Says Her Grieving Parents
Lavena Sipes is a recognized name in Smithtown. But is not for a good reason. It’s for being a tireless warrior for her deceased and beautiful daughter Courtney. Now residing in Texas, she is the mother of the late Courtney Sipes who was run down by Maureen Lambert on 25 in Smithtown while Lambert was high on heroin.
Although new to Smithtown the community at the time of her precious child’s death, the community rallied around the Sipes family and did so for the years following her November 24th, 2009 death. “She was walking with her brother and myself to a music lesson in Smithtown when this happened,” said her mother.
Sipes says Lambert is having a parole hearing in July 2015 and early release should not be an option for this woman who killed her daughter. “Moments before she hit my daughter, by her own admission in court, Maureen Lambert purchased heroin 1.5 miles always, injected the heroin and proceeded to drive down Main Street – literally the main street of downtown Smithtown, a pedestrian heavy area, driving in excess of 60 mph,” the forever grieving mother explained.
Sipes said after she hit her daughter Courtney, she flew more than fifty feet to land under a parked car. “Maureen Lambert then left the scene, she evaded the police for 26 hours until the heroin could no longer be detected in her bloodstream,” she added.
Sipes says Courtney’s brother, now a college student will have to live with this frightening and tragic event. Along with his dad Tracy – they will have to live forever without their sister and daughter.
“No child should ever be taken this way, Courtney had so much promise, she possessed a deep love for family and friends, she loved art and was always found drawing, coloring, painting or creating graphic art,” said Sipes. She added that her daughter had the most beautiful voice and was musically gifted; she just loved to sing. “She was one of five students from her school selected to audition with the county choir and was awaiting that opportunity when her life was taken,” she added.
Sipes and her family are now making a desperate plea to the community that surrounded them with unconditional love and support right up until the time they returned to their home-state of Texas last year. They are asking people to write a letter saying Maureen Lambert should not be given any lenience, she should not be allowed to get out before the twelve years she was sentenced to. For a copy of a form letter that you can just fill in your name and pop in the mail email: Maureen.L.Rossi@gmail.com
“We want to see her serve her full 12 years. We understand she is eligible for conditional parole after 2/3 of her sentence is served. That will be November, 2017 after 8 of her 12 years are served. What we hope to accomplish at this time and until at least November, 2017 is that any other considerations for parole be denied,” said her mother who is disgusted by the concept.
The heart-stricken parents set up a non-profit in Courtney’s name which they stay active with. It’s called The Courtney Sipes Memorial Foundation and provides scholarships for Smithtown students who are high school seniors in the Hauppauge or Smithtown school districts who will be pursuing the arts. Active after her daughter’s death, Sipes partnered with Marc Mancini, President of the Smithtown Chamber of Commerce and worked closely with Eric Alexander of Vision Long Island. They were honored at the Smart Growth Awards a few years back for helping to create a more walkable community.
The site where Courtney was struck is adorned in all things childhood, teddy bears, stickers from friends, musical paraphernalia, notes etc. “Courtney was only 11 years old. It sickens us that her killer could get out in less time than Courtney was allowed to live,” said Sipes. She then explained that Maureen Lambert already has the benefit of receiving a much lighter sentence than she should of because she was driving impaired. Because she left the scene of the accident and avoided police for 26 hours she avoided a sentence of up to 25 years, possibly more (because the drugs could not be detected – despite her admittance).
Courtney’s parents say they should receive as much justice from New York State as possible as their lives have forever changed. “There is not a single day we don’t cry for Courtney,” said her broken mother.
Email Maureen Rossi as listed above for copy of form letter at Maureen.L.Rossi@gmail.com or write your own letter to: NYS Board of Parole, 1220 Washington Avenue, Building 2, Albany New York 12226-2050. Reference: Maureen Lambert Jail #: 10G0967 NYSID# 00080728M