To the editor,

Although it was my original intention not to comment publicly, I find myself unable to ignore your excuses. You acted in a reckless manner with total disregard for my family. How dare you offer condolences now, when you would not even allow me 12 hours from the time I was notified my child was taken to the hospital to the time you put out your story. This went well beyond your desire to put “apparent suicide” in the headline which you only adjusted after the initial article was put online. This was YOU ignoring the request that you wait until I traveled home to my son, Katie’s younger brother, to inform him of her death. That was my right as a mother to be with my son when he found out his sister was no longer with us. Yet you took that away from me, and he got to read about his sister in your article as I was still on the road driving home. You could have “informed” the students just as well in 24 hours instead of the barely 12 hours afforded to me. Do not make the mistake of hiding behind “needing to inform,” as that is no excuse for the additional pain you caused my family and her friends. My daughter’s life and my son’s well being were worth the compassion of just a few more hours, yet you felt compelled to ignore that request and rush your headline. Shame on you, Mr. Weintraub.

C. Modell
Parent of Katherine Modell