Free-range kids picked up AGAIN by police

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those parents are crazy, or they are seeking publicity. It costs a fortune to bring or defend a civil lawsuit. They are in a p****ing contest with a fire hydrant. The police can just watch the house and keep picking up the kids and building their case, which does not cost the police a dime. In the meantime, the case builds against the parents. Just defending it would cost more than a legal babysitter. The police obviously feel they have some grounds to take the kids into custody. CPS can decide to take the kids while the court decides. The parents should watch out, unless they want the state to provide some free babysitting.

Build their case for what? That the parents let the kids walk home from the park? Do you think that's something the police and CPS should focus their resources on? And do you think it would be in the best interests of the kids to go into foster care?

None of that matters. It matters to you, and you think you can argue it. But when the police start picking up your kids, lawsuits start flying, the best interest of the child goes out the window. It has already happened. and leaving a 6 year old with a 10 year old unattended at a park is against the law in MD. So far the police have not pressed charges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those parents are crazy, or they are seeking publicity. It costs a fortune to bring or defend a civil lawsuit. They are in a p****ing contest with a fire hydrant. The police can just watch the house and keep picking up the kids and building their case, which does not cost the police a dime. In the meantime, the case builds against the parents. Just defending it would cost more than a legal babysitter. The police obviously feel they have some grounds to take the kids into custody. CPS can decide to take the kids while the court decides. The parents should watch out, unless they want the state to provide some free babysitting.

Build their case for what? That the parents let the kids walk home from the park? Do you think that's something the police and CPS should focus their resources on? And do you think it would be in the best interests of the kids to go into foster care?

None of that matters. It matters to you, and you think you can argue it. But when the police start picking up your kids, lawsuits start flying, the best interest of the child goes out the window. It has already happened. and leaving a 6 year old with a 10 year old unattended at a park is against the law in MD. So far the police have not pressed charges.

The law refers to kids being in a home, car or building, right? So if you apply it to a park, does it also apply to anyplace outdoors where an adult is present? I am not being snarky -- I'm genuinely uncertain. I frequently see young children walking to and from school with no adult. Kids under the age of 11 play outside without an adult present. Are these things illegal in Maryland? Surely I'm not the only person confused by this.

[Anonymous]

and leaving a 6 year old with a 10 year old unattended at a park is against the law in MD. So far the police have not pressed charges.

Please read the thread. The relevant laws have been posted many times. It is unclear whether this is against the law. If it was clear, they would have pressed charges instead of "finding" neglect that is "unsubstantiated."

[Anonymous]

How does race factor into this? I see kids that age run around by themselves all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why is it weird that a parent holds the hand of their 8 year old to cross the street, or at any other time? For one it may not be about a safety issue but simply a close bond. Second, linking a taller parent ot a shorter child is simply a good idea so cars can see the taller parent, if they may not be able to see the child.

Does this mean the parent doesn't trust the kid to walk next to them without darting off? NO, it's just a decision they have made for their child, which in no way harms them or anyone else so don't be so judgmental next time.

Yup. That's what it is mostly, I'm sure. At least for most families. I hold my husband's hand when we are out walking. And it's not because either of us needs control or assistance. Those days will end. Enjoy them now.

+1!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does race factor into this? I see kids that age run around by themselves all the time.

Yes, exactly. I think it's a huge factor here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

and leaving a 6 year old with a 10 year old unattended at a park is against the law in MD. So far the police have not pressed charges.

Please read the thread. The relevant laws have been posted many times. It is unclear whether this is against the law. If it was clear, they would have pressed charges instead of "finding" neglect that is "unsubstantiated."

Oy vey. If kids aren't allowed to be home alone, then wth makes you think they are allowed at a park alone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those parents are crazy, or they are seeking publicity. It costs a fortune to bring or defend a civil lawsuit. They are in a p****ing contest with a fire hydrant. The police can just watch the house and keep picking up the kids and building their case, which does not cost the police a dime. In the meantime, the case builds against the parents. Just defending it would cost more than a legal babysitter. The police obviously feel they have some grounds to take the kids into custody. CPS can decide to take the kids while the court decides. The parents should watch out, unless they want the state to provide some free babysitting.

Build their case for what? That the parents let the kids walk home from the park? Do you think that's something the police and CPS should focus their resources on? And do you think it would be in the best interests of the kids to go into foster care?

None of that matters. It matters to you, and you think you can argue it. But when the police start picking up your kids, lawsuits start flying, the best interest of the child goes out the window. It has already happened. and leaving a 6 year old with a 10 year old unattended at a park is against the law in MD. So far the police have not pressed charges.

The law refers to kids being in a home, car or building, right? So if you apply it to a park, does it also apply to anyplace outdoors where an adult is present? I am not being snarky -- I'm genuinely uncertain. I frequently see young children walking to and from school with no adult. Kids under the age of 11 play outside without an adult present. Are these things illegal in Maryland? Surely I'm not the only person confused by this.

Indeed, MCPS contemplates this very situation: From the MCPS Kindergarten Handbook:

When students get off the bus, they are entirely in the care of the parent or other caregiver, or are on their own to walk home if no parent or caregiver is present.

And:

Walking to school
Adult crossing guards and student safety patrols are on duty at many busy intersections
and at some schools in the morning and afternoon. Teach your child to follow
safe walking rules and instructions from those who are on duty. A kindergarten child
should never walk alone. Walking with a parent, caretaker, sibling, friend, or older
student is advised. If your child will not be accompanied by an adult, show your
child the best route to walk to and from school. Be sure to consider traffic, visibility
along streets and at intersections, use of crosswalks, and possible hazards. Walk
along this route with your child a few times before school starts. Practice good safety
habits and make sure your child knows exactly where to go. Impress upon your child
to take the route you have practiced and the need to go directly to school and come
directly home after school. Teaching children safe walking practices when they are
young, even though they do not walk alone, will help to build safe walking habits
for later years when they may walk alone or with same-age peers.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/info/enroll/0907.15_KindergartenHandbook_ENGLISH_Web.pdf

So how is it a violation of the law to allow two children to walk three blocks from park, again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

and leaving a 6 year old with a 10 year old unattended at a park is against the law in MD. So far the police have not pressed charges.

Please read the thread. The relevant laws have been posted many times. It is unclear whether this is against the law. If it was clear, they would have pressed charges instead of "finding" neglect that is "unsubstantiated."

Oy vey. If kids aren't allowed to be home alone, then wth makes you think they are allowed at a park alone?

Maybe because of all those other unsupervised children at playgrounds and walking around?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

and leaving a 6 year old with a 10 year old unattended at a park is against the law in MD. So far the police have not pressed charges.

Please read the thread. The relevant laws have been posted many times. It is unclear whether this is against the law. If it was clear, they would have pressed charges instead of "finding" neglect that is "unsubstantiated."

Oy vey. If kids aren't allowed to be home alone, then wth makes you think they are allowed at a park alone?

They may walk to/from school and the MCPS bus stops alone.

Is that illegal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

and leaving a 6 year old with a 10 year old unattended at a park is against the law in MD. So far the police have not pressed charges.

Please read the thread. The relevant laws have been posted many times. It is unclear whether this is against the law. If it was clear, they would have pressed charges instead of "finding" neglect that is "unsubstantiated."

Oy vey. If kids aren't allowed to be home alone, then wth makes you think they are allowed at a park alone?

Because the law is very clear about homes and vehicles. It does not say anything about the outdoors.

[Anonymous]

Bus stops are within a quick walk of their home and typically in residential areas. There are usually other kids and parents at the stop or nearby, and this happens at two specific times of the day (when foot traffic by other kids and parents is almost guaranteed). Do you think that's different than dumping your kids off at a quasi urban park late on a Sunday afternoon and having them walk by a garage that is a ghost town (on a Sunday)? I do.

Did you know that it's against mcps policy to let your kids play on the school playground unattended while you wait to pick up your kids? Why? Because accidents can happen so it's a safety issue.

[Anonymous]

Fire all the crossing guards... total waste of money... all these kids can walk on their own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bus stops are within a quick walk of their home and typically in residential areas. There are usually other kids and parents at the stop or nearby, and this happens at two specific times of the day (when foot traffic by other kids and parents is almost guaranteed). Do you think that's different than dumping your kids off at a quasi urban park late on a Sunday afternoon and having them walk by a garage that is a ghost town (on a Sunday)? I do.

Did you know that it's against mcps policy to let your kids play on the school playground unattended while you wait to pick up your kids? Why? Because accidents can happen so it's a safety issue.

Do you know the area in question well? I do. It is well-trafficked and safe and definitely not a ghost town, and certainly not at 6PM on a sunny April afternoon.

The principle stands in any case. Children can walk to/from school at any hour, whether going to/from school late or early. They can do so as kindergarteners. It follows that they can walk in their NEIGHBORHOODS to get to/from places they go. You may perceive the neighborhood in question as iffy, but the Meitiv family and others of us in 20910 do not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

and leaving a 6 year old with a 10 year old unattended at a park is against the law in MD. So far the police have not pressed charges.

Please read the thread. The relevant laws have been posted many times. It is unclear whether this is against the law. If it was clear, they would have pressed charges instead of "finding" neglect that is "unsubstantiated."

Oy vey. If kids aren't allowed to be home alone, then wth makes you think they are allowed at a park alone?

Because the law is very clear about homes and vehicles. It does not say anything about the outdoors.

Then I suspect the forthcoming lawsuit will serve as a mechanism to make the law more specific. But the judge can interpret the law in a reasonable way. And if the goal of the law is to make sure kids are supervised, then it's reasonable to interpret it broadly to encompass all situations.

Kids playing in the backyard while mom is in the house = supervised.

Kids wandering around DTSS while mom is a mile away = not supervised.

That's a reasonable interpretation (and common sense).