Letter: Chance will never be forgotten

I have sat in front of my computer many times since we came home Monday, September 17, 2012 trying to figure out what to say….I am at a loss for words. For the past 20 months I have tried to be strong and have had little time to grieve. Instead I have prepared myself for war.

After Robert was convicted and sentenced, I felt the way many people did – relieved that justice had been served. But those feelings were short lived because I had tricked my mind into believing when you fight really hard for something you normally are rewarded. But, my reward never came, Chance was still gone.

So to respond to Gayle’s plea hearing on [September 17] is difficult because I know that no matter how hard we fight Chance is never coming home. Should she have received a harsher punishment? YES. But, I am very thankful for all the hard work and dedication that Luke Inman, Hattie Sanderson and all of the individuals involved in helping fight for justice. Everyone worked so hard for a little boy who deserved so much better than to have suffered at the hands of his own blood. I have read very few articles about Chance’s death unable to bear the truth, but I have read every single comment that has been posted by readers from Clarendon to Oklahoma and was never able to respond because I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize the upcoming cases. I feel that I have waited long enough… Chance Mark was LOVED by so many people and I am thankful every day to have had the opportunity to hear him say, “I love you.”

Many people make the comment that Chance was never given the chance to be truly loved by anyone. This is the farthest thing from the truth; Chance was loved so deeply by so many people. If anyone were to truly look at the pictures of Chance they would see his amazing smile and glowing eyes know that he was a happy child. Chance Mark had an amazing non-blood related family that would have fought to the ends of the earth to keep him safe. Chance touched so many people’s hearts with his humor and beautiful smile and why anyone would ever want to harm him is unimaginable. I am reminded every day of how precious life is how fast it can all be taken away.

Memories and pictures of Chance is all that we have left and what happens to Robert Babcock and Gayle Edes is now in God’s hands and they too will suffer their own punishment. They were never apart of Chance’s life and will never be seen as anything more than murders – father and grandmother are not titles that they deserve.

Chance Mark Jones will never be forgotten and his memory will live on forever in our hearts. If you take anything away from Chance’s story please remember this, “Don’t take a Chance, against child abuse,” because you can never bring them back once they are gone. You have a voice where many children like Chance did not. Speak up and help to prevent a child from ever having to suffer the way that Chance did…no-one deserves to be hurt, especially a child.

Heather Hill