Tony Gonsoulin Killed Cameron Palmer
UPDATE 7/8/08 - A source tells me that Gonsoulin’s girlfriend, Guadalupe Diaz, was not home on Thursday, July 3, when most of the abuse occurred. Diaz returned home, saw Cameron, and called 911. Charges may still be brought against Diaz, since investigation has determined that she had knowledge of the abuse in the days prior to Thursday. Charges are also likely against Richard D’Ginto, the neighbor who witnessed some of the abuse.
Uncle Tony and Cameron
Apopka, FL - Cameron Palmer was six years old. He’ll never get any older. He won’t start school in August. He won’t play with his cousins, most of them with “C” names like his own. His parents, Heather and Jon, won’t see him again. Why? Because Cameron’s great-uncle Tony Gonsoulin brutally beat him to death last week. And while we’re at this little recount of justice gone awry, it should be noted that a neighbor witnessed Cameron being abused within hours or days of his death. And what do you think the neighbor did, denizens of the Demon? If you said “absolutely nothing”, you must be a regular reader.
You know, kids, I’m getting pretty tired of reading about children who die because people are too wussy or too scared or too self-involved to take action. It’s horrible enough that a little boy was murdered by his own uncle, killed after a day of near-drowning, beating and torture. But then to find that a neighbor watched little Cameron being held under water by his uncle and didn’t step in to help the child? Oh hell yeah, I’m mad.
It started on Tuesday or Wednesday, apparently. Cameron was in the care of Gonsoulin, 49, for a length of time that has been described by family as “a vacation” and by police as “care for the summer”. Cameron’s mother Heather is Tony Gonsoulin’s niece. Family has said that Cameron was in the Gonsoulin home by Uncle Tony’s invitation. Heather Palmer says that she made the nine hour trip to Gonsoulin’s house at least twice this summer to see her son and check on his welfare while Cameron’s father, Jon, was working in Texas. Cameron’s parents live in Louisiana most of the time.
There were other children at the home as well, and Gonsoulin has a nine-year-old son of his own who, according to family sources, has not been abused. But something happened to light up Uncle Tony’s temper last week, and the beating of Cameron Palmer began.
At least one neighbor witnessed Gonsoulin abusing his nephew. Richard D’Ginto, apparently unconcerned that he now looks like a complete ass in front of the nation, told the press: “The man held him under water and he’d tell the boy, ‘You do what I tell you’ and stuff like that. When he finally let the kid go, (the boy) was too scared to say anything to him.”
But did D’Ginto call police? Did he even call out Gonsoulin and ask him what the hell he was doing with that kid? Of course not. After all, D’Ginto said, the kid “looked okay” when he walked into the house.
“At what point does it become my business? I could have called the Sheriff’s Department I guess, but I didnt,” D’Ginto said.
Details of little Cameron’s injuries haven’t been easy to find. One family member says that Gonsoulin tried to get other children in the house to lie about Cameron’s condition to investigators, who were called in by Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando on Thursday. Medical personnel say that Cameron was severely brain injured and “covered in bruises” from head to toe. By Friday, it was clear that Cameron was brain dead, and life support was removed.
Tony Gonsoulin was arrested and taken to the Seminole County Jail, where he is being held without bond on multiple charges, including child abuse and murder.
UPDATE 7/8/08 - A source tells me that Gonsoulin’s live-in girlfriend, Guadalupe Diaz, was not home on Thursday, July 3, when most of the abuse occurred. Diaz returned home, saw Cameron, and called 911. Charges may still be brought against Diaz, since investigation determined that she had knowledge of the abuse in the days prior to Thursday. I have been told that charges are also likely to be filed against Richard D’Ginto, the neighbor who witnessed some of the abuse and did not report it.
Don’t want to be political, but Tammy Bruce’s The Death of Right and Wrong touches on this attitude. She calls it malignant narcissim but that’s just a pretentious way of saying we’ve become a culture of people who want others to do for us but don’t think we have the responsibility to do for others.
Tammy Bruce is an intelligent and reasonable woman. Still, I’m waiting for someone, anyone who claims that we’ve lost something, to prove that we ever had it through more than anecdote and personal experience.
I hate to see people allow these isolated (albeit, numerous) incidents taint their opinion of society as a whole. People are basically good and decent. The CPS has the most sweeping powers it’s ever had; we live in a country where municipalities have outlawed spanking in the name of the war against child abuse, for christ’s sake!
Bad news sells, but it doesn’t mean good news doesn’t exist. Why, just the other day, while watching the evening news, there was a brief story about a rollover accident on one of our highways here in Washington. A SUV had rolled and trapped its driver underneath. I watched a female state trooper tell how she desperately attempted to lift the vehicle by herself. Her eyes welled up as she described the five separate passers by who stopped to aid her. She, along with four others lifted this vehicle while the fifth pulled the victim to safety out from underneath. And just as suddenly as they had appeared, they were gone. None of them would give her their name so they could be cooed and awed over by the masses calling them heroes…because they weren’t heroes. They were average, decent people.
All this talk about doom and gloom and how society is going to hell is not only inaccurate, it’s counter-productive. What message does it send when we suggest this selfish behavior is some new standard? No matter the degree to which we bemoan it, we are accepting it and resigning ourselves to it, which only works to encourage it, ultimately. It’s not fact, and we should constantly reject the notion that it is, despite what the media feeds us.
I agree with the caveat that without the exposure of selfishness we risk allowing it to fester. I moved from NYC to SC mainly because I was disgusted by the people, the majority of whom acted exactly the way D’gento or the Aguilar witnesses did. I’d seen it dozens of times.
When I got to SC I found that the area I moved to was lousy with transplants form NY and NJ. They all moved because it was cheaper and safer, so I felt pretty good about my new neighbors, until we had a fox in our sub-division. It was out during the day so I think it was rabid and there was a family out by the pool. The cops showed up to shoot it but no one bothered to warn the woman with three kids that a maybe rabid fox was lurking about. My wife ran over to tell them while I kept a look out.
The cops never did find that damn fox, but I learned that there’s plenty of people that’ll stay indoors and let a family remain in danger in my little community if they think they might get bit by a fox. If me and the Mrs. weren’t walking our dog no one would have told that family at all.
I still get comments on my post abut Aguilar that claim that it’s not adults responsibility to protect children, and on other posts where people claim getting involved is little more than vigilantism. Sorry but while I think there are more good people than bad in America, the bad aren’t in short supply.
They were illegal immigrants.
*nodding in agreement*
Added a new video to the story. Check it out and see if you notice anything familiar.
Fact? Fiction?
I don’t know if thats truth or rumor. But, if they were legal, I’d bet they would have given their names. Good point.
Illegal or not - my thanks that they stopped and helped.
WOW WOW - two Demon front page shots in that news story. We’ve hit the big time now!!!!! Woooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooo!!
I’m just a member not an owner, or even a writer for the Demon, but my head swelled with pride seeing this (our site) on the news - twice. Now all the peeps will know where to get the goods on asshats like this - Got any questions? Go to the Demon for answers - they’ve got the story!
I know, I know, Morbid, I can call it “OUR” site, when I start helping foot the bill!
Big time indeed. Congrats on the holy grail of blogging, an MSM mention.
Maybe that news woman’s a fan?
If she’s not she oughta be!
Wow, that is freaking awesome, we’re famous lol! You know what’s even more awesome? That they are investigating the wife and neighbor, fuck both of them! Thanks for allowing a child to die you bastards, burn in hell. You want to know when it becomes your business? When it’s OBVIOUS that a child is being abused, that’s when. Last time I checked, holding a child underwater isn’t an acceptable form of discipline. Shit, we don’t even allow that kind of treatment on Guantanamo detainees you dipshit!
I think Morbid was being facetious lol
IMPQUEEN’ you had no right to put Cameron’s picture up, our family is very upset and very mad about this. Why you would even think that we would want his picture on the internet, yes we know the story is broadcast all over the US. But before you go and do something like that you should ask the family first.
No offense, but where in the hell do you think she got the picture? She got it from the internet…exactly where his family had posted it. Publicly I might add.
Un-fucking-believable
Yeah, I went and checked as soon as I read the message. They still don’t have all the photos locked down. Geesh.
Condolences on your family’s loss. What a beautiful little boy, and what a horrible way to lose him.
What gives you people the right to go on someone’s MYSPACE and take pictures off of there? You have no right to do that, even if it a public place… What if it was your kid and you were going through something like this.. would you want your kids picture put all over the internet. Its not right that violated someone else’s privacy.. You people are no better then the rest.
Windchaser, if your MySpace is not set to PRIVATE, then it’s PUBLIC. Thus, people visiting there are not VIOLATING YOUR PRIVACY.
If it were my child, I would want pictures of him plastered on street posts and stop signs and on every computer monitor in the world so EVERYONE could share my outrage that such a beautiful, beautiful child was taken from me and my family at the hands of someone I thought I could trust.
Windchaser
MySpace is only private if you make it that way. The settings on my myspace is private, only friends can see it, and even those friends cannot take my pictures and save them to their computers. You can change those settings. Even then, I still assume that someone would be able to get them and post them where they wish. there is no privacy on the internet. The internet is a very very public place. This is something most of us teach our children everyday.
Anyway, have you expressed the same outrage to the aunt that put those pics all over the internet in the first place?
Geez, he’s a beautiful little boy. You would think that the family would like the world to see that this crime had a real, living, breathing, victim that was loved. You would think they would be directing their anger towards his murderer.
I know if this was my child, I would be happy that someone thought his life was worthy of a write up. I would want his little face to remain where people would never forget him.
But hey, that’s just me.
I have now gotten two emails from Cameron’s mother Heather and she has apologized for what she called “flying off the handle”. I actually found Heather to be very nice and didn’t think she flew off the handle at me at all. In fact, she has not asked me to remove Cameron’s picture once. I think that if Heather had a problem with my posting Cameron’s picture, she’d ask me herself to take it down. She has not.
My feeling is this - if anyone has the right to “fly off the handle” about my article, it’s Cameron’s mother. Instead, she has been very gracious and appreciative of our support at a time when I probably wouldn’t be able to be. She is mourning the brutal murder of her child at the hands of her own uncle, and I don’t know how I’d act in that situation because I can’t even imagine it.
So Cameron’s mama is cool by me. Anyone else that has a problem with what I’ve written or posted can kiss my exceptionally curvy, cute ass.
Um. What if we don’t have a problem with any of it? Are we excluded from ass access?
See, there’s where you’re wrong. When you post to a public website, any picture you put there is public domain unless you specifically state otherwise, disable right clicking, or note that the picture is not for reuse. Myspace is not private unless you make it that way in your options.
And frankly, if something horrible happened to a child of mine, I would want my kid’s picture ALL OVER the internet so people could see the beautiful life that someone had stolen. I probably would not be able to talk to the press due to my extreme pain, but I would want everyone to see my beautiful child and know that the monster who took him or her should be killed slowly and painfully. But that’s me. I assume that if others feel differently, they keep their kids’ pictures where just anyone can’t waltz in and grab ‘em.
Nope, you can kiss it too, because I like you.
Not so much a what, but who, give the right. The answer to that question is YOU, when you set the profile and pictures to PUBLIC.
Yes, as a matter of fact, we do have every right to go take those pictures as granted by YOU. If you just absolutely have to have someone to blame, look in the mirror.
I’ve seen you ask this question a couple of times, do you now understand the answer?
I’m really at a loss as to why it concerns you so damn much. This site, unlike the trolls you argued with on other sites is in full support of making sure this killer is shamed. Not a soul has had anything bad to say about Cameron, yet you continue to bitch.
I know this may come as a shock to you, but this story is not about YOU. Get off the stage. Your 15 minutes are up.
R
I want to apologize, i am not myself at the moment. Im not even a blood relative ok, but i am very close to members of the family, in some sense we are family. I didnt mean to come out like a bitch, AND im certainly not trying to make this about me. I do not understand how it seemed that i was talking about me. All I care about is that little boy, and how he lost his life over something so stupid. Once again, I apologize.
Crystal
Crystal,
I may come across a bit harsh, and I’m sorry for that. Please accept my apology.
I wish nothing but the best for those close to Cameron, excluding that worthless ass bubble that killed him. I’d stand in line behind the family for a chance to show him what true abuse feel like. Of course the family gets first crack at him.
I hope you can find some peace in knowing that others are just as horrified as you about how this little boy was murdered.
Beyond what we say we do here in our http://www.dreamindemon.com/gunshot-by-computer/ about page, we also try and make sure no one forgets the Cameron’s of the world and how they were abused.
My best wishes for you and the family!!!
R
… I don’t know, I maybe a stick in the mud and all but I would totally have called the cops if I saw that over my fence. I mean I called the cops when my neighbors were shooting off illegal fireworks. Mind you the pushing factor in that decision was them letting their 5 and 6 year old kids light them…and stand there as well as the many duds they were having. Thank goodness it wasn’t fair for the police to fine them and not everyone for the fireworks so they didn’t get anything but thats another story of pissification.
Heather, Cameron’s mom, says thank you to everyone that has been supportive of her family. She also says that she wishes she could have changed places with her son, that she could have taken the abuse for him, that she could have died instead of him. It was a short email, and a heartbreaking one.
Cameron’s two brothers, 4 and 10, did witness some of the abuse, but were threatened with the same treatment if they told. Those boys are now at home with Heather and were not physically abused.
Cameron’s body is being transported back to Louisiana today. His funeral will be held on Saturday - as I get more details, I will post them here.
Her book is not marked by what one would call scientific rigor. The word reactionary comes rather to mind.
Um, yeah, of COURSE we allow that shit at Gitmo. FYI, it’s called “waterboarding.” Your Prezzie and VP don’t count it as “torture.”
Windchaser, of course you are upset. We are too, even though we don’t know the family.
More’n likely, this GF Guadalupe was abused as well. I wonder if she spoke English or had any resources, was legal in country. Doesn’t mean she shouldn’t have reported abuse, but I’d still be curious to know. This guy’s mugshot gives me the absolute chills.
I am a friend of the father’s. I want to extend my sympathies to the entire family. God bless you in this difficult time. I will be there at the services. I will be praying for everyone involved…
I love you Jon.
Rachel
I am Heathers cousin. Cameron is a beautiful little boy, and i cannot believe that someone would be so cruel to do this to a baby. I cannot even begin to imagine what she is going through. Heather and Jon, and the rest of the family you are in my heart and prayers. God bless you. I love you all
Joy F.
I am sorry for the loss of this little boy. But why was he there? All summer? Why weren’t these kids with their mom and/or dad? This kind of behavior (from the perp) just happens? I don’t know. ????
Thanks imp for the update… God Bless the family as they lay their lil boy to rest. *** Much to young to Die or be force to swim across a pool. Further more how the hell do you break someones computer ? *** what a fucking moron!
I still can’t believe he actually said this. I mean, I can, but it boggles. Maybe when he’s lying in the road bleeding to death from being hit by a car and no one dials 911 he’ll be cool with that, since, after, it won’t be any of their business.
I also live in franklin la and I know the whole family I will pray for them , I hope that unlce tony gets alot of what he deserves in jail, and I also wonder why was those boys there all summer? without thier mom i sent mine to disney world and they were home sick within 3 days how could those boys stay the whole summer without their mom ? it makes you think what was so important about having time to yourself without your kids for the summer got you , my little girl went to his grave and put a webkinz and flowers and asked how could someone kill a child? it hurts and brings reality to see that boys grave. we visit him freq. bringing him flowers and keeping him in our prayers at least he is safe now.
I’m confused Taralsu. How can you visit him frequently and bring flowers if he was just laid to rest yesterday?? What am I missing?
Taralsu, no offense, but he isn’t safe now. He’s dead.
Got an email from Cameron’s mom, Heather, this morning. She says that Tony Gonsoulin is going in front of a grand jury today, and she’ll be keeping me updated. She’s not holding up very well, and I told her my thoughts are with her and her boys today. As i get info, I’ll post it.
Thanks for the update, Imp. I can well imagine she’s having a hell of a time. Who wouldn’t be? My thoughts are with her and her family.
I’ll be praying for Heather and her entire family today. Thank you for the update Imp.
That poor, poor woman.
That boy was so beautiful *sob*
Thanks, Imp. I appreciate the news. Let’s just hope that the neighbor is charged as well, or have I missed that?