Hi Brittany, I’m a fairly recent follower. I’m enjoying your blog so much that I would like to nominate you for a Liebster Award. If you’re interested in learning more about you can check it out here – http://mjmoores.com/2015/02/18/nominated-for-the-liebster-award/
I’m a Forensic scientist specializing in fires, more specifically it’s my job to research ways to avoid the very thing that happened to your family. The thing that really gets me is there was not any solid notion as to how they suspected the fire could have been started. There was no accelerant discovered. just a single v near to the floor. Someone would have had to sit there with a literal torch, or built a camp fire in the closet to cause that burn. Fires generally will not spread through open air, any arson investigator should know this. Carpet is not in its self (highly) flammable, it prefers to melt first. I am very grateful your mother was acquitted, but she should have never been charged in the first place. The fault most likely was with your land lord neglecting to keep the house up to date. If it makes any difference, there have been quite a few criminal negligence charges brought against landlords in recent years for similar things. Its to little much to late, but take heart in the knowledge that we are trained to look for any possible way a fire could have started BEFORE we start looking for an arsonist. Our instructors take great care to drill into students the risk of preconceived bias. Sadly I believe that is why your mother was tried to begin with. You might also like to know that we use your case as an example of what can happen if we jump to conclusions. I apologize that I cannot leave any contact information, this is very irregular and improper. I just wanted to reach out. I was touched by your story. I had never heard the personal details until recently. I was made aware because of a certain show you are well acquainted with. Lastly, I to was involved in a house fire as a child. If my mom had been asleep on the couch that night, as she often was while watching television, i could very well have suffered the same fate as you.
I thought I replied to this when I first saw it, but apparently I didn’t. Reading your comment has brought me some solace in knowing that hopefully other people won’t go through what my mom and I did because our story is out there. I have no doubt bias was involved because people in our area don’t think very highly of the Hinson family. I’ve removed myself from them as far as I can because I understand why people don’t think highly of them. I agree, she shouldn’t have been charged in the first place. Any real arson investigator with any sense could have seen what really happened, like Hurst did in the end. I just wish he had been able to help sooner than he did so I didn’t have to be away from my mom as long as I was, but her lawyers had no interest in making it easy for her to prove her innocence. Regardless, I’m glad you left this comment. I understand the contact info thing, it’s okay. Thank you for being so kind.
Brittany, I am new here and just saw the episode on forensic files. I am so sorry you went through the things you did. You were such an intelligent little girl. Now you’re a very intelligent woman. You’ve been through so much. I hope life is treating you better. I truly do.
I had this sense from your interview as a young child on that Forensic Files episode that you were going to do something unique and special in your life, because you had such poise and such a way with words. Most kids have no idea how to express their thoughts and feelings in language…you had it mastered then! And you couldn’t have been more than 9 or 10? Good luck with your poetry; there are lots of grants and contests worth submitting to out there. I am currently sending a couple of pieces of short fiction to magazines myself, just to see what happens. I am not searching for fame or fortune, just hoping there might be a few people out there who get where I’m coming from and appreciate my work.
Hi Brittany,
I hope that you’re doing well. I have watched that case at least 10 times and i just still can’t get over it. i’m addicted to crime investigation shows aired at many countries i.e. Forensic Files (US), American Justice (US), Tatort(German), Crime Patrol(India) , Shabir to dekhe ga (Pakistan), Real crime stories(UK) and others but there are only a handful of cases that have had a profound impact upon me. One of such cases was this one. How the cruel and unjust system exploits naive and straightforward people makes me cringe to the core. I’m also disheartened by the untimely demise of your honorable mother who went through the tribulations of the ravenous justice system but had the resolve and faith to contest the allegations leveled against her.
When i heard you talking about your brother on the Forensic Files episode it almost made me cry 😦 and considering the gruesome episodes i have seen so far that’s somewhat a rare occurring. In that episode you were the personification of childhood in its most pristine form. I’m so moved that here i’m browsing the internet hoping that i could find something about that child and her mother and that their lives would be better now. I was devastated to find out that the pretty, honest and upright woman is no more but her incarnation is not a child anymore but a grown up , the same age as mine. Lastly i would like to say that although we don’t know each and probably would never meet but i consider myself to be a party in all of your griefs and sorrows. I pray to God that your life ahead is full of happiness and joy and that the demons from your past never haunt you in future. Your well wisher from Pakistan Hassan Tirmizi
I came across your blog and I just wanted to say that you are a skilled writer. Your pieces are succinct, clear and always engaging. I keep reading even when the subject matter is personally challenging, because you always treat serious issues with respect.
By reflecting on your own struggles and experiences through writing, and then sharing your pieces online, you are providing reassurance to people like myself who have also experienced hardship and ongoing recovery.
I hope that you are doing well, wherever you are at this point in your life.
Hi! I have never written someone who I saw on a television show. However, I just saw your family’s story on “Forensic Files” and I then googled your mother and discovered that she had died. The whole fire story broke my heart, I felt that your mother suffered so much but from what I saw she was very strong and intelligent! So, if this means anything to you, I just wanted to share that with you and also inquire if you have met your siblings who were given up for adoption.
I’m so impressed by your insights at such a young age. I’m nearly twice your age and finally realized that it doesn’t mean he likes you if he bullies you. It just means he’s a bully. I initially came across this blog after doing a search about your mom. I’m so sorry she’s gone. You’ve lost so much. But you’ve also gained a great sounding husband and sweet daughter. I wish you well.
I saw your comments about your mom and I’m very sorry for your loss. I just saw the Forensic Files episode and I was really impressed by your Mom. I teach computer classes and I was Googling her because I hoped she had gone on to have a successful career in my field. She had just the kind of resourcefulness that would have made her an excellent technician or engineer. I don’t know how anyone can see the interviews with her and not realize she was incredibly intelligent and a good person, but people often don’t need much to be unkind.
I wish you well! You’ve had more challenges than most. I think the show mentioned your siblings because that was the motive suspected by the idiots who charged your mom. I’m glad you can all be a comfort to each other.
Hi Brittany,
Forensic Files was one of my mom’s favorite shows, and she recently passed. I was her hospice care provider, and we’d stream episodes on Netflix and watch them together. I now seem to be hooked on the show, and I was extremely moved by the episode with your family. So much so, that I felt compelled to look your mom up to learn about her life since the show. I wanted to try to send a note to her to let her know how much I admired her strength and serenity. And I wanted to comment on how wonderful I thought it was to hear you, as such a young girl, to confidently share the experience that you had in heaven. I completely understood how you could be at peace, at such a young age, while missing him on Earth, knowing he was in the beautiful heaven that you described. To quote you, “he was so young!” Ha. So wonderful!
I am sorry to learn that your mom passed. I hope you still hold the peace in knowing she’s in heaven with your brother. And I thank you for helping me to keep such a beautiful image of heaven. I think our mom’s will like each other there.
Xo
Brittany – I saw the Forensic Files story and I was very impressed with the personalities of you, your mother, and even little Joshua. Everybody else has said what I would say about how sorry I am that you and your mother had to suffer so much, but I mainly just wanted to tell you that you are an excellent writer.
I must confess, I am one of “those” people who found your beautiful blog after viewing the episode of Forensic Files. I want you to know that I did not search you out of morbid curiosity or anything like that. I was absolutely struck by what an absolutely brilliant, adorable, resilient little girl you were with the most beautiful soul. I knew you would grow up to be an amazingly talented and not only intellectually intelligent, but emotionally intelligent adult. I don’t know how anyone could watch that episode and have ANY question of how strong you and your mom both are/were and I especially don’t know how anyone could question the obvious love she had for you and your brother.
You don’t know me, my opinion doesn’t matter. But I am completely inspired by you. And there is absolutely no doubt that your little girl is going to be raised to be every bit as much of a badass angel as her mother and grandmother, just hopefully with softer memories. I wish you the very best. I am so sorry for the loss you have suffered – your brother, your safe space, your grandmother, and your mother. I do not know how I could be of help to you or your family, but if I can be, please let me know. Much love, prayers, and good energy of the universe to you! Thank you for being a beautiful light in a dark world!!!
Brittany, I have drifted into your writings by chance, and you have an exceptional gift of expression. I must say yours is a story which brings tears to one’s eyes, but a smile to the heart as you have apparently come so far. I was looking for your name and your e-husband’s name on a search because my husband and I live in Tabor City and are interested in the Brown St. home where you once lived which is listed on realtor.com. we have been in touch with the realtor several times trying to schedule a time to view the home, but he says he has no key because the people who were renting left and did not return the key. I searched records in Columbus County and found your and Michael’s names as owners. The realtor indicates he cannot get a locksmith to open the door without the owner’s permission. He indicates he cannot get up w/ the owner. I do not know if you still are an owner or if you ever speak w/ your ex-husband; but if you do have any communication w/him. we are very interested and would hope he could contact the realty company and make arrangements for people to view the property. Thank you for any help you may be able to give, and may you be blessed.
I’ve seen the episode of Forensic Files so many times. Every time, my heart aches for your mother and you. I’m so glad she was able to be vindicated – and PROVEN innocent.
For some reason, today I was compelled to search YOU out. I can’t say why. I’m dealing with a tragic death myself, right now, so perhaps I felt some sort of connection with you. (My adult son was killed in a car accident 19 days ago.)
Reading your experience with your mother as she neared death also resonated with me. though it’s been 8 years, I still miss her, and I remember how she was slowly taken from us, bit by bit, by Parkinsons, a death I would not wish on my worst enemy. But my memories of her are of her smiling, and laughing, and standing by me through bad times and good.
I hope you were able to mark your mother’s grave in the way you want. But if you haven’t, my hope is that you are able to at some point.
Here because of an old 48 hrs episode. So sorry to hear your mom passed in Dec 2013. My dad died that month too. Btw, your children are beautiful. I’m glad to learn you and your mom had a good relationship after all you both went through. I might watch the Forensic Files episode. I remember watching a show that said it was only recently that they begin to really understand fire forensics better. The show left open the question, How many people convicted of arson were actually innocent? I’m so glad your mother found reliable experts to help her case. Thank you for the blogs.
If you write an autobiography one day, I will be the first one to buy a copy! You are beautiful, resilient, and your mom would be so proud of the woman you have become. Keep shining your light on the world.
Hi Brittany, I just watched the forensic episode about the fire. I can only imagine what kind of an impact it must have made on you and your mom. I cannot even begin to imagine what it must have been like for your mom. Not only to lose your baby but then be accused of actually having killed him. Such a monstrous accusation! I read your blog post about your mom. It must have been really hard to be accused by people even after she was proven innocent. Many people are so ignorant and even cruel. I hope you have many good memories as well, beautiful things to share with your own daughter about her grandmother. I wish you all the best!
As Eventide Falls 
Hi Brittany, I’m a fairly recent follower. I’m enjoying your blog so much that I would like to nominate you for a Liebster Award. If you’re interested in learning more about you can check it out here – http://mjmoores.com/2015/02/18/nominated-for-the-liebster-award/
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Wow, thank you for this! I’ll check out the link you posted.
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I’m a Forensic scientist specializing in fires, more specifically it’s my job to research ways to avoid the very thing that happened to your family. The thing that really gets me is there was not any solid notion as to how they suspected the fire could have been started. There was no accelerant discovered. just a single v near to the floor. Someone would have had to sit there with a literal torch, or built a camp fire in the closet to cause that burn. Fires generally will not spread through open air, any arson investigator should know this. Carpet is not in its self (highly) flammable, it prefers to melt first. I am very grateful your mother was acquitted, but she should have never been charged in the first place. The fault most likely was with your land lord neglecting to keep the house up to date. If it makes any difference, there have been quite a few criminal negligence charges brought against landlords in recent years for similar things. Its to little much to late, but take heart in the knowledge that we are trained to look for any possible way a fire could have started BEFORE we start looking for an arsonist. Our instructors take great care to drill into students the risk of preconceived bias. Sadly I believe that is why your mother was tried to begin with. You might also like to know that we use your case as an example of what can happen if we jump to conclusions. I apologize that I cannot leave any contact information, this is very irregular and improper. I just wanted to reach out. I was touched by your story. I had never heard the personal details until recently. I was made aware because of a certain show you are well acquainted with. Lastly, I to was involved in a house fire as a child. If my mom had been asleep on the couch that night, as she often was while watching television, i could very well have suffered the same fate as you.
– Christopher
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I thought I replied to this when I first saw it, but apparently I didn’t. Reading your comment has brought me some solace in knowing that hopefully other people won’t go through what my mom and I did because our story is out there. I have no doubt bias was involved because people in our area don’t think very highly of the Hinson family. I’ve removed myself from them as far as I can because I understand why people don’t think highly of them. I agree, she shouldn’t have been charged in the first place. Any real arson investigator with any sense could have seen what really happened, like Hurst did in the end. I just wish he had been able to help sooner than he did so I didn’t have to be away from my mom as long as I was, but her lawyers had no interest in making it easy for her to prove her innocence. Regardless, I’m glad you left this comment. I understand the contact info thing, it’s okay. Thank you for being so kind.
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Brittany, I am new here and just saw the episode on forensic files. I am so sorry you went through the things you did. You were such an intelligent little girl. Now you’re a very intelligent woman. You’ve been through so much. I hope life is treating you better. I truly do.
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Thank you! It is better.
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I had this sense from your interview as a young child on that Forensic Files episode that you were going to do something unique and special in your life, because you had such poise and such a way with words. Most kids have no idea how to express their thoughts and feelings in language…you had it mastered then! And you couldn’t have been more than 9 or 10? Good luck with your poetry; there are lots of grants and contests worth submitting to out there. I am currently sending a couple of pieces of short fiction to magazines myself, just to see what happens. I am not searching for fame or fortune, just hoping there might be a few people out there who get where I’m coming from and appreciate my work.
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Hi Brittany,
I hope that you’re doing well. I have watched that case at least 10 times and i just still can’t get over it. i’m addicted to crime investigation shows aired at many countries i.e. Forensic Files (US), American Justice (US), Tatort(German), Crime Patrol(India) , Shabir to dekhe ga (Pakistan), Real crime stories(UK) and others but there are only a handful of cases that have had a profound impact upon me. One of such cases was this one. How the cruel and unjust system exploits naive and straightforward people makes me cringe to the core. I’m also disheartened by the untimely demise of your honorable mother who went through the tribulations of the ravenous justice system but had the resolve and faith to contest the allegations leveled against her.
When i heard you talking about your brother on the Forensic Files episode it almost made me cry 😦 and considering the gruesome episodes i have seen so far that’s somewhat a rare occurring. In that episode you were the personification of childhood in its most pristine form. I’m so moved that here i’m browsing the internet hoping that i could find something about that child and her mother and that their lives would be better now. I was devastated to find out that the pretty, honest and upright woman is no more but her incarnation is not a child anymore but a grown up , the same age as mine. Lastly i would like to say that although we don’t know each and probably would never meet but i consider myself to be a party in all of your griefs and sorrows. I pray to God that your life ahead is full of happiness and joy and that the demons from your past never haunt you in future. Your well wisher from Pakistan Hassan Tirmizi
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Her death was very sudden and I still feel its sting daily. Thank you for being so kind. It always makes me smile to get responses like yours.
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I came across your blog and I just wanted to say that you are a skilled writer. Your pieces are succinct, clear and always engaging. I keep reading even when the subject matter is personally challenging, because you always treat serious issues with respect.
By reflecting on your own struggles and experiences through writing, and then sharing your pieces online, you are providing reassurance to people like myself who have also experienced hardship and ongoing recovery.
I hope that you are doing well, wherever you are at this point in your life.
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Thank you so much for this response.
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Hi! I have never written someone who I saw on a television show. However, I just saw your family’s story on “Forensic Files” and I then googled your mother and discovered that she had died. The whole fire story broke my heart, I felt that your mother suffered so much but from what I saw she was very strong and intelligent! So, if this means anything to you, I just wanted to share that with you and also inquire if you have met your siblings who were given up for adoption.
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I’m so impressed by your insights at such a young age. I’m nearly twice your age and finally realized that it doesn’t mean he likes you if he bullies you. It just means he’s a bully. I initially came across this blog after doing a search about your mom. I’m so sorry she’s gone. You’ve lost so much. But you’ve also gained a great sounding husband and sweet daughter. I wish you well.
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Hi Luna,
I saw your comments about your mom and I’m very sorry for your loss. I just saw the Forensic Files episode and I was really impressed by your Mom. I teach computer classes and I was Googling her because I hoped she had gone on to have a successful career in my field. She had just the kind of resourcefulness that would have made her an excellent technician or engineer. I don’t know how anyone can see the interviews with her and not realize she was incredibly intelligent and a good person, but people often don’t need much to be unkind.
I wish you well! You’ve had more challenges than most. I think the show mentioned your siblings because that was the motive suspected by the idiots who charged your mom. I’m glad you can all be a comfort to each other.
Sincerely,
SPF
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Hi Brittany,
Forensic Files was one of my mom’s favorite shows, and she recently passed. I was her hospice care provider, and we’d stream episodes on Netflix and watch them together. I now seem to be hooked on the show, and I was extremely moved by the episode with your family. So much so, that I felt compelled to look your mom up to learn about her life since the show. I wanted to try to send a note to her to let her know how much I admired her strength and serenity. And I wanted to comment on how wonderful I thought it was to hear you, as such a young girl, to confidently share the experience that you had in heaven. I completely understood how you could be at peace, at such a young age, while missing him on Earth, knowing he was in the beautiful heaven that you described. To quote you, “he was so young!” Ha. So wonderful!
I am sorry to learn that your mom passed. I hope you still hold the peace in knowing she’s in heaven with your brother. And I thank you for helping me to keep such a beautiful image of heaven. I think our mom’s will like each other there.
Xo
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Brittany – I saw the Forensic Files story and I was very impressed with the personalities of you, your mother, and even little Joshua. Everybody else has said what I would say about how sorry I am that you and your mother had to suffer so much, but I mainly just wanted to tell you that you are an excellent writer.
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Brittany –
I must confess, I am one of “those” people who found your beautiful blog after viewing the episode of Forensic Files. I want you to know that I did not search you out of morbid curiosity or anything like that. I was absolutely struck by what an absolutely brilliant, adorable, resilient little girl you were with the most beautiful soul. I knew you would grow up to be an amazingly talented and not only intellectually intelligent, but emotionally intelligent adult. I don’t know how anyone could watch that episode and have ANY question of how strong you and your mom both are/were and I especially don’t know how anyone could question the obvious love she had for you and your brother.
You don’t know me, my opinion doesn’t matter. But I am completely inspired by you. And there is absolutely no doubt that your little girl is going to be raised to be every bit as much of a badass angel as her mother and grandmother, just hopefully with softer memories. I wish you the very best. I am so sorry for the loss you have suffered – your brother, your safe space, your grandmother, and your mother. I do not know how I could be of help to you or your family, but if I can be, please let me know. Much love, prayers, and good energy of the universe to you! Thank you for being a beautiful light in a dark world!!!
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Brittany, I have drifted into your writings by chance, and you have an exceptional gift of expression. I must say yours is a story which brings tears to one’s eyes, but a smile to the heart as you have apparently come so far. I was looking for your name and your e-husband’s name on a search because my husband and I live in Tabor City and are interested in the Brown St. home where you once lived which is listed on realtor.com. we have been in touch with the realtor several times trying to schedule a time to view the home, but he says he has no key because the people who were renting left and did not return the key. I searched records in Columbus County and found your and Michael’s names as owners. The realtor indicates he cannot get a locksmith to open the door without the owner’s permission. He indicates he cannot get up w/ the owner. I do not know if you still are an owner or if you ever speak w/ your ex-husband; but if you do have any communication w/him. we are very interested and would hope he could contact the realty company and make arrangements for people to view the property. Thank you for any help you may be able to give, and may you be blessed.
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Brittany,
I’ve seen the episode of Forensic Files so many times. Every time, my heart aches for your mother and you. I’m so glad she was able to be vindicated – and PROVEN innocent.
For some reason, today I was compelled to search YOU out. I can’t say why. I’m dealing with a tragic death myself, right now, so perhaps I felt some sort of connection with you. (My adult son was killed in a car accident 19 days ago.)
Reading your experience with your mother as she neared death also resonated with me. though it’s been 8 years, I still miss her, and I remember how she was slowly taken from us, bit by bit, by Parkinsons, a death I would not wish on my worst enemy. But my memories of her are of her smiling, and laughing, and standing by me through bad times and good.
I hope you were able to mark your mother’s grave in the way you want. But if you haven’t, my hope is that you are able to at some point.
Sending you love and light from Texas.
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Here because of an old 48 hrs episode. So sorry to hear your mom passed in Dec 2013. My dad died that month too. Btw, your children are beautiful. I’m glad to learn you and your mom had a good relationship after all you both went through. I might watch the Forensic Files episode. I remember watching a show that said it was only recently that they begin to really understand fire forensics better. The show left open the question, How many people convicted of arson were actually innocent? I’m so glad your mother found reliable experts to help her case. Thank you for the blogs.
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If you write an autobiography one day, I will be the first one to buy a copy! You are beautiful, resilient, and your mom would be so proud of the woman you have become. Keep shining your light on the world.
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Hi Brittany, I just watched the forensic episode about the fire. I can only imagine what kind of an impact it must have made on you and your mom. I cannot even begin to imagine what it must have been like for your mom. Not only to lose your baby but then be accused of actually having killed him. Such a monstrous accusation! I read your blog post about your mom. It must have been really hard to be accused by people even after she was proven innocent. Many people are so ignorant and even cruel. I hope you have many good memories as well, beautiful things to share with your own daughter about her grandmother. I wish you all the best!
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