There was a loose association to the fact that child care was expensive and most people in that area could not really afford it. You did not cover in any substantive way the child care situation for Nathaniel. You also did not take into consideration that not only was his environment partially responsible for his act, but what about the television programs he watched. You focused very heavily on the economic depression of this area. Your argument was not convincing.
Millions suffer, endure, and survive dreadful childhoods without stooping to murder.
A difficult childhood may, possibly, excuse stealing food to eat. It never excuses the theft of a life. Ask anyone who knew Theodore Bundy. The last time I looked, murder was a crime. I'd love to be able to find out, without harming anyone, if Shannon Jones and Larry Roberts would feel the same way about Nathaniel if Ronnie had been their child.