This is so tragic and disturbing. The poor child was abused from birth to death - and even after her death.
And I feel sure there are many children and young people out there living a hell similar to that Amber endured - inadequate/abusive birth parents, bouncing between foster families and group homes - it is a terrible life and I can't help but think there must be a better way.
I know this will be an unpopular opinion but I also feel compassion for Connor. We know that it is vital for a child to be nurtured especially during their first 1000 days - or 3 years - as that's when neuro pathways are formed and in essence, the child's character and competence are formed. We also know that Connor had 5 years with his birth parents, so 2 years longer than Amber, and that his father is an extremely violent sex offender. I suggest that Connor's troubles were created very early in his life and that he needed extremely robust support throughout his childhood and teen years, probably forever.
The foster parents quoted sound like wonderful people and I can only imagine what they fielded during their years with the siblings. I also read that Connor was in a special school for young people with mental and emotional problems so it isn't as though he was overlooked, he just needed so much more than was available. I can't help but wonder if he has a brain injury as is so common in violent offenders.
I get no joy or satisfaction from reports describing him as evil etc. As the foster parents said, they have one child buried and another in prison. It is a terrible tragedy all round.
I can understand Amber wanting to meet up with her big brother even if it was considered dangerous; she was so young and essentially alone in the world. He was her only blood relative. When you're young, you keep hoping and imagining that things will get better.