Ricky Finally At Peace?
Story Created: May 26, 2007
I first heard this evening in the comments section of this blog from Casey Jo Caswell that Ricky was buried today. She mentioned in the comments that she ‘heard’ from someone where her ‘baby boy’ was buried. I can’t think of a more heartless thing to have to find out from strangers or maybe even from the news that your son or daughter has been buried. The only other more heartless thing I can think of hearing via a stranger or the news media is that your son’s remains have been found discarded in a marsh.
I wish the people who were granted the ‘right’ to do ‘right’ by Ricky in death could have mustered up the courage to do ‘right’ by Ricky in life. Unfortunately, until people such as the Holland’s and the Taylor’s step out of the shadows there will still be many more Ricky Gann’s in Michigan foster care because child abuse thrives in the darkness of secrets and lies. Clearly the Holland’s and the Taylor’s have not decided to step out of the shadows and into the light because they had to bury their shame in secret. Ricky deserved so much more.
Casey suggested she may hold a memorial service for Ricky. I believe that memorial service might be open to the public.
I decided to post this entry only after I read about Ricky’s burial in the Lansing State Journal. If I had not read the article I would not have posted the information without the consent of Ricky’s mother, Casey Jo Caswell.
Ricky Gann was buried under the last name Holland at:
St. Joseph’s Cemetery
2520 W Willow St
Lansing, MI 48917
(517) 484-8788
Source:
Lansing State Journal: Ricky Holland Laid to Rest
6 Responses to 'Ricky Finally At Peace?'
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Casey I would love to be a part of this memorial, I hope you will post more information. Time, and directions.
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Caring,
I posted the information in an entry on the front page. The date and time are there as well as the address. It is on Willow Street in Lansing.
Trisha
caring
29 May 07 at 1:19 am
http://www.crimelibrary.com/news/ap/0507/2805_child_buried_2_years.html
I just read this today at crimelibrary…?? Is he in an above ground vault, as stated in the article??
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DG,
I read the poorly written article, or should I say copied from several different sources at crimelibrary…anyway yes, Ricky is buried in an above ground vault. That was required for the burial to take place so the remains can be easily made available if needed during Lisa Holland’s appeal process. If the agreement had not been made to bury Ricky in such a fashion most likely Ricky’s remains would still be in the lab at MSU.
Trisha
DG
29 May 07 at 7:23 pm
My nephew’s graduation is on the same day as this memorial. I can’t believe it, I want so much to attend this memorial, if I can work something out, I will sure do it.
They are in totally different directions, miles apart. I am so mad. I have informed a couple of my friends, and they are checking to see if they can go.
I heard that the way Lisa’s family acted at the memorial was sickening. Also mention of the pastor telling that Ricky loved to eat out and go to restaurants. I didn’t think from what I heard or read, that he had much opportunity to go out, or even get food at all. I wonder if that is another one of their lies.
To me, they had no right to even hold a memorial. The system sucks.
Casey, I hope you have a wonderful turn out.
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Go figure. I am sure you will be at Ricky’s memorial service in spirit if you can’t be there physically. No, they had no right to hold that memorial. It was all for show.
Trisha
caring
29 May 07 at 7:46 pm
I am so glad that this is finally over for the Community of Williamston, Webberville. Now maybe we can all be at peace somewhat if you ever can be. I think that thier should of been no services for either familes in this case and that it should of been just the community members they cared more for this boy than any of the familes
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Ladybug,
I do not quite understand your comment. “This is finally over for the Community of Williamston, Webberville.” Nothing will be over until the problems in the system that allowed the abuse and murder of Ricky Holland to occur are addressed and remedies are put into place.
*Everyone* failed Ricky Holland and his siblings, not just the families. Certain people in the Community of Williamston knew there was something wrong in the Holland household and did nothing – they did not report it to the authorities. I am speaking of the one person who testified in Lisa’s trial. He found Ricky rummaging through his refrigerator in the middle of the night – he was starving. He witnessed suspicious stitches on Ricky’s chin. He witnessed Ricky rummage through a garbage can on the street while he escorted him back to his house. He did not report this situation to anyone.
Secrecy allows child abuse to keep happening.
Unfortunately, there will be more Ricky Holland’s in Michigan even in the Community of Williamston, Webberville.
Ladybug
30 May 07 at 3:14 pm
Trish you are right on about this. How could this ever be over until the system is held accountable for their actions, and until policies and laws are changed.
You are so right about the neighbor, he could have done much more. It is so hard to believe all the people that crossed Ricky’s life and suspected abuse and did nothing. Also those who KNEW abuse was going on and IGNORED it.
Even the police failed him, they took him back home to the abusers. They didn’t listen to what Ricky was saying.
I hope people never forget what happend to this child and what the system did to him.
caring
31 May 07 at 12:18 am
we are haveing the memorial for lil ricky on June 23, 2007 at 2 p.m. at 1145 princeton ave Lansing mi 48915. it is at my home because we can only have 10 to 15 people at the cemetary and i know there will be more then that, that will want to be there. if u would like u can post this like before and if u do thank u very much
Casey
12 Jun 07 at 5:53 pm