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The Herald, February 16, 1989

SALEM. – A woman was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Tuesday for force-feeding her adopted four-year-old daughter a fatal dose of salt as punishment for stealing sugar.

Beth Michelle Riggs (36) wept as Roanoke County circuit judge Kenneth Trabue imposed the sentence on her second-degree murder conviction in the death of Heather Riggs.

Mrs Riggs testified that she force-fed the child an undetermined number of spoonsful of salt on May 16 as punishment for stealing sugar, but had no idea the salt would prove fatal. – Ziana-AP.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

 To err is human, but to forgive is divine. People should learn to be compassionate when judging others and to always bear in mind that we all make mistakes and deserve to be forgiven.

 Children are prone to making mistakes because they are children and in most cases they do not know any better. It is up to the elders especially, parents or legal guardians to guide them and teach them right and wrong, without being excessively hard on them.

 Studies have shown that step children the world over are at significant risk of being exposed to excessive violence at the hands of their step parents, which in some cause can lead to serious injury or death. The risk increases significantly if the step parent has a genetic offspring.

 It is no use crying over spilt milk. The stepmother in the story showed emotions a little too late, since judgment had already been passed.