Jett Travolta Autopsy Underway

61. No, I meant freedom of the press, although fos is applicable as well. Stop lumping those of us who rightfully question whether this child was receiving proper treatment when Scientology has a 60 year history of teaching their followers that mental illness doesn't exist, with someone cruel enough to say Jett is 'going to hell'. ANY thinking person is appalled by such remarks, and you know it.

As for being sued, you have a point there, Scientology has bullied critics with lawsuits for decades. They even sued TIME Magazine for their article "The Cult of Greed and Power" all the way to the Supreme Court-and lost.

I would GLADLY question this duplicitous cult's practices on TV, as have many others. What time do I go on?

Posted at 12:37PM on Jan 5th 2009 by been there

62. BB, I am inclined to have these questions in my mind because no one knows the real truth as of yet, and maybe will ever know. That poor kid certainly cannot tell us anything.

It seems you are trying to provide answers, excuses or rationalizations---and if it makes you feel better to do so, go right ahead. But it doesn't mean you know any more or less about it than anyone else on the outside looking in. And don't expect everyone to be satisfied with your own personal explanation or perception of the situation.

A boy is still dead and no one really knows why. Personally, I cannot see beyond that one heartbreaking and indisputable fact.

And why do I think it's so important to know? I think the better question might be why some of you think it's not important why someone so young died, as if his life was somehow irrelevant.

Posted at 12:39PM on Jan 5th 2009 by Ginger

63. Speaking as someone who has witnessed seizures first hand, I have to say if they were withholding the meds available to control and limit these, Thats child abuse plain and simple. I hope the reports are wrong and he was on meds.Seizures are horrible and no one should suffer them if they can be prevented.

Posted at 12:39PM on Jan 5th 2009 by bob

64. #50 BB...

YOU are the only one that is uninformed on this site.....Ms Preston herself stated they put Jett through the detox program that the scientology cult offers....YOU are the one that needs to get a clue, get informed..... or STFU

Posted at 12:46PM on Jan 5th 2009 by Victoria

65. I have 2 children with autism and if I say so myself, I am quite educated in this disorder and its treatments. I suspect Jett also was autistic, and whether or not he was on meds for his seizures is really no ones business. 30% of children with autism have seizures. Its hard to control sometimes, its a tricky balance trying to find a med that doesnt make them zombies or cause more damage. He wasnt just epileptic so its more difficult finding that balance. There is no treatment for autism despite what some celebrities who pimp out their children tell you. There are therapies that may make it easier for them to cope..or ease their symptoms. And I have no doubt the Travoltas did all they could. Jett was probably more severe, and no diet..no med..was going to change that. They LOVED him. They treated him with respect..and gave him the best quality of life they could. They didnt institionalize him.....as some doctors still suggest for severely autistic children. They kept him at home and tried to provide the best care. Stop criticizing them and using scientology or homosexuality as the cause for anything. Its absurd. Give these grieving parents some respect in their hour of need.
My heart goes out to them. My children are the light of my life and I couldnt bear losing one. Nothing in the world is more painful than seeing your child suffer and not being able to help. And then to top it off with constant criticism from the outside world who has no clue what you are going through. Its too much. The rest of you...get educated. There are more autistic children now than ever in history and they are going to become autistic adults..learn how to deal with them. Different doesnt mean retarded.

Posted at 12:53PM on Jan 5th 2009 by heartbroken

66. can't yunz let this poor little boy REST IN PEACE...??
whatever religion or beliefs his parents chose, the boy lost his life..
let him be

Posted at 12:57PM on Jan 5th 2009 by letthemrestinpeace..

67. I find this story very sad but the responses of some people commenting here are incredibly stupid. Since when in America can't the general public question things? We do have freedom of speech and freedom of the press (oh, and freedom of religion that allows a cult like Scientology, too, IMO.) All of these calls for censorship, in case we "hurt" the Travolta's feelings? Boo freaking hoo, there is no right NOT to have your feelings hurt, and frankly, do any of rabid Travolta sympathizers REALLY think that the Travolta's are going to read the comments section on TMZ? Like all of these posts (mine included) are going to either destroy them by questioning what happened or heal them with your sympathy? Get a life. I am VERY curious as to why a 16 year old needed a baby monitor and a door chime on his door in the face of the Travolta's denying he was autistic. I am very curious as to the autopsy results. I admit After all of that being said, open your eyes to really important things going on - soldiers dying in Iraq and Afghanistan; the Gaza land war; the Presidential inauguration; the economy? Yeah it's sad he's dead, yeah, I want to know why and yeah, I realize that there are more things going on in the world than this story, the comments and the tempest in a teacup some people are trying to create. People can have their questions and opinions or not, as they choose, we don't all have to agree.

Posted at 1:04PM on Jan 5th 2009 by Incredulous

68. My heart grieves for the Travolta family, what pain they must be in. Some of the comments on this site just shows how truly pathetic people can be, especially when it comes to someones beliefs, someone other than their own that is. It just amazes me how those on here can judge Scientology as "not the right religion" when there is NO "right religion", even if you profess to be a "Christian" even Jesus himself said do not judge others and yet here you are. Pathetic.

Posted at 1:06PM on Jan 5th 2009 by CJ

69. heartbroken, I sympathize greatly with your situation, but believe you are missing the point that the Travoltas have always publically denied that their son was autistic. It also happens to be a condition that their religion does not recognize, as they lump it under a psychosomatic disorder.

I agree that people really should educate themselves on the topic, but you don't seem to realize that the those practicing Scientology would rather the world believe that autism does not really exist. Scientologists believe autism is simply "all in your head". The Travoltas are devout Scientologists.

Posted at 1:10PM on Jan 5th 2009 by To heartbroken

70. Heartbroken - as one mother of autistic children to another(I have 2 sons, 11 and 7 who both have autism), I can understand your situation. It does, however, puzzle me that I know of celebrities who have kids with autism, and I never heard about Jett Travolta. It seems that between Scientology not recognizing it, or labeling people with neurological issues to be "diminished persons" and the Travoltas themselves in denial, this poor boy MAY NOT have been getting the therapies he needed. While my heart goes out to anyone who loses a child, I just hope that they did not ignore or try to deny his condition and therefore, it went untreated. Being a celebrity does not automatically make you a wonderful parent, just ask Bing Crosby or Joan Crawford's kids. I educate anyone interested about my kid's condition, and also work at their school to help the other kids accept kid's with all sorts of disabilities. I certainly don't "hide them away." It is nothing to deny or be ashamed of...that is when it can be dangerous.

Posted at 1:26PM on Jan 5th 2009 by Smiley

71. Oh, I completely understand about Scientologists and their ignorance towards mental and neurological illnesses. Although I obviously dont agree with them..I dont think now is the time for finger-pointing. Having a child with a major illness/disability is devastating. Many parents have turned to religion and some have become zealots. So be it. You find comfort where you can. As long as the child was well- taken cared of, loved, and protected..I think they did their job the best they could. The insinuations of John being ashamed of his son and keeping him locked up is so very sad. You could see the love in his eyes. As a parent you see your childs soul..not their disability. Most severely autistic kids dont like crowds, loud noises or flashing lights. The parents were trying to keep him protected and happy..they dont owe the public an explanation of what disorder their son had. It is already so poorly understood by most people...even so-called professionals. If they never admitted it..who are we to judge. It is between them and their doctors...and their God.

Posted at 1:33PM on Jan 5th 2009 by heartbroken

72. If there were medications out there (and sometimes it takes awhile to figure it out) and the Travolta's chose, because of their religious beliefs, not to help that poor child, then shame on them. I remember a case a few years ago where parents lost a diabetic child because they did not give the poor girl insulin because of their religious beliefs. They went to prison. I just hope that the autopsy shows that he was being helped medically, if not, John and Kelly were negligent parents. Can you imagine how Jett suffered with those seizures?? If he could have been helped and wasn't, that's criminal.

Posted at 1:46PM on Jan 5th 2009 by Smiley

73. It would be nice if TMZ and other media sources did separate pieces on Scientology and their exploitive, dangerous views...and leave the Travoltas out of it. Right now they should be left alone to grieve. I believe their son had an unfortunate tragic accident. Goodness knows there are many other examples they can cite that were directly linked to Scientology.. JMO

Posted at 1:45PM on Jan 5th 2009 by heartbroken

74. First of all, "Been There," if you aren't lumped in with the people who were leaving those nasty comments, then I wasn't talking about you. I never said you were part of that group. Remember, you addressed me, not the other way around.

Welcome Back - Once again...just so we all know...what is your opinion on this topic? Do you have one? Or are you just trying to get attention?

Ginger - so you're allowed to have questions in your mind, and voice them, that everything isn't on the up and up before we actually know what happened, but if I voice my opinions that we should all stop pointing fingers until the FACTS come out, then I'm making excuses for the Travoltas and rationalizing their actions?? Boy, that makes sense. I never once said I knew what went on here. I just have my opinions, just like you do. If it does come out that the Travoltas were negligent, I will be shocked and saddened, but I won't make excuses for them. I'm just not willing to convict them already! And I do care about what happened to this child, otherwise I wouldn't be so outraged by some of the comments here that seem to be making a mockery or a media circus out of the whole thing. For someone who was blasting others for their "righteous indignation" you certainly seem to be on a pretty high horse as well, since you have no problem suggesting that just because I choose not to prematurely question a grieving family's standard of care that I must find Jett's life irrelevant. Wrong-o.

Victoria - Telling me to "STFU" doesn't help your position, nor does it help make you look more mature. So what if they put Jett through detox? Does that also mean that they NEVER gave him meds when it became medically necessary? And yes, there is no scientific evidence that their detox process works. There's no scientific evidence that prayer works either, but I know plenty of people who are sure that it does, myself included. Or meditation. Or fasting. Belief and faith play big parts in the effectiveness of those things. There are plenty of rituals that people of different belief systems go through to try to achieve better health or a better state of mind, we just don't think they're all crazy cult schemes.

Posted at 1:48PM on Jan 5th 2009 by BB

75.

My heart goes out for anyone that has lost a child. Whether or not they "deserved" it or not, Its still someones flesh and blood that has been taken away and can never be replaced. In the end we all die and sometimes in a sad and cruel way its someone who happens to be young and famous or who in this case who's father is famous doesn't make the pain any easier. I'm sure that everyone here that has commented has lost a friend or family member and I would like you to think back to how you felt at that time and how would you have felt if someone was being negative towards how you were feeling or how your family members were feeling, its not nice so why write it?

We love John here in Australia and I don't believe in Scientology and avoid Scientologists like the plague but that doesn't mean I wish that his son or anyone in his family died. I wouldn't wish anyone of any colour , race or religion to die and that's what I think is the worse thing about this story, is all the hate and negativity towards each other. Just let the family deal with this tragedy and if you don't have anything nice to say don't say it at all. That's my 2 cents worth, Peace out.

Posted at 2:02PM on Jan 5th 2009 by Aussie_Chick