Sandra's world was turned upside down when she received a knock at her front door in October 2022. An investigator from Florida's Capital Collateral Regional Counsel - South, had come to inform her that the son she had given up for adoption at 17 was on death row. The boy, now 63 years old, had been convicted of murdering a 62-year-old woman at a convenience store in Florida.
Sandra had long struggled with the decision she made all those years ago. Her parents had urged her to give up the child due to societal stigma and pressure to prioritize her future ambitions. She had gone on to lead a successful life, working in international banking and traveling the world.
However, as Sandra approached her 30th birthday, she began to feel a sense of emptiness and regret. She told her husband that she wanted to find out what had happened to her son, and he encouraged her to take action.
The investigator's visit marked the beginning of a long and emotional journey for Sandra. Over the next few years, she learned more about her son's life and the circumstances surrounding his conviction. His adoptive parents were ill-equipped to raise him, with his mother drinking heavily and his father being physically abusive.
Sandra's son, Malik, had developed a serious problem with crack cocaine, which ultimately led to his crime. Despite this, Sandra found herself feeling a strong desire to help her son and give him a second chance at life.
As the day of Malik's execution approached, Sandra was filled with emotions. She knew that she would never see her son again, and the thought was devastating. Her lawyers had arranged for her to visit him before his execution, but she ultimately decided not to go, saying that she didn't want to see him on the day he died.
Sandra's story raises questions about the long-term effects of adoption and the struggles faced by those who are given up for adoption. It also highlights the complexities of the death penalty and the importance of understanding the circumstances surrounding a conviction.
The case of Malik is a tragic reminder that even with the best intentions, life can take a devastating turn. Sandra's journey serves as a testament to the enduring power of love and the human desire to make things right, even in the face of tragedy and heartbreak.
Sandra had long struggled with the decision she made all those years ago. Her parents had urged her to give up the child due to societal stigma and pressure to prioritize her future ambitions. She had gone on to lead a successful life, working in international banking and traveling the world.
However, as Sandra approached her 30th birthday, she began to feel a sense of emptiness and regret. She told her husband that she wanted to find out what had happened to her son, and he encouraged her to take action.
The investigator's visit marked the beginning of a long and emotional journey for Sandra. Over the next few years, she learned more about her son's life and the circumstances surrounding his conviction. His adoptive parents were ill-equipped to raise him, with his mother drinking heavily and his father being physically abusive.
Sandra's son, Malik, had developed a serious problem with crack cocaine, which ultimately led to his crime. Despite this, Sandra found herself feeling a strong desire to help her son and give him a second chance at life.
As the day of Malik's execution approached, Sandra was filled with emotions. She knew that she would never see her son again, and the thought was devastating. Her lawyers had arranged for her to visit him before his execution, but she ultimately decided not to go, saying that she didn't want to see him on the day he died.
Sandra's story raises questions about the long-term effects of adoption and the struggles faced by those who are given up for adoption. It also highlights the complexities of the death penalty and the importance of understanding the circumstances surrounding a conviction.
The case of Malik is a tragic reminder that even with the best intentions, life can take a devastating turn. Sandra's journey serves as a testament to the enduring power of love and the human desire to make things right, even in the face of tragedy and heartbreak.
It's like, we're supposed to be a society that helps people out, but sometimes life just gets in the way. And what really gets me is how his adoptive parents were struggling with addiction and abuse - I mean, it's not exactly an excuse for him getting involved with crack cocaine, but still... 
. It shows that even after all these years, some people can still show compassion and kindness.
like sandra was just living her best life, working hard, traveling the world... and then she finds out she had a son on death row lol what's up with that?! 
she struggles with giving him up as a teen due to societal pressure but now she's all about helping him get his second chance 
and now she's all grown up and finds out that he's on death row 
for a crime he didn't even choose. it's like, what went wrong? why did things have to turn out this way?
. it's like, adoption can be a great thing, but only if both sides are willing and able to make it work.
. but at the same time, i think it's amazing that she's taking matters into her own hands and trying to help her son, even if it means going against the law 
... Sandra's son wasn't actually 63 years old when he was told about him being on death row, that info is from October 2022, so that would make him like 64-65 years old now... just saying 
. Also, I think it's kinda messed up that her parents pressured her into giving him up for adoption all those years ago due to societal stigma, that's some heavy stuff right there 
This story just breaks my heart 
I don't think anyone can prepare themselves for that kind of pain.
. Her son's struggles with addiction and abuse are a harsh reminder of the difficulties adoption cases can bring. It's like, what did Sandra do wrong? Should she have fought harder for her rights as a parent? 
. I mean, she went from having a successful life to wanting to save her son from death row in just a few years... that's some serious growth 
. The fact that 85% of incarcerated people have a mental illness & addiction issue is crazy too 
.
. Are they truly forgotten, or is it just a case of bad timing? I don't have the answers, but I do know that Sandra's story is one of human courage in the face of tragedy 
. I mean, who would give up their child just because society pressures them? I'm not saying it's always easy to have kids, but adoption shouldn't be an option when you're feeling overwhelmed 
.