Family Involved in the Hostage Situation Lived in Extreme Poverty
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Dec 7, 2011 at 12:00 AM CDT
Story Updated:
Dec 7, 2011
We continue to get more information on the status of the family's economical situation.
Several Laredoans came up to Pro8news and said they witnessed the families needs first hand.
Before this incident some witnesses decided to not be on camera but said the family the family was in exteme need of help. We are told they were seen waiting outside some local stores looking hungry.
It's a Pro8news exclusive.
We are told that the family had been trying to get help from the Texas Health and Human Services but had not been able to do so, even though their living conditions were devastating.
The family of three lived in a small rv in north Laredo, where they lacked basic necesities. This neighbor says they should have checked her living conditions before making her wait for help from the state.
An old refrigetator and stove were located outside the old R-V. We are told the mother rarely cooked becuase they had no food. As time passed by, so did her desperation. We were also told that friends of the family constantly tried to help them with food items, but the mother did not easily accept free items. She was also working on some independent job ideas on how to bring a little more money to the home.
Reporting from the studio, Carolina Garcia
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reality is said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 7:33 AM
This is directed at the adamant lady on the news last night in black fur -- - EASY -- the illegals get SNAP because the parent may be illegal -- BUT the CHILDREN ARE CITIZENS. PEOPLE that hire those mexican maids because they are cheaper (AND you all can abuse them) -- THEY are the problem .. what do you think they are doing on their days off??? Finding idiot men and getting pregnant to get benefits!
78024503Desperate said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 10:21 AM
"This wasn't like a knee-jerk reaction," said Baeza, adding that Grimmer felt she was owed restitution of some sort. She did not feel entitled, she was desperate. When someone is cold and hungry...they will and can feel there are no options and desperate measures are taken. I think this is the case! She need help! Although her actions and reactions to the situation we wrong, she was obviously at the end of her rope and decided to take her own life and the lives of her children. God be with them all...Everyone needs to ask themself what have they done to help someone in need. Let us all stop thinking about what we want and start reaching out to others who just have basic needs taken care of.
78033197paranoid said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 10:56 AM
It was all because she was WHITE therefore no benefits.
78035507barack said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 11:01 AM
I saw a person i HEB pay for food with food stamps and then put 2 cases of beer on the counter and pay cash, a well run system!
78035797Anonymous said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 11:05 AM
I know fire a fact that the majority of illegals u that receive benefits just come to have their kid here then go back to live in nuevo Laredo with benefits and all. Also most recipients don't work cuz they are too comfortable bring supported by the government.there should be changes in that wert hard working people sometimes need the help to but we can't get it cuz we have a job that pays a little more than minimum wage. That is ridiculous!!!!
78036053Anonymous said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 12:25 PM
For those of you who do not know what the guidelines one needs to meet to get food stamp should not be speaking. Educate yourself on the system. Yes there are those families that abuse it but the system does help. Does it need to be looked at? Yes it does, but let us not talk negativly. Let us focus our attention on the children. Instead of complaining go out and help someone. Let us prevent this from happening again.
78041267r.aguirre said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 1:25 PM
Obviously this woman thought that by ending their lives their suffering would subside , she reached out fo help but her pleas fell on deaf ears. The people they ought to reject they approve, especially those who actually reside in Mexico, but list a residence in the U.S.A. Food stamp employees I believe have become jaded and have lost interest in their jobs and are too lazy to actually investigate cases to the fullest extent. This is a wake up call for this agency, prosecute those who commit fraud and help those only truly in need!
78045193Anonymous said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 3:03 PM
I am going to make it my mission when I go to HEB or Walmart to take my freaking cell phone and video tape or take pictures of those people who are abusing the system and take down their license plate on their brand new BMW or escalades. I am also going to video tape the cashiers when they accept a person to purchase groceries with multiple loan star cards too. Lets see if Pro8news will broadacast it when I send it to them.
78051159Anonymous said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 6:18 PM
The Solution to the problem is that the U.S. needs to stop helping everyone. The only thing this causes is making people lazy. The solution is get rid of the food stamps and assistance and it'll even help in the illegal immigration. I think the program should be looked at carefully, cause even family members of people working there abuse the system. They help only who they want to help, instead of looking at the big picture here.
78061688Anonymous said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 6:48 PM
Guidelines? If there was ever anyone who needed food stamps she was it. Desperation and abject helplessness was what she felt. But taking her frustrations out on her own children was absolutely wrong! Lets pray for these children to recover , its an incedibly sad
78063098911 said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 6:51 PM
RICHARD RAYMOND YOU HAVE A BLACK HEART I CAN SEE IT IN YOUR EYES. I USED TO LIKE YOU NOT ANY MORE
78063268My DOG has a better said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 6:51 PM
home than the living conditions this family endured.
78063272S. Hinojosa said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 7:01 PM
I feel so sad at hearing about this situation. Maybe there should be some follow up (on site inspection) before people are denied services. Sadness for all of us that could be in desperate situations someday;is a real reality today. May God confort the heart and soul of the mom whom most of us did not know. We know her now, and I hope that she knows now that she did matter and we did care about her and her children. God bless us all because we(society) are to blame for this. I pray that God may open our hearts to the needs of others, and that we thank Him for all that he has given us. Maybe this was the mesage that this desperate mom was supposed to deliver to us. You did wake us up, and I do believe that many of us will truly open up our eyes to what is in front of us. Desperate Mom I send you my love.
78063769Really said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 8:16 PM
I don't understand how people can talk so negative about AMerican citizens getting fs benefits without knowing thier situation.It's one thing to live here and need the assistance and another to be from across..Being from across is a whole different situation and is so wrong for them to get assistance right away.My mother needed assistance and she worked her whole life until she fell off from track and then got really sick and needed insurance and also fs and thye also refused her and turned her away so she moved out of state to get help and she still is on a waiting list.But I bet if it was an illegal immagrant they would've got help right away.
78066994ANONYMOUS said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 9:07 PM
I QUESTION PRO8NEWS FOR NOT BEING TRUE TO THEIR VEWERS & THE PEOPLE WHO PROVIDE THEM WITH RATINGS, WHY ARE YOU NOT SAYING WHAT THE SAN ANTONIO PAPER STATES & MSNBC AS WELL AS OTHER MEDIA?? WHY DO YOU NOT SAY THE WHOLE STORY & STATE THE REASON WHY SHE WAS DENIED!? THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION PRO8NEWS IS NOT GIVING THEIR AUDIENCE AND I THINK THAT IS UNFAIR FOR THE STATE EMPLOYEES & LAREDOINS IN GENERAL.
78069117TRUTH IS said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 9:30 PM
People need to remember that FOOD STAMPS IS A LAST RESORT! FOOD STAMPS IS A SUPPLEMENT, not to live off of for the rest of your lives! The people who are bashing the state workers obviously have been denied at some point & are still mad!! THE FOOD STAMP OFFICE IS NOT THE ONLY PLACE TO GET HELP! Everyone speaks about the bad stuff, but don't talk about the thousands of people who they have helped! This lady was denied services for a reason & people need to remember there is a process that needs to take place before getting food stamps. GETTING DENIED FOODSTAMPS DOES NOT EXCUSE THIS LADY'S ACTIONS OF WANTING TO KILL HER KIDS! If her neighbors were aware of her situation how come they never called CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICs? or helped her? DONT BLAME OTHERS FOR THIS LADY'S MENTAL ILLNESS!
78070083Anonymous said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 9:34 PM
I completely agree with all of you the decision she made to shoot her kids and intend to kill them was terribly wrong, but I believe that she did it because she felt that she had no way out. I mean I know she could have fought and fought and probably even sued the state for rejection, also could have charged the state for discrimination, etc. Many people who need the assistance don't get it and ILLEGALS and others get it when they don't need it. We bust our butts here to get what we need and they come and take advantage of us. I pray that people here will open their eyes and really look into the cases. If I could have been working there I would have done everything in my power to help them. It breaks my heart to see people who are in deep need of assistance suffer due to lack of attention and a bunch of laziness! :/ God Bless that family!
78070257GOVERMENT BENEFITS OUT OF CONTROL said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 10:18 PM
NOBODY TO BLAME YET/ MOTHER COULD QUALIFY FOR HOME ASSISTANT ,BUT I BELIEVE THE THHS NEEDS MORE PERSONAL TO FOLLOW UP ON THE APPLICANTS NEED TO GO AND DO HOUSE SURPISE VISITS..LOT OF THE APPLICANTS DON'T REALLY NEED THEM..I SEEN AND KNOW PEOPLE THAT SELL THE FS FOR MONEY AND BY THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH DONT HAVE FS TO MAKE IT FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH..LOTS OF THIS PEOPLE SELL THEM FOR DRUGS OR TO BUY BEER..DONT EVEN LOOK FOR JOBS.. THHS NEED TO GET WITH TEMPORARY SERVICES AND TEXAS WORK FORCE AND MAKE THIS PEOPLE WORK AT LEAST PART TIME ON JOBS AVAILABLE AND IF THEY REFUSE THEN DENIED THE BENEFITS,FOR YOUNG PEOPLE MAKE THEM GO TO SCHOOL I BET IF THHS GETS MORE STRICT AND MAKE MORE INVESTIGATIONS BY DENAYING BENEFITS FOR THOSE WHO DONT NEED THEM WILL BENEFIT OTHERS THAT REALLY NEEDS THEM .. AND MIGHT BE ABLE TO HIRE PERSONAL
78072118anonymous said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 10:24 PM
As a divorced mom of 3 I understand this mothers desperation.Several times when I went for assistance I was denied eventhough my job hrs were cut because of the economy.It's very frustrating when you can't feed your children and yet you are denied help.This incident should prompt an investigation as to why all these people who barely walked into the U.S. are given assistance right away.Somebody is definately "playing" the system.SHAME ON YOU!!!!
78072382me said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 10:54 PM
sorry these had to happen to these families but i once was in real need and i had to wait two months for assistance by then i didnt need it anymore these workers some are real good others just dont want to help no one but themselves they act like god and forget that they are there to work and not me so judgemental regardless if the mother was a mental case or not she felt no other way was a good way god bless those souls and i hope the state will get investigated i also hope they check who they need to check and have them taken off and get people that need the help first just a thought laredo casa blanca foodstamps these was bound to happen lack of worker compassion amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!
78073458SHAME ON SOCIAL WORKERS AND THEIR SUPERVISORS said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 11:04 PM
ABOUT A MONTH AGO APPLIED FOR FS BENEFITS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER WERE DENIED.. WE ARE ABOUT TO LOOSE EVERYTHING OUR MORTGAGE,TWO CARS,AND CREDIT CARDS ARE CLOSED FOR NOT PAYING ON TIME.. MY HUSBAND AND I WE LOST OUR JOBS COLLECTED UNEMPLOYMENT.WE LOOK FOR JOBS DURING THAT TIME BUT NO LUCK ON FINDING ONE. WE THINK BECAUSE WE ARE IN OUR EARLY 50'S AND THEY NEED MORE PEOPLE WITH A DEGREE AND YOUNG ..ANYWAY.. MY HUSBAND HAS KNEE SURGERY ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND ALMOST LOST HIM DUE BAD PRACTICE..HIRE TWO LAWYERS AND BOTH SAID THAT WE NEED TO THANK GOD FOR HIM BEING ALIVE..WHICH IS TRUE..AFTER THAT SURGERY HIS HEALTH IS BEED DOWN HILL. NEED MEDICATION AFTER ANOTHER..APPLIED FOR DESABILITY BENEFITS AND WAS DENIED TWICE,NOW I HAVE PROBLEM WITH MY HIP SOME TIMES CANNOT STAND UP.. AND LITTLE THAT WE CAN DO WE CLEAN HOUSES AND SOME SMALL BUSSNISESS, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO PAY BILLS. WE MENTION THIS TO THE SOCIAL WORKER AND SHE DIDNT OFFER TO TRY AND TALK TO A SUPERVISOR WE PROVIDE ALL INFO SHE NEED IT
78073782Love my kids said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 11:17 PM
There should be more accountability on the state funded programs. I agree that these services are abused on a daily basis by the staff and folks that lie their way through. there are numerous individuals that have child care services, welfare, food stamps etc. but drive the nicest vehicles with brand name wardrobes. Doesn't that pose suspicion. State agencies need to dig more and request and verify documentation provided because many know how to work the system.
78074227Need to Hire More Personal said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 11:17 PM
On Mon. I had on appt. at the McPherson Offc. and when i was waiting there was a young couple with a about 3 yr old boy.. the mother was on the phone not paying atention of the lil boy making a mess with some cherios he had the father was like in a lala land his eyes look red like he was in somekind of drug.. and they both were like mad at each-other and what i heard from the mother was that if they will receive she had her aunt that was going to buy the staps from her..he then mention if she will give him money for at least a twelve pack of beer..how sad is that people taking advantage of the situation and social workers not having cotrol over that because they dont follow up..and make thsi people work
78074232AA73 said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 11:28 PM
It really is sad to see something like this unfold as it did but I hope this will shed light on the need that is out there. I can speak from my own experience that many of the employees at the Texas Health and Human Services is lacking. The treatment that I, and I am sure many other applicants before and those that have gone after me have received the same ill and inconsiderate, unsympathetic treatment that leaves you feeling like you are unworthy (trash). I would hope that this can make these employees realize that not everyone that goes to apply is leaching off the government but rather are in true need and basic common courtesy is the least they can extend their already difficult situations.
78074661AV said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 11:43 PM
This comment is directed at how the police deemed that they felt, as was stated on Pro8 News that, "they did not feel the children were in any immediate danger" but soon after that stated that the children were being used as human shields- blows my mind! That is such a contradictory statement. I believe that there may have been other possibilities in having this tragic event end without all the bloodshed- (not like on TV where everyone lives and only the bad guys die) but the office they were in was not so enclosed that other options could not have been taken under consideration.I hope that maybe they can practice this scenario and come up with some strategy to prevent such a tragic outcome. These children were in danger from the second the mother out of her desperation went back with a gun to have her voice heard. (Not that I condone her actions but I most certainly can understand them) All though I am grateful to the efforts that were taken - I do feel more could have been done.
78075098Ang- said on Wednesday, Dec 7 at 11:46 PM
As to the statement that proper procedures were followed- ok, that may be true but please look into how people employed there are treating applicants.
78075233Aubrey said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 12:21 AM
I agree the pple tht work there are so rude and inconsiderate. They look at and treat u like trash just because ur asking for help and tht is so wrong we r human beings just like them and they have no rt. I feel for the woman she really needed help, and those poor kids I wonder how lng they were starving. I think the PD cld of dne a better job. This did nt hve to turn out this way. May they rest in peace nw.
78076168Anonymous said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 12:26 AM
nuevo laredo families are getting food stamps and they were americans
78076352Ex-Laredoan said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 1:57 AM
I am so deeply moved by this tragic event. I can't help but cry when I read the articles about how the events ensued. I don't condone the mother's actions, however, I agree with most comments on here about the employees of these assitance offices.Now the state never quits complaining about being understaffed--here's an idea. All those poeple that are unemployed could be put into volunteer positions for differnt gov't agencies. Making copies, cleaning offices, anything. And instead of having another person on payroll, have another person off the streets. It's true-alot of people don't need the help and they take advantage, but something could definitely be done. If in 3 mths that person has not been able to get over their hump, teach them how to clean a toilet and earn their assitance. Im just saying!!
78078663Diasappointed24 said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 2:36 AM
Hi I personally live in Laredo and I have to say that I am truly saddened by the fact this lady got denied benefits when she really needed them. The whole system for who qualifies is messed up. I see people with Coach and other brand name purses, clothes,shoes, and so on and so forth that drive very luxurious vehicles and then you see them pay with food stamps at at the local market. Not only do they pay with the food stamps they buy nothing but junk food and i mean about 3 carts worth. This is going on with about half the population and I won't even go into the immigration status because that is a whole other story. I love my city but that food stamp system can sometimes be real messed up.
78079291messedupworld said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 10:15 AM
i still dont understand how this family was denied...while they were living in poverty. Then u see an article about how a couple from Washington living in a million dollar home living a lavish life was actually receiving more than 1200 a month in assistance. Yes they were raided but after years of commiting fraud..now this is really messed up. I think the people that qualify u, should be held responsible when something like this happen some way or another. They are the one's that should be charged with some kind of fraud. Do the job right or don't work for the state!!
78092873brenda said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 12:11 PM
Que tristeza lo que deve de haser el Estado ocupar personas mas preparadas para que sepan distingir o no se hagan mensos y les den a las personas que mas necesitan muchas viven en Nuevo Laredo y les dan todas las ayudas que por los niños son de aqui o muchas que ni papeles tienen de residentes tambien. no es justo
78100668pepe said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 12:20 PM
abian de traer personas de otros lugares porque ellos les dan mas preferencias a personas que conocen, checar bien ay personas que tienen casa propia dos carros casas de renta y el sancho en un lado y resiben ayuda, checar bien y luego algunos empleados son bien amargados les preguntas algo y te ignoran
78101358op said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 12:21 PM
Police should have shot a teargas canister through the window. Guess they're not trained. What a joke.
78101452Ericka said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 12:27 PM
Why the people with no paper they receive the benefit, only for there usa kids? is not fair. They should change all the system.
78101819cisco said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 1:30 PM
It is sad that this had to happen, this is what our goverment is creating, I have seen people (young kids) at the convinience stores buying a lot of junk food with the lone star and it uppsets me the fine poster on their doors of "we honor the smart card (lone star) or people at the door waiting to trade your purchase for cash for cas
78106366janie said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 3:25 PM
My respects to Ms. Grimmer. Her and her daughter are in heaven right now. What I would like to say is that the state should start sending their employees out on the field to check on all applicants to confirm their addresses just like the school district do. They also need to be getting some kind of customer service training and show respect to their customers. I once went to drop my daughter's application and all you hear is them talking about the applicants. They need to learn to leave their personal problems at home so they can do their job well. Supervisor should go around and check on them to see if they are doing their job correctly. Many of them as someone mentioned above, they take preference for their relatives and friends. These kind of employees should not be working in this field. State take better action and train your employees.
78114618Reality said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 3:28 PM
Everyone has to understand this was just NOT all about being hungry the lady had issues... Think about it... why didn't the neighbors call CPS or some other agency, i mean if you see the children bare footed or living in the conditions they were living wny didn't they call someone. We can't just blame the foodstamps office. THe state can only do so much. How is the caseworker or the state supposed to know that living condition this family was living in? Now they say that that lady didn't want to just take free food, but i mean paying with foodstamps is the same thing and getting the food for free.
78114918Dr. Phil said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 4:44 PM
All of u should focus ur anger on that demented lady who took her kids to do something crazy like that, didnt have money,food, etc, what about that 38. handgun worth at least a 300-400dlls enough to get by for a month on food.
78120518brenda said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 5:23 PM
I believe that this lady should of talk to someone more than the supervisor and got the help but i believe thier is no reason to shot her 2 kids that (no reason)!!! You can do whatever to survive but not that . Plus she could also put the gun in pawn or sell it. And the
78122968jenny said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 5:25 PM
And the people that get foodsstamps and the peolple saying that they buy(junk food) they could by wahtever they want except to sell them or buy things you dont need!!!
78123063jenny said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 5:27 PM
For the people saying that some people buy junk food its still food hello. Say something when its alcohol or cigarretes but (junk food) its still food thats so stupid people saying that!!
78123218Anonymous said on Thursday, Dec 8 at 8:29 PM
Really Jenny. Maybe You are a product of a family that proudly has lived off the government Your whole lives like the generations before you. You would not be saying that if you actually had to pay for the junk food with your own hard earned money. I guess Your food pyramid consists of donuts cookies cokes and chips. That's why your kids are probably pre diabetic, but what do you care you also get free health care too with Medicaid
78132548Anonymous said on Friday, Dec 9 at 2:05 AM
I feel for the grimmer family. Bless thier heart and soul. I personally have witnessed peaple from Laredo that do not even need this kind of assistance. I work ast a grocery store and have seen people ending with a balance of $900.00 after buying 300 or 400 worth of groceries. How is that possible? And then all they buy is junk food and already prepared food. These people really need to get off thier asses and get to work. But then they work and tell us management not to give them too many hours cause they will cut thier foodstamps. I have witnessed also customers selling thier benefits right outside the store. nd they are driving better cars than us that work. I think they relly need to check and verify the physical address and conditions that they are in before they give them assistance. But you know how things are in laredo (pura transa) if you know someone working with the foodstamp office you can get foodstamps very easy.
78143427Stop Covering for the Crazy Lady said on Friday, Dec 9 at 8:26 PM
Rachelle Grimmer took those kids from state to state keeping them from their father who was able to provide a better life for them. The dad was paying child support and trying to find his kids. What was she doing with the money. Why didn't she use it on the kids? Because she didn’t want to cash the checks so the dad wouldn’t find them. Why didn't she get a job if she was so educated and so smart? Even flipping burgers would have provided them a better way of life. Also probably because she didn’t want the dad to find those kids and take them away from her again. Because they had taken her kids from her in the past in other states. Don't tell me this lady wasn't mentally ill. A true mother would have sold her soul to provide for those kids. Only a mentally ill person would even think of shooting her children. You pathetic idiots just want to blame the system. Accept the facts, put the blame where it belongs, on the mentally unstable woman. And let’s not forget all those wonderful neighb
78188546Stop Covering for the Crazy Lady Continued said on Friday, Dec 9 at 8:27 PM
And let’s not forget all those wonderful neighbors who knew and cared for her. When didn’t they call Child Protective Services to come and check on those kids if they were so concerned? They saw the living conditions, if it was so bad, why didn’t they do anything???
78188572Hey! said on Saturday, Dec 10 at 11:35 PM
Hey we are not blaming the wrong people! Second of all whos says that the lady was crazy. being poor and desperate to feed her kids is being menally ill. show me where you stupdid people found the definition for mentally ill. The lady was not crazy she was going through a rough time, single mother, no job, and ovioisly no one there for her. She got desperate and didn't want to suffer anymore she reached a bad point in her life and ovioisly the stupid caseworkers put the cherry on the icing. Denied a poor volnurable in need of assistance, which is supllementl but when a familiy needed emergency help, the governement agency did not fulfill the citizens need and provide a meal for her kids. That is a discrimination and those people who called her mentally ill or crazy are stupid.Being depressed to the point of suicide is not crazy read the books idiots.
78235492AA73@Truth is said on Friday, Jan 13 at 10:41 PM
THE TRUTH IS that Food stamps ARE a last resort and SOME of the people going for assistance are TRULY in need- the beef here is not about anyone being mad because they were denied but rather the treatment that is given, the manner in which employees of the Human Services Dept. dishes out is without excuse. YES, Follow procedures but treat people with dignity and compassion- offer alternatives (act like you care, act like they matter). That same treatment that Pro8News was given on live TV by that manager is a prime example of how employees there just leave people hanging to which many times there is just no response because of the shock of lack of education and basic common courtesy- maybe even enough to lead people to their breaking points. Where do they go when as you say that is the LAST RESORT and they are denied. Own it- the treatment is lacking! This is not excusing this woman's behavior but rather shedding light on your own. Notice there are many that feel the same- Bring Change
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