Before she did this horrible act, there is no doubt that there was a lot of stress in the home. Her husband had become very ill, which did not help her. She had tried to commit suicide several times previously and had been hospitalized more than once. Although it was reported only by NBCNews, it was reported that she had "heard voices" before committing the murder.
Because she was believed by those who knew her to be kind and very thoughtful of her husband and her children, no one suspected that her mental health state would ever involve anyone else in the family. Part of the blame is being given toward the "system" - and the current state's response is "no comment."
Jillian Meredith McCabe, 34, now faces three charges: aggravated murder, murder and first-degree manslaughter. Because the boy was under 14, she also could face the death penalty. Bond has been placed on her for $750,000.
Interestingly, she had asked for prayer for her family and for herself on a website from which they were trying to raise money to help her husband get the needed treatment. She wrote: "If you are a praying person, pray for us. I love my husband and he has taken care of myself and my son for years and years and now it's time for me to take the helm. I am scared and I am reaching out."
Comment: There are undeniably many people in our nation (and around the world) who are under great stress like Jillian was. Some of them also have to cope with mental illness.
Because God is real and He certainly does answer prayer, I have to wonder how many people were seriously praying for her? Although I know nothing about Jillian, every believer needs to realize that Christ can help those in these circumstances.
Not only does Christ save the soul, but He also can provide comfort. Just as important, though, is that He often does it through believers who are willing to help and encourage others who may have needs greater than we realize. It is time that we as believers seek to be blessings to more people – if they will permit it: "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God" (II Corinthians 1:4).
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Source: http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/04/us/oregon-bridge-child/index.html
Source: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/woman-accused-throwing-son-off-oregon-bridge-26674161
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Keywords: Jillian McCabe, murder, autistic son, mental illness, Yaquina Bay Bridge, comfort