MySpace Victim's Mom Seeks Justice

MySpace Victim's Mom Seeks Justice

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

filed under: family

Tina Meier talks to momlogic.

myspace suicide mom tina meier with photos of megan meier

Last week, a federal judge tentatively threw out the convictions of Missouri mom Lori Drew, who had been charged with fraud in connection with a fake MySpace page targeting her 13-year-old neighbor, Megan Meier. Megan Meier later committed suicide.

Megan's mom, Tina Meier, talks to momlogic about this shocking ruling.

momlogic: When did you find out about the judge's decision, and what was your reaction?

Tina Meier: The decision came down on Thursday, July 2nd. I feel aggravation and disappointment. I truly feel that the message the judge is sending out is a bad one. It's stating that if we as individuals use the Internet and don't read the terms of service, we can still make a false profile, harass someone, impersonate someone, and do whatever we want ... and if something happens, we are not held liable because we didn't read the terms of service. This is a horrible message to be sending sexual predators, husbands, wives, exes, and anyone who wants to cause harm or get revenge on someone else. Now, what I am doing with the Megan Meier Foundation is asking anyone who disagrees with the judge's decision to please contact the judge's court clerk and let him know why you disagree. The judge's decision is not 100% until it's in writing. I am not sure when that will be, so I am asking people to write him as soon as possible. The AP did an article right after the decision and they did an online survey asking how many people agreed with the ruling. Over 90,000 people clicked on the survey and over 89% disagreed. These are people who use the Internet. We need to stand up and protect our children. This is one step towards asking the judge to do something positive and set a precedent.

ML: Where will you go from here?

Tina: I am fighting to let the judge know there are people out there who disagree with his ruling. If he doesn't read the letters or listen, then there is nothing more I can do, but we need to get our voices heard. The jury found Lori Drew guilty, but he threw out the decision and now she goes free. Right now, the decision is still tentative until it's in writing, which is again why I am asking people to write the judge as soon as possible.

I can't let this decision stop the course I am on. I am going to continue to get out there. There are two components. The first is legislative. There is a federal bill out there that has been proposed by Congresswoman Linda Sanchez in California. We need a law that will state if you use the Internet to harm or harass someone, you need to be held accountable -- just like when you drink and drive and kill an innocent family on the road, you need to be held responsible. On the federal level, it will cover everyone, and not just go state by state. The second component is to get into the schools and continue to talk and educate the kids, parents, educators, etc. We need kids to understand the effects this has on others, when they get into arguments or harass each other online. I want to show them real life stories of how people have taken their lives when this could have been prevented.

Do you think the judge's decision should be overruled? Comment below.

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Michael Vick spent time in jail for what he did to DOGS! What’s wrong with this picture?

- whitewash

Posted 07/07/09 02:36 PM

I think everyone is paying too much attention to this having anything to do with a computer account. This “sick” mother could have accomplished the same type of harrassment via letters mailed to the girl at home, notes left on her doorstep or in her mail box. The point is that she “An Adult” plotted this entire scheme against a “child” and why are we not asking for “what reason”? What was her motivation to attack this child? Please remember that the harrassment has NOTHING to do with the fact that it was done on a computer and that the childs parents allowed her to use the computer, the point is that the harrassment was malicious, premeditated and executed by an adult, against a child and the manner in which is was done is irrelevant. This mother needs to be held accountable for her deplorable actions. If the maximum sentencing is for only 3 years, what a shame, since the parents and other persons who knew and loved this child will suffer for the rest of their lives. Our justice system severely needs some revamping so that the victims have more protection than the criminals.

- Arlene Bales

Posted 07/07/09 02:36 PM

i remember when this was on myyearbook.com. i dont remember how long ago, but they had a special page for her, and a special pledge that alot of people took. it was the megan pledge. i used to be suicidal. its not fun. ive also been on the other side, my friend commited suicide a few months ago. i have a point of view from both sides. neither of which you want to find yourself in. i hope that this comment wasnt taken negatively, and i wish the best for megans family, and the best of luck in sending this terrible person to prison. Ty

- tzx3

Posted 07/07/09 02:36 PM

Lori Drew behaved like a disgusting pig to do what she did. She will have to live with the guilt of having provoked an emotionally unstable 13-year-old to suicide. She should be a social pariah for the rest of her life. What person wants to be friends with or trust their children to socialize with the kids of a woman who would go to such lengths to help her daughter humiliate another child? That said, I don’t see how what she did rises to the level of a felony. It was spiteful, irresponsible, cruel, petty, and stupid…but I don’t know what person would have reason to believe that what they were doing would result in a suicide. I think the only satisfaction Megan Meier’s family may find will be in a civil court, and even then, how satisfying could a financial judgment against Lori Drew be? Money — if there is any to receive — is no real comfort, and the court won’t allow a settlement to result in the defendant becoming homeless and starving. The only real satisfaction any of us has this side of heaven is the comfort of salvation through Jesus Christ. Only in His hands will our tears finally be wiped away for good.

- Momma

Posted 07/07/09 02:36 PM

I am sorry that her daughter killed herself. I believe there was somethingmuch deeper going on in that girl. Why would you continue to go online and listen to the devil and his people. There are spirits out there that are working for example like a terminator to kill,steal, and distroy that is their purpose everyday. They will devourer the weak, I believe children are weak that is why they need to be protected, We as parents are to guard what they watch,read,who they see, where they go, not only that be equip them for these terminators, that exists everywhere. This life is a battle for the mind. That mother did not do her job. She needs to be slapped. As for the bullies, they will deal with God for there wrong. But i agree with the judge. The mother is responsible you need to know at all times what the hell your child is doing. If your child is at a school where they are bullied, LEAVE, if they see inappropriate images on TV turn it off, If someone is mistreating your child, MOVE, do what you need to do to protect your child, So let it be written let it be done

- Blessed

Posted 07/07/09 02:37 PM

As a mother of 5 I have always tried to express how important it is to be repectful to everyone young and old. My daughter has a myspace and I do get on and supervise her actions. Come on we are talking about an adult who intentionally did harm to a child not only is that unhumane but to slap her on the wrist and let her walk???? Obviously she needs some time to grow up and get a life and I think what not a better place then behind bars. To Tina and her family God Bless you. I will be writting my letter and voicing my opinion loud.

- AY

Posted 07/07/09 02:37 PM

Look, I understand the importance of Tina taking responsibility for her actions. A responsibility that I have not seen her take yet. However, here is the reality. Two fully grown adult women decided to plot together along with their daughter to purposefully torment Megan (who was only 13) because they believed Megan called the other girl a lesbian. They did not talk to Megan’s parents or the school, or help their daughter confront Megan about it. They instead rose a girls spirits using every ounce of knowledge two adult women have about what they felt when they were younger and then crushed it. They did this with final words of “the world would be better if you killed yourself. Assuming that they didn’t believe the girl really would, they KNEW, KNEW, KNEW that she would consider it because most thirteen year old girls who have had their heart broken might consider it if only for a moment, especially if that girl had been told by the boy she thought she loved to do it. It is criminal; it was premeditated attempted murder, simple as that.

- James

Posted 07/07/09 02:38 PM

OMG are you people serious? Yes this girl was ONLY 13 but now she is gone for something a so called GROWNUP did. Give me a break if you think her mother deserves a punishment. You say you should monitor what your kids do when I’m sure have your kids have a myspace or facebook ya’ll don’t have a clue they have. I’m a teacher & I will bet 70% of my students have a myspace their parents don’t know they have.

- laura

Posted 07/07/09 02:38 PM

I think Drew needs to be punished as an adult..even tho she acted as a child doing what she did..Not sure how you can live with yourself Judge for letting her get away with this..If it was your child Judge, would it make a difference then?? Wake up or hand in your gavel..shame on you!!!

- Lexy~

Posted 07/07/09 02:39 PM

How immature and dumb is this teenager? Why on earth would she actually believe what somebody would say on the internet? I personally agree with the Court’s decision, given that people already know what is on the internet, along with the irresponsibility of trusting what is on the internet. If she actually wanted a boyfriend, she should of went outside, not stay on a computer and get depressed. Grow up!

- Syd Baur

Posted 07/07/09 02:39 PM

I’m sorry- but isn’t anyone thinking about the age of this woman? Come on- this is a GROWN MOTHER and targeted a teen on myspace COME ON- are we serious. What could have a teenager done to this grown woman that the woman had to cyber-bully the girl instead of go to the girls mother? If you look up the literature and research- cyber bullying and harassment can and is extremely traumitizing and has HUGE and negative effects on individuals.

- Angela

Posted 07/07/09 02:40 PM

I am disgusted to hear that Lori Drew was not given a sentence after what she has done she deserves to rot in hell if anything . What type of no life is she ? She made a little girl commit suicide because for a couple seconds she didnt take her life or feelings in consideration , for a couple seconds she didnt take the time to think like a mature adult . She decided to go online and harass a little girl .. how dare she do that and for her not to get sentenced sickens my soul . What is this world coming to!

- Rebecca

Posted 07/07/09 02:41 PM

tina why are you so concerned about your daughter now that shes dead? everyone knows what can happen when using the internet, they even have shows about it!! so come on, you should have been more worried when she was alive and stopped her from talking to people on facebook/myspace. and there had to be more wrong with the daughter if she was able to kill herself from this. it seems like you are just looking for someone to blame, and the only one to blame is you tina!

- elaine

Posted 07/07/09 02:41 PM

The judges ruling is partly why our God gifted country is falling apart. Judges have forgotten that they are to be servants of the people instead of law makers and rulers. I fear what my children and grandchildren will face in their lifetimes. A saddened Viet Nam veteran

- B Manning

Posted 07/07/09 02:41 PM

Lori Drew is a pathetic excuse for a human being. What she did is beyond criminal and she should be given maximum penalty!

- Linda

Posted 07/07/09 02:41 PM

The tongue is one of the smallest body members of our bodies but through the tongue, there is been many injustices throughout time. The tongue can be like poison or sweet. Depending on what comes out of your tongue usually reflects what type of person you are on the inside. What occurred in the case of an adult woman attacking a emotional teenage girl is outrageous but not uncommon. How many times does this occur in our own lives where manipulation and deception and even betrayal occurs to us. In a sense all who practice this type of manipulation, deception and betrayal are guilty to a part of participation.

- Rick

Posted 07/07/09 02:42 PM

That woman might have escaped justice for what she did to that little girl, but she won’t escape having to live with what she did in her mind. She won’t escape the loss of respect from her daughter and husband. She will be thinking about her stupid childish decision for the rest of her days. She will punish herself.

- stnsmok

Posted 07/07/09 02:42 PM

I think the judge was wrong in not giving some form of punishment to a lady who is so mean and obviously has too much time on her hands — to harass a little girl. BUT I also think the parent is the real responsible person. I feel for her but do not understand why she wasn’t monitoring her daughter’s e-mails and facebook. When are parents going to realize it is up to them to protect their children

- gp

Posted 07/07/09 02:42 PM

I hope the family goes after this loathesome woman in a civil court as well - hit her where it hurts; her wallet! This woman needs to pay for her actions. An innocent young girl is dead because of her interference in a teenage dispute. Shame on her. She should be held accountable! My heart goes out to the family of the victim.

- Maria

Posted 07/07/09 02:42 PM

People need to be responsible for their actions in all of life’s arenas whether it be posting on the internet, driving, drinking, walking a crosswalk on a red light, passing notes, posting notices in public places, etc.

- Anonymous

Posted 07/07/09 02:43 PM