“I was assigned to her and fell in love with her,”

April 13, 2014 7:33 AM

The Toddler Who Survived, And the Cop Who Became Her Mom: [New York Times]

As a baby, Christina Rivera survived a massacre in Brooklyn whose 10 victims included her mother. Police Officer Joanne Jaffe was assigned to care for her that night, a task that was the first link in a bond that led Ms. Jaffe to adopt Christina. [Image]

A 13-month-old girl was the only survivor of a 1984 mass shooting in Brooklyn.

posted by Fizz (11 comments total)

HUG THE POLICE
posted by schmod at 7:51 AM on April 13, 2014 [10 favorites]

Joan Jaffe's husband is a big hero of this story, too. Hug him
posted by mumimor at 7:54 AM on April 13, 2014 [7 favorites]

It's pleasant to see some good come out of so much bad.
posted by Fizz at 7:59 AM on April 13, 2014

This is a pretty high level story that doesn't go into a lot of detail, but it sounds like their relationship went through some rough times when Christina was a teenager and Joanne was a newlywed. That makes it all the more excellent that they didn't give up and are still close.
posted by jacquilynne at 8:38 AM on April 13, 2014 [5 favorites]

Thank you for this. I could never be a police officer because I would be adopting everybody...
posted by Alexandra Kitty at 8:39 AM on April 13, 2014 [4 favorites]

I wish I could find more about this case online. Christopher Thomas has come up for parole in 2009 and 2013, maintained his innocence at trial 1984 and still does today. The motive behind the murders is so odd, I can't help but wonder if there is another layer to the tragedy.
posted by Auden at 8:51 AM on April 13, 2014

Whoa, the killer wasn't charged with murder? The hell?
posted by dejah420 at 9:02 AM on April 13, 2014 [1 favorite]

What good people. My heart right now, man, my heart.
posted by Hermione Granger at 10:21 AM on April 13, 2014 [2 favorites]

Agreed, my heart just swelled to twice the normal size. Great story, so happy for them.
posted by arcticseal at 12:50 PM on April 13, 2014

Is it wrong that I immediately thought of dexter?
posted by spacediver at 1:43 PM on April 13, 2014 [7 favorites]

I did too, spacediver. Don't feel too bad.
posted by corb at 8:22 AM on April 14, 2014