It’s a sad, sad story.

An 8-month-old Carthage baby was reported by his father as being abducted on Feb. 4. Two days later, the body of baby Eddie Salazar was discovered in Spring River east of Carthage.

Then last week, second-degree murder charges were filed against Eddie Salazar Sr., the baby’s father.

It has left us all struggling as we try to comprehend how something like this could happen.

Not since the death of Rowan Ford, the young girl from Stella who was brutally raped, murdered and then thrown into a hole in McDonald County, have area residents expressed such community grief and outrage.

But the Globe also drew some criticism from readers for a photo used Feb. 14 in the coverage of the funeral for the baby. The photo showed the baby’s paternal grandmother, Juanita Chirinos, weeping over the small, blue, cloth covered casket.

Several Globe readers believed that we were intruding on the family’s mourning, and exploiting the tragedy of the baby’s death in the story comments forum at joplinglobe.com.

“As a mother and a grandmother, this article regarding this precious infant’s funeral services was very disturbing. I understand the need to put focus on child abuse issues such as this, however to exploit this event by placing the photo of the small blue casket on the front page of this paper, brought a thought to me. Would the story have been the same if this had been an affluent white family instead of a Mexican family? Do we not need to respect their time of grief, as much as anyone else? To say the least this article was in very bad taste. I know we would all agree that this family has been through the worst kind of grief, could we not have reported it with a little more respect.”

— Mary Burringtin

Globe policy

We understand how the story and photos used to illustrate the emotion of the service in last Sunday’s Globe would upset any normal person — newsroom staff included.

We don’t take our responsibility lightly. The Globe doesn’t show up unannounced for a private family funeral service and just start snapping photos and talking to grieving parents. In the case of Eddie Salazar, we made sure the family knew we were there. In fact, the family asked us to be graveside, to report on the service and to take pictures. We have to believe, that for them, this helped the family find some closure.

Covering a story about a baby’s murder is heartwrenching. The photos from the funeral depicted the family’s grief and are a part of the story. They also showed the number of victims included in this tragedy.

‘Very poor taste’

“I agree, that photo is in very poor taste. The Globe has assaulted her privacy at the worst possible time, in mourning a child. Irresponsible journalism is not a crime, but it is an indecency to the community.”

— GWalker

“Actually, I think this is a very tasteful photo and I am a grandmother of seven. My deepest condolences to the family. May God bless and comfort you.”

— dlw

“OK, I have a problem with shooting a picture of the mother! Sorry people, that one just don’t set well!”

— js

“You OBVIOUSLY can’t read! The picture is of his paternal grandmother. I do agree however, HAD it been his MOTHER, I would have had fault with the picture as well.”

— xbaby321

‘Enough is enough’

Prior to the baby’s funeral, hundreds of comments and condolences were submitted at joplinglobe.com and on the Facebook page memorializing baby Eddie. One commentor, Claud, left a heartfelt comment that started a short exchange.

“R.I.P. little buddy, you know we need stronger laws for horrific crimes committed against innocent children. They cracked down on DWI and DUI. Why can’t we have a law in little Eddie’s name that says if you commit a serious crime like this against any child, then you will pay the price. We need to start sending a message that our children are not only the future, but they have to be protected as well. If you hurt a child, you will pay. I didn’t know this little boy personally, but I shed a tear for him, and all the little children being abused or murdered. Folks we need to take a stand right now and say enough is enough.”

— Claud Williams

“Well said, Claud. Well said.”

— Observer

“In 100 percent agreement with you Claud. We’re all those little ones have, and some of the elderly too. We have the laws, we just need to enforce them as they were meant to be enforced! God bless, them all.”

— Donna

“I agree the punishment for this crime should be maximum, but punishment will not bring the child back. We as humans need to realize and believe that a child is a blessing not an inconvenience. Until we can get family values back and instill morality, what can be done to prevent these types of crimes? The family unit in this country needs to be addressed. Children are being used as pawns in divorces, threats in child support and the child has no voice of their own. So sad.”

— DH

“My heart breaks for his mother.”

— Marcie

‘Head in the sand!’

A few people who chimed in on the use of the casket photo believed it was the right thing to do. For some, the photo served as a reminder of the evil out there in the world and that we must work diligently to keep our children safe.

“You people that the paper’s pictures disturb, are like an ostrich with his head in the sand! Get your head out of the sand and get with the real cruel world! If this makes one person to stop and think, before hurting a baby, wonderful. The Mexican culture is different than ours up here, this is what they do, they love and honor their families. They are probably the best family people in our country! When I lived on the border in Texas, I was proud of our Mexican neighbors, they knew how to be good family people! They have love in their heart!”

— David

“Globe, could you have had a little respect for the family by not taking pictures of this poor baby’s casket and mother at the funeral and then plastering it all over your paper? It’s sad enough that this child died, but this was the last thing I wanted to see. My prayers go out to this family.”

— anonymous

“I can’t believe they did that. I had to hurry and scroll off the picture! I think the Globe should be sued. How would you feel if someone took this picture. This is so different than just anyone dying. This is an innocent baby and all you could think of was taking a picture. What is wrong with you? Did you not think their family has went through enough, and now the world is seeing her grief!”

— Tiffany Cardenas

“This picture is not a tribute to Eddie Salazar Jr. it is exploitation of him and his family!”

— Ron Byrd

“I thank God for keeping my nephew safe in heaven, and it hurts to see my aunt lying over his casket crying like that, I’ve never seen her cry, but I thank God as well for being good to us, and soon everyone will know the truth! R.I.P. Nanito.”

— Alma Robles

“Poor little guy :( no casket should be made that small.”

— Chelsi Mathis

Carol Stark is the editor of The Joplin Globe and Dave Woods is new media editor.