Comments
These are a few comments from petition signatures that we feel should be shared. We currently have almost 1,000 signatures. Thanks to you all! Keep them coming!
"As a victim of child abuse myself, I can say this. I lived for 15 years knowing that my dad molested my sister and I both. We were threatened in so many ways to not say anything. And as we got older, we didn't until after he passed away... then we told our Mom. And although you would think the mother should know, that isn't always the case. So many times I had wondered how could my mother not have known. And as I am reading this story of Kelsey and Raye Dawn it really hit me. Because, when you begin focusing on the mother should have known, then that is taking the attention away from the actual abuser. And that is wrong. My mother didn't know and I am at peace with that. I also know now had I told my Mom she would have done something about it. So I feel that the attention needs to stop being focused on the issue of Raye Dawn should have known. The focus needs to be on the man who abused and murdered Kelsey. That little girl loved her mother and yet her mother was victimized. I don't know you Raye Dawn but my heart goes out to you. May God give you the strength to endure what you must go through. I do feel that the only justice that would be right is to Free Raye Dawn and to punish the man who took Kelsey from this earth."
"I am a mother/ step-mother of 9 children A wife of a man who served in Iraq as well as two boys now serving our country too. Being a former victim of DV for over 10 years of my first marriage, I can not believe how ludicrous this whole case is! It does not take a genius to read through all the garbage and get to the meat of who did what to whom....Personally this case is a travesty and mockery of our justice system and our failure to educate people as to the dynamics of domestic violence. What is really sad is here is a women who appears based on facts, was doing all the right things, but now is convicted of something that she personally did not do?! How twisted and sick is that? As a victim of domestic violence, I wish I had KNOWN half the crap my former husband did to our children before I left him, but sadly I had NO CLUE as to how sick he was and what was going on myself until AFTER I left, did that make me an enabler too?. Then what does that make the whole justice system and the services that are in place to protect that child? I would think they hold some accountability to the whole situation as well then."
"god bless you and your family this is almost the story of my life almost 18 years ago. it's sad to know there is evil out there. SET THIS MOTHER FREE!!!!!!" - New York
"i use to believe the mother-in-law but come on people LOOK at the picture she was happy with her mommy not that witch kathy , kathy HOW DARE YOU SURPORT THAT MAN THAT KILLED YOUR grandchild .Kathy you deserve JAIL NOT RAYE." - Australia
"I believe 100% in Raye Smith. She never allowed anyone to hurt her baby girl. She didn't know that monster was hurting her. She should be freed from prison and be left to grieve the loss with her son." - Pennsylvania
"How can you say that Raye Dawn "should
of known" that Mike Porter was hurting her beautiful little girl???
Especially when he was doing all the abuse when she was not around. Plus
Mike's own child said that he told her it was their secret. And when
Kelsey was taken by the DHR not even DHR felt that Mike Porter was a
threat to Kelsey. Kelsey acted very happy and as if she wasn't
threatened by Mike when they were being investigated through the
DHR!!!!! So AGAIN HOW CAN YOU EXPECT RAYE TO HAVE KNOWN THAT MIKE WAS
HURTING KELSEY WHEN NOT EVEN TRAINED PROFESSIONALS COULD TELL??????? And
what about Kathie??? How can a grandmother who was supposedly so
involved with her grandchild not tell that her granddaughter was being
abused??? Is she blind? Why wasn't "she supposed to have known?" I think
any judge that thinks like that is so full of shit and ignorant himself.
Who the hell believes that a person should be thrown in jail for
something that they "should have known" and not something that they did
know???? Only a truly ignorant person believes that!!! There is
absolutely no proof that Raye Dawn knew in any kind of way that Mike
Porter was abusing or hurting Kelsey. So why don't you all just let Raye
Dawn GO and grieve in peace. As for that Stupid Ass Kathie and Lance
maybe they should spend sometime in jail and see how they like it. I
feel they are just as much to blame as anyone if there is any other
blaming to be done than to Mike Porter. We all know damn well that
gross, sick pig did what he did to that little girl.
May he ***************!!!!! To the DA.....How would you feel if that was
you in Raye Dawn's shoes? Would you be able to tell if someone was doing
that to your child? If so then why is there so many child abuse cases in
the world? What about the molestation cases? What about the rape cases?
So lets arrest every person who "should have known" !! What a great
idea!! In that case there should be a lot of "should have known" cases
in jail right now! But are there??? I doubt that!!! Maybe you the DA
should be a little more worried about the sick bastard Mike Porter for
what he has done and not what Raye Dawn "should have known"!! I can not
believe what this world is coming to!! Arresting a person on a "should
have known" and not for what they've done. Bullshit if I must say!
Kathie and Lance are big pieces of shit. How can they talk to Mike
Porter the killer of Kelsey??? He was the only one at home with Kelsey
when she died so how can they feel he didn't do it?? You people are
twisted freaks. How dare they blame Raye Dawn. She is so innocent! Let
her go! How can you people live with yourselves knowing a innocent woman
is in jail and her daughter is dead???? FREE RAYE DAWN!! She has already
been through enough. Poor Raye Dawn having to deal with knowing her
husband killed her daughter, that her daughter is dead, that her used to
be inlaws and ex husband are against her and that so many people believe
she "should have known"! God Bless her!!!! I pray all works out in the
best for you Raye Dawn!! Good Luck! I pray real justice is served that
pig Mike Porter!! How dare he do what he did to Kelsey." - Alabama
"I am 100% behind you Raye. My prayers go
out for little Blaine..." - Louisiana
"I feel that a major injustice was done.
You let the hatred of one family dictate the way you practice law. You
cannot tell me that you feel comfortable letting a mother of a murdered
child serve more jail time than the man who murdered her and sexually
abused her. That is the worst kind of way to show how our justice system
is supposed to work. I am not saying that she shouldn't be held
accountable for not stopping the abuse but if you don't know how can you
stop it. Also 27 years most of the sexual predators in this country
don't even get that much jail time. What is wrong with this picture?" -
New York
"I Don't Think It Is Right That Raye Didn't Get A Fair
Trial...And Another Thing Is Mike Porter's Daughter Even Said That She
Had Seen Her Father Hitting This Poor Little Girl And Then Lance Brigg's
And His Family Goes And Makes It Out As She's The Bad Person Because
They Hold Grudges Against This Women And I Really Don't Think That It Is
Right Even In All These Pictures Shows That She Really Had A Good
Relationship With Her Daughter And She Even Proved Herself That She Was
A Fit Mother When She Had Went Through That Class And Had Passed
It...Obviously If She Didn't Care About Her Daughter Than She Wouldn't
Have Went Through This Class For Her Daughter..So I Really Don't Think
That This Poor Lady Deserves To Be Sitting In Jail Because Of Her
Ex-Husband And His Family...So I Don't Honestly Think That This Poor
Lady Would Have Done Anything To Harm Her Daughter!!!!!...And DHS or
Raye Never Seen Signs Of Abuse On Kelsey So Therefore She Didn't Know
Anything About Michael Abusing Her Child...And If Lance Was Abusing Raye
When They Were Together Than He Would Be More Than Likely To Abuse
Kelsey When She Was Alive....So Please Let Raye Out She Don't Deserve To
Be In Prison And Let Her Grieve Her Daughter's Death Noone Would Like It
If They Couldn't Mourn There Children's Death!!!" - New York
"As a mother of a 2 1/2 year old i was really heartbroken by this story,
i think harm should never come to a child and after reading and going
over everything i really believe her mom had nothing to do with this. As
a mother i can put my self in her shoes, you love your kids you do
whatever it takes for them whatever is best, but where all human we make
mistakes. i think her mom was trying and doing everything she thought
she could do for her daughter, what if she really had no clue what was
going on with her daughter or how her ex really was, he could have had
some type of front going on and she fell for it. now shes sitting in
jail for 27 years. because she was human." - Pennsylvania
"Please look in to this case, make this right for all involved, it seems
the Briggs push your all around to get what they wanted" - West Virginia
"I am so sorry for your loss. God Bless You" - Utah
"You know with all of the evidence i have no idea why
this woman is even sitting in jail today! I just do not understand why
there is so much evidence out there that was not able to be used! Kathie
Briggs was the abuser not Ray Dawn! May God and the courts see this is
an innocent woman that received injustice from the laws that are suppose
to protect her! May God be with this family!" - Mississippi
"Something about this conviction seems to be quite unfair. I need to read more about it from from the details on this site, there seem to be incredible conflicts of interest. Was it ever proven that this woman abused her child? Was she simply convicted for complicity? What is the deal on the ex-husband and this covert relationship with the deceased's grandparents? if I knew who killed my granddaughter, I would never be able to speak or negotiate with this person. Something smells very bad here. Please take the time to look at the severity of this sentence and how it relates to that of the actual murderer. It seems to me that the harshness of this sentence for this woman speaks to something wrong in our justice system. Her child is the real victim but I cannot see how jailing Ms. Smith for not thinking her husband was the abuser will be helpful to Kelsey or to Ms. Smith's remaining child. Clearly this case needs to be thoroughly reviewed." - Idaho
"How in the world can you convict someone on the terms,
"they should have known" If this was the case the prisons would be
riddled with inmates!! Mr. Porter is the one to blame for Kelsey's
death, not her mother. She was as much a victim as Kelsey. I hope you
can sleep at night knowing that you have put an innocent mother in
prison, and not allowed her to grieve for the loss of her child. I
believe she has suffered enough, I am the mother of 5 children and I
can't imagine losing one of them, let alone be accused of contributing
to their death. I would like true justice to be served, and that would
be exonerating Raye Dawn." - Pennsylvania
"First of all, I am truly sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter.
Such a sad miscarriage of justice. I have reviewed both sites and
clearly- the trial was corrupt. How could a father ask for a plea
bargain-who had claimed to love his child. Anyone with any kind of
education would realize what has happened here. Obviously Mike Porter is
a child abuser/murderer and targeted Raye-Dawn, who was abused herself
for years. The entire criminal justice system failed Kelsey- I pray for
Kelsey and her mother and that- her mother may be allowed a fair
trial-which did not occur the first time.-It seems that Lance Briggs
mother, if you want to call her that-has a personal vendetta against
Raye Dawn. What kind of person would converse with the rapist of your
granddaughter --This case needs media attention-across the U.S.A. and
the world, so Kelsey can rest in peace. I am a mother and from those
pictures you can tell Kelsey LOVED her mother, and Raye Dawn LOVED her.
It is a shame the court system in OK, is corrupt. I pray for the Smith
family." - Ontario, Canada
"this case is a joke how could you send a mother to jail
with no proof that she did anything..if the professionals couldnt prove
abuse how could a mother know...this mother needs to come home to her
family so she can mourn the loss of her daughter and the paternal
grandmother needs to be charged." - Ohio
"I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SHOULD HAVE KNOWN
IF THAT'S THE CASE THEN WHY DIDN'T THE PEOPLE TRAINED TO KNOW, KNOW WHAT
WAS GOING ON? ITS CRAZY IF YOU ASK ME SOMETHING TO GET A HIT ON. WRONG
WRONG WRONG IS ALL I CAN SAY" - Oklahoma
"I can't imagine how you feel. I don't believe for a second that raye dawn ever abused her little girl or even knew that she was being abused. I do however believe that kathie briggs did and that michael porter was and with my experience of being with abusers and being abused by my grandmother and by my ex partner I can tell you that abusers are masters at what they do. I am 27 now and my mother just learned about the abuse I incurred almost daily as a child growing up so I don't think that it would have been easy for raye dawn to know that this monster was hurting her little girl. I am angered by the fact that raye dawn got such a hefty sentence and that she was even charged in the first place. I am also angered that kelsey didn't receive justice because michael porter should be in jail for murder and sexual assault NOT enabling child abuse. Is there any way that raye dawn can appeal this? I wish that I could take that stand on her defense I know I don't even know her but Iknow as I mentioned that it is very very possible that she didn't know of the abuse. I think that by putting raye dawn behind bars has wronged kelsey even further even more than she was wronged when michael porter was not convicted on the appropriate charges. Raye dawn should be released have her son returned to her and be left alone to mourn.I am sorry about your loss and what a huge loss she was it really breaks my heart that such a sweet angel had to go through this.God bless."
"how could she have know what was happening to her little girl, they would have to send every mother around the world to prison whos children had to injured sadness in there life's. i hope she finds justice for her little angel and herself god bless" - England
"I'm very disturbed after getting to know Kelsey's story. After going thru numerous articles, videos ... I dont think a mother Like Raye would intentionally subject her adorable daughter to such abuse... Its God's Blessings to Kelsey, ending her torture within such short period of time. if kelsey had survived, God know what kind of Sexual abuse she would be put thru and what effect psychologically she would suffer especially when her mum is trying so hard to protect her..." - Singapore
"This entire story is heart breaking...obviously the system has failed for Raye Dawn and her precious little girl!! I believe someone should allow this case to be reopened and handled by a different jurisdiction as to give Raye Dawn a fair and just trial!!" - North Carolina
"Raye Dawn was just an innocent mother framed for what the father and grandmother did. I know you want to blame someone for the horrible things that happened to this sweet little girl but just do her one last favor and look at the evidence, what do you see? she loves her daughter more then anything in the world why on earth would she harm her. R.I.P Kelsey" Minnesota
"This is so heart breaking I am a mother myself and I always worry for my child. I can feel her pain and the nightmare she has to go through of never holding her daughter again." - California
"Raye Dawn should not be in prison. You
need to look at all of the facts supporting her and her story. The
allegations on her are obviously false. There is nothing that proves
that she knew Michael was/is abusive. However, there is that indicates
that she had her suspicions.
If she was trying to keep Kelsey safe from her own father, do you really
believe she wouldn't keep her safe from her step-father? Get serious
now.
People make mistakes. Raye made two of them: Marrying Lance and marrying
Michael. She shouldn't be in prison for their abuse on her." -
California
"Before I found this website, I saw the
other one.. and it did seem a bit "sensational", almost like a Hollywood
movie. The dad being portrayed as a war hero, the mom an alcoholic, etc
etc.
I read everything here, I even got a headache! but, it made me realize
how absurd everything is! Of course the mom should have known, but then
again, she missed the signals.. she trusted her husband, he had other
children, he behaved nicely (at least in front of her and others). I
sympathize for her, and for the entire family. As far as the fathers'
side of the family, they seemed they had more hate towards the mom, than
actual sadness of having lost Kelsey, I mean, what else can justify
bonding with the killer?
It's truly sad, that this all happened, that girl deserved a real chance
of life, without so many lies and confusion.
I hope you , the mom, find peace within yourself, you know what you and
your daughter had/have with each other.
And, I pray justice will occur.."
"at least try and get all the facts and evidence before sentencing someone to jail!" - Singapore
"so many things in this case make no sense, which leads me to believe something is not right. having served on more jury trials than anyone you will ever meet, i was taught in court to go by common sense. there is none in this case. the mom gets close to the same amount of time as Mike Porter? Kelsey's father's parents having conversations with Mike Porter after Kelsey is murdered??? They plea deal??? what does make sense is that the Briggs family was and is so bitter over the child custody fight that they hate this mom and are out for revenge at all costs. all the loving pictures of Kelsey taken by her mother speak volumes to me as a parent. you don't take THAT many pictures unless you totally love and adore that child. let the mom be guilty of making a HUGE mistake in who she married. snakes like Mike Porter are good at manipulating women into thinking they are everything they are not. Kelsey's mom is already serving a life sentence in or out of jail for the murder of her child and the guilt she will forever live with for marrying Mike Porter. but 27 years in prison for that? it's not right. please do the right thing and give this woman a new fair trial. you went to school to give justice, i know because my sister is a long time district atty for *********, go to your heart and roots of wanting justice and give this woman a new trial. our courts are not perfect. think OJ. thank you." - South Carolina
"Please move on a new trial for this young lady. With all that I have read our legal system troubles me." - Oklahoma
"Like Judge Key said, Kelsey's abuser was
unknown, so why throw Kelsey's mother, Raye Dawn, in jail when she
didn't even know Mike Porter would've abused Kelsey? There were three
services watching Kelsey after she had been returned to Raye Dawn; if
DHS, CASA, and CHBS didn't know that Porter had even a hint of enabling
child abuse in him, then why were the fingers pointed at Raye Dawn for
"enabling" child abuse? Raye Dawn was not even home when the unspeakable
happened to Kelesey. It happened after a DHS worker left after they had
made one of their daily visits with Kelsey and Raye Dawn. Please review
the facts, Raye Dawn shouldn't have to suffer for something that was not
her fault." - California
"It is a disgrace that this injustice was allowed to occur. It is
painfully obvious Raye Dawn Smith IS innocent! This must be corrected
immediately. We claim to live in a free country, now is our chance to
prove that. Thank You." - Maryland
"its ridiculous 27 years for raye dawn smith. I feel this case should have been looked further. She is innocent my eyes." - Texas
"this is truly heartbreaking. how can a mother enable child abuse if shes not aware it is happening. this woman has suffered enough. you can see she adored kelsey and i dont believe for one minute she's guilty.. set her free.. " - Australia
"What happened to Kelsey & to Raye is not justice. The only person with Kelsey was Porter. Sexual Assault? By whom? Raye's prosecution is a miscarriage of justice & needs to be corrected. This mother has suffered & it is time to begin healing for her via her release & investigations into the Briggs family. Trained workers, regardless of their caseload, saw only signs of abuse with the paternal side & this ALONE speaks of the travesty of this conviction. Overturn it now & FOR GOD'S SAKE...SOMEONE- ANYONE--MAN UP & DO THE RIGHT THING." - Missouri
"Where is the Justice for little Kelsey.
Do you think she is resting in peace knowing her Mom is innocent. She
deserves a fair trial, one in which the truth will be brought out." -
Alabama
"IT IS ONLY OBVIOUS THAT SHE LOVED THAT BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL THIS STORY IS SAD IN SO MANY WAYS, I HAVE CRIED SEVERAL TIMES LOOKING AT DIFFERENT SITES AND STORIES, I DON'T BELIEVE SHE SHOULD BE PUNISHED FOR THAT MONSTER OF AN EX-HUSBAND KILLING HER ANGEL, HE SHOULD NEVER BE LET FREE TO WALK THIS PLANET AND SHE DESERVES A CHANCE TO GRIEVE FOR HER DAUGHTER PEACEFULLY." - New Jersey
"I am shocked and amazed at the 3 ring circus that ensued in your County and state. I thought that our Laws state that a person is innocent until proven guilty. I believe the Briggs were allowed to try this case and you all became intimidated by the power she had in recruiting her cult members. I do believe that RD should have been aware of what was happening, but 27 years for that? I have seen children that are shaken to death by their own family and they serve 5-7 years. It is time to try this case in the COURTS and not in the PUBLICS eye with K.B leading the case. I am for Justice but I believe that Justice has not been served in R.D’s case. Charge M.P for what it is he really did and not for what Lance and Kathy negotiated, that my dear DA would be REAL justice!" - New York
"you ought to be ashamed of yourself. people fall in love and trust the wrong people sometimes, but don't you think the death of her daughter is the biggest punishment of all. being locked up or free i guarantee you there will never be a day she does not think of that little girl and how many what ifs she thinks about every second!!!!!!!!!!!" - Michigan
"I guess this is why the Bible says that in the end, only God can judge." - Colorado
"OMG I have read on this case for four days and with
everything that I have read on both sides and it is CLEAR that this
Mother did not kill this baby.
(www.thetruthaboutkelsey.com) Please allow her to get out of prison and
get on with her sad life. I am not a Mother but my heart breaks for this
lady and the pain she is going through being thrown in jail for killing
her child has got to be HORRIBLE. This lady in no way harmed her child
except by making a terrible choice to trust a man into her life that
later killed her baby. If I can read the things I have read from not one
side but both sides (To complete the registration process on Kelsey's
Purpose) and see she did not kill this child why can't the courts?" -
South Carolina
"I have not heard about this case til about yesterday
and it has made me decide to do my senior project in remembrance of Raye
Dawn's daughter. From all the things i was reading, i whole heartedly
believe that her Mrs. Smith is completely innocent! If these
professionals that were coming into the home didn't see anything wrong
with the way Kelsey was being handled, then how would her very own
mother.
I think that Mr. Briggs' mother should be tried on some kind of charges
for conspiracy with Mr. Porter. Trying to frame an innocent woman and
pressing charges to drop them is insane." - North Carolina
"please help her..." - Massachusetts
"Please free this poor woman. It is so clear just from the evidence that she did not do anything, please if you have a heart or soul and can see the pain this poor woman has suffered already, please help her. Thank you." - Massachusetts
"To whom this may concern,
Please take the time to look into the new evidence thats been uncovered
in this case, Raye Dawn deserves a fair impartial trial that she did not
get in the first place, Your legal system did not do there job to save
Kelsey life nor charges Mike Porter for her murder, the state of
oklahoma`s own trained professionals did not see or help stop Kelsey
abuse, You put Raye Dawn in jail for "Should have known" Please give
Raye Dawn a chance to have a fair impartial jury an trial, Oklahoma`s
legal system let Kelsey down, please don`t let your legal system do the
same to Raye Dawn." - West Virginia
"I am disgusted in this matter. The father didn't even go to the meetings or court proceedings. Raye dawn was there trying to get her daughter back." - Nevada
"i think that she is telling the trust and that she
really did love kelsey and that she should not be in jail for this she
did not know that it was going on so how could she keep that person away
if she did not know" - Missouri
"i dont think the mother should be put in prison for something she
should have known about. it could happen to anyone of us that have
children. i personally dont leave my child with anyone because i have
trust issues with people anyway. i dont trust anyone with my child
because things like this could happen. i just dont think she should be
punished for something she knew nothing about or could have done
anything about. the damage is done so she should be set free. she has no
more kelsey so isnt that punishment enough for her??????" - North
Carolina
"I hope that the court takes another look at this case, for Kelsey's sake, and takes into account how she reacted when Mom was around. RIP Kelsey, and let the truth ring. I hope you get freed, Raye Dawn!" - Maryland
"I hope you will do justice to Kelsey and take her mother out of jail. Kelsey's mother deserves a chance to grieve for her precious angel child in private. Her mother is innocent and deserves to be free. Kelsey is watching down from heaven with the smile of light and would want you to take her mommy out of jail. Do that at least for Kelsey and mom and put the real person who killed kelsey her stepfather behind the bars for life." - Canada
"Well I've watched both video clips from both sides of the families and I've read a lot of information regarding both sides, and I definitely think that Kelsey's mom deserves to be freed. She was thrown into jail for nothing and is sentenced 27 years! That's a good chunk of someone's life for "should have known better." There's people out there that are murderers and rapists and molesters, and they get away with it. But then someone gets sentenced 27 years for enabling child abuse? There's no proof of that. I'm a mom of 2 kids, and completely understand where Kelsey's mom is coming from. The woman is devastated about losing her child, and it's not fair that she has to grieve in prison for something she didn't do. She's innocent, give her a chance to grieve like a mother should. I think the paternal grandma and father should be put in jail, she is definitely suspicious. What has Kelsey's mom done for people to start questioning? She deserves to be freed, cut her some slack!"
"I believe Raye Dawn has suffered more than enough. Serve justice and release Raye Dawn"
"I did not know Kelsey nor Raye Dawn personally, but from what I could see in the numerous videos I have watched, Raye Dawn was and is incapable of doing anyhting to this sweet child. Her life was ended to soon. May she rest in peace. Raye Dawn, my prayers to you as well. I hope the proper justice will be served."
"Please let Raye
Dawn OUT!! She has been punished WAYYY MORE THAN ENOUGH!!! The loss of
her child and then being put in PRISON for 'ought to have known?' COME
ON!! GIVE ME A BREAK!!! LET HER GO!!!
Thank you!!!"
"I saw Shonya's version on youtube on the Kelsey story. Then I saw this version. I'm not sure which version to believe, but I do know this: it created reasonable doubt. It is not for me to judge which side of it is true, but I do believe Raye deserves a FAIR trial. If the procedings went anything like what Shonya portrayed, that is not fair. The jury deserves to hear both sides."
"Dear DA!
This story has truly touched my heart. I feel for Raye and what all she
has gone through. Being in an abusive relationship with Lance, fighting
an evil mother in law, finally getting custody of her daughter, not
knowing that her sweet little angel is being abused by Mike, the man she
trusted the most. Most importantly losing her child, and then to be in
prison for "she should have known"? I cannot believe that being in a
country like the US, this mother has not got justice! In a country like
Pakistan, this things are expected.
Please, please for the sake of God, release her so that she can unite
with her son!!!!!"
"This is one of the saddest stories I have ever seen....How could so many questions go unanswered....I just as dumbfound as Raye is.....The poor women has not lost 1 child but really 2....i pray that her innocents is proven .....You are in my heart Kelsey R.I.P."
"To be honest i dont think that Raye Dawn Smith had any indication of or about Kelsey being abused. Child Abuse is not that easy to pick up on. The Abuser can hide the fact that he or she is abusing a child and i know for a fact that Raye Dawn Smith DID NOT abuse Kelsey. or she wouldnt have been upset about losing her daughter.so free Raye Dawn Smith"
"It is clearly evident that Raye was railroaded. After reading all the court documents and dhs documents. You did not have grounds for a trial. This is something that is done in 3rd world countries, not the USA. Do the right thing a release Raye Dawn Smith. She is truly innocent."
"Trial by media at its best! The witch hunt for Raye Dawn instigated by a woman (Briggs) where actual evidence to prosecute actually exists; not on hearsay or media hype in the case of Raye Dawn."
"After looking
into all this for 10plus hours it seems to me that the system once again
has FAILED!!!!!!! WHY if DHS thought that Kelsey was in such danger with
mom did Kelsey go back???? Someone must have knew the allegations again
mom WAS NOT TRUE...or DID someone just wanting a paycheck fail to do
there job??I have been in a situation with a couple who are foster
parents and the SYSTEM has failed them several times to to the point
that they are no longer foster parents. They are supposed to be for the
children. In this case its quite obvious that they were several people
involved that could have would have done ALMOST anything just to be MEAN
to the mom and in this case it had to come to a tragic ending!! Why did
dad not intervene????Why did dad not show up and defend Kelsey??
Regardless of where dad was and what dad was doing HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN
AT EVERY COURT hearing that involved his precious ANGEL if he had one
single gut feeling his daughter was being abused and mom was not doing
nothing about it. Was he charged since he supposedly knew EVERYTHING and
did NOTHING about it???? There is ONLY one person that knows the truth
and that is the GOOD LORD not the jury, not the DA, not the JUDGE only
God is the JUDGE. She was not there when Kelsey died why??? why charge
Raye?? Why did dads family jump ship and start talking and taking sides
with the real killer here PORTER????? Doesnt make sense to me, who are
they out for Raye plain and simple!!! If the system would have worked
correctly then Kelsey would still be here are any of them charged with
not protecting her???
I know no matter what nobody says but hey all this information on here
simply states ALOT. Is it bogus?? Dont think so. I think from all the
footage that Raye was simply devoted to loving Kelsey along with others
but protecting her from abuse is NOT something that she could have
possibly done at the time because she was not home. Why charge one
person for COMMITTING the crime and another for NOT MAKING SURE A CRIME
WAS COMMITTED???? Did she have a record of child abuse or simple assault
or VIOLENCE???
May God Bless You ALL involved in this case, but once again the system
SIMPLY FAILED not mom!!!! Let her go!!!!!God will be the one dealing
with ALL that needs to be dealt with. Let this woman grief and try to
start a NEW life!!!!"
"why is it if Mr Smothermon believed and stated he believe Mike Porter murdered and sexually abused Kelsey did he go after Raye Dawn and make a deal with a murderer?? When will the child be first priority?? Sounds like there is no/not enough evidence against Raye Dawn but a murderer's testimony. Why is it everyone thinks that the grandparents are so innocent. Did anyone even read the DHS visitation observations. Kelsey was very happy to be with her mom she was not afraid but was not so happy to see her grandparents the Briggs. She didn't act out aggressively towards her mother as she did the Briggs. How was Raye Dawn to know that Mike was abusing Kelsey if there was no evidence prior to her death and Kelsey showed no signs of fear or anything towards Mike. I feel Mike Porter is guilty and he is getting a slap on the wrist. He did it and should be punished to the full extent. Raye Dawn did everything that was asked of her she loved Kelsey and she should be allow to grieve for her daughter and be there for her son. Please look at all documents you all have and evidence and how can you not see that Raye Dawn loves Kelsey and would do anything for her. A murderer will do/say anything for their best interest and if the Briggs really do care and want justice for Kelsey why would they agree to the plea and why if they had nothing to be guilty of was Kathie Briggs so concerned about what DHS reported to the court. She was more concerned about her reputation then Kelsey. Kathie Briggs wants everyone to feel sorry for her. Why?? Raye Dawn is the one who lost the love and light of her like KELSEY. Raye is the one who fought and did what she was told to get her daughter back because that is what a loving good parent does, not one who is abusive. I feel that there was alot of mis justice in this case. WHO IS FOR THE CHILDREN???? WHO WILL PROTECT OUR CHILDREN??? WHERE IS THE JUSTICE FOR KELSEY???"
"it seems to me that the courts needs to get their facts straight! Don't they think Raye is suffering enough? I can only emagine what its like to lose a child and be falsely accused of it. Its obvious that the Briggs didnt like her, and its WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!"
"I do not think
your guilty what so ever I think that you were a loving mom to Kelsey
and I wish you the best of luck!
P.S-Kelsey's purpose? come on that's just ridiculous."
"After doing some reading I believe that Raye Dawn Smith truly did not know what was going on with her little girl. She tried to find out. I think that 27 years in prison for someone that tried to take care and do the right thing for her little girl is wrong. She clearly loved that little girl..."
"surely you can see from the childs behaviour during supervised visits from paternal grandparents that the mother wouldnt hurt her!!!kelsey obviously was scared of her grandparents, why would this be??? use ur heads for kelseys sake!!"
"I think this is horrible for what this mother has gone thru.... I think alot of the evidence was hidden and not shown during the trial... This girl deserves a fair trial OUTSIDE OF OKLAHOMA!!!The real ones that deserve to be in jail is Porter and kathie briggs... not raye dawn "
"I believe Raye Dawn Smith knew absolutely nothing about what was going on with her precious little daughter as it was happening. Raye was so busy trying to fight to keep little Kelsey from the Briggs (who were trying to take her from Raye despite them saying they weren't trying to take her from anyone) that she couldn't possibly have seen what was going on in her own home. I read the counselor's report on ****** Porter and strongly feel that she was too terrified of her father to step forward and tell Raye anything. Had she been a little older, she might have said something to help save Kelsey. However, no one should blame **** Porter for any of this. No one should blame Raye for this and no one should blame her family for this. As much as we may want to, we can't even really fault the Briggs for this. The only person to blame for Kelsey not being here anymore is Michael Lee Porter. I only wish he'd have been denied a plea deal by the courts and forced to spend the rest of his life in prison for murder and sexual assault on an innocent 2-year-old little girl. If I'm in a situation I'm not sure what to do about, I honestly sit and think, "What would Raye do?" I myself found it hard to accomplish this but I have forgiven Kathie Briggs for everything she's done to Raye and the Smith family, especially Kelsey. It's not an easy thing to do when she continuously lies and manipulates. It still hast to be hard for even Raye to keep forgiving her. I feel that Raye should be released so she can be with her family and her precious baby boy. She'll never have Kelsey back but at least she'll still have the joy of being a mommy to little Blaine."
"I am praying for your family every day and the truth will come out when everyone least expects it."
"My prayers are with you and your journey. No mother should have to go through this ordeal. When I first saw this on myspace, I was horrified that this happened. But after further searching I realized that you are the victim as well as Kelsey. Good luck in your times of need and grief. Your story should be put out there as well on myspace, so others will know. "
"I believe that Raye Dawn has suffered enough losing that precious child. Let's not be quick to believe the hype surrounding this horrible tragedy and read the facts. Good luck to you, Raye Dawn."
"I really dont believe that her mother Raye Dawn could ever hurt her daughter. Where was her father? Why isnt the blame on him and his mother for when she got hurt at their house when she was there with them? You are just goin to put a perfectly good mother in jail for somethhing she had no clue on what was goin on.. How could she have known what was goin on or what happened to her angel Kelsey when she wasnt even there to begin with. I would be looking at her father and grandmother for what happened. Fathers are not always the saints in the matter. You need to let RAYE DAWN SMITH OUT OF JAIL. SHE IS INNOCENT AND NOT GUILTY."
"Kelsey's story is absolutely horrifying. I had a friend from another site who gave me this address to look at Raye's side of the story. I honestly thought she was to blame seeing all the stuff posted by the Brigg's. I'm so glad to finally read Raye's side, and pray for her to get a fair trial!! I have shed many tears for Kelsey since I read her story last year. I was so heartbroken, I actually found Kelsey's story on the 2 year anniversary of the day she got her angel wings. Kelsey reminds me so much of my 2 1/2 yr old, and it breaks my heart to know that she's gone!! I will forever hold you and your family in my prayers, and I wish for the best for Raye!!"
"What a beautiful little girl. Seeing all of her pictures and video I cant help but to think she was in the hands of a loving mother, who doted over her, and did nothing but take excellent care of this gorgeous little girl. I do not trust what Kathie Briggs says at all. I do believe that Kelseys step father abused her for some time way before her death, but I do not think Raye was aware of any of it. I pray that the truth comes out, because the truth is what will set you free."
"Ok, I have sat here for 4 hours now reading and watching everything they have on here about this. I never seen anything on t.v. about it, maybe because I dont care to watch it that much it is most of the time always bad.There was a blog on myspace about her. It then told u to go to a web site to read more so i did. As I was reading, First I would like to say to everyone who suffered the loss of this wonderful angle GOD sent to all of u, how deeply sorry I am that u have lost it. I to have been in ur shoes,mine not bad like urs.So in all this why is the mother of Lance not in jail along with the man who killed this baby? It states that she left that baby crawl around for 4 days with her legs broken.How could u sit back and watch a helpless baby crawl around like that and not get help. They are saying that Raye should have known or did know about the hurting of the baby, so what about the grandmother? She should be charged with that charge, should she not. She made plenty of false charges on the mother for what ever reason but noone is lookin at her. Noone is looking at Kelseys signs. When her grandmother would visit she would not take kind to her.Children do have a sense about them that GOD gave them as their defense and that is to see things for what they are. There is so much that is not being released for what reason, so that Raye will stay in jail, so that noone will get into trouble for lying in court. If I understand right it is against the law to lie under oath. And yet it is reported that the grandmother and the father of this pore baby did so.And yet nothing is happing to them. This man took a life of a unborn baby, aint that still murder? It use to be, why not in this case? Mam,( miss Raye) I am deeply sorry for ur loss and as a mother who lost her child due to illnesses I want to send u my thoughts and pray for u."
"I've reviewed the
propaganda on each families website and I can't tell exactly what
happened to Kelsey, even the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth
Report (found at kelseyspurpose.org) suggests evidence of abuse by more
than one family. I was stunned when I heard about the Free Kelsey's Mom
website. I had no sympathy for the mother that abused her child;
something I was led to believe by the Kelsey's Purpose website and by
the media reports. I don't know what justice is in this situation, but I
know God does. I am praying for justice in this case."
"I see how the media can sway people. I think she should have a new
trial, maybe the system has the wrong person in jail. I will pray for
justice.
God Bless"
"I believe Kelsey was loved by all Raye Dawn's family, the fighting between the two families made it easy for that scum bag Porter to abuse an innocent child. Raye Dawn should not be in prison for what he did as she will have to live without her daughter and the guilt of what he did for the rest of her life. FREE KELSEYS MUM."
"i had been on myspace and was on a friends profile and i seen this little girl with her hands over her mouth. there was a play button so i clicked it...come to find out it was the story about Kelsey Smith. to be totally honest with you...i balled my eyes out....there was many other ones to watch so i watched all of them. my family has been through the same thing almost. my dad had beat my mom and caused her to lose the baby. i mean the baby was still in her stomach but just the thought of loosing a precious child...he didnt get in trouble for it and that really effected me. your child was very beautiful and i dont see why anyone would ever want to hit or abuse a child. i dont see why the grandmother would want kelseys mom locked up i dont see anywhere as to where she can be guilty! think about it...do you....why would anyone want to abuse a child...ithink she should get another trial...i am just saying that she was very beautiful and you are all definitely in my prayers.......i wish for you all the hope and joy even though they re both gone...everything will work out if you believe in GOD all things can become true through him....she was very very beautiful...love always..."
"Please give Raye
Dawn Smith justice. It would be grave injustice to punish her for the
death of her loved little Angel.
I don't see any fault on her side apart from trusting her loved one's."
"A friend of mine emailed me your story and im an so sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful daughter the man that did that to her should have gotten the death sentence. Dont quit fighting for your freedom you dont deserve to be going through this you have lost the most important person in you life. JUST REMEMBER THAT KELSEY IS IN A BETTER PLACE SHE WILL NEVER BE HURT AGAIN. SHE IS AN ANGEL......."
"Just one question? Why wasn't Michael Porter charged with murder. That makes me sick to my stomach. Kelsey was the victim so where is her justice? One man took her precious life away and he needs to pay with his life. Raye Dawn, I feel for you, as a mom and a victim. I was sexually abused at 7 years of age by a neighbor and I never said anything and nobody ever had a reason to suspect anything. Somethings can happen right under your nose and you would never suspect it. My prayers are with you and I believe in you."
To answer your question, Mike Porter was charged with murder and sexual assault. Lance Briggs, Kelsey's biological father, went to the DA and asked that he be given a plea for enabling and the murder and sexual assault charges were dropped. This was all part of the plan to put Kelsey's mom in prison.
"I have to admit, at first all I thought about this whole story was that they both got what they deserved...but not now. Like someone said, no one will serve time for her murder because of plea bargaining. I do now believe she is innocent and that she had no idea what was going on, and they should release her and convict that no good SOB of her murder like they should have from the beginning."
"I would like to see an appeal in this
case. "Let the truth be heard"
God bless Kelsey, may she rest in peace."
"Put Smotherman on the stand and then maybe, just maybe some real justice will come to light."
"I think this is totally bullshit!!! Raye Dawn gets 27 years compared to Micheal Porters 30 years!! You can tell Raye is a loving mother and would never hurt her child. Raye deserves a right to a fair trial. She was totally not given one when she was sentenced!"
"this is a horribly very sad story.i learned of the story on myspace.i cried for a half hour as i watched the videos from you tube.i don't think it is fair that kelseys mom is in jail i feel for her.she lost her beautiful daughter and i don't think she should be the blame for what someone else does.i hope she is able to fight this and be free."
"I saw a disturbing video about kelsey on myspace and couldn't stop thinking about it for days, but when i found freekelseysmom.com i realized theres two sides to every story. I'm sorry for your loss, she was a beautiful little girl. I have a 1 1/2 yr. old and couldn't imagine going through what raye dawn is going through!"
"I pray that Raye Dawn will be granted a fair trial so she can be reunited with her son, Hasn't she suffered enough abuse in HER life. To the courts..shame on you..al the evidence is there..for GODS sake give this mother her life back, allow her to grieve the death of her baby and see her son..this is pathetic!! Why isn't Raye Dawns ex-mother in law on trial?....love from a mother and grandmother"
"I do believe that the media did sway opinions. I first heard about little Kelsey on myspace through a message board, and a video made by a Briggs supporter had made me believe from the get go that little Kelsey was horrible murdered at the hands of her step father with no protection from anyone. I really DID believe Briggs was just a poor solider gone in the war only to return to his daughters grave. AFter feeling like there was just more to the story I started to google the parties stated...Raye, Lance..and bastard Porter. After hours of reading I NOW believe that Raye was NOT given a fair trial. There is so much more that needs to be heard. How can we just slam the door on a mother who lost her baby but never had the chance to really tell her side of the story. How can you call this justice when NO ONE is even serving for Kelsey's murder. Is this the example we are going to set for SICK BASTARDS out there hurting children...that they CAN GET AWAY WITH MURDER??? Something needs to be done here!!! This poor baby suffered in this awful game of "tug of war" all the while being physically abused and sexually abused. The intentions written on our hearts can not be hidden from God."
"I'm not sure what the whole truth is, but from what I read it sounds like some miss justice has been done. At first when I received a youtube video from a friend, I thought how could a mother do that to a child or let it happen. I sat here in my truck and cried for little Kelsey. But then I went and saw some more videos, as I watched some of the videos,I noticed that Kelsey was smiling when she was around her mom. That got me to think, maybe something is not right here. I just think that Raye should have one more fair trial without the media, they can distort the facts. I have been around children that have been abused, and they dont usually look happy around the abuser. I hope that the truth comes out, what ever it is. Justice needs to be done for Kelsey. But The truth will come out. God doesn't put more on your plate than you can handle, it just seems that way sometimes. God bless to you and your family."
"In my heart and soul I feel Raye Dawn was blinded by the abuse going on in her home,because she was always having to focus on the inlaw Kathie and felt that the abuse was coming from another home(kathie briggs)! Raye Dawn may be guilty of one thing that is having an over rated ex mother in law..If any one or must i say court systems and her ex inlaws wants to give Kelsey PEACE so she can truly REST IN PEACE then let her mom Raye Dawn have a fair trail which she shouldn't even be having to be on trial..Kathie Briggs,Judge,DA,Jury Give KELSEY PEACE and let her mother cry her heart out for her daughter without someone standing over her!!PLEASE LET KELSEY REST IN PEACE LET KELSEY HAVE THE PEACE SHE NEEDS!!"
"i do not believe for a minute that raye dawn played a part in letting this evil man abuse her beautiful daughter, no mother would allow it..i have read things about lance how he used to hit women and was ordered by court to go to anger management! he is scum he should be where michael is along side him, getting daily beatings. i, all the way from england, support raye dawn and her family and hope she gets a fair trial. the jury are pointing the finger straight to raye dawn instead of pointing it to the real killers, kelseys step father and the DHS- they failed kelsey!! lance's mother is loving being famous and being portrayed as the loving grandmother when she gave up her children herself when they were young, i believe the words i read was 'either you take these four children or i will kill them'...who are the ones who should be behind bars? a loving mother who could not see what her husband was doing to her daughter, who will suffer guilt and the loss of a child for the rest of her life and be faced with horrid names in the street or beatings from behind bars, or lance and his mother, two very twisted sick people who seem to get kicks from toturing peoples lives- lance by beating pregnant women causing miscarriage, and his mother for willing to kill her own children when they were young? in my eyes, if true that kelsey came back to her mother with two broken legs after being with lances mother, then why wasnt kathie also investigated??? i hope you are released raye dawn, and finally grieve for the loss of your beautiful angel!!"
"I think she needs a mistrial and to be freed as soon as possible. I really hope when she gets out because she will, that she sues the fathers family. She needs a new trial or a mistrial either way she needs to be out NOW"
"I am so sorry to hear what happened
Our teacher had assigned us to recite a poem or a song that meant
something to us and I chose Concrete Angel by Martina McBride. I was
searching for the music video and found a video on Kelsey. I was
outraged at the charges and I hope all goes well."
"I am a Mom of a 17 month old little boy and from seeing and reading everything about this story Kelsey reminds me a lot of how my son is so kind and loveable and everyone loves him no matter where I go. I was so touched by this story that I have been an emotional mess for a week now. I can see how much she was loved by her mom and I don't think she even knew this was happening to her little girl. It obviously went crazy down hill from the beginning of 2005 with all the injuries and being tossed around to different homes and as little as she was not understanding what is going on. My heart has been aching everyday thinking about Kelsey and what she went through that no child should ever go through. After seeing this I couldn't wait to get home to my child and just hug him. I work during the day and my husband works at night just so that we are able to raise our child ourselves and it is hard because I want to be with him every waking moment. I am so so sorry for your loss and I really hope that they do release Raye Dawn but I can't imagine the pain everyday that she will have to go through not being able to see her daughter again. God Bless you all and Best Wishes for the future."
"I believe that this woman deserves a fair trial, I believe she did everything within her power to protect her daughter."
"You know theres always two sides to the story. I dont really know yours. But im really touched b/c i seen the blogs. I couldnt imagine what you, and the families of this beautiful girl are going through. She seemed very precious. I signed this b/c something doesn't seem right. But then I didn't want to b/c I have a three year old. And I dont understand everything to break both legs. To look soo sad in some of those last pics. But Your relationship with her in those pics are very powerful. you can tell you loved her soo very much. The connection you to had is what made me come sign this. my best wishes."
"raye dawn has to be freed. she is a victim of unfair and biased trial."
"Raye Dawn,
I think that what you have had to endure is absolutely despicable. i
first heard about your little angel on youtube, a video posted
(obviously) by the Brigs'. At first i thought that you were also to
blame and decided to research this story deeper. i have since found
several sites that tell your side of the story and also on in particular
that tells the truth about the 'Perfect Briggs Family' after reading
everything, including the site 'kelseyspurpose,' i believe you. i
realise that i am a complete stranger and that may not mean alot to you,
but i do. You show just more love and respect for that poor little girl
simply by not making her into a cause/money maker.
i sincerely hope that all charges against you are dropped so you can be
free to spend the rest of your life loving and caring and protecting
your little boy.
I have no doubt that you did nothing wrong nor did you 'allow abuse'
that is just laughable i think. you seem like a great Mum and happy with
your daughter. not at all what they try to make out you to be.
Good luck with everything.
My thoughts are with you and with your baby girl and also your baby boy
who needs his Mummy with him. Hope you are with him very soon."
"I have read many articles about this case and the just isn't any proof of abuse by the mother. They way Kathie Briggs stalked and made many false reports against Raye Dawn, I don't feel Raye did receive a fair trial. I truly feel Kathie Briggs should be looked at for the abuse that happen up to the death of this little girl"
"My heart goes out to you and your family. I have a little girl that just turned 2 and I cant imagine what I would do if something like that happened to her. I am terribly sorry for what has happened to your little girl. Best wishes to you and your family."
"A true study of the facts will show the truth. The fact that the Briggs family talked Porter into a plea deal shows that they never really cared about Kelsey. They only want to hurt Raye Dawn. It does not take a rocket scientist to see this. The true murderer will never be tried and a loving caring mother sits in jail unjustly. May God's grace and unconditional love carry Raye Dawn through this unbelievable experience. Psalm 37 describes Kathie Briggs."
"Just so you know, there are millions of people sending the videos of Kelsey in emails telling people about your story. me and my friends all support you and believe that you being punished is madness. I hope your well. And am ever so sorry for your loss."
"My heart goes out to Raye Dawn and her family for this tragic loss. Based on the information on this website, I can't fathom how any jury could find her guilty in any way. I hope that justice is served and she is acquitted of all charges."
"I was truly heart broken to read about your daughter. I received some info through myspace and wanted to learn more. It was a child abuse awareness thing set up by one of the Briggs family or friends. Im not sure which. I wanted to know more and came upon your site. It is very clear you loved this child and did not know what was happening to her. The courts are wrong ya know, you wouldnt have known. How could you. I was abused for a very very long time and my parents never knew, not untill I was 18 and I told them.I am so sickened by the people who are supposed to make our lives safer. I dont think you should be punished for your childs death. You are suffering now and it is so hard. If everything that I have read is true then Kathie should be in jail for doing the things she did to your baby. I am so sorry for your loss.I hope things work out for you. People should learn to listen and read between the lines . You tell them for me a mother doesnt always know what is happening to her child not even the best mother in the world. Things can happen right in front of your eyes and you would never have seen it. I love you all for trying to hard...keep going....and MAY GOD BLESS YOU!!! Please let me know how everything goes."
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