Father of Drowned Kids Speaks Out

Oct. 23, 2005 — -- Taronta Greeley had been hospitalized since Wednesday, after learning his children had been thrown into San Francisco Bay. One at a time, witnesses say, Lashuan Harris stripped her three children -- 6-year-old Treyshun Harris, 2-year-old Taronta Greeley, Jr., and 16-month-old Joshoa Greeley -- of their clothes and dropped them off a pier.

"I just miss my kids," said Greeley, who has recently left the hospital.

But Greeley harbors no resentment toward their mother, who has been accused of murdering them. Greeley met Harris in 1994 and together they had three sons, but their relationship had since ended.

"I knew she didn't mean to do it because I know she's sick," he said. "I just want her to know I'm praying for her and I love her. I forgive her."

Relatives say the 23-year-old Harris, who lived in a homeless shelter with her children, is a schizophrenic whose condition had been worsening in recent months. She had stopped taking her medication and was beginning to hear voices.

While Greeley knew Harris was mentally ill, he never imagined that she would be charged with killing her own children by tossing them into the San Francisco Bay.

"I didn't think it was that serious with her," he said. "I really didn't know."

"She was always quiet, kept to herself. I could hardly get her to talk to me," he added.

Harris has pled not guilty to murder.Two of her sons' bodies have yet to be recovered from the bay.

"I just knew automatically that my kids were gone," Greeley said. "I mean they were so small, they didn't take swimming classes. They weren't too old. So I just thought automatically my kids were dead."

Now Harris said all he can do is remember the good times he had with his sons and hope that their mother gets the help she needs.

"I know God is with her and I love her and I just want her to stay strong whatever she may be going through," he said. "I just want to let her know that me and my family, we are praying for her."