Kid dumping

As a former foster parent, I think the law should be left alone. ALL children need a safe place to go or they face neglect and abuse when angry guardians/parents lash out in frustration. I also think that minors who get pregnant should be made to go to parenting classes and have counseling to help them make the right decisions and make sure they can be parents.

This is the saddest day in our history that people are throwing away their kids. There's ALWAYS a way and that way is "sticking together" and not giving up. Things CAN get better. I would "die", yes DIE, before losing or giving away my children. How could a parent live with themselves? These kids are forever scarred.

I feel that there should a safe place in ever state where parents can drop of childern no matter the age. It is safer for the parent and for the child.

I empathize with the parents that think they have no alternative, and that this might be in the best interest of the child. A last resort. I have two biological daughters myself, and have also had the capacity to adopt two young men that had absolutely nothing in the way of a male role model in their lives. Both were on the brink of some disastorous decisions that probably would have had life changing consequences had I not acted. I certainly wasn't looking for the opportunity, I thought I had a full plate of responsibility already, but I couldn't turn my back on these two in need of either. With that said however, i think Nebraska, and florida and Ohio and everywhere should adapt a similar position to the one currently in place in Nebraska, and question the change the special legislation is about to make. Nebraska may have been more forwarding looking, albeit by accident, than anyplace else. The human heart has the greatest capacity for compassion, and if ever a group of kids need it, teenage children abandoned – for whatever reason – by their parent(s) certainly merit alot. Imagine how they are going to be without it.

how can families help ? how can families get in volve and be able to open there home to these children of all ages ? i for one would love to help.

I most definately agree!!

So these people trying to fix the law....what are they going to say if the the parents ends up hurting the kids then...I rather see them in a safe place instead of with the parents that is willing to give up their kid..b/c what is next for them then....

I agree with the need for some option for children older than three days. LONG OVERDUE.

As a child of an unfit mother who tortured herself and abused my sister, brother and me as our father did nothing to save us from her, these children also need a voice. Fortunately, the parents that are dropping off the children atleast realize they need help and are reaching out. Unfortunately for many of the other children whose parents DO NOT ask for help, those are the children who will suffer the greatest. We as a society fail so many children DAILY. This situation is urgent and needs some resolve immediately to save children PERIOD. To revised the law and put an age limit on the children does not solve a single thing. Sad sad situation...

As a pediatrician I agree with Ms. Bloom's comments. Our system does not do well in assisting parents with difficult kids. "Reform" types of schools can cost $5000/month which most parents can't afford. Many programs don't come into play until the child has already entered the legal system. It is very difficult or impossible to voluntarily give your child up to the foster care system – which itself is largely broken. If the child is truant the parent gets fined. Tell me how a single mom is going to physically get her 5ft10inch 15 year old boy to school? The recent case of the teen boy who was in and out of the legal and psychiatric system and had a plan and intent to kill his family comes to mind. When the father refused to pick him up from his latest mental health admission, the father was charged with child abandonment. Something is seriously wrong here.

Amen Lisa!! I sent e-mails requesting that they not change the age limit or to at least keep it at 10 or younger. It scares me what happen now to some of these children.

this is why abortion should stay legal!!

Thank you – finally someone recgonizing that there is an issue out there that NEEDS to be addressed. I rather have a Safe Haven for children of all ages then be looking for a body or burying another child as we see all too often in the media today. More needs to be done to help desperate parents out.

This law should be changed from birth to maybe a year. If you have been with your children for more then a handful or weeks or even a year you should know what to expect. Shame on the system allowing this to happen. Maybe parents need to parent their children and not be afraid to punish and correct bad behavior rather then give them to the state to become lost in a system which doesn't work.

You are so very right. There should be a place in every state that allows parents to drop off older kids due to behavior, financial, or possibly the adults inability to cope. These are the very parents who will abuse, and neglect their kids due to circumstances.
In turn a lot of these kids become prostitutes, drug addicts and criminals. Because they don't feel they are worth anything and use these activities to escape their reality.
SO for those of you that believe this is a financial burden that we should not undertake, think again, either way society will pay for their neglect.

I say keep the law the way it is. If not than offer more assistance to these families. I mean WOW – the number of older kids being left are so high that we simply can not ignore the issue. Something is very broke and needs to be fixed ASAP.

drop em' off at my house I would love to have another child!!!!

Would these kids be any better off if the parents were forced to keep them? They'd probably just get abused or neglected. Just a guess... I'm sure in some cases I'm wrong... hopefully all of them.

I think that it's time that parents live up to their responsibility and take care of their children. Raising a child with much love and respect for themself and others would eleveate some of the behavioural problems. These children did not asked to be born into this world we decided to have them.
Having a safe haven for newborns and babies I am for it but older childred especially teen is just out of order.
Father need now more than ever to sep up to the plate and help mother, some of these mother desparately need help. Parents be parents and stop making excuses.

Its so sad that a parent could do this to their child, Some people don't get to keep them they're taken away to soon. I was blessed with only 1 for a short 18 years and my heart just breaks to think a parent could not under any circumstances do what ever it took to take care of them.
I know that dumping them is better than them getting abused and neglected. The law should not be limited to a certain age group!

Parents of teens need options. I ended up putting my son in BoysTown, I had no alternative. He received ticket after ticket in Jr. High school for skipping school, fighting, etc. The police handle things in schools now. He was even ticketed for 'disrupting transportation' when he jumped over the school bus seat. A ticket requires a court visit. I could not continue taking off work to attend court with him for fear of losing my job. Court was always a 1/2 day afair. Then the court started to tell me that I would go to jail if I couldn't keep my son from skipping school. What alternatives do single parents have (my son's father is dead). I called every agency I could think of for help – there were no options. And Boy's Town is not an option for every parent as they don't take every kid and they are not free either.
I have several for friends with kids that they don't know how to help or where to go for help.

And one more thing – if you've not had a troubled kid, you have no idea what it's like. Most folks won't even talk about it. There is a sense of shame involved – like, What is wrong with my kid? What did I do wrong?

DA – I feel for you. I have seen cases where the parent does a good job but the kid simply won't cooperate. My little brother acted just like your son. I'm happy to say he is a wonderful person, married, father of 3 soon to be 4. My mom had even fewer options back in the day. I commend you for seeking help and getting it. I truly hope your son gets his head straight and starts to love himself and others.

As a parent with 2 children at home with mental health issues, I caution against making judgment before you have walked in someone elses shoes. If a child has issues that make them prone to violent outbursts, hallucinations, or a miriad of other "abnormal" behaviors it is exhausting, difficult for a parent to hold a job, and the list could go on. Seeking help depends on if you're at the right place at the right time, lists for assistance aren't full, or you happen to meet the right person. Its a very imperfect system and I feel for all of these parents.

I'm a single mom and I have two extra rooms in our home. I cared enough about my children and a number of they're friends to have found the good in these "behavior problem" children. Like myself, I too at one time was unwanted and a problem child. I had the luck of one friend in the world. She alone made the difference for me, she cared ! The best advise ever given to me " Don't give up, every situation will be temporary, accept being loving and patient". My children weren't always angels,and I wasn't always a great parent, but staying positive we worked through it all and I am very proud today of who they have become. I'm not religious, but I do believe we have a god whatever your faith, your God will not pile upon you more than you can handle. Look at the lession to be learned not the level of difficulty. Are you the teacher or the student, for me always both.

I wish something more could be done for the parents that are so overwhelmed with their kids. These poor kids will need so much counseling to get over the fact of being left. It's just terrible all around. I wish each state had a place where people could just give their kids up if even for a month, to try to get help for themselves and these children. Counseling is very expensive (I know, my daughter has attempted suicide 3 times, ran away several times and the list goes on) and there are times when giving up is the easiest route to take. It's been very hard on my family dealing with these things but give my kids up? No way! A break and more help/support for everyone involved, YES!

I agree that parents should be given some options on caring for their children because I'm so sick of seeing crime news about a child dying from starvation or a child being beaten to death because the parent or guardian couldn't control their emotions. The main thing is to keep the children safe. There should be programs for kids that are out of control that need some sort of counseling to correct their behavior, and I believe the parents/guardians need counseling also to make sure that their in their right minds to care for these children. I also think that child protective services need to take cases more seriously because I've read too many cases where signs of neglect or abuse have been noted but nothing done about it until it's too late.

If parents would start being parents when the children are small. Most of these "troubled" children are that way because there parents didnt teach them when they were young and they were able to do anything they wanted because when they are little the misbehavior is cute. But when they get older the misbehavior continues and then the parent tries to correct it and its too late. Everyone wants to say that the government or society needs to do something to help the troubled children. How about not letting the parents have them in the first place.

I think it sad and selfish that a parent think given up your child is a good desion. Most of them do even know wat it is like to be not wanted. They do think about how it effect the children only themselves. That the sad state this country is in. It was once a proud county now it's like Jerry Springer nation

Parents need to square up. I don't want to be shot in a mall because some kid was abandoned throughout their life. As we see more and more abandoned children expect to see more and more irrational violence with innocent people being hurt or killed. Parents wake up!!! I don't care if your kid is "troubled", don't make the rest of us pay for it by abandoning them - thats the worst thing you can do, its the opposite of love.

I dont think that there should be a limit. Children of all ages need a safe place to go when the parents cant handle them or dont want them. I am a mom of two with another on the way and I would be more than willing to take in any child who is unwanted no matter the age.

I think it's sad and selfish that a parent would think given up your child is a good decision. Most of them don't even know what it is like to be not wanted. They don't think about how it effect the children but only themselves. That the sad state this country is in. It was once a proud county now it's like Jerry Springer nation

Thank you for writing this. I was wondering when someone would start speaking on the issue of WHY these parents are dumping their kids. It seems they are focusing the important part of this story at the wrong place. Sure, maybe Neb. law needs to be amended but what about these kids? Being a mother of a 2 and 13 year old by myself I understand the craziness...parents AND kids today need support and safe places to go and seek help. Where is that story on the local and national news stations? That's what I want to see.....

Here's a great idea.

Pass laws allowing parents with unruly teens to drop them off at different drop off locations all over the country. Once a week we can load them all up in old Ford Econoline vans and slip them over the border into Mexico. Mexico is probably in dire need of people to shingle roofs and do factory work.

Think of it. The teens learn a trade and the parents can breathe much easier.

To all the people with comments to take any and all children from all over the US in , Do you live in Nebraska. Is it you taxes that are paying the bill. Yes these children should be cared for. Maybe each state needs to care for their own. Maybe the parents should be a bit more responsible before the decide to bring these children into the world and maybe they should accept more of the burden.

Thank you Stacie Marie for stating what is an ongoing problem. There are hundreds of programs for runaways, abused and neglected teens, but where in the system do the parents of out of control teenagers go to find help? What exactly are you to do with a teen who simply refuses to do the smallest thing, like attend school? Physical measures cannot work, because the fear of retribution with Children's Services looms. While I think the law in Nebraska needs some tweaking, it is paramount that help is offered on both sides. This is a prime example of how some (not all) of these parents felt that the solutions offered to them were nil, and that this was the last hope. I hope that this can become a wake-up call for many states to look into the issue of out-of-control teens.

These parents that are trying to DUMP out of control kids need to look in the mirror at think about how these children got out of control in the first place. Setting boundaries starts when a child is still crawling. This only shows that the parents were lazy and indulgent. This country has serious problems with how it rears children! Spankings are not abuse people. Consequences aren't not bad, they are nessesary. And on a final note it is not up to you to be your child's best friend or relate to them on their level. You are the adult so set boundaries and ENFORCE THEM. Be the parent not the friend. When they are grown you can sit back and be proud of the job you did and then be there friend.

Everybody's blaming the parents. Kids aren't exactly the little bundles of joy Huggies commercials would have you believe. They smell, lie, scream, cry, defacate everywhere, run, fall, and the talking. The endless talking.

If the kid can't behave they deserve to be given up on.

Jennifer – I agree. You have to the parent first and foremost. I do think you can have a "friendly" relationship as well though. The trick is not over-punishing your children. They should not be too terrified of you to the point they will not come to you with their problems. At the same time, as a parent it is our responsibility to enforce consequences and even create them when necessary. And overindulgence is a HUGE problem in our society. Rather than spending money on things to buy our children we need to use that money to do things with them. Create pleasant memories and be a family. Honestly, how long does that must have toy last? A month if you’re lucky. Kids today have no sense of community involvement or even being a part of a family. Doing chores, having dinner together, helping your kids with their homework, and so many other activities you should do as a family. Taking up a community cause is also extremely beneficial. Heck, hand your kids a few coins to drop in the Salvation Army box. Make them feel like they are needed, helpful, loved, wanted. It’s not hard.

As a grand mother raising grand children in Texas the parents abandon there children but yet does not give any support to the family members that are willing to step up and take care of the system just
like I stated to Senator Craddick Office

You will need to build more Prisons and Youth Facilities for these children are the lost generation...

So dont blame the children BLAME THE GOVERNMENT THAT CATERS SOLELY FOR FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE PARENTS

FOR WE ARE THE RELATIVES THAT CARE..

I would have to disagree with that law. I am currently in a similar situation where it would seem a lot easier to give up my kids right now than to keep them. My husband left me 3 months ago with all the bills and kids. I am currently in a bad financial situation where I am ready to give up. But I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I know that there is always a reason we are put through the situations we are. It may seem hopeless and endless but you know what, I wake up every morning and see the smiles on my kids faces and that makes it worth the trouble. If it weren't for my kids I would have given up a long time ago. But because of my kids, my life is worth living more. I know that I am here to keep them and love them with all i got. We may not have a lot right now but I feel that we have each others love and we are together so it makes it all worth while. So if they ever decided they wanted to look into that law where I am I would petition against it. There is always a way around things.

There are programs for teenagers called "Safe Place" that offers a safe place for teens in trouble; a cooling off period between teens and parents. I think that there need to be more early intervention programs and more programs to help parents who are overwhelmed or are dealing with a difficult/troubled youth.

I think there should be a safe place to drop off children of any age. Maybe we would hear less of the abuse and murders of children if parents knew they could drop them off instead of keeping the stress. I think this also raises the HUGE issue of mental health diseases that are plaguing our children. I am a single mother of a 15 year old with severe bipolar disorder and let me tell you day to day life it isn't easy! My inpatient mental health insurance is limited to 30 days a year and that's not enough to get the help he needs. I've tapped my 401K and my house will be next because the costs are around $450/day but I will do everything I can to get him the help he needs. And I know that the biggest thing keeping him going is to have a mother that loves him unconditionally and I would never leave him but I do understand what these parents are going through. It's arguments every day about everything and when they don't want to take their meds...It's very painful. Something needs to be done in this country because these are the kids that end up as drug addicts and criminals. We need to get more help for the children instead of funneling money to deal with the end result.

Mel...do some arithmetic and look at the ages of these kids – abortion was legal when they were conceived. If anything, the idea that children are only precious when their parents want them has ADDED to this problem.

I'm most startled by the callousness in which so many people who have posted here seem to use towards the idea of giving up a child. It's no wonder the problem is this bad and needs drastic action!! I see this failure in so many facets of our society, no one wants to be told what to do or how to act but no one wants to be accountable and responsible on their own. How many excuses are we really willing to make so that people can continue to lower their standards, for both their own expectations and their reaction or lack there of to the world around them? We have made it too easy for people who wanted "babies" to decide that they don't want to raise children. I mean no offense but no child "deserves" to be given up because a parent cannot deal with them. There needs to be other alternatives beyond "if you can't hang just quit!" What does this abandonment do to the kids and what do people really think they will turn into in light of it!? These kids BELONG to someone and that someone has failed them miserably if at the age of 15 the parent suddenly decides that the kid is out of control. The time to have done something about it was long before a car ride to a Nebraska hospital. Schools don't raise them, TV doesn't raise them and their friends don't raise them. At the end of the day, they are yours, and it was your job from the day they were born to cultivate and refine them. It's hard, suck it up. You're the parent, it's what you do!!

I agree with several of you. There needs to be a safe place for children if their parent realizes they are out-of control (the child OR the parent). Yes, parents need to start when the kids are young to teach them boundaries, etc. Now, however, it's too late for these families. What's done is done and we need to start working to help both the children and the parents recover from this. There isn't going to be one answer that solves everything. I hope this situation has caused lawmakers around the country to realize our families need help. Parenting classes along with child-birthing classes, programs for troubled teens. I know these exist already, but they need to be made accessible to everyone; not just low-income, or when CPS has had to intervene. As I said before – it's too late then.

Why not allow parents to surrender their parental responsibilities? How bad of a home life would a kid have if their parent is willing to dump them in Nebraska.

Plenty of Americans want to adopt. Why not help parents who have unwanted kids find people who want to adopt?

As the mother of a so-called troubled child, whom we adopted at 4 weeks old, took to church every Sunday, had no question he was OUR son, who we taught right from wrong, took to counselling when he was troubled, drove him to meet his birthmother when that seemed to be the problem, took him for testing and fought for an IEP, who I gave up my job to stay home to raise – meaning no car for over a year, very little money for loss of one income due to the fact that we believed if we were going to have children it was OUR responsibility to change our life to raise them, I have a lot to say to you people who are so high and mighty and think it's what you DID that made your kids so GOOD. My son stole a car at 15. I gave up my dream of finishing my college degree because the money I had put aside for that now went to attorney fees. I have been screamed at by a juvenile judge that I created a monster and he would need to fix the problem. My husband was standing there and so was my son. Gee, I wonder why my son blames me for everything. His probation officer told me IN FRONT of my son, who now had an ankle bracelet on for the two felonies he was charged with that THIS SHOULD NOT AFFECT MY LIFE and I should go to school anyway. Gee, I wonder why my son doesn't believe me when I say that his actions affected my life, as well as the rest of his family. You see society blames parents for their children's actions, rather than holding children responsible for their own actions. That's why you have whiners who think they can do what they want. Parents are NOT supported by a system that tells kids to turn their parents in if they discipline them. Society tells kids THEY are the boss. If your kids behave great, and I do have one who does, don't take a bow. Be thankful. And there is a reason parents can't take anymore. When one kid threatens to kill the rest of his family, which kid do you "support"? Get all of the facts before you make blanket judgements. In my day, and I am 50, my parents were not blamed for my actions. I was. And now, I am blamed for my children's actions. What's with that? Sorry. Each person is responsible for their own actions. If you really care about kids, hold them accountable for their own decisions and support parents who are trying to do the same. Instead of parenting as intensely as I have, I could have been laying around getting high and had the same result. But, no I haven't given up. I have kicked him out of the house several times. He has been in jail. But do I think he is still hanging out with the same kids? Yes. You go follow him. And when you come up with the magical solution for these "poor kids" who love to challenge the law, spread it around. But I can tell you this – if you don't stop blaming the parents, the kids are not being taken care of. And if you don't start providing support for parents, which begins with respecting them and not judging them, then don't blame them when they try anything they can to survive the hell they are living with due to their children's behaviors.

umm to the person who last left a comment.....

I was a "minor" at 14 when I got pregnate with my now 6 year old daughter, and i would just like to say..What gives you a right to bash "minors" or "teenage parents"?
Just becuase these parents are randomly dropping their children off at hospitals,DOES NOT mean that these children have "minors" as parents.Most of the children that have been left in a SAFE enviroment are children to grown people,children to parents that feel they cant handle parenthood all by their selves and need some help doing so.So obvisly they act on the first real chance they get for help.Some of those parents feel no other option,and would rather give them away to someone that is capiable of taking care of them other than hurting or harming the child.I, along with several other "minor" parents take excellent care of my child and just becuase we are young dosent mean you should SINGLE the young parents to your critisicam.
I may have been 14 and pregnate but i am still with her father and she is a wonderful and happy family that takes great care of her.Yes,some young parents arent "super parents",but theyre trying.
I take offense to you, a foster parent,bashing us young parents.Yes theyre may be a good bit of young ones out there that dont take good care of their children, but that does NOT apply to all of us.
So why dont you take some time the next time, and research what you
"think" your talking about.Im sure youve offended several others other than me.

Sincerely,
A "Minor" parent in america

Does anyone know if there are plans in the works for placement/adoption of any of these abandoned children? How can we help them? When they took the dogs from the Vic home in VA., people were lining up to take the surviving dogs home.....we should be doing the same for these kids. I know I would love to, just not sure how to go about it.

Laura, My children do chores, we as a family sit together and have dinner at the table every single night, I help my kids with their homework, and we also do volunteer work with the fire department cert program as a family. I have a 5 year old and a 15 year old. My husband and I have set consistant boundries for our children. I am a good role model and I love my children but if California had a safe haven law for teens I would drop mine off. She is completly out of control, refuses to go to school which landed her at military school. Last week they expelled her, she will soon go to county school if the laws she broke do not put in juvie. I have reached out for help, she was getting couseling every day at school, once a week at a private couseling center and twice a month with a shrink. Sometimes it is very hard, I am at the end of my rope and have reached out for help but it is very hard to get services. My daughter is on medication,( prior to her I never believed in medicating children) . My daughter was a wonderful, obediant, well rounded child, since she hit her teens it has been all down hill. Before you judge me you should know that we have also been foster parents for many children. Sometimes it is not the parenting, it is the kids.......

I have know problem with the safe haven laws. The problem is when people come forward to help these children and attempt to adopt them they are told it will cost thousands of dollars to do so. the laws in this country are all for the lawers to make more money off our good deeds. People need to wake up, stand up and take a stand. if i could i would pick up as many of these children as i could.....

Wonder what the the right to lifers have to say. At the point of conception the mother should have a right to decide whether or not the child should be brought into the world. Some were not given a choice – that they must have the baby. Not all these children were from this situation, but some are...The right to lifers should step up and take on the burden of the children nobody wants, that were not wanted from the begining. That their mothers were guilted into having them when they knew that they would not be able to support or raise them. Giving them up to systems that are not in the best interest of any child.
I feel for the children, they were not given a fair chance their whole life and to be left that way has to be the lowest thing a parent or guardian can do.

It is better to abandon children than to leave them beside the road, in a restroom or in the trash. Leave the law alone. The safety of the child is the most important.

i dont believe they should change the law. I am a single mom of a large family . I have one child who i have been asking the system for help for years. It seems the system is ten steps behind with these teenage children. They do not have the programs or funding to help and by the time they do decide to do anything ,its after the parents have been pushed to the edge. we had a meeting with other parents in similar situations and all had the same story . Its really sad. If they would of helped me three years ago . I dont think things would have progressed to where he is at now. I begged for help and i think the system failed him. You have to be a drug user or a child abuser or a unfit parent and then they will step in and take your child. Its unfair. If a parent is voicing the need for help , they should help them . I feel it takes a village to raise a child. people are so quick to judge. I dont think that some single parents thought that when they had there child , that they would be raising that child alone . The care taker always gets it harder. What about that father or mother that should be helping the other support there children . Then maybe their lifes would be different. NO one knows each of these parents choices or decisions of why they dropped there children of . I dont think we should judge. I think the system need s to open there eyes . All of theses children are they future. What are we gonna do. Its not easy being a parent , I worked full time , took full time credits in school, graduated, while raising four children. In hopes of a better future for my children. Is the system thats failing , there are people out there willing to help. They will give a foster parent 600 -700 dollars per child or more based of there need or behavior.Cover that child medically . But if a family member takes a child the system will give them 200 . and no other help. That doesnt even cover the cost of childcare, So that person can go to work. but the bilogical parent can get childcare assistance , foodstamps , medical ect. Now my friend adopted her runaway childs baby and let me tell you she gets a nice tax credit for her and will get money for her the rest of her life and shes the grandma. she adopted her.

How about this for an idea raise your children right and treat them with love and kindness instead of waiting until they are fifteen and saying well I don't want you anymore. I've seen this more then one time with some of my friends who got this treatment and you know after that happened they have never been the same. They are more prone to shutting themselves in because they no longer feel loved.

I am a mother of 3 girls (ages 1-15) with another blessing on the way. These aren't only teenagers that are dumping and hurting their kids. Here in Texas the majority of parents that kill or abuse their kids are older adults. I was a teen mom at the age of 17 with little money. I now have a college education and make $60,000 a year. These girls need to be made aware there is light at the end of the tunnel, and their life doesn't HAVE to always be like that. You also have to consider that anybody that would hurt or abuse their child has a level of mental illness that most of us can't comprehend. Mel, keeping abortion legal does nothing! These people are not having abortions, obviously! I think education prior to discharge with a newborn is essential. Telling new mom's that crying babies need something or are in pain could save a life. Don't laugh, some uneducated people believe that a crying baby is "being naughty and needs to be punished". I know, I am a nurse. Taking 15 minutes to tell them why babies cry is well worth a try, for the sake of all babies and children. Our great state of Texas lead the country in death penalty executions every year. I believe anybody that kills their children should automatically get the death penalty. Mentally ill or not, if you can kill your own flesh and blood YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A THREAT TO SOCIETY!

wow! What is this country coming to, Hey don't like the one you got, just bring it (her/him) back and try again... Gezz I know this is a radical thought but maybe some form of restriction on who can and can not have childern should be inplace (kinda like the application process at privite adpotion agenicies), since its pretty clear here that so many parents are unfit to play the role of parent. I know I know radical but in light of this maybe not a bad idea.

I completely agree with Ms. Bloom. These are the children who will end up beaten or killed from abuse or neglect. We have a serious problem in our country with regard to this issue. I'm not sure I agree that all of the trouble is due to the loss of spouses or fear though. I think there are just too many people who have children they don't want simply because they are too selfish to take precaution, too selfish to care for their kids, or are simply people who enjoy abusing others. But yes, we do need more options. Too many of our precious kids are having their lives destroyed before they have begun.

What has happened is a huge cry for help and I hope the government addresses it. Yes, it's great for people to leave babies at Safe Havens but they also have more options if they are leaning that way during pregnancy. Babies are more likely to get adopted quickly. Parents with tweens and teenagers are the ones in trouble. It's not fair that they have no where to turn and the law points fingers at them for their child's actions and they're treated like common criminals. It's not right. I hope they can come up with a helpful solution and that the rest of the nation follows to address this taboo.

You are a parent for life once you have a child. It is rough with economics and the teen years. I have three teens and two are back to back. I wouldn't give them up for anything no matter what comes our way. I think being close and honest with your kids is truely the key to success with your kids. We have been through a lot of sad times and noone for me to turn to for guidance but never a thought of dropping them off and saying I quit has ever crossed my mind. In some cases yes they do need help but dropping your kids off and thinking things will be better is not going to help the parent or the child. I have went to parenting classes not because I give up but because I want to be able to enhance what I do know and to learn from other parents. Parenting is very hard. I have kids that do not listen but I still have control over them. My kids won't end up in prison or award of the state because I choose not to give up on my kids nomatter what life throws my way.

I used to work for the State of Florida. About ten years ago I had a client who was living with her father & step-mother. Her father worked long hours so the step mother had most of the responsibility for the client's care. One day she simply reached the end of her rope and said she couldn't take it anymore and was going to drop the client off. I reported this to my supervisor (who believed me) He then reportred it to his boss(who thought I was bluffing.) An hour later the client was dropped off. Luckily we found someone who could take her in temporarily. Warning signals need to be heeded so that crises can be preventedm but sadly for a variety of reasons, this does not happen.

I love the way society no longer thinks people should have any respobsibility AT ALL. My kids drive me nuts and yes its hard being a single dad but guess what fols that comes with having kids. Life isn't meant to be a fairytale where children and life are easy. Maybe you should have though about that before you took your pants off. ABANDONING your kids the moment things get rough shows a total lack of honor and integrity on your part... oh wait Americans don't believe in those things anymore, sorry my mistake, feel free to toss out your kids like yesterdays newspaper!

Jennifer, You have great ideas, but what child of today even wants anything to do with their parents? Alot of them don`t even want to be seen with their parents!! The only thing on their minds are playing video games and getting into trouble. The laws have parents hands tide behind their backs with the child abuse thing. When i was younger i got spanked when i did something wrong and it only took two times to make me realize who was in control!! I wish i still had my parents today. My dad past away when i was 22 years old and i`m 58 now. I lost my mom when i was 53. I miss them alot. Do you think kids of today would feel that way? Answer if you will .

Caylee Anthony Nuff said leave the law!

These parents should be charged for dumping their kids. If they don't or can't take care of their kids then they can take them to DFS in there county and tell them they don't these children and request the state put them up for adoption. It's against he law to dump and animal but no to dump kids. These " parents" as they choise to call themselves are disgusting excuses for parents. !!! Their kids are out of control? Don't blame the kids!! YOU are the ones that chose to not correct your kids. YOU are the ones that let theses children run the streets. YOU should get your children help. YOU should take parenting classes and at least try and turn their lives around NOT just dump them like they are dogs or cats that aren't cute any more and are just in your way. With all the Federal, state, local, and private organizations in this country there NO reason what so ever for YOU to not be able to get help for YOU kids ! I raised several foster kids that the "parents" couldn't " control" so they gave them to the agency I worked for but all these children needed was a stable home, rules, and boundries. they went from being street kids with bad attituded to adult lawyers, doctors and caring, loving, responsibly adults because we took the time to talk to them, care for them and set limits most times scraficing the things we personally wanted to do. Why? Because kids are what the adults in their lives make them. So don't tell me YOU had to dump your child because you couldn't afford them, couldn't control them! Be honest and just say they were in your way!

i think every child should have a safe place to stay. Its sick watching poor little kids on the streets begging for food. and even sicker people raping them. i think its wrong. every child should be treated like your own no matter what color,backround,or nationalitly.

Thank you.
Leave your comment to!!

(:

First of all, I think if the parents can not handle the child then they should have not been a parent in the first place. Yes, kids can be hard to raise and some can be out of hand. But maybe they should look at why. Maybe the kids are seeking attention from their parent(s). Dropping them off just because they can't deal to me is cowardly. I have two children of my own and there are days that are challenging. But I would never dream of dumping them just because I could not deal. Every child deserves a chance no matter what age and parents should take a step back when their child is acting up and find a reason why. I think this law is making it too easy for parents to give up on what is our future, the children!

I don't care how many of my tax dollars go to helping kids. I would give any money I could to help out these kids who are, no doubt, better off being dropped off at a hospital than in the situation they come from. This is a very important issue that needs to be addressed and as a life-long child advocate, along with a struggling parent with teenage kids, I understand that not everyone has the resources that I have been so fortunate to have.

Nebraska has always been a haven for troubled kids, I would say open the doors to Boystown even further and they will continue to offer help to any children that need it, regardless of age, race, or circumstance.

As a single mother, I went through some really rough stuff when my kid was young. I was often tired, financially stressed and/or suffering from mild depression. When I tried to get help I endured threats of having my kids taken away if I took advantage of the programs too often, if my kid had a scratch or if I showed up drunk to pick him up (I didn't drink). These threats all happened before I even made it into any of the programs I was seeking help from. Consequently I couldn't actually get help because the people working for the agencies made me too scared. I wanted to give up many times but I didn't trust any of the rest of the world to love my kid and take care of him. Besides, if I had given him up I think I would have killed myself.

Oh, I forgot to mention. My son is now 27 years old. He's a very good guy and responsible about paying bills. I wonder what I did right. I thank God I never gave up.

Mel said this is why abortion should stay legal. Why should we condone the killing of the innocent when all we really need to do is curb our physical lusts until we are capable and ready to be parents? Abuse is abuse no matter the age or development of the child. If it's growing in the human womb, it's human and deserves the same protection as anyone else in this world.

A radical and extreme fix is "fix" every male and female newborn not to have childern until they are adults that are battered with a series of world adopted tests and well being pyschological screening and then are "reversed" to be able to have childern. We have the choice to "fix" outselves to stop having kids, make it a choice to earn the ability HAVE KIDS instead. You need a license\permit for everything else in this world, why not a Parent Permit. EVERYONE has seen the "forgetten" child and it's a sad sight. ( I know there are moral, phyiscal and government issues here, it's just a way out there thought).

The idea of Nebraska's law is well intentioned and should be expanded to all states by a federal law. I do understand the cruelty of the following, and i find it strange that there is alot of truth in the following statement " Why does it take more paperwork to get a dog from the SPCA than it takes to become a parent ?". This problem starts at the parent level and this issue will not be resolved by any amount of safe havens, some folks should not have children or lacking the self control should not be allowed. I know its draconian, but the suffering needs to be placed squarely on the shoulders of the adults that should know better. What worries me is that this could spiral out of control into situation where children are considered "pets" and when life gets to difficult or inconvient that dropping a child off at the "kiddie pound" might become common and God forbid accepted.

I think these parents that drop off their kids need a psych eval, this is not cool, they chose to have a kid and now "eleven years later" cant accept the fact the were'nt ready? i hope these kids are alright and i think the age cutoff should be 3 months, i wouldnt want to be handed off as soon as i came into the world every child deserves to feel some "mothers" love.

I don't think the law should be changed, leave you ONLY 3day old babies here. What will happen if after a week ,a month a young mother decides she can't care for the baby, she she dumps them in a trash can Because they LAW says only babies only 3days old accepted. As far as older children, they need a safe haven too! Stop the abuse! I for one can NEVER give up my child, But I understand the ones that have to do what they feel would be better for the child NO matter the age. They need to feel the love too! We need to change ALL the state laws to accept any child NO matter what the age is.

As a parent of 3, coming from an old school background, I thing society has put a limit on how much we can appropriatly discipline our children. I mean come on, sometimes time outs and scoldings just don't work. I agree that parents should let the punishment fit the crime as far as discipline goes, and not go overboard, but if more parents felt comforitable spanking, instead of having to look over their sholder to see if they will be reported for child abuse, then this generation of kids would be raised with alot more respect for authority and their parents and we wouldn't be facing this delema of child abandonment in the scale that we are. Parents, buck up and discipline your kids, theit the next generation, and believe me, they will thank you for it when they grow up. At least you showed you cared.

I certainly recognize parent's frustrations in raising children, however giving parents a forum for abandoning teenagers is not the solution. What we need is to learn as a society to rely on our community again to help raise and care for children. The foster care system has the worst rates of success for a budding member of society to be released from. Abandoning teenagers often leads to angry, delinquent, and attention seeking behaviors (usually drugs,or sexually acting out). Often foster parents will call the social worker to "pic up this kid!" the first time the teen is caught smoking pot or being disobediant. It becomes a self fullfilling prophecy, the more they act out their anger, the more they get rejected, the more angry they become. Many of these children bounce from home to home without permanence or committment. When parents "give up" on their child they are dooming this child to everlasting attachment disorders that will only proliferate abandoning the next generation. How can we teach children to care for their own children if we can't teach them that we are willing to care for them? Parents need to look to relatives, neighbors, churches, schools, coaches, counseling, to help them. And we as a society need to be willing to help! Do not look to the government to raise your children.

I keep reading "having a safe place to go" reference when discussing "dropping kids off." How many of you understand the foster care system? What happens to these children AFTER they are dumped? 25% rate of homelesses after emacipation, 25% rate of not graduating, 25% rate of incarceration. Gee, that leaves about 25% left of young adults emacipating out of the foster care system who have a minimal chance of being a productive member of society. The rate of abuse and neglect of children in foster care is only SLIGHTLY less than the rate being raised by parents of origin. The reason is because these are not "average" children. They usually come with "issues" and behavioral difficulties due to abandonment. Foster parents are trained, yes, but 8 weeks of classes can't train for every frustrating situation and they know, just like these parents who abandon their children, that they also have the option to give up....and they do MUCH more often than original parents. The system is severely flawed and expecting children will be "better off" is illusion. Having the option of abandoning children is NEVER an option!!

I was one of the children who was legally thrown away! When I was 13 years old the State of NJ took me from my abusive family, and my abusive family didn't care. I went to a group home (orphanage) and spent 4 years being beaten by the girls in the group home. Now I am 30 and I am an advocate for abused children. I am 7 months pregnant, and I couldn't imagine giving my little girl up for adoption. I love her. My mother on the other hand never wanted to be a mother and was beyond happy when the State offered to take me away. My mother confessed that she abused the hell out of me so that the State would take me away!

I think that this is an illustration of why we should all agree to uphold Roe v. Wade....talk about the options for unwanted pregnancies, abortion isn't a bad thing, sure it is a difficult decision BUT it prevents children from being abused and being thrown into a system that is incompetent. I've had an abortion and while it was hard I still believe that years later it was the best decision for me. Sometimes abortion is the responsible answer to a bad situation.

I'm a strong proponent for the idea of having accountability where accountability is due. I've read the Nebraska law. I understand the Safe Haven law was designed for infants to have a better opportunity in the long run. But for parents to exploit this law and resort to this kind of shameful abandonment of children that can recognize what is happening to them at their age... this is utterly disturbing. Parents that are having difficulty with their children should pursue the proper avenues of seeking help and not opt for the "easy way out."

Retool the Nebraska Safe Haven law so it reflects that "child" means "infant" as it should in laws elsewhere in the country. And if I was in the lawmaking part of legislation, I'd like to see some sort of additional inclusion to address this whole abandonment problem. I understand children are unruly at times. But that requires parents to seek the proper support. In addition, parent(s) to abuse this law to "teach their children a lesson" should suffer some consequence. Accountability where accountability is due.

Some of these parents are trying to get help for their children. I too had a troubled child, and she was prevented from getting the help she needed because of insurance constraints. If she had been in the system the state could have ensured she got the help she needed. If it had been court ordered–she would have gotten the placement and the help she needed. If I had thought she would have gotten help by giving her to the state–I would have. Let's not be so judgmental about these parents. Maybe in their own way they are trying to help their kids.
Because we were married and worked–the system worked against us. If I had not worked and been divorced the state would have paid for her. Justice? No.

Nice loophole. I gotta say, anyone who is having children, should 1. be required to have a job by state law, 2. take a parenting class and 3. given the option of adoption if they are not ready to have a child

For the children placed in foster care (Department of Family and Children Services) Silence is golden as they used to say. As time moves on and things change, we find that it can no longer remain the same we need to reach out. Each and everyday someone is affected by something someone says or does. No one listens as children cry out for help. A child cry’s to deafening ears, as case workers just close their ears and empty their heads as if nothing was ever said. They have a home don’t they, is the comment you hear over and over. They should not complain, what strong words from someone who is suppose to be an advocate for them. What a joke this is.

Children of all races and ages pulled from the only homes and families they know. What are they suppose to think, how are they suppose to act. Are they told what has happened or just left to wonder for themselves?

There are thousands of children in care across this country. Placed in foster homes or group homes. The system at some point is just too backed up to know who is who and sometimes where they are.

The biggest criminals are the DFCS case workers for the most. They set the rules and make decisions they aren’t even capable of. Governed by the state which of course gives them the almighty power. For some children its hell and for some lucky ones its heaven. Foster parents across this country range in excellent to those that are criminals; these are in it only for the money and not the welfare of the children. But as we are told by the case workers they have a home don’t they. Well you wonder which is the least of the evil. Children are not properly matched to foster homes, it’s who has space.

Children searching not knowing what is out there for them, hoping they will find what they have been looking for. Although they challenge each family they stay with, seeing if they will reach out and help, not giving up on them, making sure the family really cares about them and going the extra mile.

Children abandoned are put in the same situations. There are thousands of children needing permanent homes, needing love, but some families are afraid of what they might be walking into, so they stay away especially if the children are older, they really have no chance, everyone wants them young. Well what the hell just put yourself in their shoes.

I have been a foster dad (single) for several years and have adopted two boys and going through the process for two more boys. I am only hoping the Lord with let me adopt more.

For families that care it is great for those that can financially take care of the children, but some families do not want the children, they can not afford to care for them

nice quote mike- its people like you with that attitude giving up on their kids.
when children are young, parents are their only friends. how you mold them is how they will turn out.
shame on these people that say " i cant control my 2 year old." You are the freakin parent!! discipline!
but then again, we have children raising children, wether its a 10 year old mom or a 30 year old mom.
and, we have become a disposable society, from material things to humans.
nice job people! i hope all the excuses you have for doing the things you do will stand up before the Lord when he asks you why you did what you did.

This is a very unfortunate situation, one which does not have a simple solution. If an amendment is made to this law, then you may get many young girls who will continue to engage in risky behavior thinking, "Oh, it's okay. I can just drop my baby off here," and have a total disregard for motherhood. There are so many children in foster homes. Perhaps America needs to be educated better in birth control.

I think we need to take a step back a few decades where children were more obedient. Parents do not discipline their kids and that is one of the reasons many kids become a "problem" for their parents. They have no respect fotr their parents and do what they want because they know they won't be punished. And if they are punished, then they threaten their parents by saying they tell child protective services. Society punishes parents for punishing their children saying that it is abuse. My dad spanked me when I deserved it. I turned out great. There is a difference between abuse and discipline.

I don't understand how someone could give up a child they carried around for 9 months. I would LOVE to be a mother. I love children, but I know I am not ready. Children are our future, and it does not look good to "throw away" or "give up" on our future.

And with this bad economy, it's getting easier and easier to just give up all hope for a solution. I personally say each state should have a facility available for parents and children to go to for help, but many won't want to spend extra money.

I hope it all works out.

Every state should offer safe heaven to children of all ages. It is not the burden of Nebraska alone to take in these poor children. The modern family infrastructure has changed greatly over the past 30 years. Family's rely on two incomes for the majority in order to succeed daily. Violent crimes have risen against children as well as domestically. When we give a hand out to an able body daily (welfare)and do not question it and consider it the norm or expected, why do we think twice before helping those who cannot help themselves. These children need a hand, the parents do not see a way out and want their child to survive. Who are we to deny them? Parallel to Safe Haven, this country needs to inform and educate families like this what options they do have so that they seek assistance first. If we change this law to make it solely for week old infants, that is saying that a 2 year old should be left in a shopping mall whenthey cant be cared for any longer. The child feels lost and cries, would we all sleep better at night because we dont want to overburden the states system? The trauma that child would endure would be worse. Safe Haven needs to be stream lined across this country for any child under 14. State child welfare agencies need more stringent oversight. Too many children become victims of the system and are used for foster earnings.

I agree with spider. But kids need a firm hand from day one (not abuse)
just a good ole fashion country butt whippen when needed .I know some of you who will read this believe in time outs but most of the time that does do anything to the sprit .

I dont blame the parents. I doubt this is the first time they asked someone for help. They are using the loophole not bc they dont love their childern it's bc they are 100% sure that they can afford to feed, shelter and take care of the responsibilities especially when the child maybe more than a little difficult to deal with. I personally wouldn't give up my teenager but at the same time I dont know what home is like for them. All of us need to help take care of each other that's why we will here in America we shouldn't be turning the other cheek when there is a problem. We should tie our shoes and help out our neighbors and friends. We can't rely on government or miracles. We need to not be so self fish that we have to have ridiculous laws to allow people to be forgotten. Now is any time than ever to help turn this country back into America from 1 day to 100 years.

Parent of a teen – hey I feel for you. You are doing so many things right and I understand that sometimes it simply is not enough. Yes you can be a wonderful parent and still have an out of control kid. When you do the right things the chances are greatly reduced that is my only point. I’m far from a perfect parent but I do try. I simply advocate being a good parent, being engaged, loving, etc. I cast no judgment on anyone without facts. I would not place blame on a parent just because a kid is out of control. I hope all turns out well for you and your family. It must break your heart. Hang in there!

The DAD should be helped (just as foster care parents are) to raise his large family. Support emotionally and financially would certainly improve both the children and the fathers plight.

My problem was not that I was going to abuse my teenager, it was that she was abusing me. She was 5 inches taller than me, had a father that left us for another woman – she was an angry girl and even though I had her in counseling, seeing a primary care, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc. it took time for her to deal with her anger. I had no where to turn and even the police (when they came out numerous times) would not help me. I would have dropped her off to "cool off" if this had been available in my State. Laura has it right, lets not pass judgement, lets provide help. Something has to change to help children and parents.

Note to Roberta – exactly my story, troubled teenager, now she is in college, working 30 hours a week, responsible, well-adjusted wonderful adult. We do love our kids, we just need help sometimes without harsh consequences for reaching out.

This has nothing to do with abortion. I agree that a woman has the right to choose what to do with her body but what does that have to do with children being left behind? The mother's, by law, had the right to either have an abortion or put the child up for adoption.

These kids need an advocate. I am not the best parent in the world. I make my son mind. I called the police on him when he stole (not because the police are responsible for raising my child but because he needed to learn the consequences of his actions). I have also loved him enough to overlook his mistakes, praise him and allow him the freedom to become a self sufficient adult.

These kids dont appear to have that. All kids need the chance to grow up without fear, with love, and with enough freedom to learn to like themselves.

Lisa
I just read one of your commentaries on "side bar". The TV is on, in our breakroom at work, all day. At leas one is always tuned to CNN; I had no idea that journalists of your caliber worked with or for CNN, the ones that I see on TV are all sensationalistic gossip mongers. I don't know most of their names because they all run together as a "gossip" blur. It seems to get worse every year.
Reading your articles was a breath of fresh air. I wish that CNN would allow journalists of your caliber to report news and happenings on TV. Maybe the "ratings" would go down with the 19-29 year old group but I think they would go way up with those of us who are educated and interested in what is happening in the world.
Thanks

I can understand why some parents would want to dump their unrulely children, particularly since courts have allowed children to scream child abuse anytime their parents attempt any form of corrective measures for bad behavior other than talking. The courts stance on child correction has left both parents and teachers scratching their heads when little Johnny and Jane get tired of listening to their authority figures talk. With the parents being left with no way to control their out of control offspring without being in violation of the law, yet still being held solely responsible for the acts of their rogue children by the courts, it is no wonder they want to dump these kids on someone else's doorstep along with the problem they cause that often upset an entire household. Its time the courts stay out of the picture unless their is some actual proof that some sort of physical evidence indicates a child has been placed into a situation where some permant physical or phycological harm has been done as a result of corrective parental measures being applied.

Hm, it seems there is one very important point that has gone unnoticed that needs to be addressed before we make any decisions about laws. What, exactly, is happening to these children who are being dropped off at this "safe haven?" Supposedly they are better off and being taken care of. Is that true? Are they being taken care of? Is the system able to take care of them? What has been happening to these children after they are dumped off? Are they being thrown in a foster home?

The only thing I've seen from the media is a very generalized claim that children are being dropped off at a safe haven. Nothing is being said about the actual well being of the children. Not to mention, these kids are also going to need intensive psychological treatment for the rest of their lives because the parents just dropped them off.

I'm absolutely appalled at all the excuses that are being made for parents. Some people have posted comments about children being held responsible for their actions. Parents were held responsible for disciplining their children in the past as well. I'm tired of seeing excuses being made for parents. You chose to have children – take care of them! How in the world can you just dump your child off and assume that they will be better off? If children have psychological problems, dumping them off in government care is going to make it worse! Parents need to take responsibility for their own actions. I know it's difficult to raise a child with mental problems, but at some point the excuses need to end because they are just that ... excuses.

Finally, foster care isn't necessarily an escape from abuse. I've known of people who have gone through foster care. It is a bad system full of abuse problems. Dumping kids off in foster care doesn't mean they are escaping abuse. They could simply be sent from one abusive home to another.

Dear Lisa,
I think the social problem of parents who are not able to train their kids should be properly looked into because of the compounding negative results it portends for the society.Further,I was just wandering if your coverage is restricted to USA.If not could you run a cover on the issue of brutality of men of the armed forces of Nigeria against the civilian population.Recently a young lady was severely beaten,wounded and stripped naked by some men of the Nigerian Navy in the presence of their boss(a rear Admiral) because the lady was alleged not to have cleared out of the way upon the approach of the Rear Admiral's convoy.Please treat this and many more such

Lisa,

This is unrelated to the topic of Kid Dumping, but I couldn't
find where to leave a general comment.

Has anyone at Court/Tru TV been following the case of
Robert Felner, the former U of Louisville Dean who is
now under federal indictment for multiple counts of
mail fraud, embezzlement and tax evasion? It's a very
interesting story as it uncovers the darker side of
academia. There is more to the story, having to
do with sexual harassment and other abuses, but
the federal indictment just relates to his misuse of
government grant money. He was scheduled to go
to trial in December, but that date has now been
postponed. It's not quite the murdering rabbi, but
it's in the same vein.

Thanks for listening,
Lisa Wolf

From Mike; "Everybody’s blaming the parents. Kids aren’t exactly the little bundles of joy Huggies commercials would have you believe. They smell, lie, scream, cry, defacate everywhere, run, fall, and the talking. The endless talking.

If the kid can’t behave they deserve to be given up on."

===========================================

Like I said before Mike, maybe SOME people shouldn't 'breed' if they are not ready to be parents....and all those things you listed......is part of raising kids!

Hopefully you will restrain yourself from having children if you just give up on them when you are 'tired of them or they pooped a diaper."

First of all, I believe this law is a great idea because there are kids out there that are just not wanted, and rather them end up dead ( like alot of kids have come up lately ), then they have a safe place to be. I hope this law continues as it will in the end, save many children.
Secondly, the world is different, ( in many ways ), nowadays parents need to have very sharp parenting skills ( not to mention ), many children come from children. If you don't have the skills necessary your kids don't stand a prayer. As a result of this parents become very frustrated and give up.
And last of all, I'm a firm believer in a slap in the butt, now and then. However in this society, god help the parent that is seen doing that. I believe that fact the many of us had stricter parents growing up, made us better people today.

In the case of the 8 year old, What is wrong with our court systems. How can we stand by and have a trial for a 8 year old that clearly don't understand a court. How can we in good judgement even think that he knows or even can being to understand what has happen. IF he did shoot his father and friend, please tell me he knew that he would never see his father again. I find that very hard to believe. Tell me why he hasn't been sent to therapy, to help figure out what has gone on with him. Clearly our court system wants to get to the bottom of this and do the best possible for this CHILD. Remember children are parents responsibilty untill the age of 18. This boy must be very lost and needs the proper care, now more than every in his life. Please wake up our courts, this child IS A CHILD.

The judge sent the jury back with a critical thinking tool to help them. The instruction to let each person talk without interuption will allow more information to be available. Good Job.

John