I agree with the dad. I doubt that a 12-year-old would end up in jail, but the experience of dealing with law enforcement and the legal system might knock some sense into her kay, she’s roughly the equivalent of the Sundance Kid. Right

I hope the officer who took the father’s report made a call to Child & Family Services so this family can get the intervention and counseling they so obviously need.

Okay, she’s roughly the equivalent of the Sundance Kid.?? Right??
Wanted, Dead or Alive.
How does she start that car?? Her own set of keys??
“Oh,” he said, “hold my keys while I go inside. They don’t allow them in the patients room.”
Twelve years old?? In some states, leaving a child under the age of fourteen unattended is considered, “Well, a felony whorthy of loosing that child to SRS.”
Oh, but not here, at the age of twelve she should have a better sense of maturity than to, well, steal her father’s almost theaft proof car.
Surely he doesn’t leave an underaged child sitting in a car on a hot day with the air conditioner running. For how long?
She got the keys twice?? But, Dad didn’t forget that she stole his car that other time. He just forgot that a serious part of the blame could have gone to the parent who left the keys?? Where?? In his pocket?? Oh. She’s a pickpocket, too.
Well, poor father. Who could blame him?????

In an age where parents seem almost pathologically driven to protect their children from the consequences of their actions, this is sort of refreshing. On the other hand, I really can’t relate to any parent who would want their child thrown into jail. The legal system doesn’t reform troubled kids, it produces hardened criminals. She needs intensive private therapy, not a stint in jail (or worse.)

Maybe he needs to consult with this guy: http://happymealsandhappyhour.blogspot.com/2009/05/weekend-lol-video_22.html

I may get jumped on here for sounding cold or callous…but I have to back up Carol on this one. I’m on the dad’s side. Commit a crime = go to jail. That is as true for my kid as it would be for anyone else. There is something to be said for protecting one’s children…but protecting them from the consequences of their actions when those actions could have caused the death of someone else? Nope.

Then again, I am admittedly cold about crime. Everyone who knows me knows this: If you land yourself in jail and call me for help – you just wasted your phone call. I don’t care what relationship we have – I am NOT bailing you out.

If my child stole my car twice at the age of 12, she would rather go to jail. What if she had killed herself or others while riding around. My mom used to say “If you are stupid enough to get thrown in jail, you better be smart enough to get yourself out.” Children have a better chance with their parents than with prisoners, true. She is old enough to know the difference between right and wrong. I am on her dad’s side.