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Two Florida parents were charged with neglect because their 11 year-old son was playing outside alone in the backyard for an hour and a half.
According to his mom, he arrived home before his parents and was locked out of the house (delayed with traffic and rain). He shot some hoops in the backyard to pass time.
His nosy neighbor saw him outside alone and called the cops. The cops waited at the house until the parents arrived and they were arrested.
The parents spoke out recently to Reason magazine. They kept their identities hidden in fear that they might those their jobs. The mother stated, "The authorities claim he had no access to water or shelter. We have an open shed in the back yard and 2 working sinks and 2 hoses. They said he had no food. He ate his snacks already. He had no bathroom, but the responding officer found our yard good enough to relieve himself in while our son sat in a police car alone. In his own yard, in a state, Florida, that has no minimum age for children to be alone."
Utterly ridiculous.
I was born in 1957. I distinctly remember, in March 1967, just before I turned 10,riding my bike from Colonial Road in Scarsdale to Springdale Park (now Aspen Park) to play baseball. And that was the first of many such excursions, which generally went two or so hours, including the 1.2 mile bike ride.
Unless there is something we don't know, an 11 year old is not an infant.
What difference does it make if the kid is inside playing video games or outside playing basketball. Personally Id rather mine be outside playing.
Yeah that. When I was growing up
I played out in the yard, and out all around the neighborhood really for hours every day (most of the day really)....all my friends did, and we all lived! My parents were not neglectful at all...they wanted me to have a normal, healthy childhood, where you actually went out and played ball, and rode bikes and played with your friends...And I raised my son the same way! He is grown now.
I think it's sad that some kids only stay inside all the time, playing video games, watching tv and whatever. Gosh, no wonder there is a problem with obesity in America...and I think it has less to do with what people eat (although that is important)..than the fact kids don't get out and run, bike, play as much as they should.
Yeah that. When I was growing up
I played out in the yard, and out all around the neighborhood really for hours every day (most of the day really)....all my friends did, and we all lived! My parents were not neglectful at all...they wanted me to have a normal, healthy childhood, where you actually went out and played ball, and rode bikes and played with your friends...And I raised my son the same way! He is grown now.
Yeah, me too. These recent stories about police picking up kids simply for playing outside unsupervised seem unbelievable. I've been living abroad for some time now so I really have no idea how this has happened. How did America become a place where kids cannot go outside and play by themselves? Who wanted it this way? How did they get their way? Can anyone explain the process of how this came to be?
Seriously? Get a life! I got locked out once after school in 1972. I forgot my key. I went to a neighbors house until my Mom got home from work. (She got home before Dad).
And yes....we too went out in the am, came home for lunch, went out again, came home at dinner. Played tag until dark, when Dad whistled from the porch for us to come in. We were all together and there was never an issue. I feel for these parents, as he sounded fine.
Again....mind your business.( unless the child is in distress or danger)
Why didnt the kid just say "hey look, ive got shade and water right there. I just had something to eat. Thank you for being concerned but please go find something more worthwhile to do"?
but no, he kept his mouth shut and let his parents get in trouble
Because having the 11 year old perish in group homes and foster 'care' (read White Oleander to get an idea of how lovely these are) is so much better than him playing solo in his own yard for bit after school, right??
The ferocity of this stupidity leads me to believe that it's not possible. Instead, I suspect the neighbor was disgruntled with the parents about something, and this was their twisted form of retaliation.
Because having the 11 year old perish in group homes and foster 'care' (read White Oleander to get an idea of how lovely these are) is so much better than him playing solo in his own yard for bit after school, right??
The ferocity of this stupidity leads me to believe that it's not possible. Instead, I suspect the neighbor was disgruntled with the parents about something, and this was their twisted form of retaliation.
Weird neighbors are understandable. It's the system - police, government, courts - that is baffling. How did it come to be that way?
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