monday's mulling: this was hard to write

A little while ago I explored a couple bridges that cross Route 35 and was going to write a post about how the construction of this highway cut up diverse, thriving neighborhoods by leveling homes and businesses, causing segregation and economic harm.

This is the McClure Street Bridge that connects the Twin Towers and St. Anne's Hill neighborhoods after Route 35 divided them.

Last week this bridge turned into a memorial for Hershall Creachbaum, an 8-year old non-verbal autistic boy, who used a wheelchair to get around. He was reported missing by his mom's boyfriend who told the 911 dispatcher that someone broke into the house, punched him, and took the boy. The child was found the next day by Route 35 underneath this bridge.

The story unfolded and in a nutshell, the boyfriend is responsible for Hershall's death. About 3 weeks ago, Mom was in the hospital for surgery, boyfriend was looking after the child, got drunk and was having an argument over the phone with someone, got mad and punched the child twice and then forcefully knocked him to the floor in his wheelchair. He died the next day. The boyfriend moved the body around to different locations, the last one being underneath this bridge. Mom knew that her son was dead and didn't contact the authorities. How could she not do that? Her child was dead.

A poor, helpless child whose death has rocked the community. People have come together to try to process this heinous crime and to seek justice for this defenseless boy. Another memorial for another senseless death.