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NEW YORK (CBS) ― There has been an outpouring of emotion over the Nixzmary Brown tragedy. We want to hear what you think about the crime, the child protection system, and any other thoughts you might have.

You'll see many of the comments sent into WCBSTV.com posted here, and some may be read on CBS 2 News at 5.

To send a message, click here.
Here is what your neighbors are saying:

It has been a week since I've learned the horrible fate of little Nixzmary and I remain profoundly disturbed and saddened by what happened to her. I never knew her, but I have mourned her as if she were one of my own. It deeply pains me to imagine the hell she lived through, to imagine how alone she must have felt. It horrifies me to know the agony she was made to endure. My only solace is in the knowledge that she is no longer suffering at the hands of those animals, those animals who were supposed to love her and protect her. I pray that she is somewhere beautiful and peaceful now and that she is able to see the tremendous outpouring of love and caring from those of us who wish we could have saved her.

As far as Cesar Rodriguez is concerned, it sickens me to think that this man could get anything less than a life sentence without the possibility of parole. I am ashamed of our justice system and all the ridiculous parameters that exist that keep ruthless criminals from getting the punishment that they deserve. How can molesting, systematically beating/torturing and then heartlessly killing a defenseless child be anything less than 1st degree murder??? In my opinion Cesar Rodriguez should have no rights. He abused her, he killed her; those are the facts. Why should we care about his rights when nobody was looking out for Nixzmary's rights?

Nor should Cesar Rodriguez be allowed to hide behind silly laws to lessen his punishment. If only Nixzmary had someone to hide behind. I say let's save our precious tax dollars from giving this animal a "fair trial" and spend the money instead on improving our child welfare system. Then maybe Nixzmary's painful life would not have been for naught. And Nixzaliz? May she rot in hell. Period.

Rest in peace little Nixzmary...we love you.

Renee Gleason

I agree that there is no justice to be served here. I think these parents should get the same treatment that they put that poor baby through. I hope they are in cells with pictures of Nixzmary laying in her coffin all over their walls so they can see what they did to her.

I hope the inmates beat up the mother while guards stand by and watch, like the mother did to Nixzmary. I hope the father gets beat up, and tied down and treated like an animal like he did to Nixzmary so he knows what it felt like. Someone ought to slam his head into a faucet and see how he feels when no one cares when he cries desperately for help.

I hope they can change the law in the future, and these parents can be charged with first degree, without having to prove they enjoyed harming the child, like the law now calls for. It's ridiculous and I have not been able to sleep without my daughter in my bed every night since this happened. It's horrible. President Bush is so concerned with Iraq and has no concern for the number of deaths there, I am not surprised he has not commented on this as of yet, or felt the need to pursue the ridiculous requirements of a first-degree murder charge.

Jackie Logerfo

I don't think justice could ever be served in this case – 25 years is just NOT ENOUGH for those two animals. The only justice would be if the media publicizes those two animals getting their butts kicked everyday in jail. I only pray that the correction officers do not break their beatings up. Rodriguez and Santiago deserve to be tortured, and the only people that can do that right now are the inmates.

Roseanne, Brooklyn

This story is so hard to handle with two daughters of my own. How dare someone do this to their own child. I feel more for the little girl than anything. At least she is at last finally at peace.

Danielle Garza

May she finally rest in peace, and may her neighbors and family who did nothing to help her deal with their demons. How could no one have seen what condition she was in? May her passing start people realizing that we are all responsible for the children. If we have concerns, all that is needed is a phone call to the police and subsequently ACS.

Nixzmary, your suffering and pain is over now, but you have opened all of our eyes and ears and hearts to the suffering of the children.

Lorraine

This story touched my heart. Being a father of an adopted girl, it hurts me and angers me that people can be so cruel to the ones they bring into this world. When my daughter tells me some of the stories of her birth parents, I'm in shock and it wears me out emotionally. I want to reach out to her and other children that are in this same situation. It is just amazing to me what people will do to other people including family.

Jonathan Kuehm

I've been looking for somewhere to post my thoughts about this tragedy, so thank you for providing me this opportunity. My 8-year old son has been traumatized by this event. How does a parent answer when asked by their own child, 'didn't they love her?' He thinks they should die for hurting her so badly. I agree. It has been said they cannot charge the father with first-degree murder because they cannot prove his intent to kill Nixzmary. Why not? You beat a little girl repeatedly and place her head under cold water . . . what could he have thought would happen?

It's sickening what people get away with. We don't need these people in our world. The death penalty is the only way to deal with this crime. It's so sad. My sister has been trying to have a baby for three years with no success. She and her husband have all it takes to give the world to a precious child. God has not given her the opportunity to prove this, but instead gives six beautiful children to these parents who never probably wanted them in the first place; they are unfortunately the outcome of unprotected sex.

The system needs to assist in preventing these kind of monsters from having children in the first place. To them, these children are an increase in the welfare check, or worse, a punching bag. Anyone who had a connection to this girl should be held responsible in some way. Her Grandmother, aunts, uncles, neighbors . . . how could this not be known? Our biggest mistake is being afraid to speak out. This little girl suffered a terrible life and how sad is it that she now resting in peace at only 7 years old.

Doreen Paladino

I don't care how much of a brat she may have been. When you get to that point, you walk away and cool off. And I find it hard to believe that no friends or family members were aware of what was going on with this child. More than the agency, I blame the family.

Theresa Tammone, New York, NY

What a nation of hypocrites we are! While we invest every resource imaginable in this war against terrorists and terrorism, and while we mainly fight an invisible and greatly imagined enemy, we do nothing to fight the war that is waged against our most defenseless citizens: innocent children.

Even when they are being terrorized on a daily basis in their own homes and know nothing but terror in their secluded worlds. What hypocrites all these officials now mourning the death of this poor creature, the same officials who failed her over and over again and could have so easily saved this girl from the terror she had to endure.

Why isn't President Bush pouring millions of dollars fighting this terrorist war? I am sickened and haunted by the images that this story conjures up.

Luis Gonzalez

I think that all of the caseworkers involved in this case should be fired, not suspended, and not relocated, but fired. And the mother and step-dad should be given death immediately.

William Lemcke

It's a shame and appalling that parents are not able to control themselves. Regardless of how your day went, a child is a child and should not receive the brunt of your end-of-day frustration. As children, we were taught to always to share. How dare we as parents now get upset, torture and condemn a child from taking nourishment for themselves? How dare any parent deprive their child of food, love and even protection from others? Are parents nowadays becoming so barbaric, selfish and absent-minded that they need to kill their own flesh and blood just to survive themselves? Parents become parents in order to love, protect, nourish and teach their own how to become better grown-ups than we are. What kind of lesson are parents teaching children by killing their own children? Are we teaching them that they are not worth living? God help us all and bless the children that perish for no fault of their own.

Diana Martinez, former New Yorker now residing in New Mexico

Well this dear little girl's step father is trying to blame her for what evil HE DID! I feel sorry for her even in her death. I thank God it happened though, at least now she is at peace and as long as he doesn't take responsibility for what HE did he will NEVER EVER EVER have peace. I just wish someone would have the mercy in jail on him that he showed little Nixmary.

Debra

The real tragedy is demonstrated right here on this bulletin board. How is it that everyone is shocked by something that occurs everyday in Anytown, U.S.A. Wake up everyone! If you really care, you will be proactive by volunteering your time or money to causes that benefit victims of child abuse... Instead of being outraged, realize that violence against children has been occurring for thousands of years. Had this girl lived, I guarantee, she would have abused her own children and we would have wished her the same fate we are wishing for her father. People: address the issue, not the killer. He's not worth your energy.

Name Withheld, Ft Lauderdale, FL

Last Thursday morning when I picked-up the Post and saw the picture of Nixzmary, the beautiful and innocent little angel and her tragic story, I cried. The sight of that dreadful chair and knowing, a defenseless little girl was tied to it and beaten to death, cut me to the bone.

All I felt at first, was the sorrow and heartache for the little girl and couldn't imagine the fear she must have felt. Next, the pain and trauma I would like to inflict on the scum that did this to her, if I only had the chance; Breaking every bone in his pathetic body with a baseball bat, bringing him to the edge of death.... Lastly, my disgust at the system for letting this "slip through the cracks"; it is inexcusable that this was allowed to happen, knowing there was a history there with this "family". How many more innocent children have to die at the hands of scum like this?!

Peter Mayone, Jr., Delmar, NY

I can't find the words to describe my feelings regarding this poor little girl. I can't imagine what was going through her mind every day while she had to endure the torture from that low life. Her mother is just as much at fault. I also blame the ACS and our NY government. Back when Lisa Steinberg was abused and ultimately killed, it was said that this would not happen again. Well, I can't count how many times over the years this same thing has occurred and still occurs and will continue to happen. As time goes by, and it is no longer front page news, the investigation into what happened will cease, unfortunately. The ACS case workers that were involved in Nixmary's case should be held criminally responsible as well. They go to the house and are not permitted in and just turn around and walk away?! It makes me physically sick to know that abuse was suspected and the people who could have stopped it just turned away and did nothing.

The people of this city and state need to put the pressure on the lawmakers to create a tougher sentence for cases like this. If this type of crime doesn't scream for the death penalty, then I don't know what does.

Diane, Brooklyn

How many times do we have to go throught this? This same tragedy happened with Lisa Izquerdo a few years ago and supposedly they were to have overhauled ACS then. Seems like we're going through this again with no one every taking responsibility. And even though only some of the blame can go to the agency the real big problem with with this little girls family. She had animals for parents which sickens me and now her other relatives wants to grieve with all this heartbreak like they never seen this before. Where in the world were the grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins when all this happened? You mean for over a year they never saw any abuse, bruises, school absences from school and other warning signs? Don't give me this stupid excuse that the mother is a little child in a womans body!! ONCE YOU HAVE KIDS YOUR LIFE IS NOT YOURS ANYMORE.

Ricky A. Williams

"I think this tragedy with this little girl is disgusting! anyone who could do something like that to a child or anyone is a sick person!!! How could anyone end a young life like that for no reason at all they both should pay for what they did!!!!"

Name Withheld

"Why is it that the ASPCA has Investigators/Officers with Police/Peace Officer status to investigate animal abuse and arrest the alleged abusers, conduct lawful searches, enter a home without the consent of the home owner, if they have proble cause that a crime (animal abuse) has occurred or in progress, Etc...

While ACS has investigators/social workers with no kind of Police or Peace Officer status…and they are responsible to protect our children!!! So, when a home owner tells them that "they can not come in" they have to walk away. If that happen to an ASPCA officer he would have the legal right to forcefully enter the home and save the animal.

I believe that this insane issue has to be put to our politicians for them to address.

Daniel Rodriguez

"I am appalled at the death of this innocent little creature. They system failed her, the neighbors failed her, and her family failed her. This little girl was cheated of a just and fair life.

And now this crazed man who killed her, her "father" has said in an interview with reporters that the small child pushed him to go into these hate-fueled rages? How dare he? May the most brutal of deaths come knocking on his door, not a day too soon, when he meets bigger and deadlier men in jail. Justice will not be served until then! The mother
deserves the same fate. How could she not protect this little girl? She beat her and starved her as noone or nothing in life deserves to be. May the most brutal of deaths bestow her as well!"

Marlene Soto-Romero

"I'm a mother of two beautiful girls whom I would DIE for in a minute.This story has made me sick to my stomach. I'm outraged that the family said that they didn't know this was happening,how could this be? Do you mean to tell me you never visited the home? You never saw the bruises or her blackened eyes? And for the grandmother you now say your daughter is a girl in a women's body but how does a GIRL keep laying down having babies? What help did you try get her? Why didn't you take your grand kids if she was such a GIRL? I really do not understand.

I pray that God BLESS Nixmary soul, and hope that she have a wonderful life in Heaven, because she's been through enough HELL here.

Name Withheld

"I think we should go back to the days of the old west and hang these two disgraces to society or put them in ovens to burn them to hell. Any adult whether they are a parent, guardian, teacher, principle, or other do these thing to the children should be wiped out from this planet, forever.

Life is too precious to end this way with them so young. We need our children to help us to lead our future and abusing never helps them or us. We can not have monsters like her parents be in the presents these children. One day I saw a man hit his son and it upset me for a long time. If guns were legal, I buy one myself and shoot any person harming a child. It haunts me when things happen and we learn better ways handle children.

Children are our future and must preserve this practice. We all have to be in this together. Someday we should have a special holiday for our children to show how much we loved them. God Bless this innocent little girl.

Name Withheld

One by one they turned their backs and looked the other way, while this precious child suffered alone. The tears and the screams...grieving or guilt? Where were the family members all the time that this angel was being tortured and abused???? It went on for over a year.

The woman who birthed her (I will NOT call her a mother) deserves the same punishment as the maggot who dealt the fatal blow.

I remember several years back, there was a fire in the city. As the house burned and the firefighters fought the vicious flames, there was a cat who ran back and forth from the burning building to the other side of the street, again & again. Her ears were burned off, her eyes burned shut and her fur mostly gone, but she continued her mission to save her babies, one by one, from harm. Some didn't make it, but she risked her life trying to save them all. My point....EVEN AN ANIMAL WILL RISK HER LIFE TO PROTECT HER BABIES FROM HARM.

And where were the neighbors? Do you mean that no one heard the screams of this child over the past year??? Are the walls so thick? Were there no windows??? I once called the police because I saw a man kick his dog. MY GOD, what have we come to?

Nixzmary...may you never be forgotten. GOD bless your precious heart.

Midge L.

What is going on with our society? There are so many people in this country that want to have, love, and cherish a child. What this poor peanut went through is not fair. What little Nixzmary had to endure was a sin, she probably did not know any thing any better . Hopefully she had a little joy in her life, but I'm thinking not. I pray that she is in Heaven where I'm sure she is because I know my Mom & Dad will love and watch over her.

W. Wagemann, Selden

What a sad day for America and the world. Even God was upset yesterday as they laid Nixzmary Brown to rest as we experienced heavy rains and winds. Where were her so called "family and friends". They only came to see her when it was too late. Sure she had family, but not in time of need. I am sure that Nixzmary has found it in her heart to forgive
all the people that failed her. Prayers, holding her pictures, lightening candles, visits to her home, visits to her place of rest is not necessary now. She doesn't need it.

She will be remembered and loved by every body else who did not know her. These are the people of importance, not her "family and friends". They weren't there when she needed them, why would she need them now. God needed another angel to help him. May she rest in peace.

Vito Zarrillo Sr., Toms River

The moment I' ve read Nixzmary's tragic story in the papers, I felt upset, sad and hatred for her parents. So many people knew about this and nobody did anything. I went to her wake. She looked like a little Angel. I beileve God saw that she had enough and took her so that we learn something from this tragedy. God Bless you Nixzmary. I hope your mom and stepdad never see the light of the day again.

Name Withheld

I have cried many tears over this story. It has touched me like no other. It breaks my heart. Unlike many others, I don't have any concern for the "parents" - they are in jail and can't do this again. Whether they get sentenced for the rest of their lives or killed in jail it makes no difference to me.

What I think about is Nixzmary. How she felt having no one to tell or turn to about all her abuse. I heard an interview with her stepfather this morning were he said he hit her as hard as he could. To a child weighing 36 pounds? How hard did he think he had to hit her to hurt her? What did Nixzmary think about - did she have hopes and dreams or was she to withdrawn? What she she think as she lay dying for several hours and no one came? Now I'm crying again. No 7 year old should die. Please everyone lets make this the last child to die from abuse. What a tribute that would be! Nixzmary would be so proud.

Janet Walsh, NJ

I am a having a tough time typing this... my heart is breaking... but here's my feelings: I hope that animal gets his just dues while in prison... to execute him is pain free and too fast... As for the mother, as long as I am alive and breathing I will never never understand how she could have watched her little beautiful daughter being beaten, abused.... Once again, we failed to protect another little angel from animals like those two that are behind bars now. Nixzmary, you are with God and at peace.... you are our guardian angel now, honey !

Virginia Pawlowski, North Massapequa

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Those words were never so true as in this case. Where was this child's family??? They all showed up for the wake and funeral, where were they for this child when she was alive???? People are so quick to blame the authorities and the social workers. I blame the family. This 7 year old child weighed only 37 pounds. No one thought this was wrong?

Let this be a wake up call to all families. If you see something that doesn't seem right, speak up, say something. This poor child's life could of been spared if someone had spoken up.

Ann, Yonkers

When this child went to the doctor and she appeared underweight, bruised, and battered, where was the failsafe to report the family? There is much more than just ACS, and the school system. Doctors saw this child and they too are mandated reporters. I know of cases when doctors have reported when a child just sick. There are too many unanswered questions.

Name Withheld

I'd like to know how Perry Robinson sleeps at night. Nixzmary TOLD him that her stepfather threatened to kill her. He saw her bruises. He saw she was petrified. Yet he did nothing?

Not even an anonymous phone call to the police? Mr. Perry along with a few other neighbors and relatives should be brought up on charges. Their silence prolonged her suffering which led to her death. They're as guilty as the mom.

CP, Brooklyn

As a mother of 3 little girls I am so outraged and disgusted by Nixmary's mother who wasn't there to protect her daughter. How can she just sit and listen to her daughter screaming for her and not even budge to get her baby. She is a pig and a disgrace to be called mommy. May she pay for everything that Nixmary had to live through and had to die in such pain. All I hear at night is that little girls cries for her mommy and had to die alone in a dirty room. My heart goes out to that little girl and I know that she's in a better place now but it's just sad that she wasn't saved from that home.

Carmen Melendez, Bedford Stuyvesant

I am a retired NYC Detective who served 4 years in the Manhattan Special Victims Squad handling over 300 allegations of child abuse per year. I just think this is outrageous and wanted to say that 15 years ago ACS worker Peter Alexander and I proposed to the District Attorney's office, Police Chief's and ACS that the Police also get reports from the state registry like ACS so that these allegations could be investigated in a timely manner and action taken as warranted. Now DA Heinz makes that suggestion only AFTER a tragic incident.

I worked on and help implement the "Rapid Response Protocol" where by when a serious allegation of child abuse is brought to the attention of ANY mandated reporter, i.e....teacher, health care ect.. the Police, ACS, and the DA's office was notified and the Police and ACS had to respond. This also cut down on interviewing all parties concerned one time as opposed to three interviews.

Why does it always take a serious tragic incident to get the higher ups to listen and make changes in the system when you have dedicated Police, ACS, Teachers and health care workers willing to put the time and effort in to make sure the children of the City Of New York are heard and protected. "

Name Withheld

"Jesus said... Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not for such is the kingdom of Heaven, Jesus never meant for his creations, his treasures in this world to be treated in such a blatant, horrific and cowardly way-this coward of a man... Not even a man, Just plain old coward is now in protective custody in Rikers Island when he should be put in general population so that he can truly know and feel a sample of the fear and horror his helpless little victim felt.

I cry for you Nixmary Brown, I shed tears for every moment of shame, Fear and abuse you endured at the hands of these monsters who called themselves your parents, your guardians-This world, this society failed you when you needed them most, your cries for help fell upon deaf ears.

My sincere opinion in this tragic injustice is that no one is absent blame...... all are to blame for this angels demise-Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Pataki, A.C.S., N.Y.P.D. and finally Nixmary's family: grandmother,uncle,nieces,cousins.... all - how can so many have come in contact with this child and not see she was suffering ????? HOW?????

Death is to merciful for Nixmarys mother and stepfather ..... Bring them to me!!!!!

Nixmary Brown, your safe now.......Your in Heaven."

Eddie Burtes, New Jersey/Bronx

"There is absolutely no way that I could stand by and see any child be treated in such a fashion never mind the fact that she is my own flesh and blood.

This is where your dead beat dads come into play if the (biological) father or family members cared anything about her that would have never happened. I saw an article where the biological dad seen her for the first and last time in
her tiny coffin. I blame him just as much as the stepfather. I cannot believe that he showed up at the funeral and admitted that he was her biological father. Obviously he has no shame whatsoever. I only hope that he was not
looking for sympathy."

Toni McCown, Yonkers

"It is so sad to hear about such a beautiful and innocent little girl like Nixzmary die over outrage by her stepfather over a broken printer and missing yogurt. Come on, are you serious? Innocent people dying overstupidity like that?

I can't imagine all the torture Nixzmary went through all her life. She was so young and to suffer so much. And what really gets to me is how her mother (the only one person every child believes that would protect and defend them in any situation) would let this happen and not do anything about it. Didn't she hear and feel her daughter's cries
for help when he was killing her?

Me as a mother myself would do anything possible to protect my daughter especially when she is crying for me to
help her. It is too too sad. But there is a God in the sky who will punish them for all the evil things they did to Nixzmary. She is in abetter place now where she will never be tortured again."

Name Withheld

"Those two don't deserve a trial: this is the type of crime that the death penalty should be used without the DUE process of the law. Just go ahead kill them, if you need somebody to stick the needle into they're arm, come and get me I'd be more than happy to do it."

Floyd, Mt. Vernon

"As a mother of two beautiful girls I can't imagine what this precious little angel went through in her last moments alive. Was her mother the one who should have protected her from all the horrible things this world has to offer looking into her eyes as this bastard held her under the water?

I don't understand why after 9/11 everyone was so united to rebuild and fight the enemy who harmed us. So why can't the same passion be put into saving children like this?

I would have gladly adopted this precious baby, she deserved so much more out of her life then what she was given. I would love to see her mother and stepfather spend the rest of their lives in jail. Remembering everyday what they have done and being treated like the animals that they are.

To all who read this, if you know of a child that is being abused, please do something. This is coming from someone who was abused as well, no one helped me, and yet others knew what was going on. They were to afraid of offending someone, either and friend or family member. They were protecting the abuser instead of the innocent one."

Yolanda, Va. Beach

"I have been upset since day one, and can't believe how so many people are pointing fingers and blaming each other. They should all be terminated for all the children that could have been saved. I think the mother & stepfather should be put and jail and tortured exactly the same way as little Nixzmary. By the time this is done, they will be begging "mommy help me." The death penalty would be to good for them.

How can a mother say she still love someone who was abusing her child and not lift a finger??? She should have sent him to hell, and I would loved to have been on the jury to acquit her.

B. Lucas, Delaware

This story has really touched my heart. I cry for a child that I never even knew.

It breaks my heart to know that she was kept as if she was the family pet with a litter box as a bathroom and having to eat cat food. They both deserve to die with pain and torture for what they did to this little defenseless girl. How can the Mom's lawyer say the mother never even seen or heard any abuse of her own child? On the day of her death it is said she had 2 black eyes and bruises on her face and body? The school officials say the girl went to school with bruises and black eyes? It is obvious the parents drilled it into her that if she said anything no one would believe her.

I truly wish I met this little girl because I can tell you one thing I would have done something. I would have gone to the police, mayor etc.. But she would not have been in that house.

I find it hard to believe none of the family members knew no one wanted to open their mouths. As far as I see it the Mom also stated she would not get involved in the discipline of the child because she feared getting abused herself. WELL GUESS WHAT??? You are a woman and that was a child. I would have taking the beating, called the cops and have his sorry behind LOCKED UP!!!! To make it sound like your child was problematic and she deserved was she got was a low blow because if your child is hungry you feed them, if your child is in pain and is telling you her stepfather did it and you see it and don't do anything you are much at fault as he is. You were to busy getting pregnant and forgot what a real mother is. Nixzmary was always getting the blame even if it wasn't her fault and all this because of a YOGURT and a COMPUTER.

Now you are in jail for not defending the most precious gift God has giving you because of a man?? They should not be called PARENTS AT ALL!!!! they don't even deserve to eat drink or have a place to use as a bathroom. They should be FED CAT FOOD and have to use a LITTER BOX to see if they like it, they should get hit and beaten up every time they want something to eat because they are starving and get locked up and tied to a dirty room to see how they like it.

I hope they pass a NIXZMARY BROWN LAW/ It is a shame that she had to go through this no one deserves to be treated in this manner. As for the Grand Jury It is very obvious the stepfather enjoyed torturing Nixzmary because he used to do it often. To think she went through physical, mental and sexual abuse and they will probably due 25 years in prison is very appalling they deserve the DEATH PENALTY!!!!
Nixzmary you are in Heaven with God and he will give you the LOVE AND PROTECTION your family failed to give you. This really hurts but I hope and pray that JUSTICE WILL BE DONE IN YOUR CASE I JUST HOPE THIS DOESN'T FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS.

Name Withheld

I cannot express how I feel; my heart aches. The mother and stepfather will have to pay for the death of Nixzmary Brown; however, only God can have mercy on them. They will have to live with the guilt of what they did for the rest of their lives.

What hurts me the most is that her biological father didn't know his own child? How could he not know that his ex-wife was pregnant, and if he knew; why didn't he build a relationship with his daughter? She cried out for help to family members and no one listened. She wanted to go with her grandmother to Puerto Rico. These are signs and we as adults have to learn to listen.

Unfortunately there are men and women that aren't ready to be a parent and neglect their responsibilities; they should protect themselves. I am a single mom with a ten year old girl. My daughter has a relationship with her biological father; it took a while for him to come around, but he did. I protect, talk and observe my little girl. I walk her to school and make sure that she is well taken care of. You hear too many stories now these days about kids disappearing or getting killed by a stepfather, stranger or family member. It doesn't matter; you have to protect what God has given you.

Children are a blessing and not a curse from God; we are responsible to train them up and not neglect them. I suggest to parents that are overwhelmed with work, home or raising their children to seek help or join a gym, but don't take it out on your children. I hope and pray that what happened to Nixzmary Brown will be a root of awakening to all of us.

Name Withheld, Staten Island


"I think he should be beaten and tortured for months the way he tortured that little girl then soaked in cold water and have his head smashed on the fauce exactly the way the little girl was killed...both of them... It is a crying shame and justice should be carried out. Little Nixzmary is safe now."

Name Withheld

It's been several days now since Nixzmary's death and I can't seen to get this story out of my head. My heart just bleeds for this little angel and it makes me think how many children suffer every day, that we don't know anything about, if only we could all open our heart and our eyes, things like this would not happen but, the sad truth is this happens every day and even Mothers turn a blind eye when it comes to the love of a man.

People who just don't want to get involved because it's not their business.. As for the city agency I have dealt with many like Safe Horizon and other city agency and my feeling is they are never very helpful and very cold, they seem to be very disconeccted for the job they do. They don't like going out the way to help you in any way I feel it's lack of training and heart for the job.

Name Withheld

"I am apalled by the fact that this little girl could have been saved if the caseworkers involved weren't more concerned with Christmas shopping than saving the life of Nixzmary Brown; and we all know that's why they blew her off. And would somebody please explain why the ACS workers that were in charge of her case were only SUSPENDED? What's up with that? They should've been fired!They obviously don't care about children therefore they shouldn't be in that line of work-period!

It seems to me that children are treated like second class citizens because they can't work, pay taxes, or vote. Her parents will only recieve a 25 year to life sentence for the agony they put her through, they will get their 3 meals a day, probably get to watch T.V, and sooner or later pick up a Bible and "Find God", while taxpayers hard-earned dollars feed these monsters and needlessly keep them alive. Can't there be an exception where the death penalty is involved?Because those two sorry excuses for parents just don't deserve to live.

Children are a gift and should be treated as such, strict measures should be taken to protect them at all costs. America needs to wake up and stop thinking that one more day of ignoring child abuse won't make much difference!Every day, every hour counts.

God Bless that poor little girl and others like her,may they all rest in peace.

Veronica in CT

"They both should rot in hell."

Vivian Lee

"I can't believe a mother would allow this to happen to her child. All for a man!... I can only imagine the pain this child went through. As a mother myself it hurts to imagine the torture this little girl went through. Where were the neighbors and family didn't they see this coming? I only hope the mother and step father suffer sever damage for the rest of their lives."

Danielle Quinonez, Florida

"Both parents should be subjected to the same treatment that they imposed on Nixzmary, lets see how they like it,
and I hope they die!

I think both of they deserve the death penalty in this case, the step-father because she died at his hands and her
mother for not doing anything about it. Regardless of the differences in cultures, she could have stopped the abuse,
a phone call, moving out, stopping a police officer on the street, going to the local precinct or hospital with her
kids. She had options and avenues open to her and she did NOTHING!

America and New York should not have to pay for these "sadistic monsters" to rot in jail and "Find God".
God will judge them according to their actions, and Nixzmary will be vindicated in the end. If you take a life or
stand by while a life is taken, you should pay for that life with your own life.

We as a society should take a long hard look at ourselves and ask what do we really stand for and what do we
believe in, in light of this tragedy.

There are no reasons to feel sorry for these "parents" in this tragedy, they are not the victims, Nixzmary was and
let us never forget that! The lawyers for both of these monsters and the media will try to portray them as victims
and we should feel sorry for them. Do not be fooled, there is only one victim here, Nixzmary Brown, she is the
ONLY VICTIM in this case!

Nixzmary,

You are in a far better place now where you will be loved and protected. No one will do any of these horrible things to you again. You will be vindicated here on this earth and your spirit will live on in the hearts of all who are abused.
Hopefully your story will give those in similar situations the strength to walk away and stand up for themselves.

Mark E. Okken

"This child had no voice. No one to help this child. Not even her mother.

We need to make an example of NIXZMARY for NIXZMARY. We as a nation can clean up a city in six months from 911and rebuild city from disasters. And we could not even save this little girl. The system failed her. We failed her.

These children have no voice. They are the innocent. We save animals and strays and give them a place. Why did this happen to her, she must NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. I am sure that this is still going on with other children. No one would believe that this could happen but it did. So how could I not believe that there are many other children that are in her place."

Mary Olesky, Howell, NJ


"Since the day of Nixzmary Brown nightmare, I have not been able to sleep. I just wish I had 5 minutes with that men and that mother who never care for her child. Whether she was a victim herself she had no right keeping those children and especially Nixzmary in that home. I have so much hate for them. I wish he gets the death penalty he deserves it. What kind of a mother was she?

God Bless you Nixzmary. You are an angel right now, and I hope with your tragedy the world and the government will implement and enforce stronger laws."

The Acosta Family

"Hearing this story on the recent tragedy of Nixzmary makes me question my own faith in God. I don't understand the reason God would allow such evil to be bestowed on this precious child or on any child.

The one person in this world a child should be able to trust in to protect her from all that would cause her harm left her for the wolves to devour. I will never comprehend the reasoning for a mother to neglect the her own flesh and blood, a innocent child who gives nothing but unconditional love."

Michael Peterson

"DEAR NIXZMARY BROWN :

You made me as a abuse child myself decide to do something that I think that could save other children and that to sit down with the commissioner of ACS if he could meet with me. I think he could give me 1 hour so I can share my ideas to try something that just might reduce the abuse with children. I felt this girl's bruises and her being sexually abused while your mom does nothing while she hears your cry. Let's change the law: if you kill a child you rot and never come out of prison. It takes a village to raise a child lets stand together and punish these people. Protect our children."

Name Withheld


"I have had many dealings with ACS. Even though I understand it is often difficult to see the truth in these situations, I was always amazed at the end result of their investigations.

I think ACS needs a complete overhaul and there has to be some checks and balances put into place. The workers are too independent. This gives too much chance for the guilty party to "convince" them. They have to be more objective, which I find they usually are not. The whole thing makes me very sad.

As for Nixzmary Brown, she is now in a better place and God will take good care of her. Hopefully, her mother and step-father will pay dearly for their actions."

Carolyn Smith

"I feel that our kids need reliable protection than what we have now. I should have reported the behavior of the ACS along time ago when my girlfriend told me that all they did in the agency was mostly party. She said they had a party every week.

They had birthday parties, baby showers and any celebration they needed to have and every caseworker was required to attend even if they had to take care of a case.

So I feel that they need to be fired. Sorry, Nixzmary Brown: the people that was supposed to be caring for you have partying on their mind. R.I.P."

Nathaniel

"It is so hard to believe that an adult could possibly beat an innocent child to death, let alone torture her. My heart breaks thinking that no matter where she turned there was no one to help her. The mother said that she hit her siblings and drank the baby formula; why wouldn't a child try to eat, drink anything she could get her hands on when she was starving.

To watch her siblings being treated kindly (we think) and she was the only one who was treated inhumanely, to the point that even her siblings were lying about what was happening to her. Why was that because the stepfather wasn't her biological father? Yes, I think so.

So I believe there should be a Nixzmary Brown Law put into place. Whenever a child falls through the cracks of the very system that is there to protect her, there should be prosecution to the fullest extent, for all the guilty parties. The person who commits the crime against the child and for all the people who are seemingly too lazy to do their jobs. Yes, it is not only the stepfather and mothers fault it is also ACS responsibility too. This is not the first nor the last time that social services hasn't done the job they are paid to do. I don't even want to hear about being over-worked and understaffed. When it comes to children they should do their all... where is the dedication?"

Janine Villela-Gillen, Malverne


"I wish the media would stop tripping over themselves looking for someone to blame for this horrible tragedy. The blame belongs squarely with the man who beat the poor child to death and the seemingly brain-dead mother who stood by and watched it happen. If you're going to blame a government agency and make it responsible for the welfare of every single child in its jurisdiction, it seems to me that the government or agency must then be allowed to license people to have children, in order to weed out the monsters whose only qualification for creating children is that they have functioning reproductive organs. I'm being facetious, of course, but maybe it's not that bad an idea. I mean, they don't even let you drive a car without some training, right?"

Heidi Sanchez, Bethpage, NY

"As a mother myself, there is no excuse for this child to have lived through the hell her so called "Parents" put her through. The Stepfather should be left to be dealt with by other incarcerated men in jail. Therefore, he may get to know what it is like to be belittled, not allowed to eat for days, sexually assaulted and beaten to see how he likes it and I sure hope God gives that little girl the chance to see him go thru the abuse for herself.

"As for her Mother, there is no possible excuse what so ever for her to have allowed such things to take place and happen to one of her children. How could she had not stepped in and stop what this man was doing and capable of. After giving birth to your child, how is it that you do nothing when you see someone, anyone especially not her father beating your child. Even if it meant that I myself would get the whipping instead, but instinctually when you see your child being hurt you step in and do something about. I would have had to be the one going to jail for murder if I ever saw someone hurting one of my sons. She should have had done to him what he had done and was doing to her child.

"As for her so-called Grandmother, how it that she never knew what is was going on. How dare she blame anyone else other than her own daughter if not herself for not seeing the bruises and doing nothing about it? She said someone should have done something if they saw the bruises on her granddaughter. How about herself doing something about it rather then blaming others. She should of made sure she came around more offend if she suspected such was going on.

"Supposedly, Nixzmary mother is not fit mentally but that is no excuse. Animals don't have logic but would have never allowed anyone to hurt their own."

Thomas Carmen

"It hurts me to hear and see such terrible violence against our children today. Such a tragedy is inexcusable and incomprehensible. As a mother I cannot think of allowing anyone to touch my babies and hurt them. First, I would blame the mother for not having the strength to stand up to this abusive monster. Regardless how much love you may feel toward this man, he does not respect you or your children. Second, I cannot see myself as a teacher and not try to do something myself. I understand that with all the laws and regulations it may be tough but, when it comes down to a child's abusive and torched life, I would even go to jail on a temporary basis to prove my point. I would have taken photos myself and taken her to a hospital. Something should have been done way before this tragedy and something has to be done with our child protection system. It has a major flaw that needs to be corrected ASAP."

Olga Fernandez

"It is a tragedy but now that's it's done, let us focus on those dear innocent children that are being abused daily, let us find a way to save these children from such insanity. The devil has gotten a hold of so many, let us pray to our sovereign God who is merciful and ask that he protect our children and to guide those in power who can make a difference. Let us save our children. It is our responsibility. A caring mother of two... "

Name Withheld

"It is a real shame that this 7-year-old had to die. The father I can't really tell you what I think of him, but I would like to get my hands on him for just a few minutes and he will be going to hell for what he has done. People really don't care as long as it's not their child. I know just what's going to happen. The parents (stepfather and mother) are going to plea bargain for a lesser crime and these beatings will just go on and on. Child services is already sticking up for their caseworkers. The mayor is also no good. The real good that does come out of this is she is in heaven now with Lord Jesus Christ. Go tell that to her father and mother and rub it right in their faces."

Martin

"I just wanted to let everyone know after praying about it, Nixzmary is in paradise with Jesus. She's with Him! When I saw here in the coffin, her beautiful dress, now she belongs to the Lord."

Name Withheld

"I am disgusted at this whole thing. I, too, am a Puerto Rican and a mother of TWO, and I want everyone to know that we are extremely outraged and ashamed at this family. This funeral was surrounded with family members and no one read the signs?

"No one figured out why she weighed so little? Grandma confessed that her daughter had a mind of a 12-year-old and did nothing to be sure these kids were OK??? Come on!!! Go bless this poor child and may she rest in peace..."

Millie Mattituck, N.Y.

"Heaven's got an angel today for it will not be long before she truly receives her wings. It is just a shame that she had to receive them this way. Nixzmary will live on forever in the hearts of many parents and those who wish that they were parents.

"Heaven's got an angel, can't you see her smiling down through the rain of tears and the gust of winds from her anger. She can now say I am free for I am in the gates of heaven so I say don't cry for me, be glad for me for I will no longer suffer."

Tonyeaka J. Grant

"My heart aches at what happened to Nixzmary Brown. As I walked in the wind and the rain, I kept saying to myself that God and the angels themselves must be weeping sad tears for this little girl who suffered such a horrifying death.

"While a child's death is a tragedy, I hope this horror can be a catalyst for permanent change. In the past ACS's stance was when in doubt, take 'em out; and put these babies in even more horrific conditions when they place them with foster parents or group homes. I hope ACS as it revamps itself, tries to stay the course it set for itself previously, preservation of the family by assessing what a family at risk needs and providing the services.

"I myself and my family were the subjects of ACS investigations as well as recipients of services as recent as 2004. While my children were not in imminent risk of harm, the family was in need of services and I accepted them gladly.

"It is my hope, and I pray that as Commissioner Mattingly goes about the business of revamping the agency, he does not lose sight of the fact the especially in my neck of the woods (Bedford-Stuyvesant), when a parent gets a knock at the door, it is not the witch hunt that was conducted in years past, but a hand that offers hope and help to those families that need the most."

MichAOL

"All I have to say is, whatever that monster did to that little 7-year-old girl, he should have the same thing done to him!
Let's see how he likes it and have him beg for his life! I just can't get over how this happened and how the mother just let him do it to her own flesh and blood."

M.C., Hunterdon County, N.J.

"I can't understand why no one in this family saw the abuse this child was suffering. Her grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins, I find this impossible to believe. And what about the neighbors in the building? They had to have heard or seen something. Nixzmary was 36 lbs., this didn't happen in a week, this torture went on for a very long time. No one was there to help this poor baby. I see her face all day long. She's the last thing I think of at night (when I can finally
fall asleep) and the first thing I think of when I open my eyes in the morning.

"ACS has got to be held accountable as well as anyone who came in contact with this child and did nothing to help her. Laws have got to be changed. If a child is abused and tortured, the abuser should be given life in prison with no parole. ACS, along with the police department, should have the right of entry at all times to check on these children. Our
main priority has got to be to stop child abuse.

"Nixzmary's stepfather and mother should be starved and beaten in prison for the next seven years and then executed.
Please, the media cannot let up on this tragedy. We cannot forget this child, Nixzmary Brown."

Rosalie Biondo

"As a future police officer, a tragedy like this will keep my flame burning in being able to place these so called men behind bars. To inflict pain on any child you must be an animal, and this type of animal must be caged!! I am so sorry that I couldn't be there for her; as so many people feel the same. I will carry her picture with me always, for she will continue to be the little angel I never knew!! (Nixzmary you went from the father from hell, to father from Heaven) We all LOVE YOU, R.I.P sweetie..."

Paul Dejesus, Bronx


"It is a shame that total strangers hearing about this act feel more deeply than the people that were around the "little angel" and were aware to even the littlest extent what was happening and did absolutely nothing and now saying that if they knew, it would not have gotten this far."

Lucy Vafea


"What bothers me is how good people who want to adopt children have such a difficult time and demons or so called "wicked mother" and demonic stepfather were not tracked and investigated? If this child was removed
from these premises earlier this never would have happened.

"I pray the courts do not allow any members of the mother's family to be allowed to get the other children. Death is too good for these horrible demons; a lifetime in jail with constant reminders of what they did is the best torture.

"I wish I had the opportunity to have Nixzmary as a child. She would have had a decent AND good life. She is home now with a wonderful Father who will not let anything bad happen to her again."

Name Withheld


"Nixzmary Brown is the latest victim. Lisa Steinberg, Daytwon Bennett, Elisa Izquierdo, Rayvon Evans were all headlines once, but now these children are now forgotten. They were all victims because Children Services, the state of New York did not do their jobs. New York should face murder charges as well as the so-called stepfather and the mother.

"What does Mayor Bloomberg plan on doing? He's hiding behind the scenes! It's appalling to think the Mayor and his precedents have done nothing to enforce child abuse hotlines, involving police officers to respond to complaints, mandate a centralized, universal system that would be utilized by all agencies.

"Mayor Bloomberg, what is your plan of action? Or will we be reading headlines again with the same faults that let Nixzmary and others die?"

Clifton, N.J. Mom


"This innocent child's demise has been haunting me ever since it was first reported. We can spend $80 billion on a war but we are unable to find the necessary funds for the agencies to hire intelligent, caring and well-trained staff that is supposed to be dedicated to protecting these children. Wall Street can hand out $21.5 billion worth of bonuses, while the city nets only $500 million to pay for important social services. We can fund endless construction of needless arenas and stadiums and yet we read reports of shrinking budgets of social services. Where are our priorities??? Certainly, not with our children.

"Nixzmary Brown, Lisa Steinberg and Elisa Izquierdo are but a few of the countless, unnamed children who are being or have been tortured and abused, and they must find justice! We are all to blame, we are all at fault. Nothing has changed with the system; it continues to be a cold, ineffective and inept monolith.

"I hope and pray that there is a heaven and that Nixzmary is looking down and seeing the outpouring of love from people who care about what happened to her. I hope the system undergoes a huge transformation, and I hope her mother and stepfather are consumed with the most horrendous guilt for the rest of their sorry lives. Maybe then, Nixzmary's death will not have been in vain."

Mary Beth Dubinsky


"I am a graduate student attending the University of Iowa, and I was recently home for winter break when I learned of the sad story of 7-year-old Nixzmary Brown. Like many New Yorkers, I was outraged and saddened to learn of the
brief life and legacy of a child who has "fallen" through the cracks. I remember a full 10 years ago when I learned of the murder of Elisa Izquierdo, and I very well recall the indignation I felt to learn that so many people had failed her!

"I, too, am one of the many viewers who hopes to believe that this tragedy will be a lesson to us all (the neighbors, social workers, teachers, all of those who are in contact with an abused child). I know that she will be remembered as one whose death could have been prevented. But I ask...HOW LONG will she be remembered? Ten years from now (or even a year from now) will she still be remembered? Will she still be recalled as the next Lisa Steinberg? Or
will she meet the same fate as Nadine Lockwood, Justina Morales, Sabrina Greene, Kevin Mikell, Daytwon Bennett (and to an extent, Elisa Izquierdo who is considerably less remembered than Lisa before her), and simply fade from
the headlines, their names rendered almost oblivious today?

"I feel it is important to remember Nixzmary, to grieve for her, but I should hope that her memory should be kept perpetual, that her tragedy can be a lesson that we can perpetually learn from, and that she will not be a fading name as have so many children over the past 10 years who have met her fate, who were publicly mourned and eulogized when they passed, but who today have faded from print."

Marta A. Holliday


"I feel so bad for this poor little girl. She didn't even get to experience a good life before she was taken away from this world. I didn't know her, but after watching what had happened to her, I feel like I knew her all my life. It hurts to see a child that was so young pass away. She will always be a little angel that will now give hope to those who are going through what she did. May she rest in peace.

Deiona Monroe, Manhattan


"It is all and good for the family to mourn the poor murdered child, but where were they and the neighbors while all this was going on? What does it take to stop this from happening? I was abused as a child, over 35 years ago, when there were not the resources available that there are now. But relatives knew what was happening and no one said anything. There are resources now. They must be used!"

Name Withheld


"I feel so bad of the little girl. To God she is an angel. Her story will change the way children are treated. Prove me wrong. If I were given the chance to punish the parents, I would have put them on the highest punishment adults should face.

"Why do we humans treat other humans so bad? I wish her the eternal life."

Jared

"I think that people like these monsters need to be punished just like what they have done this poor child. They need to be starved, beaten and thrown around until they die. They need to feel like this beautiful child did, LOST and ALONE like no one cared.

"To kill a child over a little container of yogurt and a printer? How could you monsters be so cruel? Even if the stepfather did it the mother was there and heard that child in pain. To just sit there and do nothing? How could you? That mother is just as guilty as the stepfather in my eyes. She sure is not a mother; a mother would protect her child from a creature like that, not go and tell him she took that food so she could be beaten like that. That's not a mother. That's a stupid ignorant woman.

"I know Nixzmary is an angel in heaven now playing around and not worrying if she is going to be beat today or starved today. I also know what you two are bound for is what you both deserve. I will say this: I have three beautiful children and I feed all three and I do not beat them or throw them around. I love all mine the same. May God be with your other children. You need to start praying for yourself also, because you are going someplace that will be just right for you, hell."

Tiffiney, Pearson, Ga.


"Nixzmary was a gorgeous little girl and it's a shame, the things that go on in the world. The lives of our youth today are the most important. They are our future. Even one life, ended so tragically, so young is a most terrible loss."

The Wilcox Family


"I have been following this story and it just breaks my heart. I just don't understand how that woman who calls herself a mother would allow that animal -- he doesn't even deserve to be called an animal, animals care for
there young -- do that to her baby. What kind of person is she? I would die for my kids. He would have to kill me
before he got to my child.

"Another thing I don't understand is where was her family, grandmother, aunts, uncles ... where were they? I just saw a clip of Nixzmary's funeral. They were all crying and sad but where were they when she was alive, when she needed them the most? Now grandma wants custody of the other children. I don't think so.

"I saw the jailhouse interview that monster gave. He has the audacity to blame everything on Nixzmary. I hope that they get tortured in prison every day and never see the light of day. As for Nixzmary's biological father, where the hell was he? With everything going on in this world, how could you not want to make sure that your child is safe. I don't understand. I guess I never will.

"Nixzmary, rest in peace. You are safe now."

Yasmin Montalvo


"How I wish for her to be alive so I can see her doing other regular kids stuff -- play in park, eating whatever she wants to eat, and watch TV like my kids do. It doesn't seem fair for her not have had the opportunity to live her life as like any other kids. I hope both parents are in prison for life and that life in prison every day is as painful as her death was.

"This mother is as much to blame in the killing of the girl as the stepfather is. How can she watch such a bad beating of her daughter and not be there for her?

"She deserves every punishment that the husband will be getting and I and many others across the country will be very, very outraged if in anyway her sentencing is lighter.

"They should both get the toughest sentence on record."

Shanna

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