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‘The system failed Emma’
Girl’s slaying followed chances to prevent tragedy
Before Lucas Coe was accused of inflicting the injuries that may have killed 4-year-old Emma Thompson, there were at least five chances to keep him behind bars in two different counties.
The last opportunity came just three months before Emma turned up in a Houston area emergency room, sexually abused and fatally beaten. Both Coe, 27, and his girlfriend, Emma’s mother, Abigail Young, 33, have been charged with injury to a child in Emma’s June 27 death. No trial date has been set.
But a closer look at Coe’s criminal history reveals some troubling facts — any of which might have altered the turn of events that led up to the Spring girl’s homicide.
While Coe was serving six years probation for a 2002 Harris County aggravated assault, records show, he was convicted for DWI, pled guilty to a Montgomery County assault, failed to meet with a probation officer, got behind in his restitution to the Harris County victim and was indicted on a child abuse charge in Montgomery County.
Four motions to revoke his probation in the Harris County case were made: two in 2005 and two in 2008.
Two of those were overruled by state District Judge Marc Carter. Two others were dismissed by the judge at the request of prosecutors in the case.
At least twice in that period, Coe was jailed for violating the terms of his probation.
But his probation was never revoked, which could have forced him to serve the remainder of his sentence in prison.
And when he missed a Montgomery County court date on a 2007 charge of injury to a different child, his bond was not revoked in that case — it was reinstated. Turns out he missed court because he was in the Harris County Jail serving time for violating terms of his Harris County probation.
Yet this overlapping criminal history, which had Coe ping-ponging from one county to the next, was not enough to keep him from being released from his probation in March when Carter signed the form announcing Coe had “satisfactorily fulfilled the conditions of supervision imposed by the court.”
Attempts to reach Carter, Montgomery County prosecutors and Coe’s attorney for comment were unsuccessful. A Harris County prosecutor in Coe’s case referred questions to spokeswoman Donna Hawkins, who would only say that “it’s not unusual through the course of a six-year probation that issues might arise with compliance.”
Emma first came to the attention of Texas Child Protective Services on June 8 after her pediatrician reported the little girl had blisters in her mouth and on her vagina that appeared to be genital herpes. After tests proved the diagnosis correct, Emma was given a sexual abuse exam at Texas Children’s Hospital.
No abuse was confirmed, and because genital herpes in rare cases can be spread in a nonsexual manner, the little girl was not removed from her home.
“The system failed Emma, bottom line.” said Andy Kahan, Houston’s Victim Assistance coordinator. “None of this should have ever happened. He should have been locked up in a prison.”
Coe’s criminal history through two courthouses, two jails and a probation department raised other questions no one seemed to be able to answer.
The Chronicle was unable to verify whether Coe completed all 800 hours of his community service, or who made most of his $40,000 restitution to the victim in the 2002 case, considering that as of last December, he was behind in completing both tasks.
The Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department will not give information out about a probationer’s case without approval from a judge. The department forwarded the Chronicle’s request for information to Judge Carter last week.
By Monday, there was no approval from Judge Carter to release that information. Several Chronicle attempts since Friday to reach Carter regarding the four motions to revoke the probation went unanswered.
Attempts to reach prosecutors in the 2007 Montgomery County child abuse case now pending against Coe, including why the case was reset at least 15 times, and how Coe was able to get bond when he was on probation for a felony in Harris County, also were unsuccessful.
Messages left Monday for Montgomery county prosecutors about Coe’s case, along with Coe’s attorney Chris Warren, were not returned. Source: Article Houston ChronicleAug. 18, 2009, 9:52AM
Once again The System fails and disaster occurs…what a shame. I hope they rot in hell.
The system failed society. Emma’s mother failed Emma.
I guess more and more mothers are not seeing their babies as the gifts from God that they are.
They should face a swift trial and even swifter punishment. The scumbag non-mothering mother Abigail Young needs have her bail revoked, and she should be put in GPOP jail. She is even more at fault for the death of Emma by allowing Lucas Coe into her home. Whatever part she played in what was done to Emma is overshadowed by the fact that Emma would still be alive if her sex-starved mother hadn’t let this sicko into her life. This career criminal kinky POS BF needs GPOP, and a welcoming committee. Next,there is a judge that needs to be held accountable. A large framed picture of little Emmma needs to be prominently and permanently displayed in Judge Marc Carter’s chambers, with a banner that says “you failed me”.
“The system failed Emma, bottom line.”
Gee, that is the understatement of the millenium! DUH! Poor little Emma - has a face of a sweet cherub . . . May she rest in peace and dance with all the other angel babies.
Caligram - This is a VERY powerful statement. I totally agree with you, friend.
A large framed picture of little Emma needs to be prominently and permanently displayed in Judge Marc Carter’s chambers, with a banner that says “you failed me”.
Amen, friend . . . AMEN.
A video of the animal in Court and the Mom of Emma in Court
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6
Lilies4U
August 19, 2009 at 12:00 am
Caligram - This is a VERY powerful statement. I totally agree with you, friend.
A large framed picture of little Emma needs to be prominently and permanently displayed in Judge Marc Carter’s chambers, with a banner that says “you failed me”.Amen, friend . . . AMEN.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~“
A very powerful statement indeed! So many failed little Emma!
I listened to the Video of the link I posted above, I was absoutely sick after I heard what Coe had done to Emma. How could a man enjoy sex with a baby, he needs his wacker cut off, and I hope he gets the DP. Yes and I agree with a large picture of Emma, for the Judge to look at every day, he failed Emma.
Express, Thank you
Express, as usual, job well done! Beautiful picture of little Emma! Thanks, Express, for keeping Emma on TCD.
Great idea about a framed picture of Emma in the Judge’s courtroom. Also, chambers, car and home!
Justice for Precious Emma!
http://www.khou.com/perl/common/slideshow/sspop.pl?recid=17789&previous=0
KHOU - Ch 11, Houston, TX Slideshow - Photos provided by Amanda Young Matthew,
Emma’s maternal Aunt
“Emma Thompson was 4 years old when she was brutally beaten to death” AMANDA YOUNG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~JUSTICE for Precious Emma!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.khou.com/perl/common/slideshow/sspop.pl?recid=17789&previous=0
__________________________________________________________________
the picture of emma in the field of flowers is just beautiful………….how & why would anyone want to hurt her??
I have formed the opinion that some of the Judges use the system like a revolving door, glorified paper pushers. I am surprised they do not have In and Out Drive thru.
It is so amazing to me that Nancy Grace hasn’t been following this case — or even mentioned it, that I’m aware of.
Somebody wanted little Emma’s story swept under the rug.
And, I guess, Nancy was only too happy to oblige. Tsk, tsk, tsk. And this is one of the most horrendous stories out there.
UPDATE: KBTX -Bryan will have an update on Emma Thompson case on their 6 p.m. CDT News tonight, 8-19-09! This is the local TV station that covers Brenham (Abby’s hometown). Will post the Link when it becomes available on their website!
Later…..
UPDATE: from KBTX-Bryan, Tx
http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/53736867.html
KBTX - Bryan, TX 8-19-09 6:06 p.m. CDT
This was on the 6 p.m. CDT News. They showed pictures of Abby, Coe & Emma , said their full names and basically stated what the article states. Hope they post the video clip later.
Thank you Ann, that was a very pasteurized and sanitized version. Wonder why. Left a comment saying the same thing and asking why.
Cara, based on what is posted on KBTX site, I agree. Usually it takes a few hours for them to get the whole story on the site versus what was actually on the live news. This came up at 6:06 p.m. The article appears “raw” form. During the news, they showed pictures of them being arrested, in court, etc. and of Emma. Coe’s history is the latest update but the article, as it currently appears, would not make sense to someone not familiar with the players. Thanks for leaving a comment. Maybe they’ll post the full version
I hope these abusers never see the light of day again in there life time!!
Kim
Great Post Thank you, this is so sad!!!
UPDATE: from KBTX-Bryan, TX - VIDEO
http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/53736867.html
KBTX - Bryan, Tx 9-18-09 10:57 p.m. CDT
“Man Charged in 4-Year-Old’s Death Has Long Criminal History”
VIDEO and Article (A request had been made to update the article, i.e.,
detail the autopsy and a couple of other things!)
Kim-great work! Also I’m glad we have a NG link now.
Hi Ann.
Wow, Kim, this is awesome (re CNN connection - Mike)! How good is that!!! I will pray and keep my fingers crossed. If NG doesn’t pick it up now, hopefully she’ll pick it up at some point. As you know, it is still under investigation and we all know it will be upgraded to murder for Coe and I imagine Abby’s charges will be upgraded. Since the crime was committed in Harris County and not Washington County the D. A.’s office can’t be bought off (they could not care less who you are and what prominent family you come from) . They both have court appearances in Sept.
Nancy Grace could have a field day with this one. Besides the horrific death of Emma, there is, Abby, Emma’s mother who comes from a wealthy, prominent family; she is a Registered Nurse who was employed in Labor & Delivery at Texas Women’s Hospital on 6-27-09 (the day Emma died), she did NOT call 911 until she was down the street from her home; Coe was at her home and took his daughter and Abby’s 2 girls to a neighbor’s home and asked the neighbor if she could keep them because he was not suppose to have contact with his own four year old and he needed to leave; Emma had STD-Herpes of the mouth, hands and genitial area; Abby (according to her mother , Margie Routt Young’s, testimony at the Custody Hearing) has STD - Herpes; Margie Routt Young, Emma’s grandmother and Abby’s mother, is on the Board of Directors at Trinity Medical Center, Brenham, Tx. and is Director of Trinity’s Foundation; in July, 2009, Abby , who is under investigation for the horrific death of her daughter, Emma, is hired by John Simms, Administrator of Trinity, to work in LABOR & DELIVERY (of all places) at Trinity; she was arrested about 5:30 p.m. at Trinity by Brenham Police on an Arrest Warrant from Harris County (Aug. 10, I think); Abby bails out on a $50,000 bond; no bond for Coe; Abby’s sister, Amanda Young Matthew, is seeking JUSTICE for Emma; folks in Abby’s hometown, Brenham (Washington County) are outraged about Emma’s horrific death, the fact Abby was hired to work at Trinity while under investigation in the death of her daughter and has STD -Herpes and local media in Brenham did NOT cover this until AFTER Houston TV stations & Houston Chronicle saturated our viewing area with the horrific death of Emma and then they (Brenham) ran what appears to be slanted journalism (to protect Margie’s social status?); the Editor of the Brenham Banner Press is on the Board of Directors with Margie Routt Young; CPS, oh yes that is a show in itself; Judges; the justice system; Coe and his criminal history and the cases pending against him, etc. Like I said Nancy Grace could have a field day! And….if a good investigative reporter really did some digging , he or she would uncover all kinds of dirt! Regarding Emma, it will be shocking what comes out at trial. Too bad Texas isn’t like Florida and has the Sunshine Law. We’ll have to wait for the trial. Whoa, I could write a book about this one! Nancy Grace, it was such a horrific death for Emma . Det. Kelly, Lead Investigator, said it is the worst he has seen in his 19 years as an officer! Must have been horrific beyond our imagination. I could go on forever……Justice for Precious Emma! Read info released in the Autopsy Report …… no 4 year old child should be subjected to such brutal, horrific death!
Kim, thanks for pursuing this with your friend Mike. It is a matter of time before it makes national news. I suspect as things unfold. Nancy needs to jump on it before some one else breaks the story nationally. Kim, tell Mike to tell Nancy that some one of her status certainly does not want to be “Johnny, come lately!” This is a common phrase in Tx. and is not intended to insult any person named Johnny. Later…….
Kim, thank you for your insider efforts.
Ann, thank you for staying on top of everything. Still think the bio on her myspace is telling.
Express, as always, appreciate all you do along with 2Shado. Miss DramaQueen and the Woodsong Productions.
Hopefully, now that she has put aside MJ, she will pick up this story. Or maybe Jane Valez Mitchell will do it. I am shocked that it was never mentioned by any of the talk shows.
Hi all,
I’m reading, just not posting b/c I am so very busy right now.
Ann re: your 2:14 pm post, maybe someone has already brought this to attention, but why would a hospital hire a woman infected with genital herpes to work in Labor and Delivery? Probably could be kept a secret by the prospective employee, but wouldn’t you think a dedicated nurse would keep her herpes-infected-self away from helpless moms giving birth? And what about the new babies?
Disgusting.
Lets all blame the system for letting COE stay out. WHAT ABOUT ALL THE OTHER CHANCES THAT THIS SOCIETY HAD TO SAVE Emma??? Like first and foremost her POS mom… well never mind that… Emmas Dr. , the Texas Childrens Hospital, Child Protective NOT services, what about the BIO dad??? where is he??? WHERE WAS EVERYONE while this baby suffered not one, not two not even 25 contusions BUT EIGHTY?????? I am 46 years old and have never had one contusion little lone EIGHTY !!!!!!! and lets not forget the Judge that gave the POS mom a BOND… are you kidding me… what the eff is wrong with that POS.. he should be held accountable also… now everyone is gonna play the blame game…. EVERYONE is responsible… especially a mom… this story rips my heart out everytime I see that precious little face… I can not even begin to imagine the pain and suffering that litttle baby endured… and who cares if her “herpes” was NOT sexually transmitted… or COULD NOT HAVE BEEN… HELLO the baby was FOUR!!!! that should have been a HUGE red flag… everyone and their brother should have been called into investigate when a child appears at a “CHILDRENS hospital” with a “suspected” case of an STD….
poor EmmaO:)
Wondering if the reason nat’l tv doesn’t want to focus on Emma is because there were Emma’s two sisters there plus Pervcoe’s own 4yo daughter that he is accused of molesting,too, also named Emma.
I have been gone most of today except for a few minutes this afternoon. Just got home and checked Emma’s thread. Cara, thank you (9:28 am)! Also your comment is posted on KBTX! Great and to the point! Thanks for taking the time to post there. Here’s the Link:
http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/53736867.html KBTX -Bryan, Tx 8-19-09 Updated 10:57 p.m. CDT Scroll to Latest Comments (below article) and below the last comment Click to view remaining comments.
Mimi (3:58 p.m.): Excellent question! The majority of the citizens of Washington County (Brenham), Tx, would like to know why Abigail was hired by Trinity Medical Center in Brenham in July, 2009, while Abigail (Abby) was under investigation in Harris County in the death of her daughter, Emma. She was hired to work in Labor & Delivery (of all places)! Here is the Link to our local paper, The Banner Press, Brenham, Tx. There are a few comments posted. I think if you read the comments from Washington County citizens you will find the answer to your question!
http://www.brenhambanner.com/articles/2009/08/11/news/news01.txt
The Banner Press, Brenham, TX 8-11-09
There were several hundred Comments but only a few were posted before Charles Moser, Editor, of the Banner, stopped the COMMENTS and pulled the article. Mr. Moser is on the Board of Directors of Trinity Medical Center with Margie Routt Young, Abby’s mother and Emma’s grandmother! I’m glad I saved the Link to the above!
>^.^< Coreysmom
August 18, 2009 at 11:46 pm
The system failed society. Emma’s mother failed Emma.
I guess more and more mothers are not seeing their babies as the gifts from God that they are.
_______________
Well said!
Hey, little Precious Emma, we have not forgotten you! There is a lot going on in the Casey Anthony Case - the death of little Caylee! I bet both of you are friends in Heaven and are looking down for Justice. Rest in peace, precious little one~~~~~Emma!
UPDATE: from the Banner Press, Brenham, Tx.
The following two links are from Charles Moser, Editor of The Banner Press:
http://www.brenhambanner.com/articles/2009/08/21/opinion/editorials/edit01.txt#comment
The Banner Press Brenham, Tx 8-21-09 1:24 PM CDT
“From the News Desk - heartbreaking story raises tough questions for all”
____________________________
http://www.brenhambanner.com/articles/2009/08/22/news/news004.txt
The Banner Press Brenham, Tx. 8-22-09 9:52 AM CDT
“Hospital officials say no ‘red flags’ raised in nurse’s hiring”
____________________________
The first article was hidden in the Opinion section (which very few people read because of lack of interest in Moser’s opinion) on page 4.
The second article is Moser’s follow up to the first article.
This is his response to the citizens of Washington County (Brenham - the hometown of Abby and where Margie Routt Young - Abby’s mother lives) who are outraged about the horrific, brutal death of Emma, Trinity Medical Center for hiring Abby and the fact that Moser did NOT cover the story until AFTER Houston media saturated our area with details about Emma’s death, etc. Moser pulled his one and only article and cut off the comments. The computer system at the Banner crashed twice this week because of all of the e-mails expressing outrage, for the most part. Charles Moser is on the Board of Directors with Margie Routt Young and John Simms at Trinity Medical Center- Brenham, Tx. The Banner does not have the resources like the Houston Chronicle but Mr. Moser runs articles all of the time from AP (Associated Press). When something major happens and has a Brenham connection, he publishes it in the Banner. Many citizens have cancelled their subscription to the Banner because they feel censorship and slanted, sugar coated journalism! He has not published any Comments or Letters to the Editor in those sections of the hard copy of the Banner. He basically refuses to cover the story about Emma. Abby, daughter of Margie Routt Young, comes from a family where there is a long line of wealth and prominence. As stated many times before, Margie Routt Young is on the Board of Directors of Trinity Medical Center and she is Director of Trinity’s Foundation. In the first article, Moser alludes to Margie doing great things for the community and always being there (not verbatim). I am very involved in our community and I rarely see her at the events and certainly no sweat equity! I notice Moser SELECTED a few comments from local citizens that he published on the Banner’s on-line edition.
Moser apparently thinks he can control the opinions and outrage of the citizens in our area but he is ever so wrong. Actually, he is fueling the fire!
Justice for Precious Emma!
Thank you Ann for the articles, this just make me sick to think how this poor child suffered, and it could have been prevented.
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANN iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Cara: Thanks! I had a great birthday today!
Express: Thank you ! What a surprise when I clicked on to TCD tonight! That is very thoughtful of you!!!
I haven’t had a chance to read the comments on other threads tonight. So if any one else wished me Happy Birthday……..Thanks!!!
Happy Birthday Ann. I made a red velvet cake for your birthday. It’s in the backroom.
Gracie: Thanks for the red velvet cake! It was sooo delicious and is one my favorites…… how did you know!!! Thanks for the BD wish!
“Justice for Precious Emma”!
Ann - YVW! Just a lucky guess. I love them too.
http://www.brenhambanner.com/articles/2009/08/24/opinion/editorials/edit01.tx
The Banner Press 8-21-09 (Opinion by Charles Moser, Editor)
I posted this article previously. Moser is allowing a few comments on his Comment Board. One of mine made it through! Scroll below the article. My comment is from Justice on 8/22/09 at 5:38 pm CDT. It is in reply to Gary R on 8-21-09.
I don’t know why but my entire comment is in a lavender color! Maybe it will change when I submit it.
UPDATE: from the Houston Chronicle, Houston, Tx
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6587297.html
The Houston Chronicle, Houston, Tx. 8-25-09 9:34 PM CDT by Terri Langford, Chronicle Reporter
“Emma case spurs new CPS guidelines”
This will be in the hard copy of the Chronicle Tuesday morning, 8-26-09. KHOU Ch ll, Houston, Tx. just referenced the above and showed a picture of Emma in the peach dress!
Once AGAIN the system has failed Emma!!!!! This scumbag was let out on bond yesterday!!!!!!!
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6614730.html
A convicted felon charged with causing the injuries that led to the death of his girlfriend’s daughter was released Friday from the Harris County Jail after posting bail.
Lucas Coe, 27, had been in the jail since his Aug. 10 arrest in connection with the beating death of Emma Thompson, 4.
Last week, Coe’s lawyer asked District Judge Mary Lou Keel to set $100,000 bail for Coe. The request was granted Thursday with the provision that Coe has no contact with any children.
Both Coe and Emma’s mother, Abigail Young, 33, were charged with one count each of felony injury to a child. They were living together at the time.
On June 27, Young took Emma to Memorial Hermann — The Woodlands Hospital, but she died shortly after arriving. Doctors noted the child had 80 contusions, a fractured skull and a brain hemorrhage. There were also signs of sexual abuse, officials said.
Three weeks before her death, Emma tested positive for genital herpes. Child Protective Services didn’t remove her from the home because the disease can be transmitted in a non-sexual manner and Young insisted no other adults were living there.
Young was released from the Harris County Jail Aug. 11 after posting $50,000 bail.
mike.glenn@chron.com
Hi, Kim: Great comments! Please post it on Emma’s new thread also.
Express has a new thread: Suspect in the Murder of Emma Thompson posts Bail