Free-range kids picked up AGAIN by police

[Anonymous]

I think we should all start calling the police at the local parks if we see any child and it's not *immediately* apparent that there is a helicopter parent waiting to scoop up little Larla should she fall in the mulch.

I wouldn't, and haven't, sent my 12 and 7 YO kids alone to the park. I am an overprotective parent and I know that. I don't think these parents should be in trouble with the law.

When I was a kid I wandered around the neighborhood with my older sibling all the time. I can remember that as early as maybe age 5 and 9. 1970s.

[Anonymous]

The parents might want to invest in a playground for their backyard. Either that, or set up play dates or hire a sitter. Ya know, what the rest of us parents do when we aren't available or interested in supervising our kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know what? As stated several times in this thread, it is crazy that these parents are so arrogant that they think their community's standards as enforced by CPS and the police and the neighbor who called, simply don't apply to them.

I was a free range kid and honestly, it wasn't always peachy. We played in construction sites, with rusty nails, occasionally did other nasty things kids do.

Has our society gone too far in mandating constant parental supervision? Yes. Do I get to unilaterally decide that the rules don't apply to me. No, I don't. If these parents were poor, the kids would have been in foster care weeks ago.
Also, I have a friend of a friend who lives in the neighborhood. Walking to the park alone isn't the only possibly unsafe thing that these kids did alone.

If these parents were poor, nobody would have batted an eye.

Also, please don't spread gossip that you learned from a friend of a friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know what? As stated several times in this thread, it is crazy that these parents are so arrogant that they think their community's standards as enforced by CPS and the police and the neighbor who called, simply don't apply to them.

I was a free range kid and honestly, it wasn't always peachy. We played in construction sites, with rusty nails, occasionally did other nasty things kids do.

Has our society gone too far in mandating constant parental supervision? Yes. Do I get to unilaterally decide that the rules don't apply to me. No, I don't. If these parents were poor, the kids would have been in foster care weeks ago.

Also, I have a friend of a friend who lives in the neighborhood. Walking to the park alone isn't the only possibly unsafe thing that these kids did alone.

If you have knowledge of this family's activities that warrants involvement by the authorities, then you should report it. Otherwise you should stfu. Your little hints and allusions are totally inappropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The parents might want to invest in a playground for their backyard. Either that, or set up play dates or hire a sitter. Ya know, what the rest of us parents do when we aren't available or interested in supervising our kids?

Speak for yourself. My children walk to the playground by themselves. Luckily we don't have neighbors who think that they know what our children are capable of better than we do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think we should all start calling the police at the local parks if we see any child and it's not *immediately* apparent that there is a helicopter parent waiting to scoop up little Larla should she fall in the mulch.

I wouldn't, and haven't, sent my 12 and 7 YO kids alone to the park. I am an overprotective parent and I know that. I don't think these parents should be in trouble with the law.

When I was a kid I wandered around the neighborhood with my older sibling all the time. I can remember that as early as maybe age 5 and 9. 1970s.

The are in trouble now because they should have known better given their interaction with CPS last year. I wonder if they signed anything about supervising their kids? Maybe they'll be in contempt now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There is a law. Google it... md case law. Guidelines are written for those that can't/won't understand the law.

Is there a law, or is there case law?

google it

Google what? Case law on unsupervised children? Case law on children walking to the park by themselves?

are you that dense?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you so obsessed with this, OP? Do you even have young children?

This is OP. It is the second time I have posted in this thread. I'm not really sure how one would characterize me as "obsessed" simply because I posted a link to article that has been a hot topic not only in the DC metro area, but was picked up by the national news. PP I'd love to hear how posting a link to WaPo article makes me obsessed.

Yes, I have children, ages 9 and 13. I live in a place some on this forum have expressed fear over: the District of Columbia. I've had to figure out how far my own kids would go without their parents. I would not consider myself a free-range parent.

Any other questions?

Yes. Do you have a life of your own?

Absolutely! Very rewarding. Do you? I'm sensing some hostility and tension. Perhaps you need a break, PP.

God you are dull. Not PP but I'm tired of your rambling as well. Worry about your own children and stop posting updates on this story that you clearly ARE obsessed with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There is a law. Google it... md case law. Guidelines are written for those that can't/won't understand the law.

Is there a law, or is there case law?

google it

Google what? Case law on unsupervised children? Case law on children walking to the park by themselves?

are you that dense?

Evidently, yes. So either you can help, or you can post insults -- your choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know what? As stated several times in this thread, it is crazy that these parents are so arrogant that they think their community's standards as enforced by CPS and the police and the neighbor who called, simply don't apply to them.

I was a free range kid and honestly, it wasn't always peachy. We played in construction sites, with rusty nails, occasionally did other nasty things kids do.

Has our society gone too far in mandating constant parental supervision? Yes. Do I get to unilaterally decide that the rules don't apply to me. No, I don't. If these parents were poor, the kids would have been in foster care weeks ago.
Also, I have a friend of a friend who lives in the neighborhood. Walking to the park alone isn't the only possibly unsafe thing that these kids did alone.

If these parents were poor, nobody would have batted an eye.

Also, please don't spread gossip that you learned from a friend of a friend.

+1 I'm the poster who saw kids under 10 at my neighborhood park. It's a blue collar predominantly AA/Latino neighborhood. When I lived in Hispanic neighborhoods in the past it was like this. Parents knew where kids lived and would go get your mom before calling the cops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you so obsessed with this, OP? Do you even have young children?

This is OP. It is the second time I have posted in this thread. I'm not really sure how one would characterize me as "obsessed" simply because I posted a link to article that has been a hot topic not only in the DC metro area, but was picked up by the national news. PP I'd love to hear how posting a link to WaPo article makes me obsessed.

Yes, I have children, ages 9 and 13. I live in a place some on this forum have expressed fear over: the District of Columbia. I've had to figure out how far my own kids would go without their parents. I would not consider myself a free-range parent.

Any other questions?

Yes. Do you have a life of your own?

Absolutely! Very rewarding. Do you? I'm sensing some hostility and tension. Perhaps you need a break, PP.

God you are dull. Not PP but I'm tired of your rambling as well. Worry about your own children and stop posting updates on this story that you clearly ARE obsessed with.

Different poster. You do realize this is a message board, right? And people discuss things like this on this particular one. Perhaps you aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer, but this is what is done here. HTH!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There is a law. Google it... md case law. Guidelines are written for those that can't/won't understand the law.

Is there a law, or is there case law?

google it

Google what? Case law on unsupervised children? Case law on children walking to the park by themselves?

are you that dense?

Evidently, yes. So either you can help, or you can post insults -- your choice.

No thanks! you can find the information in the previous thread on this if you care to inform yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you so obsessed with this, OP? Do you even have young children?

This is OP. It is the second time I have posted in this thread. I'm not really sure how one would characterize me as "obsessed" simply because I posted a link to article that has been a hot topic not only in the DC metro area, but was picked up by the national news. PP I'd love to hear how posting a link to WaPo article makes me obsessed.

Yes, I have children, ages 9 and 13. I live in a place some on this forum have expressed fear over: the District of Columbia. I've had to figure out how far my own kids would go without their parents. I would not consider myself a free-range parent.

Any other questions?

Yes. Do you have a life of your own?

Absolutely! Very rewarding. Do you? I'm sensing some hostility and tension. Perhaps you need a break, PP.

God you are dull. Not PP but I'm tired of your rambling as well. Worry about your own children and stop posting updates on this story that you clearly ARE obsessed with.

I don't understand why you are being mean to OP. If you don't like this topic why are you in this thread? Just go away.

[Anonymous]

The police and CPS likely spoke with their neighbors during the first investigation, and I suspect they heard that the kids are rarely supervised (and perhaps other info that raised flags). And I suspect they were told what they could and could not do following the proceedings, and this incident illustrates noncompliance...and that's why the cops called CPS the second time around.

I'm baffled. Just baffled.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They weren't abducted? Your definition of abduction must be different from mine.

It must be. Mine is based in reality.

That's interesting. Mine is based on the dictionary.

to abduct: to seize and take away (as a person) by force

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abduct

I doubt that the children went willingly, or stayed at CPS willingly.

So if you have to force your kid into her car seat you're abducting her? Interesting. Of course not because you're legally entitled to do it. As is CPs in taking custody of unsupervised minors.