of realizing what she can't see becomes almost too much. Many nights, she said, she breaks down sobbing.

Monday's conviction of Thompson's estranged husband and Aaroné's father, Aaron Thompson, for child abuse resulting in the girl's death won't change that, Lynette said.

"He didn't give us a chance to see her grow, for her to see Obama become president, for her to go on her first date, to drive a car," said Lynette Thomp son, who lives in Detroit. "He took all those chances away."

Nor did the conviction stitch back together an extended family torn into tatters across two states.

Eight children — from an infant to teenagers — who lived in the Aurora home Aaron Thompson shared with his girlfriend were taken into state custody during the investigation of Aaroné's disappearance. Today, four years later, they remain scattered among a network of relatives and county agencies.

Some are in foster care. At least one — Aaron and Lynette's son — lives with Aaron's parents in Flint, Mich., Lynette said. She said she hopes to win back custody of him.

Reached by phone, Jessie Cloman, Aaron Thompson's stepfather, declined to offer his thoughts on the conviction.

Haley McKean, a spokeswoman for the Arapahoe County Human Services Department, said she can't comment on the placement status or welfare of the children. In general, she said, children under Human Services care receive an individualized counseling plan. It would be up to the children, she said, whether they would receive updates about a criminal trial involving a parent.

Even with the conviction, the case continued to roil in the psyches of those connected to it. Alvertis Simmons, a community activist who initially supported Aaron Thompson before backing away as his suspicion grew, said the case was an example of good work by police and prosecutors.

But he said Aaroné's disappearance never received the kind of public attention JonBenet Ramsey's killing did — and that continues to bother him.

"Our black kids are important too," Simmons said. "Now we're finally going to get justice for little Aaroné."

Lynette Thompson, too, remains unsettled.

The last time she saw Aaroné, who was born in Michigan, was in 2001, when the girl was 2. Aaron Thomp son then moved with the couple's children to Colorado and broke off the relationship. Lynette said she struggled with drug addiction — she says she's now clean — and she spent time in a homeless shelter.

"She had the most beautiful laughter I can remember," Lynette said of her daughter. "I still smell Aaroné's scent."

On Lynette's back is a tattoo of pink wings and the inscription "Aaroné, rest my child." But, until Aaroné's body is found, Lynette said that remains only a prayer. She hopes now Aaron Thompson will reveal where Aaroné's remains are buried and her little girl can have the peace she deserves.

"Give me her remains and I'll have closure," Lynette Thompson said. "Until then, as long as she's out there, buried like road kill, I don't have closure. . . . She's out there in dirt, with no pretty dress on."