http://edition.cnn.com/20...pstoryview

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- A Missouri mother was indicted Thursday in the case of a teen who killed herself after being taunted on the social networking site MySpace.com.

A federal indictment accuses Lori Drew, 49, of O'Fallon, Missouri, of using a MySpace account to pose as a 16-year-old boy and feign romantic interest in the girl.

The girl, Megan Meier, committed suicide after her online love interest spurned her, according to prosecutors, telling her the world would be a better place without her.

Authorities have previously said that Drew set up the account to find out what Meier, who lived in her neighborhood, was saying about her daughter.

Prosecutors allege that Drew and the others violated MySpace's terms of service by using false information to create the account so they could "harass, abuse or harm" Meier, according to the indictment.

The two corresponded for about four weeks before "Josh" broke off the relationship, authorities said. Within an hour, Meier hanged herself in her room and died the next day.

The indictment does not allege that Drew sent the final message telling Meier the world would be a better place without her. Instead, it blames her unnamed co-conspirators, who authorities have previously said include a teenage girl.

After Drew learned of the teen's suicide, the indictment alleges, she directed one of the teens involved to "keep her mouth shut" and deleted the account.

Meier's mother, Tina Meier, told CNN in November that her daughter had self-esteem issues and had struggled with depression since childhood.

She said when her daughter began receiving messages from "Josh" telling her she was pretty, she was thrilled.

When "Josh" broke off the relationship, Tina Meier said, her daughter was devastated.

Drew is scheduled for arraignment in June.

That bitch deserves it

GOOD GOOD GOOD! Again, in the values capital of the USofA this crap is happening.

It's sad to say this about a MOTHER, but yeah - I'm glad that she's getting the book thrown at her.

Sadly, this case reeks of the social decay that's eroding this country.

FIRST; the number of CHILDREN suffering from self-esteem issues and depression in this country is alarming. What is going on? At a time when the average American enjoys an unprecedented level of comfort, we should as a society be HAPPIER not sadder. It's like we've strayed from the basic needs of the human being in our quest for material wealth. It's baffling to me that a beautiful, healthy young lady would KILL herself over a "failed" INTERNET "relationship".

SECOND; what is wrong with the crazy mother? How does a FORTY-something grown adult act so childish and petty? It's like there's a plague of immaturity sweeping across this nation. I know of this lady at an office that I worked at where she lost her cell phone and CRIED LIKE A BABY for hours on end! WTF!?!? Over a cell phone? That's what's spurring all those "road rage" incidents. Grown adults throwing temper tantrums!!!

It's a sad, sad case.

That witch needs to be held accountable. She is a sad, sick individual.

PurpleJedi said:

that's how i feel too.

As much as I feel she's deserving of the charges, I have to question this application of 'justice'. I wonder how quick the feds would have been to get involved had this story not received the amount of pub it did. I almost have the feeling that this woman is in an impossible situation in respect to mounting a defense. She's going to be convicted, more so because the public demands a punishment for this crime than anything else.

Again, I'm not saying she doesn't deserve to be indicted. It just seems so selective and forced.

Fry the bitch!

Muse2NOPharaoh said:

i think a nice long prison sentence will be much better, because you know she's gonna get beat up, down and all around on a daily basis while she's in the clinker.

Anxiety said:

You are right!

The victim's mother sounds quite cold in the video, doesn't she?

I'm so glad she will be held responsible!

A 13 year old girl that hangs herself when she and her online boyfriend breakup
It needn't be a hoax. Couples break up every day. It was a matter of time.

good. for. her.

Now she can have fun role playing as a teenage boy in JAIL

I hope this sick bitch gets a nice long sentence. Her grankids'll be poppin' out their own kids by the time she's out, with any luck.

Obviously, what happened was a terrible thing, and perhaps Lori Drew should be dragged into civil court for what she allegedly did. But the indictment -- which, in essence, is for computer hacking -- strikes me as pretty flimsy. The Wall Street Journal Law Blog has a post explaining why.

Thanks Matt.
At least there's some people there who considers her innocent until she's judged and sentenced. Hello! Is that America?

I can't believe all this stoning someone that yes, did something wrong. Anyone cares if it was intentional though?

What if Josh had been a real 16 year old boy?

Hasn't anyone here ever had their hearts broken? Why didn't you commit suicide?

In case anyone is wondering I'm not a cartoon cat and my name is not Pandurito And I don't want nobody killing themselves upon this shocking news!

PANDURITO said:

exactly

matt said:

Very much the spirit of what I posted above. They seemed to pull this indictment out of thin air. The state couldn't find anything to charge her with so the feds seem to manufacture an indictment simply to please the public.

You know what? I really don't give a damn if it was pulled out of thin air. What ever it takes. Its not like she was just picked randomly for this. She had a part in it. Its also possible considering her depression issues that she might have committed suicide in the future-but thats just possible and that shit doesn't make it ok to fuck with her head. This is a grown ass 49 year old woman fucking with a 16 year old with emotional issues on top of dealing with all the drama that comes with being a teen. Its not right. Its good that every now and then that the obviousness of right and wrong is acted upon instead of going through the usual bureaucratic bull. I hope they milk this for all they can no matter how flimsy.

ZombieKitten said:

Well I sure as heck hope that any of us here with children will never have our children fall victim to adult predators online. Just sayin'...

stuck key i don't want toilet paper edit
[Edited 5/16/08 5:38am]

so everyone who pretends to be someone else on the
internet is a criminal now?

That said, that´s a very sad story and that woman is a
fucking idiot for what she dit but...well I really
don´t know what to think about this...

garganta said:

What isn't criminal about an adult stalking a child online? ...for the sole purpose of getting to know them to manipulate them and harm their emotions intentionally? Would it have been more palatable if she stalked the kid for the sake of fucking her? Is that when people would finally see her intent for what is was; depraved and of ill will? Good grief .

Ottensen said:

agreed.

garganta said:

Well, she did have bad intentions, and only started the account with one purpose in mind,
to deceive a certain individual - a kid.
She knew exactly who she was targeting and should be held accountable because she caused
her death, by putting thoughts in the mind of someone so young who was vulnerable and suggestible.

wildgoldenhoney said:

I don´t agree with that, sorry. On the other hand I completely understand why
everyone is so angry at this very stupid person and want her convicted.

I am out of here

garganta said:

Didn't she tell her that the world would be
a better place without her?
Well, she may not have tied the knot herself,
but she sure does have a very large part in
the girl's actions.
But not to worry, it's okay for you to not agree.
These are only my opinions, as well as your opinions.

Brownsugar said:

but it's not criminal to toy with emotions...child or adult...you can fight that in civil court all you want...but criminal??

dig a lil' deeper and you'll find there is more than enough blame to share for this girls death...her parents have issues of their own...surely they could shoulder some of the blame, couldn't they...allowing an emotionally troubled girl to have this kind of online involvement???

in the end, this girl took her life because of something that was said to her...the only physical harm she suffered was of her own doing...

now, if they're gonna change criminal law to allow convictions for actions like these, so be it...but it better be carefully worded because how slippery will that slope be when you may convicted and jailed for hurting someones feelings??

roodboi said:

I think you underestimate the power of mental illness but I can see your point.