Ricky Holland Vanished

Today’s court activity included the testimony of Ricky’s pediatrician, Dr. Jon Lake. According to Dr. Lake’s testimony he treated Ricky on an ongoing basis beginning in January 2001. He also testified it was unusual that he would not have continued to see a child of Ricky’s age on a regular basis after the last documented visit of September 2002.

The interesting thing about Dr. Lake’s testimony was his observation that Lisa Holland appeared to him to be a loving mother to Ricky, never suspecting Ricky to be an abused child.

Dr. Lake’s testimony proved part of the Prosecution’s case – Ricky Holland did not receive regular medical attention.

Today was a short court day. Testimony resumes tomorrow in the courtroom of Judge Paula Manderfield in Lansing, MI.

“…Children that are inappropriate for placement in the Holland foster home include children that have moderate to severe behavior or mental health issues, children with medical needs, and children that have been sexually abused.Children that are fire-setters or who are highly aggressive, oppositional or destructive would also be inappropriate. Children that have serious medical needs, or have physical impairment that limits mobility would also be inappropriate…”

The quote above is from the Holland Home Study conducted by Jackson County Children’s Services. I mentioned the quote in my previous blog entry as proof that the Holland Home was not licensed to foster children with the many diagnoses attributed to Ricky Holland.

While discussing this case with someone today I came upon a theory of what drove Lisa Holland so desperately to have Ricky diagnosed with severe mental illness and behavior problems. The Prosecution is going on the theory that Lisa Holland was seeking financial gain by having Ricky diagnosed with severe mental illness and behavior problems. I agree with the defense that the Prosecution’s theory of financial gain is absurd. Lisa Holland lost money when Ricky was murdered, why would Lisa Holland kill her “meal ticket”?

My theory makes perfect sense. Lisa Holland was trying to get rid of Ricky by having him diagnosed with severe mental illness and behavior problems. She knew that her home was not licensed to care for a child with those types of difficulties and she could “save face” so to speak with Tim Holland by having Ricky deemed not appropriate for their home.

I further theorize that Lisa Holland was caught unaware that Tim would be so enamoured with Ricky as his first child. I believe Lisa Holland became jealous of the time and attention Tim gave to his first child, a son. Tim has been quoted in the media a few times mentioning how he felt about Ricky, how they had spent time together. He even mentions taking him on one of his weekend maneuvers and buying him Army fatigues and how proud Ricky was when he wore them.

The jealousy of the relationship between Tim and Ricky would explain why Lisa was so abusive and demeaning to Ricky, he was her rival for Tim’s attention. Remember, before Ricky entered that home it was just Tim and Lisa for 7 years of their marriage. It must have been difficult for Lisa, a barren woman at the time, to have her husband bond with this foster child.

I think the Prosecution is pursuing this case from the wrong angle. I think the jury would have a better chance of believing that Lisa Holland wanted Ricky out of the home and that is why she was trying to have him diagnosed with severe mental illness and emotional disorders – so he could be designated as an inappropriate placement.

If DHS had done their job properly they would have placed him in an appropriate setting after the diagnosis was made. If they had done their job properly Lisa Holland would not be charged with murder, Tim Holland would not be awaiting sentencing for second-degree murder and most of all, Ricky would still be alive.