Police still hope to solve acid drop case

Cindi Broaddus has had 13 reconstructive surgeries since her face and arms were burned two years ago when someone threw a jar of acid at her car.<br><br>Broaddus, 54, and Jim Maxwell, 65, were driving

Friday, June 6th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Cindi Broaddus has had 13 reconstructive surgeries since her face and arms were burned two years ago when someone threw a jar of acid at her car.

Broaddus, 54, and Jim Maxwell, 65, were driving along the H.E. Bailey Turnpike en route to Will Rogers World Airport when it happened. Maxwell was burned on his right arm and neck.

Nobody was ever arrested, but police have not given up hope.

Hoping to refresh people's memories and perhaps find a new lead, Newcastle police officers and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation detectives are distributing reward fliers this week, said OSBI spokeswoman Jessica Brown.

The OSBI is offering a $10,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the people involved with the case.

But as more time passes, it is less likely the case will be solved, Brown said.

"I hope it is sooner, rather than later," she said. "Fate put them at the wrong place at the wrong time."

Broaddus, who still must undergo three more surgeries, said there are no accidents.

"There was some reason we were meant to be there that morning," she said.

She said the experience has made her a stronger woman and leads her to do acts of kindness each day. She would offer kind words to the person who dropped the acid.

"In my mind, all I see is a younger person with very sad eyes, and I see that he doesn't know why he is doing this," Broaddus said. "In my mind, and to help myself, I have to think he didn't realize the pain and hurt he caused. He thought he would damage paint on a car."

Gov. Brad Henry signed the Cindi Broaddus Act on Tuesday, making it a felony to throw objects that cause injury or property damage off bridges and overpasses.

"I don't see vengeance or revenge," Broaddus said. "All I want is this to not happen to someone else."

Dr. Phil McGraw, or Dr. Phil, the famed family therapist and Broaddus' brother-in-law, said he hopes the reward will lead someone to come forward.

"You would hope and think that someone would be forthcoming, and give us information that we need," McGraw said. "I am really surprised that no one has come forward."

Using McGraw's philosophy, Broaddus said she has chosen to move on with her life.

"I don't want to sit and think about what happened to me," she said. "I feel like on the inside, I am the same person that I was. The outside layer has changed."