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Erin Burnett Outfront
New Video Of Missing U.S. Soldier; Alleged New Mexico Shooter's Family: "We love Our Young Son"; Could Movie Shooter's Age Save Him From Jail?; Obama's Former Pastor Creates New Controversy; Duck Dynasty Returns After Anti-gay Remarks; New Video of Asiana Plane Crash
Aired January 15, 2014 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
S.E. CUPP, CNN ANCHOR: From the right, I'm S.E. CUPP. Join us tomorrow for another edition of CROSSFIRE. "ERIN BURNETT OUTFRONT" starts right now.
DON LEMON, CNN GUEST ANCHOR: Next, a sign of life. For the first time in three years video confirms America's only POW is alive.
Plus, cries for help, a dramatic 911 call as a 12-year-old opens fire in his middle school.
Shocking's new video of Asiana Flight 214, what we that you had we might know may not be true. Let's go OUTFRONT.
Good evening, everyone. I'm Don Lemon in for Erin Burnett. Our top developing story tonight, proof of life, for the first time in three years, a major sign of hope that the only American prisoner of war still in captivity is still alive. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl went missing in Afghanistan in June of 2009 and is believed to be held by a Taliban-aligned group in Pakistan.
Tonight, the U.S. military says it has a new video dated December 14th, 2013, of Sgt. Bergdahl. CNN's Ed Lavandera has been covering the story since Bergdahl went missing ahd has been in contact with Bergdahl's family regularly over the past five years. Ed, what's the family saying tonight?
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, this is just another chapter in what has been a long ordeal for the Bergdahl family of Idaho. But After news of this new video surfacing the family released a statement today saying that as they have over the past four and a half years, we request his captors to release him safely so that ours only son can be reunited with his mother and father.
Bowe, if you see this, continue to remain strong through patience. Your endurance will carry you to the finish line. Breathe. By no means is this a situation that will end apparently any time soon, just causing more anguish for this family.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LAVANDERA (voice-over): Military official tells CNN the latest video of Bowe Bergdahl, which has not been seen publicly or by CNN shows the army infantry man alive about one line ago, but the official says Bergdahl's physical condition appears diminished.
SGT. BOWE BERGDAHL, CAPTURED U.S. SOLDIER: I am scared. I am scared I won't be able to go home.
LAVANDERA: Bergdahl's captors have released several propaganda videos of the soldier over the years. Bergdahl is the only known captive American soldier. Videos have shown him seating, standing next to one of his captors apparent leaders even exercising.
BERGDAHL: Physically fit. I can do squats, leg lifts.
LAVANDERA: For the Bergdahl family, while every video might be difficult to watch, it proves he's still alive.
BERGDAHL: Let me go. Release, get me to be released because --
LAVANDERA: The details surrounding Bergdahl capture have never been fully explained. Bowe Bergdahl was serving on a U.S. military base in the Paktika Province of Afghanistan. Shortly after he was captured by Taliban fighters 2009, it's believed he was moved across the border into Pakistan and is now held by members of a group called "The Hakani Network," which has connections to al Qaeda.
(on camera): In December 2011, there were reports that Bowe Bergdahl tried to escape, but he was recaptured and in recent years, the Taliban has suggested that it's willing to exchange Bergdahl for five of its imprisoned leaders, but so far negotiations with U.S. Officials have not secured Bergdahl's freedom.
Bowe's father, Bob, started growing this beard as a symbol of solidarity just after his son was captured in Afghanistan. Today it's a constant reminder of how long his son has been gone, nearly five years. He's taught himself how to speak (inaudible) to send messages to his son's captors. In 2011, Bob Bergdahl released a video meant for Bowe's captors pleading for his son's release.
BOB BERGDAHL, FATHER OF BOWE BERGDAHL: We must also thank those who have cared for our son.
LAVANDERA (voice-over): In Bergdahl's hometown of Hailey, Idaho, yellow ribbons and banners honoring the soldier still line the streets.
BOB BERGDAHL: I do not live here. I live in Afghanistan. My cell phone is set on Afghan time. My weather is Afghan weather. I might be standing here, but I am living vicariously through my son. I will not leave you on the battlefield, Bowe. Your country will not leave you on the battlefield. You are not forgotten.
LAVANDERA: Just before Bowe Bergdahl was deployed to Afghanistan, his father says Bowe game him his last will and testament asking his parents to bury him at sea. His father said Bowe was sure he was not coming home alive. Five years later his family still refuses to give up hope.
(END VIDEOTAPE) LAVANDERA: Don, Bowe Bergdahl was 23 years old when he was captured. In two months, he will be turning 28 years old. This past summer, the family received a letter from Bowe Bergdahl. It was delivered to them through the Red Cross. They believe it's authentic and even though the Bergdahl family has shunned many media interviews almost nearly last five years. They say they have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to try to secure his release -- Don.
LEMON: From 23 to 28, his youth stolen from him as of now. Thank you very much, Ed Lavandera. Joining me, former CIA operative, Bob Baer and former commanding general at the U.S. Army's Intelligence Center, James "Spider" Marks. Good to see both of you, Gentlemen. Welcome. Bob, to you first. You spoke with a knowledgeable administration source. I understand about this tonight. What have you learned about Bergdahl?
BOB BAER, CNN INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY ANALYST: The problem is they don't know where he's being held or who precisely has him. They believe the Hakani Network, but there's been no interceps. There's been no information to suggest he is either in Afghanistan or Pakistan. In other words, the possibility of a rescue mission right now is remote to none.
LEMON: What are the options and do they really have any options at this point to get Bergdahl back?
BAER: Trade with the Taliban, getting to the Pakistanis. That's what we have to offer. I don't know that the administration is willing to go into those kinds of negotiations with the Taliban trading prisoners, but that's certainly a possibility.
LEMON: General Marks, you know, the U.S. often says it doesn't negotiate with terrorists. So now what?
MAJOR GENERAL JAMES "SPIDER" MARKS, U.S. ARMY GENERAL (RETIRED): Well, it can. If it did as Bob indicated, we would not know if that was going to take place, but it could and it would take place probably behind the scenes completely. We wouldn't know about it if there are some end treaties of some sort to try to gain his release, but clearly if he is in Pakistan, the Pakistanis probably are aware of it.
At some level, we would have to penetrate and that and try to get there, incentivize them to participate in some form of a release and as Bob indicated without a real good locational data, and I'm assuming that the video has been validated as accurate and current, without good locational data there is no likelihood of a forced rescue. So clearly there has to be some form of a negotiation of some sort.
LEMON: Well, the question is would the U.S. ever hand over prisoners?
MARKS: Of course, not. No, we are not going to do that in this particular case. The likelihood is zero that that would occur. So what are the likelihood. We could disconnect the release or the movement of some prisoners back to the United States in some particular way to put them into some type of civil confinement or control, but there would not be a quid pro quo type of an arrangement that will take play.
LEMON: Bob, I have to ask you quickly. I know it's a harsh question, but it's an important question. It has been five years, is time of the essence here? What I'm asking you is that it will become a point where Bergdahl is no longer abuse to his captors.
BAER: I think they are going to want to trade for him, get something negotiated out. The Hakani Network is fairly rational. They're not al Qaeda. I think they'll keep him alive as long as they can, but the problem is the conditions are so bad. In the Pakistani tribal areas, it's touched and goes.
LEMON: Bob, General, appreciate both of you. Thank you.
Still to come, breaking news, police release 911 calls from the New Mexico middle school shooting as 12-year-old gun man allegedly opens fire.
Plus President Obama's former pastor back in the spotlight. What the Reverend Jeremiah Wright is saying about the president now.
And episodes of "Duck Dynasty" begins tonight with Phil Robertson, did they indeed, make the right decision?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Breaking news just in to CNN tonight. The family of a 12- year-old boy who is accused of shooting and wounding two students at his New Mexico school, the family has just released a statement. It says we love our young son and grandson dearly as does everyone in his extended family. His whole family is heartbroken as are many others in our tight knit community in Roswell.
This is a community that takes care of each other, loves each other and is praying together. There's information coming in now. Police are releasing the 911 calls at the New Mexico middle school. Tonight we hear a panicked teacher calling for help.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED DISPATCHER: 911, do you have an emergency?
UNIDENTIFIED CALLER: I have a student that's been shot. She's not -- she's been shot.
UNIDENTIFIED DISPATCHER: Do you know where the student is that has the firearm?
UNIDENTIFIED CALLER: No, we don't.
UNIDENTIFIED DISPATCHER: Where is she shot at?
UNIDENTIFIED CALLER: It's in the right arm and armpit.
UNIDENTIFIED DISPATCHER: OK. Is she still breathing?
UNIDENTIFIED CALLER: Yes, ma'am. She said she's in a lot of pain. She is having hard time breathing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: We're talking about Kendall Sanders, the 13-year-old victim. Officials say she was upgraded to stable condition, but will remain in the hospital to recover. Second victim is still in critical condition.
Now into another shooting, the one in a movie theatre outside of Tampa, Florida, an ex-cop allegedly shot and killed 43-year-old chad Olson for texting during a movie. It happened in the previews. Olson at the movies with his wife texting with the babysitter taking care of their young daughter.
Witnesses say the ex-cop, Curtis reeves, told Olson to put his phone away. They argued. Olson allegedly threw popcorn. Then came the unimaginable, a gunshots. But some say Reeves' age could help him get off.
Joining me is Defense Attorney Mark Nejame. He has been practicing law in Florida for over 30 years. Mark, what do you mean, if this case seems cut and dry to a lot of people, but Reeves says he was afraid for his safety, but police say there was no physical contact unless you want to count that popcorn, he is 71 years old. Why do you think this will help his defense?
MARK NEJAME, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Well, it's about all that he has. Welcome to Florida stand your ground law again. That's what the defense has got to be. You know, you're going to have a hard time claiming that it was self-defense when someone was armed with a bag of popcorn.
So accordingly, you're going to hear that he was in fear and that he did not have to leave because he was permitted to stand his ground in a public area, namely a theatre, and he acted because he's going to claim he was in recent fever of danger or light threatening injury.
LEMON: Mark, he's a former cop. He's trained to assess threats. I mean, wouldn't that hurt a potential stand your ground argument that using popcorn as a defense?
NEJAME: Sure. It's not going to be an easy defense, but it's about all they've got. What happens is because of the status of his age it elevates it to a felony. So you are going to hear the defense likely claim that this was a forcible felony because he was over 65 years old, which puts him in a category, special category, status category of the otherwise the battery being elevated.
No different than hitting a pregnant woman. It goes to a felony, hitting a police officers, a firefighter, a pregnant woman, those all get elevated to a felony and it's the same thing with somebody who is over 65. So now that you got a classified arguably as a forcible felony, his position will be I was in reasonable fear. I had to right to go ahead and defend myself.
I tell you, when I looked at this guy on TV, he was 71 years old, but he looked pretty (inaudible) to me. Just to say when somebody is 71 years old, there are a lot of people who are that age and much older who can well take care of themselves. But nevertheless, that's all that they are going to have by way of a defense.
LEMON: Well, that's the problem with the stand your ground law and with many of the similar laws on the book. Let's move on though because this apparently isn't the first Reeves has upset about texting in a movie theatre. Mira Dixon says she was also threatened by Reeves for texting in a movie theatre. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMIRA DIXON, THREATENED BY SHOOTING SUSPECT: He became just upset about the whole situation and kept staring and kept giving us dirty looks. The guy in front of us started texting and the situation got worse. He gets up. He's like; can you do me a favour? Can you please just stop texting?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Quick responses here, Mark. I mean, doesn't that show a pattern of harassment?
NEJAME: Sure. Prior bad acts are typically not allowed in new case. However, when you can show that there's a little fact evidence, almost the fingerprints are the same. It called William's raw material and it can be permitted and does become permitted in the state of Florida.
You are going to hear the defense argue in this case that he acted reasonably in another like situation and there must have been something here that elevated his fear. You are going to hear the, of course, the prosecution say, this man was a ticking time bomb and this was a (inaudible) that obviously escalated in unnecessary death.
LEMON: Well, Mark Nejame, He acted reasonably in another like situation. You'll hear of course the prosecution's side saying this was a ticking time bomb had has to go nowhere. We'll be watching. Good to see you.
President Obama's combative pasts are back in the spotlight and again stirring controversy. The Reverend Jeremiah Wright now joining forces with the Chicago Teachers Union and today he had some not so nice things to say about the president, about the Obama administration. Was his appearance political payback and should the president be concerned. George Howell reports now from Chicago.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE HOWELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Remember this?
REVEREND JEREMIAH WRIGHT: Goddamn America.
HOWELL: The controversial comments from President Obama's former pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright. He's been silent since the president denounced him during the 2008 president campaign, but today, returned to the spotlight. Wright spoke at a breakfast celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, an event sponsored by the Chicago Teachers Union, which is no stranger to controversy as union engages in a very public showdown with the school system and Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the president's former chief of staff.
CNN was invited to attend the breakfast, but just as Wright took the podium, all TV cameras were kicked out. Reporters were allowed to stay inside and that's when Wright started throwing punches directly at the Obama administration.
First, calling into question whether Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is qualified for the job suggesting Duncan only got his job because he quote, "has a good hoop shot," a reference to his basketball games with the president.
He went on to compare Dr. Martin Luther King's famous quote "I have a dream" to the Obama administration saying for the president, quote, "I have a drone." We were able to capture part of this on a camera phone.
WRIGHT: Policies of this country there's a kid on the list. The president decides who we going to kill this week. Its government based. Racism's and it's Character. We need to teach the kids truth.
HOWELL: Wright left the event avoiding cameras. The president of the Chicago Teachers Union, Karen Lewis defended Wright's comments when he compared himself to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Wright argued that the famed civil right leaders was reduced to only, quote, "sanitary sound bites" just as Wright says he had been reduced to sound bites.
KAREN LEWIS, PRESIDENT, CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION: I think we always focus in on a very small portion of the work he was trying to accomplish and very few people actually take that one step further. So Dr. Wright has clearly done that. These are the things that we talk about when we talk about social justice.
HOWELL: CNN political analyst, John Avlon says Wright took the opportunity to do major political --
JOHN AVLON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: It's pretty clear that Reverend Wright feels betrayed by President Obama. The two were very close at one time, but here he is directing all those attacks about racism, classism and the U.S. is a militaristic power at President Obama. It's an amazing falling out.
HOWELL: George Howell, CNN, Chicago.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: And still to come, "Duck Dynasty" returns to the air tonight with Phil Robertson. Did A&E make the right call?
Plus new footage of the Asiana Airline crash that killed three people. The fire department claimed one of the victims was accidentally run over because she was partially covered in foam. But new video tells a different story.
How do you define the word thug? I asked rapper, Slim Thug, that question later on in the show. You don't want to miss that conversation.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Money's and Power tonight, the quack is back. We talk about the "Duck Dynasty." A&E's hit show returns tonight less than a month after the show's star, Phil Robertson's controversial comments about gays landed him a suspension. Only that suspension turned into nothing more than a slap on the wrist after Christians and conservatives hit back hard accusing A&E of attacking their values. Tom Foreman is OUTFRONT with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOM FOREMAN (voice-over): If A&E has any lingering doubts about "Duck Dynasty," they don't show. The network is heavily promoting the new season with patriarch, Phil Robertson, and his family in a rare statement on Fox News said they're back in business.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a new year so we're ready to break in a new year and start it all over again.
FOREMAN: It is a stark turn around. Less than a month ago gay rights advocates were outraged over Phil Robertson's comments in "GQ" linking homosexuality with bestiality and downplaying the struggles of African-American. They cheered the network's suspension of Robertson.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The world is changing. The country is changing. Even the state in which Mr. Robertson's lives is changing. He needs to get in line.
FOREMAN: But then the counter attack, conservatives ripped A&E for trampling on religious freedom. The future of the whole show fell into doubt and the network buckled quickly lifting the suspension and infuriating rights advocates. A&E has chosen profits over African- Americans and gay people they said.
(on camera): Those profits are whopping. Dynasty of Ducks includes 14 million viewers, massive marketing deals, and a vast line of consumer products, t-shirts, furniture, books. According to "Forbes," it all added up to $400 million last year.
(voice-over): Still, this is the second set back for the gay rights movement involving big money and birds. In 2012 despite a call for a ban against Chick-Fill-A over anti-gay activity by some company officers, the restaurant chain posted a 14 percent increase in sales. No wonder the Ducks with their fans rallying hard are still flying high.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Nothing has really changed. I think if anything, "Duck Dynasty," A&E behind them and the stores are going to make more money than ever.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOREMAN: That is really the key. Even though the gay rights movement has made impressive strides in the courts and in the electorate and even though many people, particularly the younger people in the country fully support the idea of full gay rights. Networks don't start TV shows to make a point. They do it to make money. With this new season set to launch, the smart money is said to be on the Ducks.
LEMON: It is a business, Tom Foreman. You are correct. Thank you very much. We appreciate that.
Still to come, dramatic new footages of Asiana Flight 214, startling video of the Botched rescue efforts after the crash, which could have killed one of the passengers.
Plus, Justin Bieber targeted by the police and late night host, why the teen pop star has egg on his face.
And an amazing story of survival, a child thrown out of a moving vehicle, run over and manages to survive. The whole thing was caught on tape. We'll show it to you next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Welcome back to the second half of OUTFRONT.
The new development in the so-called bridgegate scandal. New Jersey Democrats have selected a special counsel to investigate the bridge controversy plaguing Chris Christie's administration. Former U.S. Attorney Reed Schar will review the case. He's the same prosecutor who targeted former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich during his corruption scandal.
Top Christie aides are alleged to have closed lanes on a bridge as political retribution. Two sources tell our John King the investigative committee's first priority will be to issue subpoenas for Governor Chris Christie's aides and documents in his office.
Shocking new surveillance video from Chinese media captures a terrible car accident. A van stopped at an intersection and is rear-ended by a cement truck. Debris flies from the windows. You see it right there.
And if you look closely, a child is thrown from the van and run over by one of its wheels. It certainly must not help that the van was carrying nine passengers when it could only hold seven. The boy survived the accident. A bystander who witnessed the collision rushed over to help him. Glad he's OK.
Asiana flight 213 crashed at San Francisco Airport last July, it was miraculously all caught on tape. Remember when this happened, the tape came out. It was actually on the anchor desk. Unbelievable.
Now, there's new footage. This video first obtained by CBS News reveals how emergency responders may have killed a 16-year-old passenger who survived the crash but died after being run over by two fire trucks. The video shows how firefighters at the scene identified her body before she had been fatally struck. One is even heard warning others to stay clear of her body on the tarmac.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, stop, stop, stop. There's a body right -- there's a body right there right in front of you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, the San Francisco Fire Department initially claimed the teen was accidentally run over because she was covered in foam, but this new video appears to challenge that assertion.
Rocco Chierichella is a 911 first responder and a retired New York City firefighter and he is OUTFRONT with us tonight.
In one clip, we see a responder standing over the teen's body, right, Mr. Chierichella? Was it -- was it their responsibility to stay with her until she could be moved to a safe area?
ROCCO CHIERICHELLA, NEW YORK CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT (RET.): Airplane crashes, Don, are chaotic to say the least. You're dealing with a situation that isn't common place in firefighting. It's a volatile area with thousands of gallons of jet fuel. I'm not defending certain things that were done, I'm just trying to paint a --
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: A number of things could happen.
CHIERICHELLA: Plus, when you're dealing with the issue of 300 passengers on board a plane, I don't know if somebody had to make a split second decision on how mangled the body was.
LEMON: I understand what you're saying, but when you're a first responder at the airport, that's part of the training is to train for an air disaster, a crash, right? So, everyone has their role. If there are victims on the ground, don't they say, you stand here? That's just the question.
And I want to ask you because in other footage, you can see another person warns the driver of the vehicle to stop. I want you to take a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, stop, stop, stop. There's a body right -- there's a body right there right in front of you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: OK. So -- CHIERICHELLA: It seems, according to this picture, that the firefighter is telling the driver that there's a body right there. Was it a dead body? I can't believe a firefighter would assess a live person, leave her there, and just leave this young lady there and direct a fire truck to stop and not do anything else.
I don't know the condition. The film doesn't show the condition of that body. If it's mangled in a way where you have to assess visually, that's one thing. However, there's other bodies on that plane and the decision was to protect the bodies on the plane.
LEMON: I understand that. But you have someone have a truck run over the body is what I'm saying when they know the body's there. Even if she was dead, would they still run over her body?
CHIERICHELLA: You know, like I said to you before, I'm not trying to dodge the issue of did they do the right thing by not assessing the body and making sure it's marked, move it, get it out of the way or have people surround it, that wasn't done.
LEMON: All right. Let's not belabor this. I want to ask you this. The fire department isn't commenting, but according to reports, the three commanders who directed the Asiana rescue operation had never taken an air disaster training course. I mean, that's a problem, right, when you have a catastrophe like this?
CHIERICHELLA: I can only speak for the New York City Fire Department, which I worked for. You know, we have a professional -- I don't know what they do in San Francisco, Don. I can't comment on something I don't know nothing about.
LEMON: All right. Thank you, sir. Mr. Chierichella, I appreciate you joining us here on OUTFRONT, on CNN.
New developments tonight in the case of Myls Dobson, the four-year-old we told you about last night. He was tortured to death by his caregiver in a New York City apartment. And we just learned that one week after he was killed, his family has finally come forward to claim the body.
Myles met his tragic fate last week after police say he was bound, gag, beaten, burned, and starved by his caregiver -- a 27-year-old who was just arraigned on charges of assault and endangerment and unlawful imprisonment. His father at the time of the alleged abuse was in jail. His mother unaware of what was taking place because she had lost custody of her son.
And after we first reported this story last night, many of you weighed in -- outraged about the government's ability to protect the child, like Myls Dobson.
Tony Herbert is advising the Dobson family and Mel Robbins is a former legal criminal defense attorney.
Thank you both for joining me here on CNN.
TONY HERBERT, ADVISING DOBSON FAMILY: Thank you.
LEMON: This is an important story. We want to prevent these situations from happening again.
So, Tony, first to you. A lot of finger pointing over who let this child down, whether it was the government, whether it was Myls' family. Where was Myls' mother? I mean, she told reporters that she had weekly visitation rights. How did she not know what was going on with her own son?
HERBERT: I mean, she lost total communication with regards to the father. They had stop communicating. They had visitation once a week or every other week, I should say, for that matter.
So, you know, what I want to be very clear about. She's not the person that killed Myls. She had serious issues. She was taking care of that to get access to her kid.
LEMON: Mel, the boy's father, Okie Wade reportedly has a rap sheet with at least 13 arrests. Do you blame the government for placing this child with a father who may have been an unfit -- not may have been unfit parent. Apparently, was an unfit parent.
HERBERT: You know, it appears that --
LEMON: This is for Mel.
HERBERT: I'm sorry.
MEL ROBBINS, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: First of all, I don't really blame the government for what happened. There's one person that's responsible for this. It's the monster that killed this poor little boy. But, Don, I do pause and say to myself, what judge, what administrator, what government official decides in that capacity when they're reviewing a case, OK, we're going to put him with the guy with 13 arrests.
I mean, family has come out of the woodwork now that this young soul is lost. Where were they through the entire process? I blame people in this order. I blame the monster that killed him, Don, first and foremost. Then, I blame the father for dropping his kid off with somebody that he's only known for a month. Then, I blame the extended family for not knowing and checking in on where this kid was all through the holidays.
LEMON: And the mother?
ROBBINS: It wasn't a caregiver -- the mother, look. The state had already determined that she was not in a place in her life, Don, to have primary custody. So, I don't actually chalk her up with having the capacity, Don, to be responsible enough because the state already she wasn't.
LEMON: Right. Supposedly, they were supposed to put the child in the care of someone who was responsible. Tony, the question that a lot of people asked when we check with investigators and authorities yesterday, they said the body had not been claimed. Why did it take a week for the family to claim the child's body?
HERBERT: Well, one is a process. Keep in mind, there's assurance on the child. So, that had to be identified with. Culminate that with a thought process that, you know, there's paperwork that has to be done.
We actually came in with a team. We had the attorneys really to help her and give her guidance on that process. We also came in with the funeral director who's work with us on a number of other cases, dealing with shootings in our very communities, who we know that we could trust who would do right by the family financially.
And so, we were prepared to do that. It was just a matter of the paperwork at the office.
LEMON: Ok. So, Mel, Arizona's Governor Jan Brewer dissolving the state's child protective services agency after revelations that the agency failed to investigate 6,500 reports of abuse and neglect. I mean, listen, this happens across the country. I don't know if there are 6,500 cases in each state. I mean, is this a right move?
ROBBINS: You know, Don, one of the things that I really liked about what the governor's doing is she's making this a cabinet level position. When I think about our country, when I think about a state, our greatest natural resource is actually future generations. So, I think it's hugely appropriate and very empowering that she's going to make this a cabinet level position.
I also think, yes, if you've got a child services association, Don, that can't handle 6,500 cases or allegations of abuse, the foundation is broken. When you have a house when the foundation that doesn't work, you raise it and you build something new. And so, I admire what she's doing.
LEMON: Listen, Brewer is creating an agency that will now report directly to the government some accountability. She was adamant that the system in Arizona that is place now doesn't work. I want you to listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. JAN BREWER (R), ARIZONA: It breaks my heart and makes me angry -- enough with uninvestigated reports of abuse and neglect, enough with the lack of transparency and enough with the excuses.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: So, is what she -- Tony, is what she's doing in Arizona, correct? And should that happen across the country?
I spoke with an attorney last night and said our whole system needs to be overhauled. HERBERT: Well, you know what? We have the ultimate confidence. Yes, totally, I think that should be done. And we have the utmost confidence with the new ACS commissioner Gladys Carion (ph) who has experience in dealing with these issues. And we have a lot of confidence in our mayor to do his due diligence, to make sure that our children are not falling to the cracks any longer.
So, we're working with them. We give them that confidence. But again, as the judicial system, we have the ultimate problem with.
LEMON: Mel, I know that this issue for you that you've been very passionate about, and that is the family. Not that anyone -- as we said, no one is blaming the mother here. When you look at the circumstances of what the mother was dealing with. But you say a breakdown of the family. It's something we really need to get a handle on.
ROBBINS: Yes. You know, it makes me really upset, Don, to keep hearing people say that this was the government's fault for letting this kid fall through the crack. The first obligation to this kid was by his family -- his father, his mother, and the extended network of his family. He's got relatives that live in the area, Don. And you cannot have children and then say, they're somebody else's problem when the parents screw up. And so, I say stop looking at the government as the first line of defense and take a deep, hard look in the mirror and say to yourself as a family, hey, it might be a niece, it might be a nephew, it might be a cousin. They're still our responsibility.
So, I see Tony shaking his head.
LEMON: Tony, that's going to be -- just for time purposes, I'm sorry. And this conversation will continue. We are devoted here on OUTFRONT to these types of stories and turning and trying to save children in America.
We will have you back. If you have more information about this particular case, make sure you get in touch with us. Thank you, Tony. Thank you very much, Mel.
Still to come, is thug a positive or negative word? My interview with rapper Slim Thug is next.
And later, Justin Bieber in hot water with the police, facing possible felony charges.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Anderson's here with a preview of "AC360."
What do you have, Anderson?
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Don.
Yes, we're keeping them honest tonight in the program, with much more on the up-close video that tells a dramatic and close story of the accident after an accident. How a survivor hurled from the plane in a crash died after being run over by first responders. This is the Asiana Airlines crash. Drew Griffin has that report.
Also, a warning tonight about a commonly used drug, the possibly deadly complications. How much Tylenol is too much? I'll speak with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, about that, with some important medical information we need to know.
Those stories and tonight's "RidicuList" and a lot more at the top of the hour, Don
LEMON: See you then. Thank you, Anderson.
You know, last week, we brought you the story of the toddler in Omaha who police said demonstrated the so-called thug cycle. On one of the shows I posted the question, is thug a racist term? There was a huge response on social media, including this comment on Twitter, from rapper Slim Thug, which reads very simply, "FU, Don Lemon."
During the segment we used shots of Slim's album covers and after the piece ran here on CNN, he appeared on a radio show where the host asked him how he defined the term thug.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When you think thug, Slim Thug, give me your definition. I've got the two-part definition. Here's just, you know, a person who going through struggle, has gone through struggles, and continues to live day by day, you know, just trying to make it. When you think of thug for you, Slim Thug, you think what?
SLIM THUG, RAPPER: I think the same thing, man, like a big-time fan. I probably got thug growing up listening to him. That's how I was introduced to that. That's probably where my name came from. So, I feel the same way that he feels, coming from nothing to something.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
LEMON: So, earlier, I had the opportunity to chat with Slim Thug.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: You described a thug as someone coming from nothing to something. That, to me, honestly sounds like an entrepreneur, a businessman. Why do you feel the need to use thug to describe social or economic success?
SLIM THUG: It's really -- it's deeper than just being an entrepreneur because when I say from nothing, I mean like from nothing for real. Like momma not there, daddy not there. You know, you looked at as a thug because of how you looked.
You don't have -- you might have saggy jeans on or whatever and you come from the hood so you're not dressed, you know, as sharp as the other kids or whatever. But, you know, you always looked at as a thug. You know, everybody looking at you like you're about to steal something from them or rob them because of how you dress and how you look.
For you to come from that to being successful, man, that's what we call it coming from nothing. That's what we call thugging.
LEMON: But in your music, you talk about that your strap, owning a gun. You talk about that you roll with guerillas. Dealers.
SLIM: I do. I do. It's true.
LEMON: All right. So then do you understand that. So kids who listen to your music, they may misinterpret what you mean by the word "thug." It may not be their definition of the word thug may not be your definition of the word thug.
SLIM THUG: I understand that. Just like I think y'all definition of thug and mine differ. So, you know, I understand that people can get it wrong sometimes. But at the same time, it's like I to do all that and I do hang around those type of guys. That's what environment I was raised in I was discriminated on so much because of how I look and how I dress.
So I want to show the other kids would I'm from and came up where I came up just because I have braids and a grille and tattoos everywhere it don't necessarily mean I'll try to snatch your purse.
LEMON: You had trouble getting deals because of your name. You lose endorsements because of your name.
SLIM THUG: Right, everything. A lot of stuff, because I can't get a date. I give out meals all the time. I go to the hood every Thanksgiving, pass out turkeys, give toys away at school. I do a lot for the community.
But I'm sure the reason why I don't got no day from the mayor is because my name is Slim Thug. You know how like giving a guy named Slim Thug his own day.
And also, I don't think that was cool what happened with that baby. I don't think that's cool them people got that kid cussing like that. You know what I'm saying? But I also don't think it's right for somebody to label him as a thug. You know what I'm saying?
Because of his environment. You know, that's just what he's raised in. He's got to come out of that. It's hard. A lot of people are borne into money, you got mommy and daddy. Got to follow the blueprint. You know what I'm saying?
LEMON: I'm glad you said that. The people who are telling him to thug in his diaper, right, are listening. Maybe people who are listening to your music. That's what I mean by maybe they're perpetuating a negative stereotype and don't even realize it.
It's not the baby's fault, but they're doing it because they think it's cool. SLIM THUG: It ain't the music. If anybody listens to music and is influenced by what a rapper says, then that's just not good. They wasn't raised in a good home, anyway. You know what I'm saying?
It's hard for somebody to listen to -- if somebody's going to listen to a song and do what the songs say, that's bad parenting, on top. You know what I'm saying? You're supposed to know better than that.
LEMON: Thank you.
SLIM THUG: There it is. Appreciate your having me.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Now, we want to know what you think. How do you define the term "thug." Let us know on Twitter @DonLemon or @OutFrontCNN.
Still to come, Justin Bieber in trouble with the law and the late night comedians have taken notice.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: The hit CBS show "How I Met Your Mother" is under fire for a Kung Fu homage gone wrong featured during Monday's episode. In the show, three characters are dressed in Asian-themed costumes and speak in stereotypical accents. Fans did not take kindly to the story line. The #howimetyourracism even started trending.
Carter Bays, the co-creator of the show, has apologized, just tweeting this, quote, "With Monday's episode, we set out to make a silly and unabashedly immature homage to Kung Fu movies, a genre we've always loved. But along the way, we offended people. We're deeply sorry and we're grateful to everyone who spoke up to make us aware of it. We try to make a show that's universal, that anyone can watch and enjoy. We fell shore of that this week and feel terrible about it. To everyone we offended I hope we can regain your friendship and end this series on a note of goodwill. Thanks."
Also in Hollywood, Justin Bieber may be trying to distance himself from accusations he launched an egg attack on his neighbor, but his alleged prank has late night comics cracking up.
Jeanne Moos has all the yolks and the jokes.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Who hatched this plan? Why would a 19-year-old superstar like Justin Bieber roll up his sleeves and allegedly throw eggs at his neighbor's house?
JOEL MCHALE, HOST, "THE SOUP": It's weird how he's going back to pranks from 1950.
MOOS: And we don't mean just egging some cheap brick like this. We're talking --
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, TV HOST: Twenty grand of damage to his house.
JIMMY KIMMEL, COMEDIAN: He throws Faberge eggs only.
MOOS: Twenty grand to replace Venetian plaster and doors made out of imported wood.
(on camera): Talk about breaking news.
(voice-over): The late night comedians had audiences breaking up with their own coverage.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Rick, what can you tell us?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is in fact Justin Bieber. I think he sees us.
MOOS: From a pelted shopper on Leno.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our officers were pursuing evidence that a felony had been committed in reference to the --
MOOS: To pelted police on Kimmel.
But the real sheriff's department press conference, there were some egg-centric questions about the police raid on Bieber's home.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you match the eggs found in a refrigerator, for example, with those used in the vandalism case?
LT. DAVE THOMPSON, LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.: I would assume that that's probably possible.
MOOS: But the lieutenant made it clear the raid was no egg hunt. They were look for security camera video that might show Bieber in the act of tossing eggs from his own property. Bieber hasn't commented to CNN, and he hasn't been charged.
THOMPSON: I believe there is probably almost a dozen detectives that were there.
JAY LENO, COMEDIAN: Why do they send 12 cops? One cop for each neglect the carton? Was that the thinking?
CONAN O'BRIEN, COMEDIAN: Why is one of the most affluent stars in the world right now throwing eggs at his neighbor's house?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because he's a (EXPLETIVE DELETED) idiot.
O'BRIEN: Yes.
MOOS: Back in 2011, Bieber himself got egged when a fan trying to get his attention pelted the stage while Bieber performed in Australia. Now, the egg's on the other foot. And Spirit Airlines is running a "you won't believe these deals" promotion. Escape Justin time before you get egg on your face. The jokes, all the puns -- (on camera): It's enough to make a gun shy celebrity crawl back in his shell.
O'BRIEN: It's being called the most pointless use of an egg since the fertilization of Justin Bieber.
MOOS (voice-over): Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LEMON: Exactly. So the question is, why is someone else taking the blame for something found in Justin Bieber's house? That's a question no one has answered. I'd like the answers to that one.
"AC360" starts right now.
