WOMAN CLAIMS MIRANDA RIGHTS WEREN’T READ

WOMAN CLAIMS MIRANDA RIGHTS WEREN’T READ

By Nicole Grigg

Story Published: Apr 30, 2012 at 9:45 PM MST

Story Updated: May 1, 2012 at 12:12 PM MST

HARDIN - Two months before a Hardin woman is to go on trial for negligent homicide in the case of a toddler found dead in a hot car she claims she was not read her Miranda Rights and asks for her statements made to law enforcement be thrown out.

On Monday, the court case was far from the focus in three-year-old Jaren Blacksmith's hometown. Jaren was loved by so many people within the Crow Tribe. Dozens of people came to walk in honor of Jaren for child abuse awareness month. Family, friends and tribal members walked from the fairgrounds to the Crow Park where they gathered for a prayer.

Jaren’s aunt remembers her sweet nephew, “he was fun, he was so full of energy, outgoing, he was the cutest little boy ever.”

Jaren was found dead August 17, 2011 inside a vehicle when temperatures reached 93 degrees outside that day. Investigators say windows were rolled up and the child lock was engaged. The SUV was parked in the driveway of Jaren's foster mother, Lavonna Bird.

“I want to know why, that's my biggest question. Why?,” said Marcia.

Court documents say she told investigators that jarred was a fussy sleeper and did not want to wake him.

Bird has pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide.

“The past nine months have been tough knowing that the things that happened,” said Marcia.

An autopsy last summer revealed fresh bruising to Jaren's forehead, scalp, right cheek, mid shoulder and upper back region.

Prosecutors say Bird was in court last week for a motion to suppress hearing. Bird claims she was never read her Miranda rights and therefore wants her conversations with law enforcement thrown out at trial.

The state placed Jaren in the care of Bird for about a year until his death.

Jaren's aunts say they miss him terribly and are heartbroken over how his life ended, but they want his life to have a lasting impact.

"We believe in prayer, we believe in God, we believe in his ways, things happen for a reason, we believe if its gods will, it will be done,” said Vestal Blacksmith.

At the end of the two-mile walk blue balloons were sent into the sky in honor of a three-year-old boy whose memory won't soon fade away.

Bird is free on bail as she awaits trial July 30th. A judge is expected to make a decision in the coming weeks on whether her statements will be thrown out.