The headline was shocking: Single mom watched as son, 2, tried to smother infant, Titusville police say. Woman charged with attempted murder; police call case 'extremely disturbing'. The story was posted on line by Amanda Stratford * FLORIDA TODAY * October 23, 2009.

"Christina McIntyre, 23, was charged Thursday afternoon with attempted felony murder, aggravated child abuse, child abuse and child neglect causing great bodily harm in the incident that occurred Oct. 6. The infant recovered and both children have been turned over to the state Department of Children and Family Services. McIntyre is being held at the Brevard County Jail with no bond allowed. Titusville police arrested McIntyre after she told detectives she watched as the infant struggled and fought for air but did nothing, because she wanted to go back to work and could not afford day care for both children. ‘As a parent, it is unimaginable how anyone could have this motivation,’ said Lt. Todd Hutchinson of the Titusville Police Department. ‘It's extremely disturbing.’"

While I appreciate the reaction of Lt. Hutchinson, I would submit to you that there are several reasons how an incident like this could happen in America and why this "unimaginable" crime is sadly not that unimaginable after all.

First, the natural depravity of the human heart must be understood from a biblical perspective. That is, the ultimate source of evil is inside an individual, according to Jesus Christ. "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies (Matt. 15:18–19). The apostle Paul echoes this poignant reality of the radical depravity of mankind when he writes:

"…There is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Rom. 3:12b–18). 

Second, American society cultivates a climate of violence and murder through her own anti-biblical policies. That is to say, it become easier to see the progression of criminalization when the threat of punishment as a deterrent is lacking and habitual offenders are released back into society to wreak their havoc. Additionally, should anyone be surprised in the devaluing of life when countless millions are willing to forfeit the lives of the unborn and write them off as expendable in the name of "women’s choice"? This leads one to wonder: If a mother can terminate the life of her baby any time inside the womb without penalty, upon what basis then should society tell her not to kill her baby after it is born—especially if she wants to go back to work and cannot afford the cost of day care?

Third, American society provides a philosophical rationale and judicial allowance for aberrant behavior. While law enforcement officials rightfully arrested Christina McIntyre for attempted murder, there is every reason to believe she will merely be reprimanded by the courts, evaluated psychologically, compelled to attend parenting classes, and then be given her children back after being released from custody. Someone along the way will remember that she said after being arrested, "I love them."

There are unintentional consequences when a society officially promotes a national lifestyle without proper respect for God, without a fixed Moral Law, and without appreciating the value of prayer in the development of its citizens. A mother standing by idly while her baby is smothered is just one unintentional consequence. A private act is a product of our national shame.