girl in a park, a criminal offense?

[Cetacea]

A North Augusta mother is in jail after witnesses say she left her nine-year-old daughter at a nearby park, for hours at a time, more than once.The mother has been booked for unlawful conduct towards a child
. http://www.wjbf.com/story/25915218/nort ... ds-a-child

Didnt see this, so decided to post it. It has sparked international debate about how young is too young to go to a park 'unsupervised', as well as discussion about harrassment of the poor ( the mother is black and works at McDonalds) and also the lack of community support for working mothers.

Apparently there is no minimum age specifed by State law, only 'risk to the child' is the determining factor.
I dont think 9 is too young, although being there all day aint cool.
Anyway I think the police and Welfare reactions went overboard, leaving the girl by herself in the park was not a good idea but it wasnt neglect. The mother needs support not jailtime and putting the girl in custody helps noone.

So what say you NSG?

[Atlanticatia]

I wouldn't call it neglect. I mean, I remember going to the park alone when I was 9 or 10.

It also comes down to the situation, though - if she lives in a safe area, if the child has a cell phone, where the park is, etc.

[Ashmoria]

I think that a 9 year old is too young to be left in the park all day.

I don't think it should be a criminal offense but a situation where social services should work to find a better solution for the working mother.

[Ratateague]

Pretty irresponsible. Although, it's probably definitely nicer than hanging out at a McDonald's.

[MERIZoC]

Yeah, that's definitely neglect.

[Russian Socialist Soviet States]

This is a dumb arrest. The child was able to take care of her herself. It is better that she be at the park than doing drugs.

[Galloism]

I guess it depends how safe the neighborhood is.

I mean, our local park i probably wouldn't worry. Central Park in NYC and I'd have her in cuffs before she reached the exit.

[Ratateague]

The child was able to take care of her herself. It is better that she be at the park than doing drugs.

Why would a 9-year old be doing drugs? Do they offer those in Canadian McDonald's?

[Draica]

I'm 14, male and go to the park all the time.

What's the issue?

[Russian Socialist Soviet States]

The child was able to take care of her herself. It is better that she be at the park than doing drugs.

Why would a 9-year old be doing drugs? Do they offer those in Canadian McDonald's?

Kids often do drugs these days.

[Galloism]

Also: sexist offensiveness from Tonya Cullum. Shame on her.

[Lordieth]

I think it's all about intent. When I was nine, that was the first time I was asked to go into town on my own. It wasn't out of neglect, or need for me to do so in way for my parent. It was actually an exercise of personal responsibility.

If the parent left her there because she doesn't care, then it's an offence. You could argue leaving such a young girl alone is already negligence, but it's a grey area. It's not that uncommon.

[Ratateague]

Why would a 9-year old be doing drugs? Do they offer those in Canadian McDonald's?

Kids often do drugs these days.

So tell me... A mother who can barely provide enough for her family, certainly not enough to provide daycare, whose kid probably doesn't even have an allowance... Assuming that there are drug dealers in the area willing to sell to the child, how does said child find enough money for said drugs?

[Koopaville]

I'm 14, male and go to the park all the time.

What's the issue?

You're 14. She's 9. By the way, this mother is an idiot, but shouldn't have been arrested.

[Alcase]

Uhh... Well done!

Well done.

[Russian Socialist Soviet States]

Kids often do drugs these days.

So tell me... A mother who can barely provide enough for her family, certainly not enough to provide daycare, whose kid probably doesn't even have an allowance... Assuming that there are drug dealers in the area willing to sell to the child, how does said child find enough money for said drugs?

They get them from a "friend".

[Suicune]

Did nobody else ever go to a nearby park or shops by themselves at that age? Neglect my ass.

[Ratateague]

So tell me... A mother who can barely provide enough for her family, certainly not enough to provide daycare, whose kid probably doesn't even have an allowance... Assuming that there are drug dealers in the area willing to sell to the child, how does said child find enough money for said drugs?

They get them from a "friend".

A friend in the similar age range who happens to have enough money, but spends it on drugs instead of sharing what money they have, and then charitably gives it to the friend who can't reimburse them. Right.

[MERIZoC]

I'm 14, male and go to the park all the time.

What's the issue?

And she's a 9 year old girl. Pretty big difference.

[Russian Socialist Soviet States]

They get them from a "friend".

A friend in the similar age range who happens to have enough money, but spends it on drugs instead of sharing what money they have, and then charitably gives it to the friend who can't reimburse them. Right.

It could be a teenager friend.

[MERIZoC]

This is a dumb arrest. The child was able to take care of her herself. It is better that she be at the park than doing drugs.

Wouldn't she be more likely to get drugs if she's unsupervised in a public place.

[Ratateague]

A friend in the similar age range who happens to have enough money, but spends it on drugs instead of sharing what money they have, and then charitably gives it to the friend who can't reimburse them. Right.

It could be a teenager friend.

Those are some outlandish hypotheticals you've got going there. Keep in mind, at that age, the perceived difference between 9 and teenager is astronomical.

[Azaflaza]

I guess this case depends on how far aware the park is. Also the child may have been alone in the sense that there was no adult responsible, however she would have probably been with friends who can all watch out for each other. There is that kind of gang mentality in kids that they can depend upon in cases like this.

[Ratateague]

This is a dumb arrest. The child was able to take care of her herself. It is better that she be at the park than doing drugs.

Wouldn't she be more likely to get drugs if she's unsupervised in a public place.

Precisely. But apparently, they've got a good gig going in the McD's parking lot.

[Vamtrl]

She should have left the kid at home, I was as a child.