f/u: trigger.Source: Computers seized in hot car death

[teflepi]

The father, Justin Ross Harris, was charged with murder and second-degree child cruelty. Police in Cobb County, just outside Atlanta, have been tight-lipped and haven't said if what they found on the computer is one of the reasons they arrested Harris.

'What have I done?'

Initially, police seemed sympathetic, describing the death of Cooper Harris on June 18 as the result of tragic absentmindedness.

They said the dad had apparently forgotten the boy was in the back seat of his Hyundai Tucson; he didn't remember until he was done with his work day, drove a couple of miles, and pulled into a shopping center parking lot.

But police became suspicious as they investigated.

"The chain of events that occurred in this case does not point toward simple negligence and evidence will be presented to support this allegation," said Cobb County Police Chief John House.

A criminal warrant released Wednesday described the events that led to Cooper's death.

A timeline of events

On the day Cooper died, June 18, Harris stopped for breakfast at a fast-food restaurant and afterward strapped his son into a rear-facing child restraint seat on his SUV's backseat, police said.

He drove to his workplace, a Home Depot corporate office, about a half-mile away. He works as a Web designer there.

Normally, he would take his son to an on-site day care. But that day, police said, Harris left him in the car seat.

During his lunch break, he returned to his car, opening the driver's side door to put something inside, police said.

After work, around 4:16 p.m., the 33-year-old father got in his car and drove away. A few miles away, he stopped the car at a shopping center and called for help.

When it became clear Cooper was dead, Harris was so inconsolable police had to restrain him.

"What have I done?" he wailed as he tried to resuscitate the little boy.

Harris has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and second-degree child cruelty. He sits in jail without bond, with an appearance before a judge scheduled for July 3.

A wave of sympathy

Each year, dozens of children die from heat strokes in cars, according to KidsandCars.org. More than 40 died last year. The organization believes its tally is incomplete and much lower than the real toll.

When police charged Harris, it triggered a wave of sympathy and a vigorous debate over whether the heartbroken father should be punished.

A change.org petition that was started urging authorities to release Harris was withdrawn Thursday, with this note explaning: "I think that based on the recent developments this petition is no longer relevant. I still pray that this was truly an accident. If that is the case, the DA now knows that the community does not want Justin prosecuted on murder charges."

Atlanta area resident Erin Krans started a second change.org petition asking prosecutors to drop the charges. It has garnered hundreds of signatures and was still operational as of 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Another, set up at YouCaring.com, has raised more than $22,000 for the Harris family.

"Please don't listen to the media. It just upsets me to watch it," wrote Heather McCullar, who set it up. "Please don't listen to the media. The family will speak when they can."

Contacted by CNN via e-mail, she wrote back, "No one is allowed to comment right now."

His wife's not talking

As Harris sits in jail, his wife, Leanna, would not discuss the case with the media. Harris' attorney has not returned repeated calls from CNN.

The child's cause of death was "consistent with hyperthermia and the investigative information suggests the manner of death is homicide," the Cobb County Medical Examiner's Office said, according to a Cobb County Department of Public Safety release issued Wednesday. Temperatures hit 92 degrees Fahrenheit on the day of his death.

The medical examiner's office is waiting for toxicology test results before making an official ruling as to the cause and manner of the toddler's death. Cooper's funeral, meanwhile, will be held Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.s investigators in Georgia looked into the death of a 22-month-old boy left seven hours in a sweltering SUV, they seized computers from the father's office, a source with knowledge of the investigation told HLN's Nancy Grace.

The officers found something startling: an online search for information about how long it takes animals to die in hot cars, the source said.

It's unknown when the Internet search was conducted and whether the father did the searching. Police have declined comment when asked about the computer search.

[teflepi]

Cnn.com

[msmerymac]

This the same information we had yesterday, and frlcb mentioned that there are at least 2 facts that she believes are incorrect here.

[frlcb]

It is super annoying that CNN, which is headquartered in Atlanta, can't get straight the fact that he didn't work at the home depot HQ. He worked at a satellite office nearby (but not walking distance nearby). Yes, the daycare is on site at THD HQ. But not onsite where his office is. And the CFA is 1/2 mile from the headquarters, not the satellite office.

I have no idea if this guy did this intentionally. So many things of this story I question. But I also know I have friends who know him who say that there is no way he could have done this. I tend to believe in them, although people are often crazy and hide it well. As I have said before the small pieces of info that are released, and then spread around (and often incorrectly, like these locations) don't help. All or nothing police, all or nothing.

[IIOY]

Jun 27, 2014 13:15:46 GMT -5 frlcb said:

But I also know I have friends who know him who say that there is no way he could have done this.

I have not been following this story closely and I'm not saying you are wrong in this instance, but given how often this is said about people who do truly horrific things to other human beings, I put exactly zero stock in this as an indicator of anyone's innocence.

[frlcb]

Jun 27, 2014 13:22:10 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Jun 27, 2014 13:15:46 GMT -5 frlcb said:

But I also know I have friends who know him who say that there is no way he could have done this.

I have not been following this story closely and I'm not saying you are wrong in this instance, but given how often this is said about people who do truly horrific things to other human beings, I put exactly zero stock in this as an indicator of anyone's innocence.

I also said I know people can hide crazy well. I'm not naive about that. But I want to believe them because I can not fathom a world where a father would do this intentionally.

[ttt]

Jun 27, 2014 13:22:10 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Jun 27, 2014 13:15:46 GMT -5 frlcb said:

But I also know I have friends who know him who say that there is no way he could have done this.

I have not been following this story closely and I'm not saying you are wrong in this instance, but given how often this is said about people who do truly horrific things to other human beings, I put exactly zero stock in this as an indicator of anyone's innocence.

Yes, exactly. And nobody is going to say "yeah, well he was a nice guy but he probably could have murdered his toddler, I could see that." 

with the facts we have, I could see a completely innocent explanation - he made the search after reading an article about pets in cars, he was distracted and just didn't notice anything when he went to his car at lunch, he was completely distraught and scared and incoherent when he discovered his son dead that his answers and statements to police made no sense - or I could see those facts being damning. It's just impossible to tell. 

[frlcb]

Jun 27, 2014 13:34:29 GMT -5 ttt said:

Jun 27, 2014 13:22:10 GMT -5 IIOY said:

I have not been following this story closely and I'm not saying you are wrong in this instance, but given how often this is said about people who do truly horrific things to other human beings, I put exactly zero stock in this as an indicator of anyone's innocence.

Yes, exactly. And nobody is going to say "yeah, well he was a nice guy but he probably could have murdered his toddler, I could see that." 

with the facts we have, I could see a completely innocent explanation - he made the search after reading an article about pets in cars, he was distracted and just didn't notice anything when he went to his car at lunch, he was completely distraught and scared and incoherent when he discovered his son dead that his answers and statements to police made no sense - or I could see those facts being damning. It's just impossible to tell. 

I don't disagree with this, at all. 

But to be fair I do know a few parents who seem unattached from their kids to a point where I would never say "oh they are such a loving father, they would do anything for their children, they love them more than life itself." Sadly. Do I think they would kill their children? Never. But also not a happy, loving, doting parent. 

[sandsonik]

Jun 27, 2014 13:30:36 GMT -5 frlcb said:

Jun 27, 2014 13:22:10 GMT -5 IIOY said:

I have not been following this story closely and I'm not saying you are wrong in this instance, but given how often this is said about people who do truly horrific things to other human beings, I put exactly zero stock in this as an indicator of anyone's innocence.

I also said I know people can hide crazy well. I'm not naive about that. But I want to believe them because I can not fathom a world where a father would do this intentionally.

You both could still be right.

He could have accidentally killed the child in some other way, and thought this might be a way to cover it up, because  he's read of other cases going unprosecuted.

[ttt]

Jun 27, 2014 14:21:34 GMT -5 sandsonik said:

Jun 27, 2014 13:30:36 GMT -5 frlcb said:

I also said I know people can hide crazy well. I'm not naive about that. But I want to believe them because I can not fathom a world where a father would do this intentionally.

You both could still be right.

He could have accidentally killed the child in some other way, and thought this might be a way to cover it up, because  he's read of other cases going unprosecuted.

That's what I originally thought but the autopsy evidence seems consistent with the child dying from overheating in the car. 

[gt7301b]

The biggest red flag to me is he left Home Depot around 4:00 pm. When I worked at Home Depot nobody ever left at 4:00 pm.

[Deleted]

Jun 27, 2014 14:21:34 GMT -5 sandsonik said:

Jun 27, 2014 13:30:36 GMT -5 frlcb said:

I also said I know people can hide crazy well. I'm not naive about that. But I want to believe them because I can not fathom a world where a father would do this intentionally.

You both could still be right.

He could have accidentally killed the child in some other way, and thought this might be a way to cover it up, because  he's read of other cases going unprosecuted.

I've always wondered if something similar didn't happen to Caylee Anthony. Except I wouldn't classify that wretched hosebeast mother as anything resembling attentive, caring, or well meaning. If anything unintentional happened to that baby, it was because her mother was a neglectful piece of shit.

[frlcb]

Jun 27, 2014 14:56:58 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

The biggest red flag to me is he left Home Depot around 4:00 pm. When I worked at Home Depot nobody ever left at 4:00 pm.

My dh worked there for 3 years and left by 4 every day. This means nothing.

[sandsonik]

Jun 27, 2014 14:42:34 GMT -5 ttt said:

Jun 27, 2014 14:21:34 GMT -5 sandsonik said:

You both could still be right.

He could have accidentally killed the child in some other way, and thought this might be a way to cover it up, because  he's read of other cases going unprosecuted.

That's what I originally thought but the autopsy evidence seems consistent with the child dying from overheating in the car. 

Ah, I'm behind. I didn't even know an autopsy had been done yet, but I thought I read that the police chief said the father was being arrested because the evidence pointed to another cause of death.

[phunluvin82]

Several years ago I read an article about parents forgetting babies in cars. It was heavy on neurology and how our brains work when it comes to things like habits and patterns, and how unimaginably easy it can be to forget and for your brain to convince you that you had dropped the child off b/c that is what you normally do and so your brain literally 'fills in' the missing parts as though you had in fact done so. It even mentioned the backward facing carseats b/c you don't see the child when glancing in the rear view mirror, or turning around, etc.

I'm sure I'm not explaining well b/c it was a long time ago that I read it and it was a long article...but let me tell you, it scared the shit out of me and I don't even have kids yet.

ETA: Seems like the article I'm thinking of was already mentioned in the first thread...

[foundmylazybum]

Jun 27, 2014 13:15:46 GMT -5 frlcb said:

I have no idea if this guy did this intentionally. So many things of this story I question. But I also know I have friends who know him who say that there is no way he could have done this. I tend to believe in them, although people are often crazy and hide it well.

Listen, you keep saying this--and I'm not saying it's true...but...I grew up with a kid who ended up murdering his own son.

I NEVER would have thought he could have done that you know.


This is the weakest argument you have on this topic.

[frlcb]

Jun 29, 2014 7:22:13 GMT -5 foundmylazybum said:

Jun 27, 2014 13:15:46 GMT -5 frlcb said:

I have no idea if this guy did this intentionally. So many things of this story I question. But I also know I have friends who know him who say that there is no way he could have done this. I tend to believe in them, although people are often crazy and hide it well.

Listen, you keep saying this--and I'm not saying it's true...but...I grew up with a kid who ended up murdering his own son.

I NEVER would have thought he could have done that you know.


This is the weakest argument you have on this topic.

This is not an argument. I also say I believe people are crazy and can hide it well. I do find it hard to reconcile the difference between people I know and respect who say wait, this is not the friend we know, the friend we know loved and adored and cherished his son and the police saying he purposely did this - but it is not unheard of, I know that 100%.

[marissa]

CNN is now reporting mom did similar searches. She's either covering for him or just in on planning something, IMO.

[readyin07]

I cannot fathom any parent subjecting a child to that kind of death. At 22 months my kid would have been screaming and freaking out over being left alone with that in my head, I really don't want to believe they did this.

Is it routine to do a computer seize or do you think it looked suspect from the beginning? Since I am praying that they are not guilty, I am trying to explain the searches in my head. Like I know when I read about this death I also googled hypermesis...I have a morbid need for information. But I am certainly not going to harm my kid.. So I am curious what is meant by "research"and when it was conducted. And in this day and age if you were really going to commit a major crime would you really be dumb enough to leave an internet trail on your own computer?! (sorry that sounda awful!) Lawyers is something like a google search enough to build a case for intent when it all comes down to a conviction?

[ttt]

Jun 29, 2014 11:00:48 GMT -5 readyin07 said:

I cannot fathom any parent subjecting a child to that kind of death. At 22 months my kid would have been screaming and freaking out over being left alone with that in my head, I really don't want to believe they did this.

Is it routine to do a computer seize or do you think it looked suspect from the beginning? Since I am praying that they are not guilty, I am trying to explain the searches in my head. Like I know when I read about this death I also googled hypermesis...I have a morbid need for information. But I am certainly not going to harm my kid.. So I am curious what is meant by "research"and when it was conducted. And in this day and age if you were really going to commit a major crime would you really be dumb enough to leave an internet trail on your own computer?! (sorry that sounda awful!) Lawyers is something like a google search enough to build a case for intent when it all comes down to a conviction?

I really feel like the context of the search would make a huge difference. A single google search out of context means nothing. If someone's browser history showed them reading a CNN article about dogs left in cars in the summer and then the next visit was google "how long it takes an animal to die in a hot car" then to me, that's not suspicious at all. 

I would certainly hope that they're taking these kinds of things into consideration. 

[penguingrrl]

Jun 29, 2014 11:00:48 GMT -5 readyin07 said:

I cannot fathom any parent subjecting a child to that kind of death. At 22 months my kid would have been screaming and freaking out over being left alone with that in my head, I really don't want to believe they did this.

Is it routine to do a computer seize or do you think it looked suspect from the beginning? Since I am praying that they are not guilty, I am trying to explain the searches in my head. Like I know when I read about this death I also googled hypermesis...I have a morbid need for information. But I am certainly not going to harm my kid.. So I am curious what is meant by "research"and when it was conducted. And in this day and age if you were really going to commit a major crime would you really be dumb enough to leave an internet trail on your own computer?! (sorry that sounda awful!) Lawyers is something like a google search enough to build a case for intent when it all comes down to a conviction?

I'm pretty sure it's routine to seize and search computers of loved ones in cases of unexpected death. A friend's wife died very unexpectedly last year and his computer, phone and tablet were all seized then returned once he was cleared. I'm pretty sure that's done if there's any chance or question of homicide.

I said in the other thread and will say again, I have a very hard time believing an IT guy would be so stupid as to search for that on his own computer without considering that it will be checked. I find it much easier to believe that he saw a story about animals in hot cars and searched it. Did the family have a pet? If so, that would easily explain it. Or he could have had idle curiosity.

I'm not naively saying he's innocent. We absolutely don't know. Just saying that I could see circumstances where this damning looking evidence means nothing.

[ttt]

Jun 29, 2014 12:28:26 GMT -5 penguingrrl said:

Jun 29, 2014 11:00:48 GMT -5 readyin07 said:

I cannot fathom any parent subjecting a child to that kind of death. At 22 months my kid would have been screaming and freaking out over being left alone with that in my head, I really don't want to believe they did this.

Is it routine to do a computer seize or do you think it looked suspect from the beginning? Since I am praying that they are not guilty, I am trying to explain the searches in my head. Like I know when I read about this death I also googled hypermesis...I have a morbid need for information. But I am certainly not going to harm my kid.. So I am curious what is meant by "research"and when it was conducted. And in this day and age if you were really going to commit a major crime would you really be dumb enough to leave an internet trail on your own computer?! (sorry that sounda awful!) Lawyers is something like a google search enough to build a case for intent when it all comes down to a conviction?

I'm pretty sure it's routine to seize and search computers of loved ones in cases of unexpected death. A friend's wife died very unexpectedly last year and his computer, phone and tablet were all seized then returned once he was cleared. I'm pretty sure that's done if there's any chance or question of homicide.

I said in the other thread and will say again, I have a very hard time believing an IT guy would be so stupid as to search for that on his own computer without considering that it will be checked. I find it much easier to believe that he saw a story about animals in hot cars and searched it. Did the family have a pet? If so, that would easily explain it. Or he could have had idle curiosity.

I'm not naively saying he's innocent. We absolutely don't know. Just saying that I could see circumstances where this damning looking evidence means nothing.

He's a web designer, though, not really an IT guy. 

[mich1]

Jun 27, 2014 13:15:46 GMT -5 frlcb said:

It is super annoying that CNN, which is headquartered in Atlanta, can't get straight the fact that he didn't work at the home depot HQ. He worked at a satellite office nearby (but not walking distance nearby). Yes, the daycare is on site at THD HQ. But not onsite where his office is. And the CFA is 1/2 mile from the headquarters, not the satellite office.

I have no idea if this guy did this intentionally. So many things of this story I question. But I also know I have friends who know him who say that there is no way he could have done this. I tend to believe in them, although people are often crazy and hide it well. As I have said before the small pieces of info that are released, and then spread around (and often incorrectly, like these locations) don't help. All or nothing police, all or nothing.

Another thing that CNN did not note was that he was driving to work in rush hour traffic.  While I've not been in Altlanta's, I've been in enough cities that a very short distance at certain hours of the day can take way longer than they should.

[penguingrrl]

Jun 29, 2014 12:30:45 GMT -5 ttt said:

Jun 29, 2014 12:28:26 GMT -5 penguingrrl said:

I'm pretty sure it's routine to seize and search computers of loved ones in cases of unexpected death. A friend's wife died very unexpectedly last year and his computer, phone and tablet were all seized then returned once he was cleared. I'm pretty sure that's done if there's any chance or question of homicide.

I said in the other thread and will say again, I have a very hard time believing an IT guy would be so stupid as to search for that on his own computer without considering that it will be checked. I find it much easier to believe that he saw a story about animals in hot cars and searched it. Did the family have a pet? If so, that would easily explain it. Or he could have had idle curiosity.

I'm not naively saying he's innocent. We absolutely don't know. Just saying that I could see circumstances where this damning looking evidence means nothing.

He's a web designer, though, not really an IT guy. 

Ah, I missed that part. I still say anyone who is working on computers all day long has no excuse not to realize that everything can be found, KWIM? I mean, if you're talking about an older person who barely touches a computer even now I could excuse that ignorance, but a 33 year old who works on computers?

[ttt]

Jun 29, 2014 12:39:58 GMT -5 mich1 said:

Jun 27, 2014 13:15:46 GMT -5 frlcb said:

It is super annoying that CNN, which is headquartered in Atlanta, can't get straight the fact that he didn't work at the home depot HQ. He worked at a satellite office nearby (but not walking distance nearby). Yes, the daycare is on site at THD HQ. But not onsite where his office is. And the CFA is 1/2 mile from the headquarters, not the satellite office.

I have no idea if this guy did this intentionally. So many things of this story I question. But I also know I have friends who know him who say that there is no way he could have done this. I tend to believe in them, although people are often crazy and hide it well. As I have said before the small pieces of info that are released, and then spread around (and often incorrectly, like these locations) don't help. All or nothing police, all or nothing.

Another thing that CNN did not note was that he was driving to work in rush hour traffic.  While I've not been in Altlanta's, I've been in enough cities that a very short distance at certain hours of the day can take way longer than they should.

That specific area of town is a goddamn mess for traffic at rush hour. 

[readyin07]

Ugh I can't quit reading about this. If he is innocent this must be the worst kind if hell. If he is guilty....

[Deleted]

I wonder if there was any sort of life insurance policy on the child. I'm sure it couldn't have been that much money, but I suppose if you're desperate for money and neither of you want to die... I just couldn't fathom killing your own child, much less for something like $25K.

[cinnamoncox]

Jun 29, 2014 11:04:51 GMT -5 ttt said:

Jun 29, 2014 11:00:48 GMT -5 readyin07 said:

I cannot fathom any parent subjecting a child to that kind of death. At 22 months my kid would have been screaming and freaking out over being left alone with that in my head, I really don't want to believe they did this.

Is it routine to do a computer seize or do you think it looked suspect from the beginning? Since I am praying that they are not guilty, I am trying to explain the searches in my head. Like I know when I read about this death I also googled hypermesis...I have a morbid need for information. But I am certainly not going to harm my kid.. So I am curious what is meant by "research"and when it was conducted. And in this day and age if you were really going to commit a major crime would you really be dumb enough to leave an internet trail on your own computer?! (sorry that sounda awful!) Lawyers is something like a google search enough to build a case for intent when it all comes down to a conviction?

I really feel like the context of the search would make a huge difference. A single google search out of context means nothing. If someone's browser history showed them reading a CNN article about dogs left in cars in the summer and then the next visit was google "how long it takes an animal to die in a hot car" then to me, that's not suspicious at all. 

I would certainly hope that they're taking these kinds of things into consideration. 

If I'm not mistaken, the search was not animals in the car.

[ttt]

Jun 29, 2014 19:14:14 GMT -5 cinnamoncox said:

Jun 29, 2014 11:04:51 GMT -5 ttt said:

I really feel like the context of the search would make a huge difference. A single google search out of context means nothing. If someone's browser history showed them reading a CNN article about dogs left in cars in the summer and then the next visit was google "how long it takes an animal to die in a hot car" then to me, that's not suspicious at all. 

I would certainly hope that they're taking these kinds of things into consideration. 

If I'm not mistaken, the search was not animals in the car.

You're right. Originally they had said animals, but now they're saying it was child  

[racegrrl714]

CNN is reporting that both parents' computers had searched deaths in cars.