Mother throws son off bridge
Before committing this heinous act, McCabe of Seal Rock, Oregon, was believed to have been the same woman who wrote an appeal for funding to help care for her son London and husband Matt. Police suppose the McCabe they arrested to be the same woman after comparing her mug shot and social media pictures.
After being thrown from the bridge, the young boy's body was discovered early Tuesday morning. Authorities received a call confirming that the body could be seen from a restaurant located on the Yaquina Bay Bridge.
Jonathan Klingenberg, Coast Guard spokesman, stated to NBC News, "The fire department got there first and recovered the body. It's absolutely a tragedy."
McCabe was found near the bridge and interviewed by detectives after the discovery of the boy's body. She was then arrested and charged with aggravated murder, murder and first-degree manslaughter with bail set at $750,000.
Police believe McCabe's mug shot matches the same Jillian Meredith McCabe on social media, a stay-at-home mom and caretaker of a son with autism who recently set up a fundraising appeal. McCabe's fundraising effort was an outright plea for help to provide support for the full-time care of London and Matt.
McCabe revealed that Matt had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and had a mass in his brainstem. According to the fundraiser, Matt lost his ability to provide for the family within just a few weeks.
After seeing the aftermath of what happened to poor London, it's even harder to read McCabe's fundraising request — an honest cry for help. McCabe's fundraising campaign stated, "I am scared and I am reaching out. I hope I am not coming across trashy or over-reactionary. I must explore every avenue to take care of my family right now."
McCabe asked for help before committing the most horrible act a parent can commit. Friends and family who read her plea could never have fathomed that this would be the outcome. As parents, we can take something away from this tragedy: Watch and listen. When a fellow parent begs for help, don't hesitate to reach out.
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