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November 18, 2009

Teen girl suspect charged as an adult

Posted: 05:26 PM ET

15-yr-old girl suspect to be charged as an adult, indicted on 1st-deg. murder for death of Elizabeth Olten, 9

A Cole County judge ruled today that the 15 year old suspect in the murder of 9 year old Elizabeth Olten will be tried as an adult. Upon the judge’s ruling, 15 year old Alyssa Bustamante was arrested on the charge of first degree murder and was taken into adult custody. A Cole County Grand Jury indicted Bustamante on charges of first degree murder and armed criminal action.

Elizabeth Olten
Elizabeth Olten

Authorities accuse Bustamante of strangling, stabbing, and cutting the throat of Elizabeth Olten on October 21, the day Elizabeth went missing. Bustmante faces the charge of armed criminal action for allegedly using the knife in the murder. Bustmante, wearing an orange jumpsuit and shackles, reportedly showed little emotion during her arraignment today and did not speak. She is being held in the Cole County jail on no bond. The judge entered a not guilty plea on her behalf at the arraignment. She could face life in prison without parole if convicted of first degree murder.

History of mental illness?

During the juvenile certification hearing, the chief juvenile officer for the circuit court, David Cook, testified Bustmante spent 10 days at a mental health center after a suicide attempt. Cook said Bustmante was treated at a healthcare facility for depression and she attended treatment regularly and was prescribed prozac for the depression. Cook said last year her family had expressed concerns about Bustmante exploring “Goth” culture on the internet, which she later stopped. Since her arrest, jail officials had to cut her fingernails after she tried to cut herself while in custoday.

Was it planned?

Sgt. David Rice, of the Missouri Highway Patrol, interviewed Bustmante after her arrest and testified today that Bustmante told him that she had dug two holes the Friday before the killings! Bustmante also allegedly confessed to Rice that she killed Olten because she “wanted to know what it felt like” to kill someone. The body of Elizabeth Olten was found 2 days later, “very well concealed” in a wooded area near her home, according to police.

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Angry Mother   November 18th, 2009 5:56 pm ET

How awful for the family of Elizabeth... to think your child is safe down the street at a friends house... My heart goes out to her family... And I am pleased to hear Ms. Bustamante will be tried as an adult.

Angry Mother   November 18th, 2009 6:15 pm ET

Also I don't know how anyone else feels about it, but I think she deserves to be tried as an adult, this is how it all starts, first they hurt animals then they start killing people, look at the history of killers... She needs to be put away where she can never do this again... ever...

ronald   November 18th, 2009 6:15 pm ET

now that you know how it felt to kill someone, now feel what is like to be sent to jail for life for killing someone. the judge sided for you and found you not guilty were finding you guilty regardless of your problems

Trudylynn   November 18th, 2009 6:35 pm ET

We need to recognize this as one of those instances where society needs to say yes she is young but when will the next time be, that she wonders how it will feel to kill. Please don't let her fall between the cracks and hospitalize her for her protection and society's protection. If we don't make the tough decisions now, 5 or 10 years we will be asking "how did she fall through the cracks when there were so many signs"? My prayers go out to Elizabeth Olten's family. God Bless You.

c   November 18th, 2009 6:39 pm ET

oh yeah it was planned!!!! she dug 2 holes! found very well concealed in the woods. plus she admited her curiousity to know what it was like to kill....
obviously she had issues( suicide attempt, attending therapy, on prozac)...right frame of mind or not, she did plan it, imo.
life in prision? wow. i thought MO was a death penalty state...if so, probably her age and ( is she a first time offender, or has she gotten into other/ minor trouble w/ police before this?_) may be a factor in the life in prision w/out parole.

Noreen   November 18th, 2009 7:06 pm ET

She dug two graves the week before, planned this to see what it felt like. Principle testified she was in top 1/3 of her class with A's and B's. No way did she not know what she was doing.This is so sick. My prayers go out to Elizabeth's family, the only victim in this horrible act.

ARMIDA   November 18th, 2009 7:14 pm ET

Yea, as Ronald puts it, now you will find out what its like to be sent to prison for the rest of your life. Obvious you will be a worthless adult who will never be productive in this society. Rot in prison Alyssa. I hope that the parents of Elizabeth find some kind of peace in those they love and that in which they believe in. My heart goes out to them.

Brenda Hay   November 18th, 2009 7:15 pm ET

This has got to be one of the most heinous crimes I have heard of. This girl is a monster. There can't be any insanity defense. She knew exactly what she was doing when she killed poor little Elizabeth. She had a predug grave dug the week before and had it all planned out. Just looking at her mug shot, you can't find a soul in those eyes. I say even life in prison is too good for her.

chitown lady   November 18th, 2009 7:22 pm ET

Good! I truly hope she realizes exactly what she has done. But it seems she does not care......Hope she rots in prison

Helen   November 18th, 2009 7:27 pm ET

Wow, this girl is clearly a psychopath, good thing she will be put away for life because who knows what she would have been capable of when she got older!

CTW   November 18th, 2009 7:32 pm ET

I, along with hundreds of other youth out there also tried to commit suicide when I was a teenager, cut myself, went to multiple therepists and psychologists, and explored the "goth" subculture.

But did it lead us to kill an innocent 9 year old girl? No.

Of all the hundreds to 15-year-old kids out there, there's gonna be a few bad apples. And if they're bad enough to feel it's okay (for ANY reason) to take another human life.. they deserve the consequences. Trying as a juvenile would have them released eventually. But any amount of life in jail WILL NOT rehabilitate them. The psychosis will always be there, the potential to hurt another will always remain.

She had her chance at life, and consciously made wrong choices. She needs to be held responsible for those choices, and deserves to be tried as an adult, and deserves to be punished accordingly.

Fanny   November 18th, 2009 7:53 pm ET

Please give this case more coverage. The media and the powers that be in Jefferson City have done their dam*nest to block every bit of information about this case. Public records of people connected to this have been erased (not juvenile records) and the story has not been told. Finally today she was declared an adult, but has barely gotten any coverage. Please do it for Elizabeth Olten, her nine year old victim who did nothing to deserve this. TIA

tweety   November 18th, 2009 8:02 pm ET

i hope the 15 yr old snot head gets life in prison without parol that is what she deserves and then when she goes to prison i hope she gets the same treatment she did the the little 9 yr old girl elizabeth, she surely deserves it she is an evil evil heartless thing
eye for an eye

Elizabeth   November 18th, 2009 8:21 pm ET

Alyssa must be held accountable for the actions she planned and carried out. She does need to be close supervised so she never has the chance to do something like this again. Obviously, something within her is not right for her to wonder what it felt like to extinguish a life and then to actually care it out. Another thing that bothers me is in the reports I've read today Alyssa appeared to show no signs of guilt or any emotion really,

ncredneckchick   November 18th, 2009 8:55 pm ET

It makes me sick at heart to know that a 15 year old child has commited this crime, the one crime you can never make restitution for! You won't live long enough to make up for this... in the day you took that child's life, you became not only condemed, but you became an adult, to be held responsible for your actions.

mk3jade   November 18th, 2009 9:01 pm ET

This girl is obviously troubled and needs help. To kill someone just because you want to know how it feels is terrible. she should be locked away for the rest of her life because clearly she cannot be in society with a mindset like this,

Diana   November 18th, 2009 9:20 pm ET

In our great wisdom, we realise that children are NOT miniature adults. Their brains are not fully formed, & they don't have enough experience or education to make sound judgments. Thus juvenile facilities were created, not only to punish, but to REHABILITATE! No matter what the crime, children belong in juvenile facilities. If we treat them as adults when it comes to crime, then they should also have the privileges of adulthood, such as signing valid contracts, marrying, enlisting in the military, etc. A child can't be an adult when it suits the legal system & considered a child the rest of the time. How about we save $$$ by eliminating the juvenile system then, & putting even kids who steal a stick of gum into adult prison?
I would also suggest her childhood should have been loked into closely before she was charged. Children who are exposed to violence & sexual/mental abuse have been known to go off the deep end, act out terribly. I'm betting we find Ms. Olten has suffered from some terrible trauma that she keeps a deep dark secret. Then, will you still be so hateful to this CHILD?

Jamie Capelle   November 18th, 2009 9:26 pm ET

I think both cases are really sick! What is wrong with people these days? It makes me sick to see this happened to 2 people! COME ON PEOPLE GET A LIFE.! Parents need to keep a eye on there kids. My heart goes out to the family. And I think the black guys killed Shanya. I hope he goes to prison for life and never gets out!

Lavonia From Durham North Carolina   November 18th, 2009 9:34 pm ET

GOD BLESS ALL THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD
I am from North Carolina and would like to say something has to be done with the Laws and those that hurt children. It breaks my heart that so many children are being hurt and killed in 2009 with all the places to give the child up if they can not take motherhood any more.
I beg the Governer Ms.Beverly PLEASE to make some changes and have life sentences for child abuse, neglect and murder of these children.

Cindy   November 18th, 2009 9:34 pm ET

Why isn't anyone asking why the father didn't call his daughter Shaniya while he was away on business. Wouldn't she have told him that she wasn't in school?

Helen   November 18th, 2009 9:35 pm ET

Or she may just be a sociopath. Sociopaths are born and not made, so there don't have to be some environmental factors which caused her to do this... This "child" brutally murdered another – much younger child – just because, in her own words, she wanted to see "what it would feel like". If that's not a sociopath, I don't know what is (and it's a far cry from stealing a piece of gum). Oh and BTW, sociopathy is neither treatable nor rehabilitatable... And judging by the descriptions of this girl's demeanor and behavior, I am willing to bet she is a sociopath (a text book case one) who can do a lot more damage if she is set free, supposedly "rehabilitated".

david aponte sr   November 18th, 2009 9:42 pm ET

it dont make any sense for that to hapen to a child of God , i pray for her and for that guy and eye for eye may you burn in hell and i better never see you in the street

mariah   November 18th, 2009 9:46 pm ET

My personal thouhts are where the playmates parents they couldn't walked the 9 year old girl home!Any person who dose this to a child should be charged as an adult!I don't mean to hurt any feelings but it's the truth.

Helen   November 18th, 2009 9:46 pm ET

There are lots of kids (and adults) killed every year, not just 2009 – that's just the world we live in... many sick sick people out there unfortunately.

mariah   November 18th, 2009 9:48 pm ET

Another thing is thathaven't they ever heard of a cell phone,and or a cell phone

mother/wife   November 18th, 2009 9:48 pm ET

This monster needs to be tried as an adult. where were her parents? there had to be signs before this sickooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!! killed this child.. our children are under attack from everywhere. The laws need to drastically be changed the children in this society are losing there minds.. I feel that this communication net works like you-tube, myspace, & twitter are exposing them to entirely too much bringing them into contact with Evil people who may be contributing to the insanity.

Barbara Kalter   November 18th, 2009 9:51 pm ET

If she killed this little girl b/c she wanted to know what it would feel like, then maybe she stabbed, strangled and slit her throat to know how each of these three ways would feel as well

ryan   November 18th, 2009 9:58 pm ET

I want to know why you are harping on the fact that she touched an electric fence. It's not a big deal. Everyone I know has touched one for fun one time or another, my 2 sisters included. Sure she killed someone and it's wrong, but the electric fence video is just really annoying. Does that make me a twisted killer because I have touched one? No.

angela   November 18th, 2009 9:58 pm ET

i think she shouldnt get out of big jail because she killed elizabeth. she killed somebody for no reason she goes in jail for an reason. she killed elizabeth she should stay in jail for life and die in jail.

ashley   November 18th, 2009 10:00 pm ET

I am sick to my stomach reading some of these posts. For the people who are defending this MURDERER just because she is a child and doesn't have legal rights in some aspects is ridiculous. She strangled, stabbed, and slit the throat of a very innocent little girl. Yes, she may not be able to make mature decisions all the time but she is not 4 years old. She knows right and wrong when it comes to brutally murdering someone and putting them in a pre-dug grave! Diana, I pray for you that nothing like this ever happens to a loved one, because you would never defend it again.

Lovebenge   November 18th, 2009 10:12 pm ET

I know, no one wants to think poorly of the Father but he was well aware of the dangerous environment he was placing his daughter.
Although he wanted to give the Mother a second chance, the environment should have taken a higher priority. His previous wife was murdered in that vacinity. JUST A THOUGHT! Did he assume that something extremely horrible (which did) would also happen to his 5th child and does he have a life insurance policy on her?

Diana   November 18th, 2009 10:24 pm ET

Whoops-I was half asleep-I referred to the 15 yr old using the name of the 9 yr old, no way to edit it, am sorry for any confusion I caused. Its late, that's my only excuse!

shaisksleay   November 18th, 2009 10:27 pm ET

you know its so sad i dont know how i feel about the case she kill a child and she is only a child my lord what is the world coming to the end lets pray for our children its time out for the madness the devil is busy pray is the only answer i am just floored about this case and also the shainya case lord help us and they family we need to get it togather black white big little adult child it dont matter who they are

Diana   November 18th, 2009 10:35 pm ET

Helen, neither of has a degree in any kind of psychiatric medicine, so I wouldn't even think of calling a child a sociopath without lots of medical proof. Severe abuse can also cause children to act unusual, unemotional, everything you attribute to being a sociopath. However, I was abused badly, 1st by my father, then, following the cycle, men just like him. The abuse was/is unmentionable. I reacted to it, like any child would, but back in the 60's, the CHILD was put away, abuse was a deep dark secret, unmentioned even by judges. Broken bones were the least of it, & my earliest memory is seeing my mom in tears on the toilet, saying "daddy hit her". Nice, huh? I was never the woman I could have been had I not been exposed to those things. I did things as an adult I don't think I'd have done except that I was still deep in torment. Could I have been considered a sociopath? The juvenile judges thought so. I have not seen the inside of a jail in 34 years. I'm now, after 4 divorces, married to a non abusive man for 16 yrs. I may have emotionally hurt people, but never killed a small animal on purpose, much less a child. I deliberately had no kids-the cycle of abuse stops with me. Give poor Ms. Bustmante the courtesy of hearing the entire story before we go trying to put this CHILD under the jail, please.

Beth   November 18th, 2009 10:58 pm ET

Diana, there are just some people who cannot be rehabilitated. Anyone heard of Graham Young? He poisoned his family when he was a teenager, spent 9 years in a mental institution afterward being deemed "fully recovered" and released only to poison and kill again. Granted this is just one individual, but look at all of the other cases we have seen time and time again where a violent individual is released early only to re-offend again.

Even at 15 a person knows the difference between right and wrong. Digging a grave a week prior to killing Elizabeth clearly shows premeditation. Could you really trust someone like this to be released back into society, even if she gets treatment? And your argument about teens and adult privileges such as joining the military and all that is moot. At 16 teens can legally drive a car. Some states even allow marriage at 15 with parental consent. Also, many people have grown up into screwed up, dysfunctional families but have never killed someone.

An angry teen from Colorado   November 18th, 2009 11:14 pm ET

I cannot believe this. To all those people who are out there saying that Bustamante is a "child" and should not be treated as an adult, that is ridiculous! SHE IS 15, F-I-F-T-E-E-N! By the age of fifteen one knows right from wrong! Heck, from an early age one should know that killing is wrong.

When I was 15 (I am currently 18) I sure as heck knew that killing was the worst of the WORST thing one could EVER do, and if I'm the only one then there's something seriously wrong.

I agree with Helen about the sociopath theory 100% by the way. Also, if Bustamante is treated with "compassion because she is a child" just imagine what that is saying to all the other children out there?!?! "Oh it's ok that you killed someone, your just a child. It doesnt matter that you strangled, stabbed then slit the throat of a innocent little CHILD in premeditated murder (since she dug the graves, I'm assuming premeditated), your just a kid too, you dont know any better. Oh you where doing it because you wanted to see what it felt like? Oh thats fine, your just learning things is all, your brain isn't developed enough to know what a horrible thing you did!" ..anyway I think my point is made.

If she gets sentenced to anything less than life in prision without parole, what would other "children" who are "curious about how it's like to kill someone feels" are going to think? "Oh! Because she's considered a child under the law, it's ok to kill someone! Punishment wont be anything more than a slap on the wrist compaired to other people who have been found guilty of murder get" ...Not a good message.

Lets think of who the real CHILD is here....a 15 year old teenager or a 9 year old...oh whats the word....CHILD!!!!

p. olbrich   November 18th, 2009 11:17 pm ET

I am commenting on the Shaniya davis case. I can not for the life of me understand a MOTHER doing this to her daughter... MY GOD WTF!!!!!
My own mother has screwed me sooooooooooooooooo bad that I will never understand. I am a mother myself and I can never understand this.

Lola   November 18th, 2009 11:30 pm ET

This is in reference to the comment posted by Diana! As Americans we live in the land of the free and you have the right to voice your opinion as well as I. First thing you don't know half of what you are talking about. You seem to forget that poor little Elizabeth will never be able to tell her dark secrets. She would have told us that this 15 year old girl Alyssa is crazy and the system for once got this one RIGHT. My suggestion to you is that you need to go back to GRAMMER school and learn how to read and write before posting such a stupid comment. You should reply by saying to the family of Elizabeth Olten that you are SORRY!!!!!!!!! Alyssa should spend the rest of her natural life plus one day just so she knows that when you do the crime you do the time. My deepest sympathy goes out to the Olten family. May Elizabth rest in peace.

angela melendez   November 18th, 2009 11:38 pm ET

I hope she "wants to know what it feels like" to be in jail for the rest of her pitiful life, because that's what I hope she gets!

kristin hurley   November 18th, 2009 11:42 pm ET

Does this girl realize her whole life is over? She is going to prison for the rest of her life. What a waste of a life

Jennifer   November 18th, 2009 11:43 pm ET

This is positively disgusting, I do not feel bad that this girl is going to spend her life in prison. However, in my opinion it is not enough, her spending her life in prison does not bring Elizabeth Olten back! That little girls parents have to live the rest of thier lives in pain and misery while this juvenile has no remorse, what is wrong with today's youth. I am scared for my own kids. I am so tired of people taking the lives of innocent people, and now our kids are killing kids.. I really think that there should be harsher punishments for crimes against children, women and man in general. This is not what our country was founded on, and it is like a war amongst our own people!! This girl deserves to live he worst life imaginable just for making her victim suffer, and the
family suffer. Sick or not, she knew what she was doing!!!

Nicole L   November 18th, 2009 11:53 pm ET

I have two questions. What is her family history, any abuse and is she on medication such as Ritalin? I can almost guarantee the answer is yes to one or both of these questions.

College student 614   November 18th, 2009 11:59 pm ET

Now that this teen age girl is in jail and they have found out what she had been doing before with the youtube video. Are police investigating the parents to see if there were any signs that they saw and why they havent spoken out about there daughter. Also if the teen girls childhood had things that went on in it that lead up to her acting in this way.Are the teen ages girls brothers going to be checked out to be sure they arn't doing the same things this girl did before murdering this 9yr old girl.

Lester   November 19th, 2009 12:09 am ET

I have to agree with Diana, shame on all of you for wanting to condemn another child (15 yrs old). I think this girl needs medical help more than prison time. Come On,are you that judgmental and ignorant to think that a 15 yr old girl wold do this for fun....you really must be crazy!
This is text book material for a girl who has major psychiatric problems. Which I am taking a great guess stems from family situations. So as much as you think the little girl who died is a victim. You are now, (b/c of lack of sympathy) ready to destroy the other child. This I feel is a big mistake.
I think this 15 yrs old girl needs a lot of medical attention and we shuols perhaps view her as her own victim rather than a killer.

Try to find the goodness in your heart...she is only 15!

stacie d   November 19th, 2009 12:21 am ET

I think im right when i say that this alyssa girl had two brothers. Is it possible that the two graves were dug for her little brothers, possibly because she resented them if she had to watch them alot. I dont know that she did have to watch them but i watched her youtube videos and they seem to be centered around her brothers hurting themselvs.

Carol McPheeters   November 19th, 2009 1:19 am ET

Our whole world is filled with evil. We, as a nation, have become desensitized to the violent world we live in. Violent movies, video games and other things contribute to the demoralization of our peoples. We don't teach our children right from wrong. Schools attempt to teach our children that nothing is wrong or right. What feels right to you, is what the schools are trying to encourage to our vulnerable children. I also feel that when a child capable of understanding commits a crime that takes the life of another, they should have to be treated as an adult. I am sure there are deaths resulting from accidental shootings but when a child takes a knife to kill someone to see what it feels like, they are not fit to live in society .

Jeri   November 19th, 2009 2:00 am ET

This is so sad Elizabeth reminds me of my 9 year old granddaughter. I am so angry that this little girls keep coming up dead. I wish I had a way to fight for these children it is so unfair. My heart goes out to the family in this case to both families . I can only wonder didn't Alyssa's family notice anything change about her? I hope that she gets what she deserves she planned this and knew what she was doing.
I believe that Elizabeth is in a better place and free from harm now. At least her parents don't have to wonder where or what is happening to her. I hope they find strength in knowing she is in a better place.

jedd   November 19th, 2009 2:34 am ET

It really has to do with the breakdown of family. Kids are growing up these days with mothers who care more about their boyfriend/next husband and fathers who care more about their girlfriend/ next wife than their kids.

And the kids have to put up with awful treatment from stepparents or their parents latest partners and these kids are basically told to put up or shut up, including physical and sexual abuse, instead of their own parents trying to protect them and understand their point of view.

I have yet to meet an adult who will respect their child's point of view over the latest person that adult happens to be sleeping with. As someone who has to often take care of these kids in a professional capacity, it is just depressing to hear their stories. I have yet to meet a girl who likes her stepmother or who does more than tolerate her stepfather.

John   November 19th, 2009 2:36 am ET

I'm sorry, but I do not believe that a 15 year old is a child who can't understand the concept of murder. I don't believe we wake up on the morning of our 18th birthday, and Eureka! Today I know That Murdering someone is Illegal and I will be punished if I do. It wasn't even a crime of passion. If she had the forethought to dig a grave, it was premeditated.

Kelly   November 19th, 2009 2:43 am ET

I am saddened by the amount of missing and then found dead children of the world. Nobody has the right to take a life of an innocent child or anyone for that matter. This girl knew what she was doing and now she will get what she deserves. Its just to bad that they dont have the death penalty for underage killers. Or do they? I also blame the parents of this 15 year old girl murderer. Parents should have a bigger role in their childs lives to know whats going on inside their head. Sure abuse of any kind will trigger some terrible thoughts and feelings but to not know that your child has problems. Come On. Its apparent that the parents had an idea seeing how she spend a few days at an institute and had other issues but its deeper than that. All that is left to say is parents need to teach their children right from wrong and show them the love they deserve so things like this doesnt happen any more.

Denise-Portland OR   November 19th, 2009 2:44 am ET

This case comes at a very interesting time. I am currently taking a class on Ethics in Morality, at PSU. We talked about the DP and the possibility of trying juveniles as adults. While I understand the "eye for an eye" revenge most people would have in this case, we also need to understand the "whole" case as it applies to this girl. If this girl suffers from mental illness, and if this girl takes prozac, then the medication could have caused her to be more depressed, suicidal, and wanting to hurt herself and other people. Most people do not know the side effects of depression medication in teenagers-it is very dangerous. I do not agree with what she has done-it is a horrendous act. However, I do feel that she should be put into a mental facility where she can get the proper care and rehabilitation with her mental illness. Life in prison is not the answer.

Jackie   November 19th, 2009 2:58 am ET

Are you serious? She took a life. Her life should be taken. Its a little too late. She should rot in prision forever.

MOTHEROF3   November 19th, 2009 3:10 am ET

Bustamante should be charged as an adult because she did plan the whole murder i mean come on who digs up graves in the woods , yes she might have mental problems but the insanity plea is getting old a little girl is dead a family with out a daughter its not fair u do the crime guess what you do the time i feel no sympathy for this 15 year old she is old enough to know wrong from right ..period

alice from florida   November 19th, 2009 3:11 am ET

Its such a pity that people like Diana would make such statements about a murderer. Diana murder is murder at any age. This girl knew right from wrong, while she was killing this poor kid. Do you seriously think that there is some dark secret in this killers life that would justify what she has done.You ask if we knew these secrets will we still hate. Well I ask you if Elizabeth was your daughter, or sister, or friend would you be justify ing her actions, and would you be talking about this girls dark secrets which cause her to kill someone you loved, or blog about how bad the system which is about to punish her is. Would you honestly be worried about the treatment of minors by the legal system?? Come on honey, grow up, and like my mom used to say "if you don't have anything good to say then keep your yap shut." Is there anyone out there who agrees? Please let me know, that there are people out there, who still have some brain cells left in their heads.

alice from florida   November 19th, 2009 3:17 am ET

Diana never include people with great wisdom with yourself. You would be truly mistaken. My heart goes out to the family of Elizabeth. I pray God will give them comfort in this terrible time of tragedy. I also pray for you, that God will grant you the wisdom that you don't have. Amen

Anna   November 19th, 2009 3:22 am ET

We need to stop having so many cushy people and cushy penalties for these criminals, stop with the excuses/blaming, and start caring about the victim's and public again. The system has lost touch. Some of the so called kids these days are evil how could they not be. They are taught and desensitized by all the lack of rules, bad tv, evil games, and to use the blame game. She is 15 people, older than enough to know what she did was evil. There needs to be junior prison for criminals like this, a place for those to bad for juvy and to young for prison. She should stay in til 18 then get the death penalty. Any one who does a crime like this should, rehabilitation is a crock for this type and it is a major slap in the face for the victim's family and tax payers to have to support them and give them things that we can't even afford. If the punishments fit the crimes there would be so fewer of them.

Me   November 19th, 2009 3:34 am ET

Diana, get off it! SHE, Alyssa, deserves to have adult privileges?? Pfft! Where's Elizabeth's privileges to be an adult, to marry, have kids, sign contracts to do all of the things you mentioned Alyssa should be allowed to do? PLEASE!! That's the dumbest damn thing I've heard!!

Ms. Alyssa was smart enough to dig two graves and plan a murder AND a cover up, that fooled police initially and searchers, and yet you want us to believe she was not smart because her brain wasn't fully developed?? Don't make me freakin' laugh! Or vomit!!! That is asinine!

Merry Hicks   November 19th, 2009 3:59 am ET

THANK YOU, DEAR GOD, FOR ALLOWING HER TO BE CHARGED AS AN ADULT. 1 MORE THING, GOD, PLEASE, FIND HER GUILTY. THANK YOU 100 TIMES IN ADVANCE, DEAR GOD....AMEN

Marcus   November 19th, 2009 4:32 am ET

After watching your show tonight I am sick to death. A women who would do this to her child shoud be put to death!!! We should stop wasting tax payers money by housing people like her for 10+ years for What?!? It costs under a dollar for a single bullet. Maybe if we started exacuting people like this they might get a clue. Seriously!!!!! How many children or people have to die like this before someone gets a clue and ACTAULLY does something!!! Most of the talk doesn't do !@!@ it is time to take action and make a statement!!!

stacia   November 19th, 2009 4:35 am ET

i honestly blame the parent if this girl.If you dont keep an close eye on your children you dont know what theyll do.where was her mother when this happend? She should be the blame as well.You know shes not NORMAL she put her hand on an electric fence and thought it was funny! HELLO can we say CRAZY!!! Maybe a long times worth of Dicipline was needed.This is why we also see alot of young teen moms and criminals their parents just dont give a s***!

jayne norris   November 19th, 2009 4:44 am ET

I feel sick, hearing about this beautiful little girl who has been murdered. I have a four year old grand-daughter, who is the light of my life. Little Shaniya's death will not be in vain, mothers and fathers around the world will be more aware of the danger that is present, sadly, in our world today. Give the mother and her "boyfriend" the death sentence. I have no forgiveness for these people.

jeleighbean   November 19th, 2009 5:10 am ET

There is something seriously wrong with this girl. Premeditated murder of a 9 year old is really rare for a 15 year old girl. I don't know if trying her as an adult is appropriate, but the juvenile system doesn't seem right either. This kid is mentally ill, even possibly a sociopath. Look at her eyes, there's just nobody home. It seems like rehabilitation is unlikely.

Danielle   November 19th, 2009 5:17 am ET

As the mother of a 9 year old boy, my heart goes out to the family of Elizabeth Olten. This is a parents nightmare come true. I am glad that the evil, demented, cold-blooded, waste of life that brutally murdered Elizabeth will be tried as an adult. I hope they kill her in prison. She deserves it!!!!!!!!!!

Tonya B   November 19th, 2009 7:56 am ET

I am very pleased that she will be tried as an adult.. She deserves everything that she has coming to her..
She did it because she wanted to know what it felt like!!! What a sick and twisted person..
May God have mercy on her soul!!

concerned in JC, MO   November 19th, 2009 8:08 am ET

Diana, Please get your facts straight. Ms. Olten was not the offender, she was the victim. Speaking as someone in the Jefferson City area and being too close to both sides of the case for comfort, I implore you to reserve all judgements until all facts are out. Speculation is a leading cause of hatred. Both children have lost their childhood and both families must deal with their losses. I am not trying to defend the accused, just thinking all information needs to come out first and that is what her trial is for. NO ONE will ultimately win in the long run.

janyce   November 19th, 2009 8:27 am ET

i am a little confused here. the story said that the 15 yo spent 10yrs in a mental hospital for attempting suicide. so she was 5yo when she tried to kill herself???? that cannot be right.

Outraged   November 19th, 2009 9:36 am ET

Diana, you are extremely naive to think that this "child" could be rehabilitated. Like Helen said, this is a far cry from stealing a stick of gum and her past behavior is textbook sociopath. she BRUTALLY murdered this girl, took her from her family, took away her future. If someone did this to YOUR child, would you be so forgiving and wanting to set this MURDERER free? You are the type of person who makes excuses for criminals and why we have so many crimes on the streets and in private homes today.

When I was 15 years old, not only was I terrified of being hurt by another human being, but I also knew right from wrong and that KILLING someone, esp. a friend/neighbor's child, was WRONG. She has no feelings of empathy over what she did to this little girl...and just wanted to kill someone to see what it would feel like. When you do an adult crime, you should pay the adult price. This is VERY different than having a license or being able to vote as adult. This girl CHOSE to do something everyone at her age knows is wrong.

Diana, I guess you don't remember how "adult" you were at 15. You shouldn't even be allowed to speak on this forum.

Outraged   November 19th, 2009 9:39 am ET

Diana, I also would like to know if you ever went through a pregnancy, had a child, and did everything you could in your power to keep that child safe. If you haven't, you have no idea what it's like to worry about your child 24 hours a day, 7 days a week that sociopaths like this 15 yr. old are out there who could hurt your child. It's absurd that ANYONE no matter the age thinks they have the right to take that child, that YOU created, away from you.

pistachio   November 19th, 2009 10:11 am ET

This girl should never be allowed out of prison for any reason whatsoever for the rest of her life. In fact she should die by injection or the electric chair so she could feel what it's like to die, now that she sees what it's like to kill someone. What a monster!!! And even that would not be punishment enough for how she let little Elizabeth die. What a horrible person!! Many people in the world grew up in less than ideal homes, some even abusive homes but not all people stoop to the level of this mental case. I also feel bad for her parents. None of us raise our children to murder others. And Elizabeth's parents. I can't even imagine what they must be going through. Just heartbreaking what our society has come to. Never, and I mean never when I was growing up did people go into schools and shoot others, lure children to their death, kill gays and all the other grotesque things we hear about today with children. Most children today have so much more materially then we had and most parents pay out a lot of money today to have their children in all sports and after school activities like gymnastics, music, etc. and still these children today are not happy. It's very sad that with all the children have today that they are more violent, sadistic and generally more rotten than any generation before them. I know whereof I speak because I am 70 years old and I have lived long enough to see the difference in children of the 30's, 40's, 50's and beyond and the children of today. I would not want to be raising my children now. It's a scary world out here.

Rob   November 19th, 2009 10:55 am ET

As usual, you all miss the REAL story here. At age 13, she is cutting herself, sneaking out to concerts, out to the woods, etc. Sound like a young girl plotting to kill somebody? Of course not.

Then, they FORCE her into "treatment". After years of the standard issue poison that "treatment" entails, this young girl's mind is totally messed up. The doctors and drug companies are totally complicit in this murder. You will find this connection in almost every one of these murders. Wake up people!!

http://www.teenscreentruth.com/psychiatry_drugs_suicide.html

Suzanne   November 19th, 2009 11:02 am ET

Nancy your great..... but I disagree on the father of Shaniya Davis. Her Mother was obviously unfit...so giving her another chance sounds better than reality. The reality is he dumped her and there was no further oversight. He's got kids and relationships coming out of every nook and cranny. I have an adopted 4 year old girl and would NEVER leave her in the care of anyone for 5 weeks never mind someone with such a questionable background. I'm won't even let my 80 year old mother take her to the park. So while I agree he did not personally kill her... he did put her in harms way. That is just one of many contributing factors here. These people are obviously not very intelligent but you should have some basic instincts.

Lisa   November 19th, 2009 11:12 am ET

To Diana: I appreciate your hopes for a perfect world where people can be rehabilitated after a crime but the reality id completely different. I wonder if you would feel this way if your child was murdered for no other reason then the killer "wanted to know what it felt like". What happens the next time she wants to know what something feels like? Who's life has to pay then? I don't know of you have noticed how violent children have become but i believe one of the main contributors is because they know they are protected by a law that basically gives them permission to engage in adult crimes yet cant be touched because of their age. This girl not only killed another child but planned it so anything less then life in prison does not do justice. Maybe it will make all these other kids realize that they can not just go out and do whatever they "feel" like doing and then cry about how they haven't experienced life enough to know what they were doing was wrong. The last thing they need is another excuse!

Adriamarie   November 19th, 2009 11:14 am ET

Another Horrible Story- I'm wondering why she dug 2 Graves, who was the other one intended for? Gosh, I can't even believe Children even think thoughts like this. I feel horrible for the Families , as I just don't know what is happening to Our Children.
Don't Blame it on Video games, Music or TV- It's more then that. I know alot of Households have 2 Parents working and keeping Family values these days are harder, but for a Child to want to know how it feels to Murder is just CRAZY.

Angry Mother   November 19th, 2009 11:40 am ET

I hardly think a child stealing a stick of gum is similar to strangling, stabbing and slitting a young girls throat... by this point there wouldn't be a way to rehabilitate a child who says "I wanted to see how it felt to kill someone"... How do you fix that? You don't... she deserves to be punished as an adult the moment she planned the murder of this poor 9 year old girl... Come on... And regardless of a child who has suffered, they had her on prescription medication, in counseling etc, and obviously that wasn't working either... Did you not see the video on you tube of her electrocuting herself on a fence?? I am appalled that someone would suggest sympathy for a murderer...... An Ms. Olten was the victim BTW... not Alyssa Bustamante.

Solution   November 19th, 2009 11:53 am ET

Personally I think she should get the death penalty, but that probably won't happen because of our society. People would rather lock up someone for decades at the expense of tax payers than to simply execute a waste of life like this 15 year old who killed a 9 year old to "know what it felt like" to kill. If I had my way every murderer, pedophile, rapist, terrorist in this country thats locked up for life right now, would be dragged out to a wall, lined up and executed by firing squad. That is the only thing people like this deserve, I don't give adamn if the person who commited the the crime was mistreated as a child or has some sort of psych disorder that made them the way they are. That is no justifiable reason to make tax payers to pay to keep these pieces of trash alive. These people can't be rehabilitated and they will contribute nothing to society. So why keep them alive? It's time to do what is necessary people and start executing these people.

Roger   November 19th, 2009 12:03 pm ET

Diana-what if this "innocent, troubled, sweet kid" killed your daughter, would you then be so forgiving and try to help her out? I don't know why people don't or can't understand that all children are different and some of them are not so innocent like they are supposed to be! She is a sociopath and the only thing she needs is to be locked up for ever! No rehabilitation not nothing, just left to rot in jail for ever! Stop trying to find excuses for this criminals's behaviours, not all of them are abused or troubled, some of them are just born bad....

Liz   November 19th, 2009 12:22 pm ET

Cindy,
This is a discussion about Elizabeth Olten, and the 15 year old that murdered her.

Pam   November 19th, 2009 12:43 pm ET

Hellooooooooooooooo Diana, would you say the same if it was your nine year old daugher??? Shall they rehabilitate her and send her back on the street to do it again, in six years, because she now she forgot how it feels and tries it again. Oh my, you are way off base!

Donna   November 19th, 2009 12:56 pm ET

In response to Diana. Perhaps you would feel differently had it been "your" child that was taken at the hands of what you consider to be another child. I find your writing an insult to the family of Elizabeth Olten. I think I speak for a good number of people when I say, it's about time that these children (who are only children based upon their years on this earth) are not necessarily children in the true sense and a true child does NOT have the capacity to make such statements as "I wanted to know what it would feel like to kill". Then to hear you say they should commit this crime and then for the citizens to pay to rehabilitate them is, from my standpoint, a waste of the hard earned money that citizens contribute. Quite frankly, if a child has the misfortune of being as you say "Children who are exposed to violence & sexual/mental abuse have been known to go off the deep end, act out terribly", it does not in any form or fashion give them the license to take another's life and until these kids who take it upon themselves to use that very excuse to "act out terribly" (which I find to be a ridiculous analogy as a life was taken and you call that acting out terribly?) are dealt with, this cycle will accelerate beyond controllable means. This is a young adult, not a child to begin with. This young lady deserves to be judged as an adult due to her own actions. There is NO excuse. There have been many people, children included, that have been abused (if even that's the case) who have made life choices that did not include murder in such a disgusting fashion. Or better yet, seeing you obviously want to make excuses, then let it all begin at home...let them murder some of their own family and see how quickly the tables turn. Your writing displays great disrespect for Elizabeth and for those of her family left behind to live this tragedy. By the way you reference at the end of your statement that Ms. Olten has suffered, etc. For your information and future fact, the victim's name was Olten. The accused murderer is Bustmante. So please if writing in the future at least give Elizabeth Olten the respect of not confusing her with her killer. Obviously, you are on some crusade and if this is the case, compile your statement before you put pen to paper so to speak. My prayers remain with the Olten family and my hope is that justice is served for the loss of their beloved little girl.

angel   November 19th, 2009 1:48 pm ET

Even though this teenager might be mentally ill the crime she did is not forgivable. The way she killed this little girl she deserves the death penalty. Where were her parents if they knew she was mentally ill why was she not committed to a facility? sad situation all around.

Jen   November 19th, 2009 1:56 pm ET

Well Diana, I think most would condemn a killer even if it is a child, even if she had a bad childhood. She grew up the day she stabbed a child.
You are so hung up on this "poor child" that you tend to forget the real victim, Elizabeth.
Put this girl down. She will never be anything but a threat to society.

Rita   November 19th, 2009 1:59 pm ET

Regardless of if this teenager has a problem with depression, she cannot plead insanity because this act was premeditated. This 15 yr old girl deserves to spend the rest of her life in prison. She wanted to know how it felt to kill someone?!? Now she knows and it is obvious that she has no remorse for doing it. The justice system would be crazy not to convict her and lock her up. People who commit such crimes are never really rehabilitated, just liek sex offenders. They should remain in jail FOR LIFE!!!

Allison   November 19th, 2009 2:13 pm ET

That doesn't make any sense to say that. Why would the father call the child during school hours if he had no idea that she wasn't in school? The question should be why didn't the school call the father to tell him his daughter wasn't in school? We don't know the conversations he may have had with her via telephone "after school." I'm sure her phone calls to her father were monitored by those monsters in that trailer.

Day   November 19th, 2009 2:37 pm ET

This tragedy is so typical of what is going in America on a daily bases. We as a society need to stop attempting to ration out blame and judgment and start looking into research and development because it is getting worse. How are our children becoming the under belly of society? What is the real issue? I will offer a hypothesis; no one is around to raise the children except the internet and the tv. Because we are all at work, or looking for work or worst case scenario, on drugs or looking for drugs no one is around to offer love guidance and boundaries to our children. Last point, children are always children by definition, charging them as an adult does not make them an adult, it just makes them a child being charged as an adult.

NANCY   November 19th, 2009 2:42 pm ET

MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE MOTHER OF HER LOST CHILD.
THESE ARE CRAZY TIMES WE ARE LIVING IN AND I PRAY FOR YOU
I MYSELF HAVE NO COMPASSION FOR ANYONE WHO TAKES ANOTHER LIFE,I BELEIVE IN A LIFE FOR A LIFE AT ANY AGE. YOU CAN NOT CHANGE SOMETHING THAT IS INBEDDED IN A PERSON THEY ARE EITHER A GOOD PERSON OR BAD.SORRY'S AND JAILS ARE WAY TO CROWED WITH THAT.DON'T WASTE THE TIME AND MONEY ON TRIALS.YOU CAN SAVE ALOT OF TAX PAYERS MONEY IF
WE JUST DO LIKE OTHER COUNTRIES STEAL CUT OF HAND,YA KILL HANG UM.I BELEIVE IN AN EYE FOR EYE NO MATTER IF OR WHO YOU ARE.

Journey   November 19th, 2009 2:43 pm ET

I agree with "Solution" every murderer, pedophile, rapist, terrorist in this country thats locked up for life right now, should be dragged out to a wall, lined up and executed by firing squad. No one has the right to take someone elses life. You make your bed, you ly in it. My prayers go out to the Olten family I hope they get Justice.

cathy   November 19th, 2009 2:46 pm ET

It is appalling at how our country is going to the crapper with all the nutjobs in this world... and its passing to the children. It is definitely the parents of this world who need to take a long look at your child.and what they do as it was said before its not video games and such making people and children behave this way... it is the devil...pure evil and enough is enough !!! This girl should get the death penalty for what she did to elizabeth.... and I want to say to mr. Lockheart(shaniya's father) Please do not blame yourself you did what you beleived was right at the time for her ... IT's ANTOINette's FAULT!! Kepping shayiya and you and your family in my prayers. WE WANT JUSTICE FOR BOTH SHANIYA AND ELIZABETH!!!!

tenilleervin   November 19th, 2009 2:54 pm ET

from my point of view she should not be charged as a adult.but what she did was vert wrong.

Jeni   November 19th, 2009 2:55 pm ET

To Rob: They FORCE Dher (Alyssa) into treatment? Forced like she forced Elizabeth into the woods? Who forced Alyssa to dig the graves, and premeditate the EVIL crime she committed? Alyssa was the one with the power over Elizabeth. She is just evil!

Betty Phillips   November 19th, 2009 2:57 pm ET

Boy is she a nut case!!!! It is time that the killers are punished and punished severely, We do not need to spend money or time with this 15 year old, she is never going to have enough sense to be out in the world, she is a danger to any society she is living in,. I say she is no better than any other killer, regardless of her age. I can just see this screwed up monster doing the same thing that Casey Anthony did, so why not put a stop to it NOW! Do not think she could be able to have a normal life, it just won"t happen, she now knows how to murder and then hide the body, we do not need another Casey Anthony repeat. Our children deserve to have a loving and enjoyable life, not to have to worry about some 15 year old nut case. Betty

Angry Mother   November 19th, 2009 3:15 pm ET

I think Rob needs to wake up... Won't hear someone who has a dead child murdered claiming it is the meds... Some people are just evil to their very core... And there should be no excuses or sympathy for such a thing... GET A CLUE... Do your research about Alyssa Bustamante and her "hobbies" before you blame the meds... also... any normal person would cry when being imprisoned or facing a judge, except those who don't care... she didn't show any emotion at all while in front of the judge...

Joe C from CT   November 19th, 2009 3:17 pm ET

In this case, even though we're talking about a 15 yr old, I believe the punishment should fit the crime. This was a cold blooded, pre-meditated murder. By 15, you know the difference between right and wrong. We have to stop giving passes to murderers for this type of behavior. This girl deserves to be in prison for the rest of her life – at the very least. She will have to live with this terrible guilt every day of her life.

AJCL/Virginia   November 19th, 2009 3:22 pm ET

My questions is how did this girl come to live in this particular home. Was this a foster family or just friends of the family trying to do them a favor? I would love to know the connection between this 15 year old and the family that she was living with and how long she had been there and what circumstances brought her to living in this home. Was she to be under some type of supervision by the Department of Social Services, because obviously she was a danger to herself, so why was she with this family who have children of there own. As far as the crime that she has committed, if her greatest punishment is spending the rest of her life behind bars then so be it, personally, I do not believe that the punishment suits the crime, but, she will be held accountable for her actions by a greater power eventually, and the demons, or whatever you want to call it that led this 15 year old to brutally kill Elizabeth Olten, will continue to haunt her the rest of her life. My heart goes out to the Olten family, continue being strong for Elizabeth.

Rod in Texas   November 19th, 2009 3:38 pm ET

At age 15 a person knows right from wrong even if the parenting was lacking. This girl dug graves ahead of time, she knew what she was going to do, and did it. There are natural born killers in our society. She is one of them. Nip it in the bud.

Rob   November 19th, 2009 3:44 pm ET

To Jeni: These medications may be fine for many people. But to some, the serious side effects include leading them to suicide and in some cases hurting or killing others. Doctors hand them out like candy putting kids as young as two or three on them, it's outrageous. I would bet you anything that this murder would not have happened had this girl not been given these drugs. Look at the link, the number of cases showing the connection to these drugs and violent acts is astounding. But nothing is being said about it because the pharmaceutical industry is one of the biggest and most profitible business in the country. They are paying very big money to keep this aspect of these cases out of the news. They are messing up young (and old) minds with the stuff. The results, though horrifying, are not surprising.

Bella   November 19th, 2009 3:57 pm ET

My thoughts and prayers are with the Olten family. I have a 9 year old daughter and can't phathom what they are going through. That poor little girl should be here still. As for Alyssa – absolutely!!! – she should be tried as an adult – she took a life that was only beginning and that – nobody can bring back! All of you who go on about oh the poor girl had mental problems, cut herself, so on – SMARTEN UP! You are the people that contribute to things like this happening! IT IS NOT OK – THERE IS NO WAY TO JUSTIFY THIS! Whatever her problems are – she should be put in adult prison and if she doesn't make it – too bad.....Elizabeth died and she was INNOCENT! There HAS GOT TO BE justice served for Elizabeth and her family and a warning sent out to all of these kids who are under 18 years old commiting crimes and hurting / killing people! They get away with it because they are minors????? NO MORE!

Casey Ann   November 19th, 2009 3:58 pm ET

I honestly think that half of you are on some kind of drugs your self. And 15 year old knows right from wrong unless they have a realy mental defect. This Alyssa girl knew what she was doing. SHE PLANNED IT FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! And anyone who says she didnt you don't know what your talking about, she dug the holes before hand. She should be tried as an adult. I honestly think that they should also try for the death penilty honestly. This girl "wanted to know what if felt to kill someone!" Alyssa is not a child, she is a young lady who killed little Elizabeth that was 9 years old which is a child.

I dont believe we need to be wasting tax dollars on housing these criminals for the rest of their pitiful lives. We need to bring back the rope and hang them and get them out of this world.

I'm truly sick of half of you say oh poor Alyssa she had problems. Well what about this 9 year old little Elizabeth? She isnt even alive anymore, and sick Alyssa is alive and kicking.

I dont care if they put her to death, leave her in jail, whatever but they better not let her out ever.

I'm not a mean person, and I have the biggest heart, but people like this deserve what the delt out to others.

Outraged   November 19th, 2009 3:58 pm ET

Rob....we're missing the "real" story here? You mean to tell us that the "real" story here is not that Elizabeth Olten lost her life...she died brutally ALONE probably wondering what she did to deserve that...and had to wait to be FOUND bc she was buried. Just tossed aside like a piece of meat.

The "real" story here is not that "poor 15-year-old who cut herself." Oh wahhhh give me a break. She's depressed and sad...oh so that means go KILL someone else's child "just to see what it felt like." That makes sense.

Even though I would never wish for ANYONE'S child to go through what Elizabeth went through...I wish you could at least SEE this "story" from the Olten's family's point of view. Put yourself in their place and think how it would feel if someone like YOU said that Elizabeth dying isn't the "real" story here. I hope you don't have kids. It's people like you that teach them they are not accountable for their actions and that society should be held responsible.

Grace   November 19th, 2009 4:04 pm ET

If this 15 year old was missing Nancy would be saying please help us find this beautiful CHILD. I don't get it, a child if you are missing, but an adult if you commit a crime?
My heart goes out to both families and my concern for all those that believe a 15 year old is an adult.

meme5   November 19th, 2009 4:05 pm ET

I MISS YOU ELIZABETH
ELIZABETH IS MY COUSIN AND HER FAMILY MISSES HER. THANKS TO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN DEALING WITH ELIZABETH'S KILLER. (DIANA) I DO HAVE A BACHELOR DEGREE IN (PSY-SOC-CRIMINAL JUSTICE) REHABILIATION IS NOTHING BUT A BIG JOKE. YOU SAID YOU WERE ABUSED AND AM SORRY BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTT DID YOU NOT HAVE KIDS BECAUSE YOU WAS THINKING YOU MIGHT ABUSE THEM? AND DO YOU THINK THAT STOPS YOU FROM ABUSING YOUR BROTHERS OR SISTERS KIDS. YOU KNOW
IN THE STATE OF MO. THE AGE LIMIT IS 12 TO BE TRAIL AS AN ADULT.
I THINK THESE PEOPLE THAT DO THESE CRIMES THEY SHOULD BE HANDED OVER TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS LET THEM TAKE CARE OF THEM.

Theresa   November 19th, 2009 4:06 pm ET

This is so horrible..she deserves every thing plus..maybe her prozac should have been increased..i hope that she lives every single day of her life being haunted...i am very happy that i am giving my child home schooling..this society is horrific !!

Miranda   November 19th, 2009 4:06 pm ET

Good maybe thats what kids need these days is harsher punishment to straighten them out. I have a nephew that was in probabtion for over 2 years and when he finished last year he was still acting up. I am very sorry to the family who lost there little girl

MyNews   November 19th, 2009 4:07 pm ET

I understand that some feel she is a child and some feel that children should not be punished as adults. I do understand. However, painful as it may be our responsibility should be to protect our society as best as we possibly can and to prevent matters like this to happen to another child (as best as we can).

Alyssa Bustamante is a child, however she murdered another child.
As painful as her consequences may be, if we do NOT enforce them, we are sending several horrific messages to other children:

1. First horrific message we are sending to other children is that since killing someone is the ULTIMATE crime you can do, that you will not suffer consequences for your actions because you are a child.

2. Second horrific message we would be sending to other children is that the life they took by murder is not as important as THEIR life because they are a child! This is de-sensitizing them to what they have done and puts less value on human life!

3. Third horrific message we would be sending to ADULT CRIMINALS in the world is it is ok for YOU to use teenage kids to do your dirty work because they will not suffer the same consequences as adults. This will surely open the doors for adult criminals to coherce, manipulate and trick teenagers into doing more crimes because they will all know the punishments and consequences would not be as severe.

4. The last horrific message we would be sending to all the VICTIMS AND VICTIMS RELATIVES is that their loss is in vain! The lives that were taken away from them is LESS VALUABLE than the person that took the life! We would be minimizing the damage that was done to the family that loss a loveone at the hands of a child murderer. The victims and victims family deserve Justice. Not revenge. Revenge would be if they imposed justice themselves, TRUE JUSTICE would be allowing our Criminal Courts to impose consequences applicable to the crime committed. In this case it is murder! A life was taken, therefore either a life sentice with no parole or a death sentence would be applicable to fit the crime.

We have to understand the world we live in. Look this world in they eye and see it for what it truly is. Sure, these young murderers may be children, but our priority is to protect the other children who are law abiding children, good children and protect them from child predators.
There are all sort of predators, adult predators and child predators alike.

We can sit here on this forum and debate and argue all day about whether or not a child killer can be rehabilitated etc.etc. However, as we continue to do this, more and more child predators will strike again. Sure, some killers come from abused and dysfunctional homes. Some NON-KILLERS come from abused and dysfunctional homes and yet they NEVER KILL.

What's the difference?

We all have good and evil within us. We all do. The only difference is which part we CHOOSE to act upon? There is such a thing as a "bad-seed". There is such a thing as inherently evil.

This is sad and horrific because two lives are lost. Elizabeth Olten's life is lost as well as Bustamante because Bustamante will NEVER be the same again. Even if there is such a thing as "rehabilitation", she will be a different person and for someone that already suffered depression as noted about, how much MORE depression will she suffer now that she has become a murderer? There is a darkness that she will carry within herself from taking another life. There IS NO rehabilitation from that! That's an internal "demon" she will have within her for the rest of her life!

You can't allow something like that to walk among us again.
For those crying for Bustamante because she is a child. Put yourself in the shoes of Elizabeth Olten or HER family. Imagine yourself dying a painful and brutal death like Elizabeth. Spend some time imagining yourself dying in the way she did, or better yet, imagine this was YOUR daughter, neice, mother or sister then ask yourself.....should Bustamante be let off the hook because she's 15?
There is only one tried and true method of stopping child killers and that way is FEAR of harsh consequences.

"Rehabilitation" does not deter crime and it does not deter criminals, it actually provides them an ESCAPE so that they can re-offend.!!!!

jsustik   November 19th, 2009 4:18 pm ET

I do have to ask if she was on anti depressants prior to this crime?Alot of people are put on these drugs and they actually alter your thinking.I know as Ive been told by DRs and Ive researched these drugs.You may do things you wouldnt normally do.A kid gets moody,or has more energy than normal,and thinks too much,And heres drugs.If not she isnt crazy,just plain evil.Somehow she got this way,it doesnt just happen.She intentionally murdered this little girl,and tried to hide the crime.The death penalty stands in her case,not life in prison,but if she was on antidepressants it needs to be checked into.

Michael   November 19th, 2009 4:24 pm ET

WE ARE THE ONES TO BLAME! I am ashamed to admit it but we as an american society are the ones to really blame for the horindous crime. We have become so desensitized to all the violence and corruption that is constantly going on around us that we let sooooo much slide when it comes to parenting our children. I am not saying that video games, movies, music, etc are the things to blame all this on. We have become a nation of me, me, me, when we should be paying our full attention to what is happening at home with our kids rather than what new piece of junk technology we should buy to make our lives easier. My heart goes out to the parents of both families of this tragedy, and on behalf of the parents of the united states i would like to apologize to the children of america for not paying closer attention to your lives.

disgusted   November 19th, 2009 4:33 pm ET

I hope they don't give this murderer any special treatment. She deserves to be in jail for the rest of her life

Jennifer   November 19th, 2009 4:42 pm ET

My question is why 2 holes? Who else was she planning to kill????
I say lock her up and throw the key away. May she never enter society again. She is a threat to everyone around her.

Brenda   November 19th, 2009 4:47 pm ET

I agree with Michael above what is going on with our society that we as parents are so oblivious to our kids behavior. I cant imagine that this girl woke up one day and said to herself "I'm going to kill someone for kicks" there HAD to have been some kind of red flags of abnormal behavior her PARENTS should have picked up on. I'm sorry if people disagree with me but WE ARE RESPONSIBLE for our children. My son is 12 and is just starting to enter into the weird teenage years and let me tell you I'm going to be watching him like a hawk and especially the people he chooses to associate with. Remember people "peer pressure" is all too powerful we can't forget what it was like to be a kid.

Rob   November 19th, 2009 4:49 pm ET

Outraged Wrote:

"Rob....we're missing the "real" story here? You mean to tell us that the "real" story here is not that Elizabeth Olten lost her life...she died brutally ALONE probably wondering what she did to deserve that...and had to wait to be FOUND bc she was buried. Just tossed aside like a piece of meat.

The "real" story here is not that "poor 15-year-old who cut herself." Oh wahhhh give me a break. She's depressed and sad...oh so that means go KILL someone else's child "just to see what it felt like." That makes sense.

Even though I would never wish for ANYONE'S child to go through what Elizabeth went through...I wish you could at least SEE this "story" from the Olten's family's point of view. Put yourself in their place and think how it would feel if someone like YOU said that Elizabeth dying isn't the "real" story here. I hope you don't have kids. It's people like you that teach them they are not accountable for their actions and that society should be held responsible."

-

Oh Boy. OF COURSE it is horrible that this little girl was murdered. Did I say it isn't? Stop with your hyperbole. OK, I should have said ANOTHER big story here.

Do I have kids? I have three daughters 11-14! OF COURSE I teach them that they are responsible for their actions. I would also never let anybody mess up their brains with this anti-depressant crap being handed out to keep kids "calm".

What I meant by real story is that this is a tragedy that might have been prevented! PLEASE look at the link. There IS a connection between people, especially teens, being given these drugs and committing violent acts. If there is something we could do to reduce this violence, but it is being overlooked, is this not a big story?

j.m.   November 19th, 2009 4:53 pm ET

it is so sad to me that so many children are the victims and any more they also happen to be the perpatrators as well. Or in another MANY cases the parent who gave them life. What kind of world is this? It is so painful to watch these stories and see the soulless killers, kidnappers, molesters and know that no matter how aweful the crime, they just dont care. Take the Kaylee Anthony or Haleigh cumming case. Come on ladies-we all know you did it or in the least know who did. These are dead babies and they don't care. What can we do? Nothing.
The laws that are in place to deter people from such heiness crimes don't really affect the P.O.S. who is going to do the crime. And every crime is different. We can change the law now and say that ok. this girl is 15 she knew what she was doing she should be tried as an adult. The guess what happens? The next killer is 13. Then what? We change the law again. And the next is 11. It is a scary and ever changing cycle. Where do we draw the line. I am sure her parents saw signs. But who of any of us (or any killers parents) would see your child kick a dog or push his baby sister in the mud and think for o9ne second that we need to get them help because they might be showing signs of a future killer. How do any of us know what to think? There are so many people who are slipping through the cracks and getting away witht the unthinkable while someone who sells pot is rotting in prision. There is no end to this madness. It is torture to watch the news lately.

Gemille   November 19th, 2009 4:59 pm ET

My prayers go out to this young angel's family. Its just reminder to enjoy the precious moments that we have with our children and to hug them just a little tighter and longer. I can only imagine -and hope to never experience- the pain Elizibath's family is going through. I truely hope Bustmante gets life in prison without parole WHEN convicted of first degree murder.

eric c   November 19th, 2009 5:12 pm ET

where was the killer's mom and grandmother in this child's life? Mom didnt have custody, grandma did. This is becoming, sadly, too commonplace in todays world. The broken family. I'm not making light of the horrific tradgedy, but when does the judicial system start holding the family accountable for emotional neglect? She says she "just wanted to know what it felt like?" Ummmmm....can anyone say undereducation in the social upbringing? Just because a child is "book smart" is not enough

Daniel H   November 19th, 2009 5:14 pm ET

While what she is alleged to have done is gruesome to the highest extent, I fail to see why we have a law regarding the age of an adult when it is constantly disregarded so that a harsher punishment can be issued. How can it be that a 20 year old is a minor when it comes to things like alcohol and gambling which are much simpler things but a 15yo is an adult when it comes to crime? It's a double standard. If we want to be able to charge 15yos as adults fine, change the law, recognize them as adults, give them the right to vote, smoke, drink, gamble, etc. and then if they commit a crime charge them as adults. Otherwise, it is ethically wrong to charge a 15yo as an adult if your laws say they are not even old enough to understand the ramifications and responsibilities of driving a car.

Lola   November 19th, 2009 5:31 pm ET

This is in reference to Rob. You need to shut the hell up and keep your DR. advise to yourself. You have no respect for the Olsen family. Their young child is dead cause the 15 year old nut CHOSE to kill Elizabeth. If I didnt know any better I would suspect that you and Diana were medical Doctors in front of this panel and you are doing one hell of a job proving to us that you are indeed as crazy as your nut patient Alyssa Bustamante.

Heather   November 19th, 2009 5:39 pm ET

Ronald- The judge did NOT find her not guilty, she has not had a trial yet. The judge entered a not guilty plea on her behalf so that she can have a trial. When a person pleads guilty, they waive their right to trial.

amy   November 19th, 2009 5:56 pm ET

I am so tired of hearing about someone's mental state when it comes to things like this. She purposely murdered someone...she deserves to be sent away! Whether someone is mentally f-ed up or not, they still know the difference between right and wrong!

Bella   November 19th, 2009 6:00 pm ET

j.m. – you really have some good points there. I think though that it doesn't matter how old the person is – if they premeditate and carry through the murder of another person – they should be tried in adult court and suffer the adult consequences. Whether they be 15 years old or 8 years old – if they do the crime intentionally – they should take the consequences. Specifically in a case like this where Alyssa did it to " see how it felt to kill someone" ?????? How did it feel to Elizabeth and now how does it feel to her family?
meme5 – my heart goes out to you and yours- this is a horrific tragedy! I wish that the family could just deal with the accused – that is truly what she deserves....and maybe then she could feel if only for a moment how Elizabeth felt. Alyssa is a monster and should be treated as one. ....I honestly do not beleive that you rehabilitate MONSTERS.
Jsustik – Nothing needs to be looked into! SHE KILLED A 9 YEAR OLD LITTLE GIRL TO SEE HOW IT FELT! Did you notice that she did not choose to kill someone in her own family TO SEE HOW IT FELT? Our society needs to stop finding reasons and excuses why these snotnosed screwed up youth are behaving how they are and pulling off the horrid crimes they are! There is always some sad story about the poor killer ....had a rough life....was on meds....There is no justifying this....so if she was on meds – then should she not be held liable? Was she then not mentally capable of making the right choice when she dug the graves and killed a peron? We too often provide excuses and reasons for criminals with screwed up minds.....I don't care how old you are – if you plot and plan to kill another living , breathing person and do it – you are a KILLER and should be put to rest instead of being another reason people should be afraid of everything in the world today .....and another dollar on the tax bill that we have to pay to keep them fed and having a place inside to sleep every night. There are many people in this world who have committed no crime and do not have the luxury of eating 3 meals a day or of sleeping inside every night.

Linda   November 19th, 2009 6:08 pm ET

This 15-year old dug 2 graves. She soon would have killed a second person, maybe her own younger brother or sister. She probably would have gotten away with it, except that Elizabeth's cell phone was still active long enough for law enforcement to find out that it was deep in the woods behind the house. Otherwise, it would have been assumed that she was kidnapped on her walk home and the body would never have been found. She no doubt tortured and killed animals long before this took place. This is a very sick and twisted person who can never be let out.

Grog   November 19th, 2009 6:27 pm ET

GRR I HATE MURDER SO LETS MURDER THE PERSON THAT DID THIS

Angry Mother   November 19th, 2009 6:50 pm ET

Can we stop playing the pity card? And can we stop playing the blame society card... My kids are 13 and 11 and they both watch TV and play the XBOX, but they aren't out killing other peoples kids... so... Lets focus on the fact that according to numerous sources she was intrigued by death, cutting herself, and apparently trying to electrocute herself on fences in front of a video camera... and posting the videos on youtube… that is where it starts, look at Jeffery Dahmer, started with animals then BOOM killed a whole bunch of innocent people... It is not the programs on TV, it’s not the video games, and it’s not society... Alyssa Bustamante decided of her own free will that she was now intrigued with killing someone for the hell of it… Medicated or not, your conscious tells you what you are doing is wrong… Your heart makes you feel compassion, empathy and guilt, none of those feelings played a role here… What 15 year old walks into a courtroom unremorseful, not a child but a monster… And Rob wouldn’t be preaching the same tune if that was his daughter in a shallow grave… I can’t pretend to know what this family is going through, my kids are still with me, but as a mother who has been a victim of abuse, I know that I am not going to abuse my kids or someone else’s kid… The real culprit here is Alyssa… Knowing right from wrong, decided to plan out this young girls demise… Sick… I say we invoke proportional retribution for the crimes committed that are so heinous it sends shockwaves across the country… I say eye for an eye on these killers who are stealing our children from us… No mercy… A bit harsh, so what, Alyssa didn’t seem to care that she was committing murder so why should I care if the nuke her? My heart goes out to the real victims, the Olten family… my thoughts and prayers are with you… :-(

karyn   November 19th, 2009 6:57 pm ET

My husband was murdered by an adult and placed in a shallow grave, but before they buried him the guy's 12 yr.old little brother jumped down on top of my husbands body and stabbed him in the chest six times. When police asked him why he said, "because he just wanted to see how it felt to stab someone." The only things we knew about these people is that they had previous rap sheets several feet long from Dallas, Tx. and that alot of thefts had suddenly stopped when they were incarcerated. It's scary.

Rob   November 19th, 2009 7:46 pm ET

Lola wrote:

"This is in reference to Rob. You need to shut the hell up and keep your DR. advise to yourself. You have no respect for the Olsen family."

How very grown up of you..

No respect? Victims of violence are always very strong advocates of doing everything in their power to try to prevent such acts of violence to people in the future. There is no doubt about the connection between the increased use of such drugs and the increase in such violence acts. If you choose to stick your head in the sand about these facts, that is your right, but don't tell me I don't respect the victims. That is EXACTLY why I want people to understand this connection, something needs to be done to stop this preventable violence.

It was now added to the story that Bustamante was making videos about murdering people, all why undergoing this "therapy". Where were the doctors that are suppose to be monitoring people while this therapy is going on? There is no therapy. Only "take one of these every day and call me next year. " The results are of no surprise.

Juan   November 19th, 2009 8:25 pm ET

Whatever the cause of this girl's malfunction, it is no longer of any consequence. The fact of the matter is that she has taken an innocent life for the purpose of her own personal pleasure. In any civilized society, responsible citizens cannot allow people that commit these crimes the opportunity to continue their behavior. This girl may be young but is an obvious threat to society and should spend the rest of her life locked up. No matter how hard such a consequence is for some people to accept.

Yamila Enriquez   November 19th, 2009 9:46 pm ET

Oh! , yeah I am totally agree with Brenda Hay "Life in prison is to good for her" What she did to that little girl is shockingly evil. She have inflicted to much pain to Elizabeth's family and I hope that she will be punishment severely as she deserves. That was inhumanity act that can grow in a vicious behavior and might terrifies the society in the future. Her atrocity didn't have comparison with nothing. She said that she wanted to know "what is felt like" That is to say, that she wanted to taste the death's flavor. Oh my God that is illogical, irrational, bizarre. She feels pleasure of doing it. She took the life of an angelical creature. Elizabeth's fresh face, with her innocent expression will be on my hearth and my prayer goes with Elizabeth's family . As her mother said " she will have to pay for a long, long time"

BG   November 19th, 2009 10:22 pm ET

More hypocricy from the justice system. If this same 15 year old girl were to have consensual sex with a 19yr old male people would be all over him for the fact that shes not old enough to understand the complexities of sex, but then they try her as an adult for murder? I have no opinion on the issue either way, but make it the same across the board. She cant understand murder and not understand sex make up your mind justice department.

angela melendez   November 19th, 2009 11:56 pm ET

I was a 15 year old" child "when I chose to get pregnant. I had to deal with it , even though I regret it. So this "child" also has to "deal" with what she did! We need to stop making excuses for this MURDERER. I knew darn well what I was doing, so did this MURDERER(child).

Kurashu   November 20th, 2009 12:24 am ET

What everyone so willing to condemn this teenager is forgetting is that an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. And dead.

SuzDuJour   November 20th, 2009 1:07 am ET

"She's just a child, she needs help and medication, not prison"....HELLO!! She HAD help AND medication. She needs to pay for what she did IN PRISON for the rest of her life.

viridiana   November 20th, 2009 1:16 am ET

When I was fifteen and I'm sure with the rest of us I was not thinking about these disgusting demented things that this girl was thinking about! Millions of people in this country take depression pills and they don't go and murder people! The worst part about it is that she had planned the murder! WTF! I agree that Bustamante gets tried as an adult. I don't care if she was depressed or what not but the fact of the matter is that she killed an innocent little girl!! She is following the foot steps of Bundy and Dahmer. We don't need anymore serial killers to screw up society. This "girl" or whatever you want to call her needs to get put away for good!! I fell no pity for her!! God bless the Olson family.

hasji   November 20th, 2009 1:28 am ET

so now we just dont have to keep a eye on sex offenders only but 15 year old or any one. this world is getting worst day by day

samantha   November 20th, 2009 1:43 am ET

I think this sick little girl needs to rot in prison right along with precious Shaniya Davis' so-called Mother!! These kinds of horrific crimes will not cease until our justice system decides to grow a friggin backbone and punish the offenders for what they've done!!

bobaloui   November 20th, 2009 1:59 am ET

Rob, you don't know what you are talking about.

Alyssa was receiving extensive home therapy... the closest monitoring possible as an outpatient. She had daily home counseling sessions. She certainly knew that all she had to do at any time was say "I've been thinking bad thoughts" and she would have received all kinds of help and in patient treatment if needed.

She wanted to do what she wanted to do and she did not want anyone to stop her.

Cherie   November 20th, 2009 2:49 am ET

I agree that the girl should be tried as an adult. I think she should be prosecuted and treated like an adult by the Judge. However, I think she should be held in Juvinele(sp?), go through extensive therapy to find out why she did this and get help if that is possible. Then she should go to prison. If she goes in at 15 to an adult prison she will be treated horrible and an already angry girl will never be anything else but and angry killer.

connie   November 20th, 2009 2:58 am ET

just remember in prision they hate people that hurt childeren she has it comming alyssa dont cry and look back cause mommy and daddy cant help you now prison is waitting for you and where in samhell were her parents what is this world comming to remember if we had more stay at home moms we wouldnt have these problems with our kid these days

alice from florida   November 20th, 2009 2:27 am ET

I believe our problems in society started when prayer was taken out of school. Our country is suffering because of one atheist who deceided that he didn't want our children to pray in school.He also didn't want to have the 10 commandments in the courthouses, so they took them down. You know these kids fear no one. They are in these mini cults. The more evil the better they feel. There is no prayer in homes, churches, before meals, together as families. What there is quija boards, black magic, and a major interest in the occult.

alice from florida   November 20th, 2009 3:52 am ET

Some kids do well on medication, and some don't. That doesn't mean you get a free pass to kill, or an excuse.........too many people try to get away with murder because of a horrible childhood. Hey no one's condoning the abuse of children, or that we should drug them up if they have a problem, all were saying is that if a child has these problems in thier life, it is not a reason to excuse them from horrendious behavior, especially to be so calculating as to dig graves before they kill.

Sunandan Kaul   November 20th, 2009 4:24 am ET

Is a 15 year old exclusively responsible for his or her actions? What about the parents? Shouldn't they be held accountable?

blazer   November 20th, 2009 9:58 am ET

They say girls are sugar and spice and everything nice....lol..not thi lil killer.

ogre12   November 20th, 2009 10:33 am ET

put her to death. I agree with you NANCY

Debbie   November 20th, 2009 11:06 am ET

good, I hope she's punished as an adult, hopefully this little serial killer in the making will never see the free world again.

Lashara   November 20th, 2009 11:27 am ET

How tragic is this? My prayers goes out to the Olten Family. This child that did this must be tried as an adult. Why shouldn't she? She seemed pretty grown when she was planning out this murder of Little Miss Olten. That's one problem that seems to be happening today with children. Whatever acts they commit they are just expected to get a slap on the hand, only for the child to do the same thing. She doesn't need to be out free in 6 years. God only knows what her mind could cook up if she were to be free again. My prayers goes out to her families as well because they are going through pain as well, im sure. But that does NOT compare to what the Olten family and friends are going through to have to bury their 9 year old loved one for the sick, evil, twisted thoughts of an indiviual. I'm sure that the 15 year old may have experienced something harsh in her life. She must be punished accordingly. I really feel that it wouldnt be fair if she is not. My opinion is my opinion. We must come together as parents and take responsiblity for things and let children be punished for any actions that they may have done. Again, my prayers go out to the Olten family. and God have mercy on this 15 year old's soul.

Bridget   November 20th, 2009 11:35 am ET

I drive past St. Martins Mo everyday on my way to work. A small town similar to the one I live in. I have a beautiful two year old daughter and when I was little it was exciting to stay overnight with a friend. I don't know how I feel about her staying with friends now. How do you know what is really in their house? Elizabeth was playing at a friends house. A neighbor that the mother thought had a safe home. This horrific incident has had quite the ripple effect in this area. No matter what Elizabeth's family history is, that beautiful little girl did not deserve to be killed.

Eric   November 20th, 2009 12:24 pm ET

If she's going to spend life in prison, send her to a mens penetentiary in the general population. She'd endure hell everyday of her life.

char   November 20th, 2009 12:25 pm ET

just saw the perp FINALLY...yeah look at her, she just doesnt look right or all there... but still she KNEW what she was doing, even PLANNED it... justice needs to be served.

Mary   November 20th, 2009 12:28 pm ET

What a hypocritical society we are! We jail people for involvement in "illicit substances" while handing out anti-depressants as if they were candy. In England, a man has just been found innocent of strangling his wife in his sleep "due to withdrawal from antidepressants," so I guess it is perfectly OK to kill someone if the cause is discovered to be connected with the taking of a doctor-prescribed "happy pill." So the solution to Bustmante's amorality was to give her prozac. That seems to have helped, didn't it?

Bustmante is a monster, and her youth just makes her that much more monstrous. She's a bad seed who should be eradicated so that she doesn't procreate and create more like her.

vonnie   November 20th, 2009 1:07 pm ET

Again, where the hell are the parents of this 15 year old and what are they doing? Why would they not check her myspace, and then talk to her about her problems. I check my kids myspace page all the time, and if there is something on it that disturbs me, they are ordered to take it off and then we discuss the problem. I can't believe that her parents were totally unaware of this kids actions. you can tell by the clothing and makeup this girl wears that she was falling into the dark side. Yes parents, it is your fault too if your kid goes around killing people. Check their myspace, check their rooms, check on them!!!

DJ's Mom   November 20th, 2009 1:18 pm ET

My son was murdered by a 13 year old when he was almost 5, I can't believe this story. We now go through parole hearing every two years and so many people think he should be let out of prison! There is something truly wired wrong with these "tweens" when they wonder what it would be like to kill someone. You can make all the excuses you want for these young killers but something needs to be done to drill into their heads that this is VERY VERY WRONG! Something like this destroys so many people connected to the murder including the authorities involved in the case. It's been 16 years since my Derrick was killed, he would have been 21 and I can only imagine what he would be doing today....I miss him terribly and I'm so sorry another family has to go through this.

Nancy   November 20th, 2009 2:02 pm ET

Maybe if we start executing these criminals instead of putting them in jail and then letting them out, maybe crime will go down. That would eliminate crowded jails.

Just a thought.

Glenn   November 20th, 2009 2:11 pm ET

The justice system as a whole is on the verge of collapse.
justice4jonathan.net
is a prime example of what is wrong with authorities today.

Mother of 3, grandmother of 2   November 20th, 2009 2:36 pm ET

This is a very sad situation no matter what, my heart goes out to Elizabeth's family. As well as the 15 year old girls family. No one will come out on top here, everyone involved will suffer because their lives will be forever changed. But we as human being's must remember that God so loved the world he gave his only son, that who so ever believe in him will have ever lasting life. He paid the price for our sins, there is no little sin or big sin. Sin is Sin, if we ask for forgiveness he will forgive our sins, and that is what we must pray for, for this 15 year old girl, that God forgives her, and that justice will be just.

Outraged   November 20th, 2009 3:29 pm ET

@Karyn, I am so sorry to hear what happened to your husband. This is a sick, sick, sick world.

@Rob: I'm sure you'd be singing a different tune about Alyssa if one of your daughters were in that grave.

And to the posters who want Alyssa tried as a child: I'm so sick of hearing "the family must have abused her for her to act this way." Okay so we have CONCRETE evidence that she killed this girl just to see what it felt like...and syou OVERLOOK the concrete evidence and the fact that she must take responsibility for her OWN actions...and instead start spreading rumors about a family without ANY evidence that they abused their daughter. That's smart.

If nobody was ever responsible for any of their actions bc someone "abused them," how far back should we go to get the, by your standards, real culprit?

I2   November 20th, 2009 3:47 pm ET

I too grew up in a dysfunctional home.

I too was abused emotionally and physically

I too tried to commit suicide several times as a pre-teen and teen

I too was depressed

I too was not living with my parents ( was kicked out with the rest of my siblings when my father got remarried....3 of us under the age of 17)

I too have been on antidepressants

I too have had issues with getting into relationships where the abuse (emotional) perpetuated the cycle.

I HAVE however, never thought of killing another, either during the times of all my trials or in my adulthood.

I HAVE been helped by antidepressants and have broken the cycle of self loathing, suicidal thoughts, and abuse.

I HAVE (i believe) been a productive member of society.

I DO get frustrated when people say that they must have done something so heinous as this because of depression, antidepressants, abuse, etc.....and sweep it all under the rug. There are plenty of people just like me who have not committed crimes like this, with just as bad a history/background or worse!

I don't know what the form of punishment should be, but I do agree that she should be charged as an adult, and let the judge and jury mete out the punishment.

Both families are in my prayers.

And to Rob: So, would you suggest that we take away antidepressants? How many more people would die then because of being untreated/suicide/murder (both youth and adults)? You cannot uncouple and soley blame the antidepressants....those of us who have/have had issues with depression are suicidal (homicidal...I don't know......) without them.

Stop looking to blame the big bad boogeyman...the pharmaceutical companies. I guarantee you that most people that work at these companies are trying to find cures for disease and help society.

Missouri Mom   November 20th, 2009 3:18 pm ET

I have followed this story very closely, as it is only 1 hr from where I live. This has been so sickining. This little girl had many problems but yet it seems no one really did anything to make sure something like this didn't happen. I feel so bad for both families involved.

Noreen   November 20th, 2009 3:21 pm ET

Defense lawyer asks Judge to have Alyssa taken to Mental care facility because she is suffering anxiety. She sure was not suffering anxiety the day she killed Elizabeth to stop her from strangling, cut her throat and stab poor Elizabeth. Poor Alyssa a bit uncomfortable in a jail cell. Well BOMBSHELL jail is not supposed to be the Ritz and she should have thought about that before she took another life to see what it felt like. They should let her stay in jail to fulfill her wish of seeing what being a murderer feels like.

Lee Marvin Hormillosa   November 20th, 2009 3:29 pm ET

Yes , Im seeing a lot of burn the bitch and send her straight to hell messages. Hearing it from adults who I hope are loving parents to their kids. Those adults who I hope, still upholds what is morally right and take full responsibility for the actions of their children. Those adults who I hope discipline their kids and guide them to the right path. It is easy to condemn people , easy to pass judgement to others , so easy to hate that by hating we become the very monster we condemn. I am not defending the 15 year old murderer , but I feel awful that society has condemned her as if they are not part of the society that created these monsters. It's easy to be self righteous and pompous but you might want to ask your self this , what have I done to prevent this from ever happening . People if you are too indifferent to act for to make this world a better place then stop criticizing and start acting . It saddens me to see a lot of supposedly good people react to this article negatively and full of hatred. When you see a kid in need , do you really stop and take time in helping or do you just go and be on your way. Hypocracy . . . my email is leemarvinhormillosa@yahoo.com , feel free to drop a message .

Jessica   November 20th, 2009 3:32 pm ET

While I agree she should be punished....I also feel that she is very sick and needs help. This is a child! Prozac is dangerous for someone that age and I have to wonder if that isn't part of the problem. Such a terrible tragedy for both families of these children.

Michael   November 20th, 2009 3:49 pm ET

this is to reference to angry mom. please read the entire comment that people are reading because apparently you are not. no one is "playing a card" or blaming tv, society, etc. Everyone is asking where is the parental guidance in this girls life, because it looks as if she had none. She is to blame for this crime, but it could have been avoided if her parents/grandparents would have paid closer attention to what was going on in her life.

amy   November 20th, 2009 3:56 pm ET

I might have to agree with Nancy on this one. I think one might almost call it natural selection. MAYBE if people knew the punishment for killing someone was death unto themselves, people would think twice about their actions? The entire story is heartbreaking...What has this world come to?

sister ina   November 20th, 2009 3:57 pm ET

This teen has Big problems and she is showing all the signs of a serial killer .She does need to be put away . So she can think about what she did to another human .We live in a society that if a child is not discipline,they get out of control .I feel that this girl is very bad at home also .check her home lifeand see how she was acting.There is more to this story .

niki   November 20th, 2009 4:07 pm ET

Well after reading many of these opinions I will say that I certainly agree that this was a horrific crime and the perpetrator needs to be punished. However there is a deeper question here to be solved that is bothering me and that is how does a 15 yr old girl become a killer. She dug two graves and admitted her hobby was killing people. Thank the local sheriff's office for taking this potential serial killer off the street before she was allowed to kill again. But this was not a 40 year old male sex offender or serial killer this was a seemingly average american 15 year old girl. Some say killers are born and not made. Perhaps so, I don't know. But we need to find out and persue a cure for this terrible illness. I'm certainly not the one who is qualified to do that but surely in this great nation we can find researchers who can and are willing to find a solution to what changes in the human brain cause a person to do such a thing. Here's hoping they do.

Helen   November 20th, 2009 4:11 pm ET

There are some people who are born with personality disorders, which is not anyone's fault – it is a defect in their brains... There is nothing that can be done about it... They have studied the brains of serial killers and found they were significantly different. And not all of them have horrible childhoods, which implies that environment has nothing to do with it... A certain percentage of the population are sociopaths, most of whom do not end up killing, but some do.... They CANNOT be rehabilitated, no matter what age they are... no matter how much therapy or medication you give them... Scott Peterson is a sociopath... He most likely was born one.Most sociopaths learn to act "normal" but they are not... They cannot be rehabilitated. There are many other examples of sociopaths, who may or may not end up killing... But they do have a normal psyche. They do not feel empathy, they have no conscious. This girls sounds like a textbook case... (from the way she behaves and from the things she says)... I doubt she can be rehabilited no matter how much anyone tries. She is clearly the type of sociopath who kills... She crossed that line very early... Which is why she had to be kept away from society to prevent her from killing again. Not saying she should be executed, we only must make sure that she and people like her do not get the chance to kill anyone else.... This is not being uncivilized, this is being realistic and making sure the innocents are protected. We have that obligation.

Helen   November 20th, 2009 4:18 pm ET

BTW, sociopathy is not as uncommon as we may think, but often we just never know this about someone because they learn at an early age to "pass" as "normal", and most of them never become murderers...

pat   November 20th, 2009 7:09 pm ET

Let me start by saying that our youth has to much freedom. A child male or female can go on line lie about their age and have someone punished as a sex offender. But because they are a child they are innocent. Now a child can murders another child and what she is supposed to be innocent, becaause she is a child where does this stop? A child that commits an act like this should be held accountable. We have to put a stop to this kind of behavior and letting a child think they may do or say anything, and its ok just because of thier age. It doesn't matter that they can't vote they know right from wrong, and if not, its up to our judical system to teach them even if that means trying them as an adult. Their have been alot of people who have lived through horrible childhood upbrings but, They haven't killed just to know how it feels. What if this were either of your children. We have to make changes and fast.

VICTORIA   November 20th, 2009 7:20 pm ET

WHAT IN THE IS WRONG WITH KIDS TODAY..
THIS IDIOT WANTED TO SEE WHAT IT FELT LIKE TO KILL SOMEONE SO SHE DECIDED TO KILL HER NEIGHBOR A 9 YR. OLD GIRL..
I AM SO GLAD SHE IS BEING CHARGER AS AN ADULT BECAUSE SHE HAD THOUGHT OUT THIS CRIME & DUG A HOLE A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFOR THEN CARRIED THE CRIME OUT...BUT AFTER SHE GOES TO JV BECAUSE SHE IS A MINOR THEN EVENTUALLY GO TO THE BIG JAIL WITH THE OLDER CRIMINALS SHE WILL SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE IN JAIL LOCKED UP AND TOLD WHAT TO DO FOR MANY YEARS OR FOR MOST OF YOUR LIFE..
I TOTALLY FILL FOR THE 9 YEAR OLD FAMILY BECAUSE THERE CHILD WAS TAKEN AWAY FOR NO REASON AT ALL..I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW THIS SITUATION COME OUT...

Missouri Mom   November 20th, 2009 8:40 pm ET

Victoria- here is the beauty of the state of mo. Once she is convicted she will NOT be placed in jv until she turns 17. The state of mo will place her in the women's prision not jv. She will be on lock down just like she was in the hole until the age of 17. So she will do hard time from day 1.

kathy   November 20th, 2009 10:35 pm ET

I THOUGHT FLORIDA HAD A CLAIM TO THE MOST ATROCIOUS AND SADISTIC MURDERS, BUT MISSOURI IS ITS MATCH.

THIS IMMORAL, SADISTIC, SOCIOPATHIC 15-YR. OLD SNEAK KILLER DEFINITELY PLANNED A HORRENDOUS, VICIOUS MURDER OF AN INNOCENT 9-YR. OLD LITTLE GIRLTO THE HILT AND WAY IN ADVANCE . IF THIS ISN'T AN "ADULT" CRIME, NOTHING IS. SCUM TRASH.

I'VE FELT ILL EVER SINCE HEARING ABOUT THIS. I JUST CAN'T PUT INTO WORDS THE HORROR OF IT. WHY – WHY DID THIS HAPPEN TO ELIZABETH? I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE BLATANT IMMORALITY OF IT; IS THERE NO MORAL TEACHING LEFT ANYMORE??

Wheres Justice   November 21st, 2009 1:08 am ET

GOOD!!!!!

Me   November 21st, 2009 10:11 am ET

This 15-year-old animal needs to be locked up for the rest of her life. It is so disturbing that a child could do this to another child. It tears me up thinking about.

Sharon   November 21st, 2009 10:43 am ET

Today, parents are so busy that they are not seeing what s going on in the life of their children. It is not easy, but as our children get older, they need more of our guidence. We all volunteer with everythng in elementary school, but we need to be there even more in Middle and high school. That is when kids come into contact with things that were never even a possibility in our childhoods.
I am sorry for both sets of parents involved, but we need to stand up and take notice of what is happening in families today. Kids are crying out for help, and with some parents, it is easier to let the kids do what they want then to have a confrontation with them, and good grades or not...Get and Stay Involved!!!

Rob   November 21st, 2009 12:35 pm ET

Outraged wrote:

"@Rob: I'm sure you'd be singing a different tune about Alyssa if one of your daughters were in that grave."

How sad for you to go there. You are choosing to latch onto only one aspect of the story, the hate, and the wanting of revenge. I'll leave that for you. And let the law and the legal system do what is necessary.

I'm looking at the future. What can we LEARN from this horrible story to PREVENT the next such horrific act? If there is anything I can do to help reduce the chances of this happening again, that is the best thing I could do for my children.

Erin H   November 21st, 2009 7:31 pm ET

It's about time! Too often cold blooded killers are not tried appropriately. I guess the real test will be what the trial brings. I hope her family has some sort of Peace from this....I cannot imagine what they are going through. I don't think any sentence would be fair, in my eyes, for taking one of my kids. I don't know...

B   November 21st, 2009 10:31 pm ET

This is completely unbeileveable a child killing another child. This 15 year old obvisouly has some type of mental illness but im wondering if the Prozac had any type of effect on the thought... Cuz i know that prozac can cause suicidel thoughts what other kinda thought can go through your mind? Just wondering not that it justifies in anyway for what she did.. just a thought and how doctors are so on medicating childern and adults for that matter too......

Ugly Helen   November 22nd, 2009 2:54 am ET

How the hell was anyone to prevent this one.

I feel horrible for both families, one for their loss and the other for discovering their very spawn is a monster killing their 10 year old house guest.

Goth, This, That, Rap Crap (dress to look like a felon from prison is where that style started) is intolerable, these are BAD BAD INFLUENCES but influences do not commit crimes, people do.

If that were my child, they would need to build a bigger prison to protect that 15 year old piece of trash from me. The truth is that I never want to have anyone's death on my conscience, not even as a juror so I guess that is what makes me different from this beast.

I do not think this person should ever be let into society again. I do not think anyone who commits crimes against children period should be allowed back in. I think the prison systems should be self supporting and these useless fricks should have hard jobs, grow their own food and sew their own clothes, they should not be able to sit around and molest each other after the exercise yard, their lives should be full of retrobution every minute of every day.

In a clear case of guilt, a labor camp is fitting – send this girl to North Korea.

Ugly Helen   November 22nd, 2009 3:22 am ET

I have read more posts and agree with so much passion going on about the destruction of our society right now.

These crimes so frequent are not coincidences, they are the product of our society too busy and distracted to focus on the family. People think back to the "good old days" where we ran around until 10 pm on a summer night with the neighbor kids playing doorbell ditch. People forget to mention this was because the parents were drinking in the backyard or our mothers were out when are fathers were out of town during the "Me Generation", also a product of society – ask anyone from the 70's – the Vietnam War destroyed everything known and the advent of the birth control pill sent parents in different directions – we were left to run amuck alone and unsupervised.

We were lucky though, the occasional serial killer or rapist didn't have all the influence of any weird taste or whim of the day fresh off their computer or downtown at the very legal s & m club. The stuff weirdos can find to feed their fancies now are as easy to get as the Sunday paper so I disagree with many, this is not isolated to the crime, these crimes against children are prevelant and all too frequent.

What do we do?

What do we do with our anger?

I say we get smarter than the opportunists. We remind ourselves that the only "safe" place is home. We turn the tv off and do homework with our kids, or be there while they do! We don't leave our kids outside alone. We don't let them walk or ride bikes to the store, or on a busy street or even walk home from school with other kids, it's just 30 seconds of opportunity that they need.

I will not let my daughter go to anyone we don't intimately know, and thats almost everyone but my daycare provider who walks her to and from school at the classroom door everyday. Interestingly, I have loads of calls for playdates at my house marked as an easy babysit but I don't care, I know and trust me. Oddly enough, I have even had a mother pick up a new kid from daycare that said "oh it's you, I thought it was you" after she had been over for 4 hours playing coming home with us after school! WOW – my daughter will never go to their house of loose standards! I am constantly the only mother/parent supervising the kids outside too!

So, we try to teach by example and walk friends home at dusk to make sure they get inside, even if their own parents don't bother. We never take chances, never, never, never.

Chances are calculated risks for the inevitable.

I cry for these girls and the horror they must have faced betrayed by their protectors or adults they trusted and have long wondered WHAT CAN I DO? I can be vocal, I vocalize. I am clear to everyone I am so sorry for all that have suffered and make clear I am a fierce mamma bear and we make supervision and care the norm, not the rare occurance.

Don't buy your kids violent crap. Don't let them spend all night on useless video games. Get them a bike, board games or hey – even a book! Host a cookie decorating party once a month! I keep a bucket of stuff for the neighborkids outside and my mommy chair – we are ready at a moments notice to let my child play supervised with her friends. FOCUS ON THE KIDS – kid stuff, the good kid stuff is mostly free or inexpensive. I am not religious, not a fat fanatic of anything, I just love love love my child and I think fear is smart – I am afraid of more weirdos in our society so DON'T TAKE CALCULATED RISKS.

Don't let your kids get on the computer that you haven't preset. Don't let them get on butt face page or any other site where their whole lives are exposed to anyone and preditors shop, they have access to your child if you drive around with your whole families names on stickers on the back of your van or your children's school bumper stickers telling them you have kids and what school they go to – stop giving them the information.

Is it them or is everyone a little guilty of being like Shinya's mom?

Nick   November 22nd, 2009 9:20 am ET

no matter if your old or young..this is a prime example of evilness
.this is what we need to cut out of society regardless how cruel we
.seem to be..this country will continue to be infested with crime if we
.do not take a hard stand in this..unfortunately we here in america
.are to weak and soft to take this kind of stance.We will always be a
.victim of our own circumstances because of of this.For the goodness
.and future of all of americans we need except the fact that we also must kill evilness to survive,but until we then we will continue to reap what we sow

Jennifer   November 23rd, 2009 6:04 am ET

Rehabilitation? Nah, too late at the age of 15. If in doubt....take a look at our prison population, and the records of those that reside there. Accountability has been pushed to the side in our society for the past few decades. Not that prison is the answer mind you. Where else do we send violent behavior and the people that choose the behavior??

This 15-year old wanted to know how it felt to kill someone??? She should've known the difference between right and wrong by this time in her development. Now two families have been destroyed. One life is gone, and the other.......well.....she's going to find out.

I'm anxious to find out the perp's family background. We as parents tend to reap what we sow. Accountability is an interesting, and neccessary key when raising our children. Could we please, as a society, get away from, "what ever makes you feel good honey", and back to responsibility and accountabilty. For every action, there is a reaction. We as adults, need to lead by example. Parent our children, and not be their buddies. Somewhere along the line........we as a culture have really screwed too many of our children, and young adults up. Sad situation.

mary   November 23rd, 2009 11:51 am ET

Who was the second grave for. Did she plan to kill another child
or herself.

If she hated life so much why did she have to kill someone else.

She put Elizabeth's family as well as her own family through so much pain and misery. The Olten's have lost their sweet beautiful child and Allyssa also took away her sister's best friend. How will a little girl ever get over the fact that her best friend was murdered by her own sister. Could the second grave been intended for her little sister?
Just a thought.

nyc   November 23rd, 2009 1:42 pm ET

put her to sleep, she is a waste, if she is cured, don't want her on the street

Mel   November 23rd, 2009 2:19 pm ET

Killers are getting younger and it is the victims who pay. Why the heck didn't anyone recognize the signs of foul play before hand and get the child help or under medical restraint before the girl was killed? Looking the other way or discounting that a teen could perpitrate this type of atrocity could have caused that young girl her life. My sympathies go out to both families.

Shereta   November 23rd, 2009 3:00 pm ET

I am completely outraged by this. Where was Bustamante's parents when all of this was taking place. My heart goes out to both families because they have both lost a child. This breaks my heart. This should be a lesson learned for all parents; Listen to your children and look for signs. Most children who have commited violent acts such as this, all had the signs. Pay attention to their actions, internet activities, and mood changes, please. We can't keep losing our children like this. My prayers are with you all.

linda   November 23rd, 2009 3:55 pm ET

Nobody has asked her who the 2nd grave was for! OMG mabye she wasn't finished. Why arent they asking this????

linda   November 23rd, 2009 4:12 pm ET

you guys are talking about not letting your kids go with anyone you don't know well. Let me tell you a scarey story to just make you think. My parents thought they were doing everything right too. My Fathers Father was molesting me while he was supposed to be watching me. Now if your own Grandpa will do this, who will your trust? Years later I got up the courage to tell my Mom, she called me a liar and told me to never tell my Dad because it would kill him! Needless to say I don't talk to her anymore. Many memories surfaced over the years of people who abused me. I wonder how much she really didn't know and why she didn't protect me? Why did she blame me?

Ginger   November 23rd, 2009 4:35 pm ET

This is another really sad story. Did the adults – either Elizabeth's parents or Alyssa's parents – notice the obvious mental instability of this girl? She must have been pretty scary to be around – or live with – her you tube, myspace or facebook pictures portrayed a young teen way out of control. Was she ever evaluated for emotional or mental problems in the past? Was she a drug user? Did her behavior change suddenly or did she always display violent and self-destructive behavior, like torturing her younger siblings, pets, etc.? Was anyone monitoring her behavior?
As it appears to me this would be a classic case of a person who fits the profile that belongs in a mental institution for the rest of her life with the criminally insane. Don't even bother with a trial.
Elizabeth and her family are in our prayers.

Sue Turner   November 23rd, 2009 4:42 pm ET

I do not care what happened in her childhood or anything else about her! If the death penalty is out then she should get life without parole!

Ginger   November 23rd, 2009 4:49 pm ET

Did they change her medication and get her off prozac prior to this episode? Did the parents take away her computer, or put parent controls on it and disconnect/block all cable shows that were violent, goth or enticing to the girl? What had she been exposed to as a young child? Come on parents, wake up!

Libby   November 23rd, 2009 7:07 pm ET

Oh-my goodness linda! You took the words right out of my mouth! Who was the second grave for? Does she have younger siblings?

Ramona Broberg   November 23rd, 2009 8:49 pm ET

I wonder what her IQ is? Being that she made good grades in school cannot justify mentally incompentant to stand trial...

Karen   November 23rd, 2009 8:52 pm ET

I have followed this case closely since day

michelle   November 23rd, 2009 8:54 pm ET

This story is very sad and I mean for the poor 9 year old that died at the hands of some stupid teen.. Send her butt to prison with the rest of the serial killers mental or not..My point is that, don't all criminals have some sort of mental issues going on..Don't put this girl in a mental hosptial let her sit on death row with the other serial killers..Who to say that if this girl didn't get caught, she wouldn't have done it again..She is sitting in jail right now doing stupid things to herself for one reason and that is her thoughts are "Oh crap!, I got caught and now what do I do!" So here come her attorneys and say we'll get you in the mental hospital..Well I'm sorry sit her butt in death row, at leat she's alive!! I am not buying her mental state! She knew what she was doing and worse yet, she planned it!! Try her as an adult and sent her to an adult prison!! She wanted to acted like an adult, then serve the adult time in an adult prison!!

Kathy   November 23rd, 2009 8:54 pm ET

A child is a child. An adult is an adult. We as adults do not have the right to change the rules because we can not deal with it or are not smart enough to deal with a problem or issue and change a child to an adult because of it. They do not ask to be born or be here. We as an adult (the majority of the time) make that decision. They can't do things as an adult, they can't think like an adult, etc. When we take a child and try them as an adult we are throwing them away. People throw a fit over abortion. Come people...regardless of how hidious the crime this child did commit, she is still a child, period. It is quite obvious she is severely mental ill and will be for the rest of her life and will be medicated and locked for the rest of her life. What if it were your child? This girl is ill, she is at an age where her body is changing. The age can be traumatic for a normal teen. Then throw in the mix the stuff in society that kids are exposed to including the news.

As a society, as adults we have some responsiblity as to what is happening to some of these young people. They are being de-socialized and maybe de-humanized by a lot of today's technology, i.e., computers, cell phones, etc. Look at what is on TV. Where are the adults....working, feeling like they need to socialize, time to themselves. How many kids get real, geniune family time ?

It is morally wrong, it is humanly wrong to take a child and change them to an adult to try them for a crime. If we are going to, we are no better than the countries we accuse of being inhuman. If there is a God/Jesus he is so going to punish us for the way we treat our/his treatment. We aren't any more than a country of hipprocrites. What kind of message do you think it sends to our children?

It's bad enough we send our young people to war, young people who legally aren't suppose to drink, etc. It's bad enough we send our young people to war that older adults start.

I do feel for what happened to the 9 year old. I have experienced death of a child and it's horrible. But, the 15 yr old is a child, too. What has happened to her is horrible, too. I believe a child is a newborn to 18 yrs old ? ! ?

Karen Larsen   November 23rd, 2009 8:54 pm ET

I don't believe she just killed because she wanted to know what it felt like to kill.She dug two graves......... she didn't plan on stopping at one! Who, I
wonder was the second one planned for? She planned everything else. Who did she have in mind for the second grave?

Erica   November 23rd, 2009 10:23 pm ET

People like these are known as Emos they love attention like they said before, they cut themselves for "pleasure" they tend to have severe depression and they say their lives are miserable I think some of these teens might potentially end up like this.. Or they might even kill themselves

Maryland Man   November 23rd, 2009 10:26 pm ET

Everyone should think of this, how come we do not allow kids under the age of 18 to drink, vote, etc but we can charge them with adult crimes. You can't have it both ways. She is either a child or an adult.

tonya   November 23rd, 2009 10:40 pm ET

http://www.amenclinics.com/brain-science/spect-image-gallery/

I think they should have her brain scanned. Dr. Amen a psychiatrist in Vallejo, CA. He would be able to tell if she is a psychopath and if she needs to be locked up forever since they are un-curable. Why don't the courts request this on all criminals. Its time to start using this new technology for the benefit of all of us that aren't psychopaths!! And get all these crazy people off the streets! I can't believe that sex offenders are allowed access to computers or the internet and all these psychopaths and pedophiles and sex offenders need a brain scan as part of their medical evaluation! Get it going Nancy! Look into this.

Aundrea   November 23rd, 2009 11:03 pm ET

As a mother of 3 my heart goes out to the 9 year olds family i cant imagin your pain. as for the 15 year old girls family why werent you watching your child this is why kids should be watched i think the 15 year old should go stright to jail with no visits from family or friends you took away a life you should lose yours. And like linda and libby said why was there two graves who was the other one for? i dont think this 15 year old needs mental help i think she needs some disapline. that 9 year old did nothing wrong to loss her life i say lock her up throw away the key. parents there are programs out there where u can get emailed all of the activity on ur home computer, isnt a it worth the money to prevent a murder, scan through it our children may not talk to us it doent mean we cant still listen and as in for friends learn to speak up when a friend is talking about harming themselves or others, your friend might get mad but you could save a life

Pearl   November 23rd, 2009 11:05 pm ET

What a horrific thing this teenager did. She's not insane, she knew exactly what she was doing. Dug holes in the woods and lured the girl there. She should be tried as an adult. A lot of people have had bad childhoods but didn't grow up to be killers. I hope she gets the maximum. When are we going to stop coddling these irresponsible brats and treat them like they treat others. The family of this child that was brutally killed deserve justice. Keep her locked up so she can't hurt anyone else again. If she had succeeded in killing herself during her suicide attempts this young girl would still be alive today.

Derek   November 23rd, 2009 11:10 pm ET

I like how so many people are just flat out condemning this girl. "I'm glad she was tried as an adult" "She deserves life in prison", crap like that. Perhaps you fools need to open your eyes and see the world for what it truly is. Our children now are so messed up and depressed. So many are on all kinds of medication for this crap. How do you know she was in a right state of mind? She doesn't need to go to prison, she needs mental help. It IS, indeed, that simple. But of course our world isn't only full of messed up children, but the adults are complete morons. From you idiots doing this, to the ones that ignore their child's call for help.

concerned mom   November 23rd, 2009 11:16 pm ET

People please pay attention to your children on myspace! No one is watching your children on there. Just two months ago I tried to get entouch with someone over myspace because my son was getting death threats on there from a 19yr old girl that he did not want to talk to. She wrote him asking to be his friend, but when he did not communicate with her she started calling him names. His girlfriend wrote her and told her to stop writing him and she became really angry with that. She then wrote to me on my myspace and told me that she was talking to my son and he was this and that. I simply told her that my son is 16 and she needed to talk to someone her own age and asked her not to write me or my son anymore. This girl wrote my son and told him that she had his address and had someone where we lived that would leave him lying in a ditch wrapped in a blanket. I then tried to forward the email to the person that was supposed to be watching myspace and never got a response. This girl was not removed from myspace we removed her from his friends list. If we do not watch our childrens on these sites who else will. Myspace do not check the site after someone gets on there. Myspace do not know that there are children getting on there because kids lie about their age. You have to be 16 to even have a page on both myspace and facebook. These sites do not check to verify the age. My 13 and 14yr old had a myspace and when I found it I took them off of it. JUST PAY ATTENTION PARENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aundrea   November 23rd, 2009 11:21 pm ET

I just have to say one more thing i agree with the angry teen form colarado your completly right

If you let this one off with an its okay ur a child kids everywhere are going to think its okay. my mother had foster kids in our home and she had one really good rule " A rule for one is a rule for all" you let her off any teen who does something so stupid as killing someone will expect to get off set an example. if she went to school with a gun and killed fellow students you wouldnt think twice about charging her as an adult. Teach them a leason

and as in for anyone defending this murderer think how would you feel if it was ur child killed in such a horrble way and if you dont have kids and ur defending her i thank god he didnt give you any and as in for a her childhood give me a break i was abused by my step father i didnt kill anyone people have nto learn what happens inn our childhood cant be an excusse for everything that goes wrong in life

Sabrina   November 23rd, 2009 11:29 pm ET

I just want to say to all the people who are going on about "bad influences" (which isn't that many it seems), I myself play video games (those violent ones included), watch violent TV (as well as "normal" TV), listen to rock/emo music, since I was a child and have had gone through a short "goth" phase myself and as a "young adult" I think I"m pretty normal. Despite such "violence" around me I've never once thought of killing someone. The very thought is appalling to me. It is my belief that one's choices are their own, and you have to live with the choices that one makes.

My heart goies out to the TRUE victim in Elizabeth Olten and her family who must live with this loss. I believe that it is right for Alyssa to be tried as an adult. As far as I'm concerned, she is pretty much an adult, I dont think children have the ability to even contemplate murder, especally a pre-meditated one.

On a last note, I agree with Linda and Libby, what was the second grave for? Also, to Libby, I believe she has two younger brothers.

Thomas   November 23rd, 2009 11:33 pm ET

Go to any mall or high school and you will see large groups of teens dressing and acting just like her. She has the wrong attitude. She should have been in church a long time ago and a old fashion a** whipping. It is not just the internet, it is mainly the music, music videos, etc.. Not to mention all the touchy "Oh he/she is just having a bad day" groups out there. They are teens, not 2 year old's.
It is a shame she can not get a death sentence. give her life with out parole.
SHE DOES NOT HAVE A MENTAL ISSUE.
She has an I don't care attitude. She deserves to spend her life in prison.

Derek   November 23rd, 2009 11:47 pm ET

Thomas, if you read the article its blatantly obvious there is a mental issue. It's ignorant dumb asses like you that are messing up our world.

Corrine   November 24th, 2009 1:21 am ET

Get these kids off the T.V.!
I think it is important to address these issues and bring to light what had happened to both girls in this case, but blasting their pictures on T.V. is not the answer. These are kids and the responsible adults need to speak on their behalf.
In my opinion, by showing the pictures on T.V. are only promoting other kids to act on these types of curiosities.

Kristen   November 24th, 2009 3:34 am ET

so not that I advocate murder but the girl is 15 shouldn't we atleast look at her parents for not getting an obviously sick girl help before it got to this point, I mean how much blame can you put on a child

Kat   November 24th, 2009 8:31 am ET

She should spend the rest of her life in prison. She doesn't deserve to be in a mental hospital. SHe knew what she was doing. She planned it all out. As far as her pictures she posted on myspace and twitter or whatever, that doesn't prove anything. When I was younger my friends and I use to dress up as Vampires and other crazy things and take pictures. None of us have killed anyone.
For Derek mental help is all she needs? Would you feel this way if she murdered your child? Are you not paying attention to the whole story? She PLANNED THIS, DUG TWO HOLES LURED THE LITTLE GIRL THERE. SHE TOLD COPS SHE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT IT FELT LIKE TO KILL SOMEONE. NO AMOUNT OF MEDICINE OR THERAPY WILL SAVE THIS LITTLE DEMON!!! WHEN CHILDREN DECIDE TO MAKE ADULT DECISIONS THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY DO. ITS PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO MESS UP THIS WORLD. IF WE WOULD START LETTING KIDS TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR THEIR OWN ACTIONS INSTEAD OF SAYING AWW YOUR JUST A KID HERE ARE SOME PILLS TALK TO THIS DR AND WHEN YOUR ADULT YOU WILL BE ALL BETTER. PLS!!!!

Judy Hanson   November 24th, 2009 11:58 am ET

Has anyone thought to ask the suspect in the Elizabeth Olten homocide what or whom the 2nd hole / grave was for?

Ginger   November 24th, 2009 12:59 pm ET

Maybe Alyssa has a split personality like that famous multiple personality Cybil. She was an A student, never in trouble at school, looked like totally different people in her photographs/mug shot. Could have her violent behavior be connected to Prozac? Was alcohol in her system when they arrested her?

deanna   November 24th, 2009 1:40 pm ET

Derek, How would you feel if this was your child that was killed?
then you wouldnt be sticking up for this crazy little girl! She needs to
be killed the same way she killed Elizabeth!!!

BJJ   November 24th, 2009 2:12 pm ET

This story is so heartbreaking to me!!!! I have two children, 9 and 11, and it scares me that children their age are killing other children.
How does this happen???? How can a child make a decision to kill when they knew it was wrong. They have no remorse or compassion.
They werent taught that those are very powerful emotions. She deserves the death penalty, I think its too late for her. She should not be given another chance at life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get Real   November 24th, 2009 3:11 pm ET

First of all, this MONSTER was not placed on anti-depressants until AFTER her suicide attempt (ROB) in which she was hospitalized in a mental institution for 10 days. Most people who attempt suicide would appear to have some mental depression therefore, warranting an anti-depressant and the therapy she was in. I do not believe that you can blame the anti-depressant in this situation as, usually, when one "looses it" from being on (non-needed) anti-depressants it is usually on a momentary basis and not long enough to go out into the woods, dig TWO WHOLE GRAVES and then a week later carry out a premeditated gruesome murder. As for the demeaning the therapy she was receiving, I think it is justifiable to say she was not honest in her therapy because any psychiatrist that knows that a person plans to harm themselves or another human being would have the person committed to a mental institution at once. I know this because I, myself, have bipolar disorder and have spent years seeing a psychiatrist and have been on multiple different regimens of medicine but not ONCE did I commit murder – not did I 'wonder what it would feel like'. This 15 year old knew exactly what she was doing and is a very sick being. I also believe that she planned another murder, which would explain the presence of the two graves. She most certainly should be tried as an adult and suffer the appropriate sentence. This girl does not show any sign of someone who could be rehabilitated, as she has not even shown remorse – another reason I do not believe this could be blamed on the anti-depressants. In cases where someone who has done something under the influence of being placed on an anti-depressant they don't need, they would certainly not be unremorseful and unemotional after realizing that they commited a heinous crime. This girl should be prosecuted to the fullest as I believe they have caught a future Dahmer in the making.

Lauren   November 25th, 2009 6:52 pm ET

I believe that this girl should definitely be tried as an adult. I think that her making the conscious decision to murder another person she obviously understands the seriousness of what she was doign and clearly dd not care. She will get what she deserves in time. She will go to prison and her life as she knows it will end just like how she ended tha poor little girls life.

ny_ev   November 25th, 2009 10:23 pm ET

i mean really who do we blame here?? The 15 year old or the parents??? What went wrong in the child's life? Why did she try to kill herself?? What is the parents mental history?? There are a million and five questions that need answers? She spent 10 years of her young life in a mental insitution???? The people that placed her there should be evaluated themselves!! That's what wrong with some of these kids now a days, they do something (and trust as a young child there is a reason) and the first thing people do or say is place the in therapy, put them on medicine, the are retarded, etc. When most of these children are reaching out for some attention for a void that needs to be filled! When lack to listen to our children, they lash out rather it be at that moment or years from then! We need to get to the root of the problem and start from there! these children aren't bron with demons in the, the demons are created in them!!! They all( family) need to have The Lord in their life!!! Sad that a little innocent child had to die behind something that probably could've been avoided years ago

ann   November 26th, 2009 6:32 am ET

I feel this girl does need to be punished, However I do think they need to look into the possibility of mental illness. If she is mentaly ill they need to treat her for that while she is in prison often times prisoners go untreated while incarcerated.

alice from florida   November 29th, 2009 4:40 am ET

I've been thinking about this case for about a week now, and reading all these emails. Some make sense, some don't. Is there anyone out there who will agree with me that, If they deceide to give her the death penalty, she should be placed in that second grave. (Just wondering.)

Helen   December 1st, 2009 12:23 pm ET

Some mental illness cannot be treated, i.e. sociopathy.. This girl unfortunately sounds like she is one, which means there is nothing anyone can do... The best thing to do is keep her away from socioty since she is obviously capable of killing and will do so again if allowed... Sad, but true.

Kimincali   December 1st, 2009 1:09 pm ET

I agree Helen.. It is sad but true. Mental illness is an extremely serious issue in our nation. People wonder.. "How can a family not recognize there child as being a sociopath"? I wonder that myself, it's crazy. I have never been able to "understand" what exactly posesses a human being to have such evil in them. Many people blame parent's for the actions of there children.. my own experience shows me that is NOT the case. Yes, in more cases than not children are products of there environment however, many such as the Mendez Brother's, The Craigslist Killer etc... had decent upbringing's who gets blamed for those? It's a mental illness and believe it or not people with these illness's do NOT get the help they should ie.. being put in an environment with there "own kind" locked away from society, to help prevent these kinds of tragedy's. Soooo sad... but absolutely TRUE!

Helen   December 1st, 2009 5:54 pm ET

Diana, I can see that you identify with this girl, however the major difference between you and this girl is that you neven killed anyone (at least as far as I can tell). And that's a HUGE difference... This girl PLANNED to kill what looks like 2 people, to a point where she dug their graves. Luckily she only had the chance to kill one person (not so lucky for Elizabeth though)... This girl is a text book sociopath. And BTW, why do you assume that I have no training in Psychology? In fact, I do... There is definitely a difference between an abused child who "acts out" and a cold blooded killer.

Helen   December 8th, 2009 8:51 am ET

Kimincali, what posesses them is a brain disorder... Their brains are not "normal" , they feel no normal remorse or otehr feelings "normal" people with normal brains do. I know that almost sounds like I am saying they are not responsible for their actions, but that's not true. They know the difference between right and wrong, unlike some other mental illnesses, they just don't care as long as it suits them. Parents don't have much to do with it at all, in fact, they have nothing to do with it, nor does anyone else... It has been shown that serial killers have different brain chemistry, and I am more than sure that sociopaths do too... And there is no way to "fix" that. No amount of therapy or drugs will fix it, the only thing that would is giving them another brain, which of course is not possible.. So our only repercussion is to keep them away from society.. even if they are only 15.

VICTORIA   January 14th, 2010 1:49 pm ET

It's very sad & disgusting what that sick girl "Alyssen Bustamante" did to that loving child "Elizabeth Olten"..
You can not tell me that "Alyssen Bustamante" did not know what she was doing she is nowhere stupid "Alyssen" went out & dug a grave a day or two befor she did the terrable crime so she planned on killing this young child..
I don't fill not one bit sorry for her "Alyssen" deserves what's coming to her maybe when she goes to jail somebody will show her how it fills to be harmed then maybe that will wake her up & she will realize what she has done to another human being..
I pray & hope she will never get out of jail for nothing in the world..
"Elizabeth Olten" family is without there loving daughter because some sick person took her away from them..
My heart goes out to the "Elizabeth Olten" family...

PRE-LAW   January 14th, 2010 11:05 pm ET

Her name is alyssa bustamante im not sticking up for her or taking her side but atleast I know how to spell the accused assailants name.

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