There is nothing nice to say about the stupid idiots who did this.

nobody@vox.com(yapidka) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:14:36 -0400

Source: News-press.com

Fort Myers mother describes fireworks horror

Toddlers to undergo skin graft surgery today

By Rachel Myers • rmyers@news-press.com • July 8, 2008

There will probably always be scars.

And for Catarina Felix, 22, of Fort Myers, the sound of her two youngest children's piercing screams is something she will likely never forget.

As of Monday, no arrests had been made in the July 4 incident in which Fort Myers police say someone tossed live fireworks into an open window of Felix's car, where the toddlers sat helpless to avoid the explosions.

Felix spoke by phone Monday from a room at Tampa General Hospital, where she is keeping vigil over Mariah Felix, 2, and Juan Coley, 1. She is pleading with anyone who saw what happened to come forward with information.

"We were just at the wrong place at the wrong time," Felix said. "These kids are innocent and didn't deserve this. We deserve to know why this happened."

When first admitted, the children were in critical condition. Mariah suffered from burns on 6 percent of her body, mostly on her left leg. Juan was burned on 15 percent of his body, including both legs, his right arm and his left hand. Described as "playful, happy children," they are expected to undergo skin graft surgery today, Felix said.

"They don't understand what happened," she said. "I just try to let them know I'm here, and it's going to be all right."

Felix herself is struggling, watching her babies in pain, wishing she could take it on for them.

Fort Myers police spokeswoman Maureen Buice said detectives are still investigating.

"We are following up on information provided by several witnesses," Buice said. "Anyone with information is asked to call FMPD or Crimestoppers."

Felix said she was only running a quick errand to the store with the children and three friends. All the windows were rolled down as she stopped at a sign at the corner of Starnes Avenue and Dale Street, where she noted a group of teens setting off fireworks. She continued without much thought until less than a minute later, she heard six or seven pops.

"It happened so fast," she said. "My car was smoking, and my kids were screaming. I didn't even see it happen. I only heard my kids, and then I saw the burns."

Her instinct tells her whoever threw the fireworks didn't realize the seriousness of what they were doing, and probably didn't know there were kids in the car. But not knowing that for sure makes her uneasy.

"If it was a mistake, they need to just come forward and say so," she said. "If at least they could step up and admit to what they did, I would feel better about it."

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A short tour of memories

nobody@vox.com(yapidka) — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:57:58 -0400

Caloosahatchee Bridge

I had to go to Fort Myers today for a legal/mediation thing because Bailey's father is incapable of adult discussion and would rather spend thousands on an attorney than act mature and (maybe) pay off some of those mounting child support arrears with his hard-earned part-time minimum wage Office Maxx money. So we had the obvious discussions that could've happened on their own for free if his head had not been lodged up his ass, changed the Agreement a little to compensate for any future incidents of his head/ass lodging, and moved on with our lives.

Anyway, I took some time to walk around downtown amidst the continued [re]construction. It brought back some memories.

Lee County Commissioner building

This is where I used to work. Technically, I worked on the other side of this historical building, in a building that was built attached to it for the offices of the Clerk of Courts. As a minutes secretary, I would record the minutes of all Lee County Commissioner meetings, which would take place in this historical building.

French Connection

The French Connection is a little restaurant where Tom and I had our first lunch date. It was also our first date that wasn't scheduled around the convenience of our evening college classes. We'd actually made time for each other. I didn't eat much because I was nervous. He ate fine. This is a popular spot for downtown employees to get a nice, sit-down lunch in a mid-range price that can offer a bit of quiet.

Main Street Parking Garage stairwell

I parked in the Main Street Parking Garage "borrowing" Tom's city parking card and descended down this steep stairwell every morning. This is a couple blocks from the old Courthouse, where I worked, and is almost right across the street from the big antique shop that you can get lost in for hours at a time.

Ichibans

Tom and I had a lot of dinner dates, and a few lunches, at Ichibans Sushi Restaurant off of Dean St. They also deliver to the downtown area. As you walk down Dean Street, you're greeted by this open furnished courtyard. There's also a a bakery here.

Centennial Park - Uncommon Friends

The statues of Ford, Edison and Firestone engaged in casual conversation are at the entrance of Centennial Park along the Caloosahatchee River. It was around these gentlemen that Tom and I had our commitment discussion. We had scheduled to meet each other here for "a very important talk" and he arrived before me. I remember pulling into a front space and seeing him seated in one of the surrounding benches looking very nervous. Fortunately, our discussion was very different than what he had feared it would be.

The shelter area of this park is where the local drum circle meets every Saturday evening.

Harborside event center

The Harborside Event Center is where Tom went on a lunch break during a wedding expo to find a vendor for my engagement ring... and did. I don't know if I'm supposed to know that or not, but I do.