Ricky Holland's Adoptive Parents Both Sentenced
It's Finally Over...or Is It?
According to testimony, Lisa Holland hit Ricky in the head with a tack hammer. Neither she nor her husband sought help for Ricky while he suffered for days and finally died of his injuries. Instead, they hid his body and informed authorities that he'd been kidnapped.
Earlier this month, Tim Holland was sentenced to above the maximum for his second-degree murder plea. While the judge held back tears, she sentenced him to 30 to 60 years.
Lisa Holland was not so lucky. First-degree murder carries the penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The same judge who had presided over the Tim Holland sentencing reportedly held back tears again while she accused Lisa Holland of throwing away her child.
The Holland case may finally be mostly out of the news, but the feelings it has sparked in Michigan residents live on. Parents and adoptive parents have spoken out against each other in multiple forums and Michigan's residents do not rest easy, hoping that children in care or adoptive placements are safer. The lessons learned from the Ricky Holland case are still waiting to be absorbed, and changes are still waiting to be made.
The unease is compounded by the deaths of 2 children in Michigan foster homes, in August and September of this year. Both of those children were 2 1/2 years of age. The first, a boy, Isaac Lethbridge, was found beaten and burned in a Detroit foster home. The second, a girl, Allison Newman, was taken to Mott Children's Hospital from her foster home in Canton, where she later died. Both list the cause of death as blunt force trauma, though Isaac also died of burn injuries according to the death certificate.
Michiganders look forward to a day when children are finally safe and they can rest easy again. In the meantime, the deaths of children in foster and adoptive placements send a chill through us all, and it goes right to the bone.
Published by Liz Copeland
I'm a freelance writer, DMC mentor, and artisan-level embroiderer. I knit, crochet, sew, quilt, and spin my own yarn as well. I'm an instructor for embroidery and other fiber and textile related crafts. View profile
State Reports Reveal Glaring Faults, Makes RecommendationsThe state has released 3 reports in connection with the 2005 death of Ricky Holland and the agency's responsibily. They also recommend changes.
Ricky's Remains Still in CustodyRicky's remains are classified as evidence, and therefore they are still in the office of the medical examiner. Tim Holland's relatives are hoping to be named as next-of-kin so...- The Agony of Step and Adoptive Parents: Focus on Reactive Attachment DisorderUntil recently, many step and adoptive parents have been left without parenting guidelines. Here's help to get them to a point where they relate well with their new child.
- Foster Care SystemFind out how you can help in becoming a Foster Care Parent/Guardian. To make a positive influence in a childs life.
Jaysen Bell Still MissingJaysen Bell is charged with rape, 3 counts of sexual battery, gross imposition and 3 counts of sexual imposition against 2 foster children. One previously in his care, and one w...
- Lisa Holland Found Guilty
- Testimony Ends in Ricky Holland Case
- Prosecution Rests in Ricky Holland Case
- Closing Arguments Heard in Ricky Holland Case
- Questions, Anger Persist in Ricky Holland Case
- Ricky Holland Trial Adjourned to Monday
- More Charges Possible in Ricky Holland Case
3 Comments
Post a CommentThe irony that children are taken from "bad" homes and put in "more stable" homes, where a heartbreaking percentage of them are molested, abused, or killed is amazing. I've heard so many of these stories and I just can't believe that families aren't screened better. Touching article.
This is absolutely unbelievable. That such horrors happen in the world to children...it's hard to believe that people like that exist. Thank you for this story.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/348064208
I am trying to prevent a future miscarriage of justice and prevent abuse... please read my story, it has been a 5 year battle with Michigan CPS and FIA as well as the Saginaw County court.