Tonight on AC360: Bodies of missing boys found, mother’s plea for help when Sandy hit rejected
Police in Staten Island, New York have found the bodies of two brothers, Brandon and Connor Moore, swept out of their mother’s arms by floodwaters during Superstorm Sandy. The grim discovery was made this morning by NYPD divers in a marsh.
Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro says the boys, ages 4 and 2, were found “maybe a block or two from where [their mother] lost them.” The parents were there when police found the boys.
CNN’s Gary Tuchman will have this emotional story tonight on AC360°. According to police, the boys’ mother, Glenda, stopped at a man’s house after her SUV hit a hole during the storm. She begged for help and asked to come inside, but that man said no.
Soon after, the mother and her two children were hit by a massive wall of water. The mother desperately tried to hold onto them, but the force of the water was too much. Her two boys were carried away in the deadly floodwaters. Somehow the mother managed to survive.
Gary talked with Alan, the man believed to have rejected her plea for help. He’s telling a much different story. Hear what he has to say tonight.
At least 19 people have died on Staten Island due to Sandy, making it the deadliest location in New York City. Don’t miss our special coverage of the disaster at 8 and 10 p.m. ET.
The fanboat used by NYPD divers to find victims of Superstorm Sandy.
The car seats Brandon and Connor Moore were sitting in shortly before they were carried away by the floodwaters.
UPDATE Watch Gary Tuchman's report:
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Post by: Maureen Miller Filed under: Gary Tuchman • Hurricane Sandy • Weather |
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why is that nobody blames the police and the national guard. Where were they? they should have been there all along the LI shore and the NJ shore during the hurricane because is during crises like the Hurricane Sandy that are needed the most. To help Glenda and her little babies to safety, to protect people's properties from robbers and burglarers. Stop blaming the victims but start prayng for the victims. Brandon and Connor we will always remember you. RIP little ones.
People stayed behind and were trapped after Hurricane Katrina just like some did not listen to evacuation warnings for Sandy.
I would like to hear more about this story Did she have the boys with her when she went to the door or no? As someone said I would've stayed on someone's upper level porch and waited to see what would happen.
With all the crime in NY I'm quite sure some people were afraid to open their doors, regardless of a storm.
Until I saw the video of the area I wouldn't venture an opinion. It's still missing some vital info but...SHE was wrong for not evacuating immediately. No place to go? Just drive west. SHE was wrong to leave her children hanging onto a tree while she went up to the house (2 & 4? kids were probably gone before she got to the door). HE was wrong for not letting her in. HE was right for not going out to help. Truly, WHAT could he have done? Maybe instead of hanging onto the tree for hours expending energy she could have huddled on the porch with the kids which seemed to be fairly elevated as is the whole house, certainly not down in a gully. If she had the kid(s) with her he may have been more likely to let them in, a 'family' instead of a crazed woman/man throwing flower pots which by the by, she had the strength/energy to heave through a glass door.
No one deserves to die like this but this is why they tell you to evacuate. I will never understand why many risk their lives and the lives of rescue personnel instead of just doing what the officials say. Could it be that the man was afraid or incapable of assisting the lady?
The man afraid? Of a woman and two small children? Really? All he had to do was let them in out of the storm. That's all. Why she didn't evacuate no longer matters. I'm sure she's asked herself that question a million times. What matters is the death of the two children. I'm sure they were terrified as was the mother. Now the mother has to live the rest of her life grieving for the children she lost. That mother will suffer in grief the rest of her life. It is not for us to judge why she did or didn't do 'something'. It is for us to pray for that mother and the children she lost. Pray that God will somehow comfort her over her loss. Maybe she had no place to 'evacuate' to. Not everyone has the means to do so. This is not the time to judge. This is the time for all of us to actually remember and act like we're human beings. Neighbors and family are coming together to console each other for the loss of their homes and possessions. Replaceable things. But We can't find it in our hearts to console a grieving mother? What has happened to our world? Do material things really mean more than an actual person? Possessions more than life itself? Is this what we want our children to learn? My prayers are with this woman and her family, and with all those who have lost loved ones. Loved ones that can't be replaced. God watch over you all.f
There was no room at Alans inn.....
Why didn't she go after her kids when they slipped away? I know without any hesitation that I would not cling to a tree to save my life, but I would go after my kids. She is a nurse, she knew at the point she finally went for help they would have drowned. The only hope they had was for her to save them herself NOT wait for someone else to do it.
She was trying to get help!! Help was refused. Can you imagine how that must feel? Desperately trying to get help for your children, and help was refused. I think the man should be charged with 'depraved indifference'. He could have saved a family, just by opening the door. That's all he had to do. Just open the door. One act of selfishness killed two babies and destroyed a family. That's really sad.
I can't imagine my children in that situation period. It is heartbreaking. Before we come down on this "man" we need to know the facts . Many reports say the children already slipped away and she went to the house to ask for people to go outside and help her. My point is, they would have drowned if that is in fact the case. If that is the case, I would have gone after my children. I would not wait for someone else to help. Another report is her leaving them hanging on to a tree. I have a 2 year old. I know for certain that is the last thing I would do.
I think the story needs more clarification before we accuse and ruin someone person's life without knowing the facts. I'll take myself into that category as well...as I do not know what happened.
The homeowner's refusal to let the Mother and 2 children in his house is the epitomy of shameless human indifference to fellow human beings. I view him as insane or evil. What's just as despicable is the number of people commenting who defend his actions and, even blame the Mother! Sad to know there are so many among us who are devoid of what defines us as human.........the ability to instinctively help when someone among us is in danger.
Cheryl, I couldn't agree with you more. It is disturbing to see how many people can find fault with the mother but seem to have no opinion of the selfish behavior of a man who could have saved two lives simply by saying "come in". I don't think there was any expectation of blind heroics, but he could have showed a little humanity by offering shelter to her and her boys until help could come for them. The universe is exacting and gives back with mathematical precision though. One day he will be in need and when faced with deaf ears, may better understand the weight of his decisions.
It is a tragic story, I am always amazed how so many people just assume think they know what happened when they do not have all the facts. The truth will come out, in the meantime I will wait until I know a little more before I rush to blame someone.
I think she should be charged with negligence. She ignored a mandatory exacuation. How is that not endangering your children? Did she leave her children by the tree when she went to the house? If so there would have been nothing that man could have done.
As a human being he could have tried. As a moral person he could have let them in his home for some kind of shelter. What would you want someone to do if it were you? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. God's Golden Rule
As the mother of two young children my heart breaks for this mom. No matter what she did or didn't do to put her children in that situation the man had a moral obligation to help her and the boys. Who cares if he was legally obligated! He should have done the right thing instead of being a coward. Heaven has two more angels.
This was truly a tragedy! I feel for the parents but at the same time when I first heard the story I asked myself "why didn't she evacuate". I live on the south shore of Long Island and in the town I live in there was not a mandatory evacuation order but I made sure my children were safe (sent them to my parents) and my husband and I stayed behind to tape up windows, etc. We will never really know why she waited, but if a woman showed up on my doorstep with 2 young children during a powerful storm....I would let her in (keep in mind I am also a police officer).
The mother should be arrested for child endangerment, take responsibility for your decision to be out in the storm in a car.
the storm passed us in Virginia, the storm headed up the coast. Emergency shelters were open, and Governor Christie was already telling people to evacuate. simply sad, 3 sides to every story, his, hers and the truth.