What an angel  / Pam Coston (Love children )
After seeing Riley's Website and following the story I wish I had held only once in my arms.  She was a precious baby girl!  Somehow, something went terribly wrong with the mother and that man.  God said, "vengeance is mine".  May Riley rest in peace at the arms of our Lord.  God bless her family and all that knew this darling child.  Thank you for sharing all the beautiful pictures of her and the family with the public.  It has touched my soul. Thank you. Close

Be at Peace, Child of God!!!  / M. I.
I am so devastated that I have been crying for days now... how she said "I love you" to her mother, who killed her nevertheless... death is not enough for these people. Death is supposed to be the reward of eternal peace after a life well lived. And they don't deserve this!

I want to have a "Riley" Oath. Like doctors, who have to pronounce the Hypocrates Oath, that they swear they will do no harm. They have done this since ancient times, because they possess the power of knowledge and of being around people who are often weak or defenseless. So they must always remember to never inflict any harm to another person.

I propose to have a "RILEY" OATH for EVERY CAREGIVER!!! Caregivers have the power of "Power" over little, defenceless children! Mother, father, boyfriend, day care teacher, grandparent, babysitter... they should each say this "Riley" Oath when they take it upon themselves to care for a child... and EVERY TIME!!!

How could these monsters do a nine- item list, which they hoped to teach her in a day!!! Do they not know that it takes so long to teach children anything, and it takes many, many repetitions, and teaching through observation!!!

I propose that every pediatrician or Dr. be made to administer a brief talk about the right way to teach children (and I hate the word "discipline", because it is used incorrectly 99% of the time!) Doctors and social workers should be required to give a brochure and a talk about this topic starting at BIRTH and at every Dr's visit until the child is a teenager. The American Pediatric Association in its book "How to care for your baby and young Child" has an excellent explanation about this. Basically adults should never hit a child because the child will not only not respond well but the adult will hit stronger next time. It is this escalation of violence that people do not understand until it is too late!

I especially want this to be mandatory for children, whose parents are at highest risk, suffering from the effects of the THREE GREATEST EVILS IN OUR SOCIETY- POVERTY, IGNORANCE AND SOCIAL ISOLATION!!!

I want every mother to make the caregiver(s) of her child(ren) say the "Riley" Oath every time she drops them at the kindergarden, or with a sitter, or when she gets a new partner in her life. Just every time!

Let us be aware that there is good and evil in all of us. We must fight evil by being aware that we are capable of it.

Let us all accept a "Riley Oath" to never physically hurt or punish a child!!! Let us make others take this oath for the benefit of all children!!!
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Angel in Heaven  / Angela Maracle (no relation )
I love you little Riley...although I have never met you...you have touched my heart so deeply forever. I have cried many tears for your suffering. I know you are safe now, and playing with the many other angel children in Heaven. I hope your Grandma knows she will see you again someday..that you will meet her on the other side, and put your little hand in hers again. You were too beautiful for this Earth...too precious. You will never be hurt again. Because of you I hold my little ones tighter...I kiss them more often....I think before I speak. Everyone who has heard your story loves you Riley. Close

With much love and sadness  / Abby Cartwright
May God hold you close to his side in Heaven. No one deserves to be treated the way you were. Heaven is a much better place than this earth. I feel so badly for you in your last hours here. How sweet of you to tell your Mommy "I love You" at that horrible moment and time. Your smile will forever live in our hearts, there are many Houstonians that feel for you and will never look at their child the same. I hope you are dancing and singing with the Angels. Take comfort in knowing your mother and stepdad will never, ever see you, or hurt you again. With much love and sadness - Abby and Mindy Joy Cartwright. Close

Prayers and condolences  / Stephanie Rothfuchs (none)
I can't imagine what Riley's family must be going through as the trial progresses. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you relive the pain of what happened to that beautiful baby. Close

SO TRAGIC  / D. Churchill (n/a)

What happened to Riley was so tragic.  As the mother of a 2 year old little girl, I cannot imagine doing to her what was done to Riley. Our prayers are with her Father and Grandmother and we can only take comfort in the fact that Jesus was with Riley during her ordeal and she did not have to suffer through the horrific abuse without His loving presence there to take away her pain.  She is home with our Father now and she is LOVED.

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With Love  / Jennifer H. (Friend)

To Riley's family: I can't imagine the pain you are going through right now.   Time will not completely heal your wounds, but I hope time will bring some closure and peace to you.  May Riley rest in peace, and I am so sorry, from the bottom of my heart, for what happened to her.

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Rest in Peace Sweet Angel  / Jennifer Hammack
It's so hard to read about what this precious baby had to go through. Rest in peace sweet child and know that the world is waiting for justice to be served. Close

An angel child  / Caroline Thornburgh (none)

Two year olds are supposed to be happy, laughing, exploring the world, making mistakes and learning from them through parental love and patience.   Two year olds are not supposed to be beaten or held under water.

Every picture I've seen of Riley Ann shows a beautiful, smiling, happy, bright-eyed precious child of God.  It is sickening to learn the details of her last day on earth.  I know that she was received into heaven and greeted by Jesus, who quickly healed her wounds and dried her tears.  Now she is completely surrounded by His love.

I plan to celebrate her 4th birthday on March 11.  I plan to mourn her death on July 24.   And I plan to pray for her every day in between.  My heart goes out to her grandmother and her family.

I'd like to get to a place where I could have a shred of pity for her mother and stepfather, but it's really hard.  The best I can do is turn over the vengeance to the Lord. 

Rest in peace, sweet Riley Ann,

Caroline Thornburgh

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Blessings... / Laura Horacefield
I live in League City and will never forget how this case unraveled. I have twin 2 year old daughters and can't imagine anything like this ever happening to them.

I continue to pray for you and your family. I know Riley is in heaven and that she is being well taken care of. I know it doesn't erase the pain that you must feel. Please know we are thinking of you... Close

I LOVE YOU RILEY  / Mary Dingler (Friend)
I wish you here with your family that loves you here on Earth.  I wish none of those things would have happened to you.  My heart aches.  I love you sweet Angel and we will all be reunited one glorious day!  What a day that will be. Close

So Sorry, from Houston  / Tanya Chaney (None)
I am so sorry for your loss of your precious little Riley. As a mother of a two-year-old girl myself, it makes me physically ill to read about the awful things that were done to Riley. How any mother could participate in hurting her child that way, or even stand by and let someone else do it, is completely beyond me. Kids that age are so loving, vulnerable, and eager to please (although naturally they have their frustrating moments). The people responsible for this are monsters; there are no circumstances that could justify their having done this. I believe that each of us has a conscience, even if we don't always act like it, and I hope that their consciences will torture them for the rest of their lives for what they have done. I can't even imagine how agonized you must be, having had her taken from you like this. My very best thoughts go out to you, that you may find the strength and support to bear this loss. I live in Houston, so every day brings a new story in the newspaper about the developments in the trial. As hard as it is for me to read these, I can then go give my daughter a big hug and kiss and start to feel better. Obviously, it's infinitely harder for you. If I could send you one of my daughter's hugs and kisses, I would. Just please know that there are a lot of broken hearts for you here in Houston. I'm so sorry that this happened at all, but I'm also sorry that someone from here was involved in doing this terrible thing. Tanya Chaney Close

Rest In Peace Baby Girl!  / Nicole A. (None)

To a beautiful baby girl!  Riley I don't know you, but I love you.  I know you are dancing and playing in Heaven and in no more pain.  Rest in peace sweet baby girl!

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Keep us strong!!!  / Lori Chauvin (friend of Grandma Sheryl )

We love you so much Riley that you put us together to form our own group of friends from across the country even as far as South Africa and Canada........  We are the Circle of Friends and we are advocates for stopping child abuse!!!

http://www.rileyann2005.proboards107.com/

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For Rylie:The Littlest Angel  / Carolyn Wigfall-Edinbyrd (none)

In heaven there will be many and some will be small but because of the way she left you, God will hold her the closest of all.  

 

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thank you riley.  / Linda Pazder (none)

my heart is breaking for everyone that loves her. i found this site by accident,i'm glad i did.I have learned more from riley in the few minutes of reading then i have in 41 years. let me explain, my daughter is a herion addict that left her kids with me. everyday i complain about having to raise a two year old.that it's not my job, well that will NEVER  happen again. I see him in a new light now,

   God Bless you

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RILEY IN HEAVEN  / BETTY BRYANT (NONE)
RILEY,I LIVE IN SPRING TEXAS,VERY CLOSE TO WHERE YOU SUFFERED AND DIED. I NEVER MET YOU BUT I LOVE YOU. I HAVE A MURDERED GRANDSON,MARK HENRY HE LEFT 2 LITTLE GIRL'S WHOM HE LOVED WITH ALL HIS HEART.I WILL ASK HIM TO FIND AND COMFORT YOU.REST IN PEACE RILEY YOU ARE LOVED.BETTY BRYANT Close

for Riley  / Carolyn C. (only in my heart )

I never knew you. I never met you. But I heard your story when you were known only as "Baby Grace" and I wish I had known you. I wish I had been able to take you away from all the pain you endured in your short little life. I read details of your final hours and all I can do is weep and wish that I could cradle you, rock you, stroke your hair, and tell you that it's all going to be okay. Instead, I pick up my own daughter who's now three years old, and I hold her tightly. And as I rock her, I pray to my sister who's out there with you somewhere to find you, hold you, comfort you, and love you. As I read the stories of what you went through, I know that there's no God. There can't be. But I hope, for your sake, that I'm wrong and that God has stepped in finally and shown you peace and love. For each second of pain you suffered on earth, I wish you an eternity of peace, love, joy, and laughter. I'm sorry that this world failed you.

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condolences / Crystal F. (no relation )
I am so sorry for your pain. I will be hugging my children extra tight tonight and praying for your family. I do believe that precious child is in heaven now and that God is holding her tight. Close