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Title: Free-Range Maryland Family Cleared of Child Neglect Charge
Source:
Reason
URL Source: https://reason.com/blog/2015/05/26/ ... -maryland-family-cleared-of-ch
Published: May 26, 2015
Author: Lenore Skenazy
Post Date: 2015-05-26 21:08:19 by Deckard
Keywords: None
Views: 15760
Comments: 85
Hallelujah! Danielle and Alexander Meitiv have been cleared of any wrongdoing in the Dec. 20 incident when they let their kids walk home from the park in Silver Spring, Maryland. The Washington Post reports: A Maryland couple investigated for neglect after they let their two young children walk home alone from local parks have been cleared in one of two such cases, according to the family’s attorneys and documents. The new Child Protective Services finding, which follows an appeal, comes as the experiences of “free range” parents Danielle and Alexander Meitiv have drawn national attention, sparking debate about parenting choices and how far local officials should go to enforce laws designed to protect children. It overturns a previous CPS decision that held the Meitivs responsible for “unsubstantiated” child neglect, a finding typically made when there is conflicting or insufficient information for a more definitive conclusion. The change came as a welcome surprise to the Meitivs, who were informed in letters they received May 18 that neglect was “ruled out” in the case, which dates to their children’s December walk from Woodside Park. “It was an enormous relief and vindication,” Danielle Meitiv said in a Washington Post interview, the family’s first in six weeks. “Of course there’s no neglect here. There never was. There was never even a hint of it.” The Meitivs aren't in the clear yet, however; there's still a charge against them stemming from that other time they allowed their kids to walk home from a local park (the little recidivists). The kids were held for five hours, and the authorities didn't even notify the parents until about three hours in. “We’re hopeful it will be resolved in the same way,” Danielle Meitiv said. “The facts of the two are the same. They’re the same kids, we’re the same parents. They were walking in the same neighborhood. . . . Neither case is neglect so we’re hopeful that CPS will just see that and move on.” Danielle Meitiv said she stopped giving interviews April 13, both at the advice of lawyers and because the most recent experience became upsetting to talk about. She said she’s speaking out now in hopes the new ruling may assuage the fears of other parents who want to let their children venture outdoors to walk or play, but are worried about CPS involvement. “It’s also really good news,” she said. The Meitivs advocate free-range parenting, which encourages independence and exploration. The term was first coined in 2008 by New York journalist Lenore Skenazy, who developed a following for pushing back against what many saw as a hypervigilant “helicopter parent” culture. That New York journalist would like to clarify that she is not pushing back against helicopter parents—she feels parents can raise their kids however they see fit. She is (I hear) pushing back against an entire culture that sees children only through the lens of danger, trauma, and fragility, which then tends to overreact to any threat, no matter how remote. Just sayin'. But first, a woot of joy for justice, and for kids everywhere. Ye Olde Founding Mother suggests: Why not celebrate by having them walk to school today? Lenore Skenazy is host of the reality show “World’s Worst Mom” on the Discovery Life Channel, starting Jan. 22. She is also a public speaker and founder of the book and blog Free-Range Kids. 
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#40. To: misterwhite (#36)
Not guilty. Then they would say what morons the prosecution was.
Now…now. Don’t start going “Deckard” about this… Yea, that’s extreme control. On the opposite end of the alternative consideration spectrum…. ”We always have a choice.” I think Budda said that. Wait, maybe not….I’m not sure.
the original complaint was filed by a busy-body neighbor. The charges were unsubstantiated. Yet they charged the family with abuse, even though there was not a shred of evidence. The parents have every right to decide how best to raid their children. A while back I posted a story where the CPS took the kids because they were home schooled and living "off the grid". Liberals aren't happy unless the government controls our entire lives from cradle to grave. misterwhite exhibits that very same trait.
If you're going to put a leash on a girl, make sure she's old enough:
I suppose you could. Of course, then you'd have to explain to the DA why he should pursue it. And that's a conversation I'd love to hear.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_motor_vehicle_deaths_in_U.S._by_year I'll stop being a ninny....if you stop being ridiculous. Deal? Your analogy was far out....way too far out. You are going "deckard" on me... Using the analogy of car deaths doesn’t really reach me when relating to concerned parents caring for the lives of their children in the situation we are discussing. I think I would better understand an analogy about abortion causing death by parent who don’t care. Yea, I would…
Oh, Man….don’t ever do that. A chain is so cruel and heartless. Leather is the thing….I read that on the Internet.
Not tough at all....I bounce out bright and cheerful at four each morning. When you you get over your "stupor" enough to face the day working in your job for the Main Stream Media. That is who you work for....you already told us so.
Who GAS what Melissa Harris-Perry has to say about this? I don't. But, you continue to listen to your liberal friends.
I'm not a prude, but do you think it's wise to allow Gatlin to post stuff like this on your site?
I don't. But, you continue to listen to your liberal friends. I'm not the one who is parroting her assertion that children do not belong to their parents but belong to the government. That appears you be your mantra and whitey's as well.
You ARE the ONE who POSTED the video!!!
I WAS less likely - it was a different country then.
Exactly. We didn't have half the number of laws we have today.
I remember Sam Kinison walking onstage with two scantily-clad, sweet young things at the end of a leash -- one in each hand. The crowd went crazy.
Oh, so you changed your picture from the image you had up there before Stone noticed? What a frigging scam artist!
What are you talking about?
Nope. Back then it just wasn't done.
You must be talking about the bondage one that disappeared.
“Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rapidly promoted by mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.”
I must have lived in a strange time and/or place.
You mean this image? Scroll down to post #46 for Gatlin's fine choice of leather goods... Google cache finds what the scumbags often hide...
Don't act innocent leather-boy. At least we can be thankful it wasn't gay porn - we all know how you canaries like to roll.
This reminds me of something I read long ago. The elected pass laws that are way too vague giving government officials a wide range of interpretation, in effect giving them the power to make laws. Similarly affects lawsuits. If children playing outside without their parents should be a crime, then they should try to pass a law that does that.
My how the times have changed. EVERY kid I grew up with, including me, was 'free range.' Walked to and from school at the age of 6. Rode my bike miles from home by age 8. In the summer the kids on my street we would all get up eat a bowl of cereal and head out to a makeshift ball field and play baseball until it was dark that evening. Of course much is different these days. Back then, there was Mrs. B across the street who always kept tabs on us and gave us snacks and drinks in the summer months. Her husband was a police officer and her son was one of the best little league catchers I pitched to. Mr. B loved baseball (big Yankees fan) and after he got home from work, would pitch to us and teach us how to throw a curve ball and great stuff like that. Most of the older kids (12-14) played with us and were not dopers but athletes. We all looked out for each other too. No air conditioning (or a few had wall units for really 'hot' days and nights in the 'dog days' of NY August), so the older folk sat on their porch and questioned stangers who were mostly door to door salemen. Neighbor at the corner had two 'man eating' looking German Shepherds which gave both non- neighborhood 'family' and postal workers pause. Basically everyone looked out for each other and their kids. You learned a lot from those older folks sitting on their porch. The stories of wartime America, the rationing, the family that served in WWII...Wow, I'm glad I grew up when I did. I try my best to contribute to my neighborhood these days. We have turned out to be like Mr. and Mrs. B, as Mrs. RLH makes sure the kids get drinks and a quick snack in the summer time and after school and I pass on what I learned from Mr. B with regards to baseball. We try but the environment is much different. Most neighbors keep to themselves; kids stay close to their own property for fear of 'stranger-danger' and there is much to be concerned about. It seemed 'back in the day' child predators 'were handled' differently and great policemen like Mr. B made sure his neighborhood was safe---all the dads did so too. A lot more kooks, perverts and drug abusers running around middle class neighborhoods these days. Which give parents a lot of pause and why what used to be standard kid roaming is now called stupidly "free ranging."
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
EVERY kid I grew up with, including me, was 'free range.' Walked to and from school at the age of 6. Rode my bike miles from home by age 8. In the summer the kids on my street we would all get up eat a bowl of cereal and head out to a makeshift ball field and play baseball until it was dark that evening. And you didn't even have a cell phone to call home with.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
LOL. Yep, no cell phones at all back then. Today some parents 'use' the kids cell phone like a trucking company uses GPS to track their trucks on the highways. One time a mom came driving by my house real slow from another neighborhood. I was outside, she asked is my son in your house with your son? Of course I never met this woman before, but her son always played on our street. I knew the kid of course. I told her yes, he just rode his bike down the street. She apparently tracked her son's cell phone to 'find him.' Which means she had no idea her son left her house nor where her son was going. Technology's great huh? :) Let iPhone do your parenting:) Here's another thing different from the 60s and 70s and even 80s...Staying on 'campus' during school time. My son's HS just enacted a rule only seniors can leave campus for lunch. I was shocked that was not rule already in place. Back in my day only seniors were allowed cars on campus. So my son tells me kids from freshmen to senior year were allowed to drive or walk off campus at lunch to visit the local pizza place and restaurants. They will stop that this next school year. Apparently, some kids were caught shoplifting in a local gas station store.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
LOL. Yep, no cell phones at all back then. You forgot the cop that walked the beat and knew everyone in the neighborhood. And the local candy store owner (Joe please make be a malted), Saturdays at movie theater for 25 cents for 25 cartoons, two B movies, Movietone News, an install of either Superman or Flash Gordon, and, a few Three Stooges or Abbott and Costello shorts - and if you were lucky a copped feel of two (thank you Kathy).
потому что Бог хочет это тот путь
Yep that's the one. That little dream is on his bucket list, but he can't get any women to talk to him much less wear the leather.
“Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rapidly promoted by mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.”
There were also the model railroad enthusiasts. Motorola? Athern? Lionel? Tyco? Bachmann? Hey... And then there were the model airplanes...
Back in the "bad old days" of the 1950's when we weren't culturally aware of the evils of knowing your neighbors and had neighborhood schools,I used to leave school every day to walk home for lunch. Only lives about 3 blocks away. And of course we HAD neighborhoods back then BECAUSE everyone was "related" by either having children in the neighborhood going to school there,or being the actual students that lived near the schools and went there. No vandalism or robberies because everybody knew one another and what house they lived in,and your parents would tear your young ass up if you embarrassed them by doing something criminal. Now kids don't care about the neighborhoods around their schools because they don't live there and nobody that does knows who they are or where they live. Meanwhile,the people that insisted in "busing in the name of EQUALITY" continue to send THEIR children to private schools by either taking them to school themselves,or having the chauffeur or a car service take them. Until they get old enough to drive their own Beemer or Lexus to school,that is. No getting bullied by a bus load of inbred thugs with the IQ of cockroaches for THEIR children. After all THEY are "special little snowflakes" that are too prescious for anyone to be equal to them. There were no restriction at all in high school about who could drive a car to school. The biggest restriction was this was back in the days when almost none of us had parents that would buy us a new car to drive to school,and most wouldn't let us drive their cars to school because THEY needed them or they wouldn't have had them.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
I didn't have that,but I did have two cops that lived within a block of me,and they knew everyone that lived around them. One had a channeled 32 Ford coupe with a hemi Chrysler engine in it with 6 carbs. He and my brother were friends. Saturdays at movie theater for 25 cents for 25 cartoons, two B movies, Movietone News, an install of either Superman or Flash Gordon, and, a few Three Stooges or Abbott and Costello shorts - For me it was 3 movies at the movie theater maybe 10-12 blocks away that I walked to (my parents wouldn't take my anwyere. I had to get there by bicycle or walking if there was no bike rack). There would be 3 movies playing each Saturday for 35 cents,and they were always 3 of a kind. Cowboys,war movies,etc,etc,etc, and if you were lucky a copped feel of two (thank you Kathy). and if you were lucky a copped feel of two (thank you Kathy). No such luck for me. When I was 12 my parents moved from the city to a place where there weren't even any telephones within 10 miles,the closest movie theater was 25 miles away,and there were no buses. The nearest female that wasn't related to me that was under 30 was about 10-12 miles away,and she wasn't going to have anything to do with me because I lived to far away to see her other than at school. I have never forgiven them for that.
Why is democracy held in such high esteem when it’s the enemy of the minority and makes all rights relative to the dictates of the majority? (Ron Paul,2012)
And the police never even considered shooting them.
EVERY kid I grew up with, including me, was 'free range.' Walked to and from school at the age of 6. Rode my bike miles from home by age 8. In the summer the kids on my street we would all get up eat a bowl of cereal and head out to a makeshift ball field and play baseball until it was dark that evening. Of course much is different these days. Back then, there was Mrs. B across the street who always kept tabs on us and gave us snacks and drinks in the summer months....Most of the older kids (12-14) played with us and were not dopers but athletes. We all looked out for each other too. ...Older folk sat on their porch and questioned stangers who were mostly door to door salemen...Basically everyone looked out for each other and their kids. Your experience of childhood mirrored mine. Boy, were we blessed! We had huge fenced tech school ballfield that abutted our back yard that was ALL ours to use in whatever capacity we desired, any time of the year. Smack in the middle of a residential housing. There were two baseball diamonds and even small wooded hills where we'd also made tree forts and dig tunnel-forts. Many a summer we'd grab whatever baseballs (and even mitts) that were left/found in the grass and play HR Derby, gather small group and pay one side of the diamond, or just "hit-'em-out". Afterward, we'd hit a deli or "malt-shop" for soda, chips, Yankee Doodles, whatever. Good clean fun. In the fall of course we'd play football; After school or weekends. At times we got together 11-on-11 tackle games (with no equipment.) As kids! At @5:00 the understanding was that dinner time was a given and hallowed time for EVERYONE. At @ 6:30 or so, we'd resume whatever activity begun earlier. Within a block were at least 7 boys -- all around the same age. None of them jerks. And as you related, the neighborhood parents all took part in looking out for us, referred to as "Mr." or "Mrs." with absolute respect...yet gave us our space. THAT was a real sense of "community " (NO official gubmint involvement or intrusion) as was our Little League. It was yet another layer of mentoring and camaraderie with other kids. And even when I'd begun middle school (7-9 grade), the boy-girl parties were monitored and chaperoned to just enough degree. By HS the "system" fell apart.... ...But to your main point -- by that time our respective "childhood" was preserved and maintained neighborhood by neighborhood, block by block, mentor by mentor. Queers, pervs, and troublemakers were recognized, swept out and chased away by fathers, uncles, brothers, cousins, (yes AND mothers), neighbors AND local cops. Trouble-making students were ostracized by teachers and authorities. You *could* walk up thru the center of towne (mine was Bloomfield, NJ -- burb of Newark) as a *child* (age 6+) without concern. By age 8, walking to the center of town (or taking a bus) was commonplace. How? Why? Because we all shared common values, morals, duty, mutual courtesy and respect. Fugetabout all that now. "Victimhood" is a virtue and "tolerance" for garbage is not only expected but enforced...by law AND schools. It may as well been a thousand years ago B.C. Whose "rights" is this culture obsessed with in over-protected, coddled, and allowing carte blanche to burn the book of common sense and Golden Rule?: Elements of bullying perversity, criminality, the unfamiliar, the loud, the disrespectful & discourteous. Haters of the Golden Rule; Lovers of chaos and shared misery. "Diversity is our Strength" -- remember seeing that indoctrinational lying crock by the mid 1970s? Made no sense then and never will. It's an oxymoron. Yeah -- "diversity" -- just as long as it's NOT white, male, Christian, conservative, straight, traditional, or...God-fearing. "Diversity" -- IOW, embracing the perverse, the mutant, and destroyers amongst us -- THAT is a "strength" all right; strength of the enemies of good and everything that made America great.
What is the evidence that diversity as used in context of the PC brainwashing has ever produced better societal results?
потому что Бог хочет это тот путь
Tough environment to grow up through, Pete. Wish it'd have been different. You aren't so much a student of "hard-knocks" as much as a professor. "Normal" is different for everyone, but your youth experience was really atypical and beyond any scope of "normal." Especially for a burb-guy like me or Red. It's a wonder your resentment didn't set you off in a tailspin in a waaay different direction. In a certain sense it did (coercive family and the God thing.) But despite that, you've retained a set of values, ethics and decency in dealing with life's challenges as well as with your fellow man. I reckon the service became a much needed escape for you -- as well as the semblance of "normal," "family," values and belonging. The service has wound up re-calibrating life for quite a few guys (and friends) in the positive. Me? I'd have NEVER made it. Can't take orders. My father loooved being in the service, the camaraderie, the traditions, the system....even THE MUSIC. I learned all the big military tunes from him. He was in both the Army AND Navy (during the Korean War.) If he wasn't marrying my mother, he'd have been a career guy. HUGE difference: He didn't see the type of action you'd experienced.
ZIP. ZERO. NADA. (that's the point)
Our back yard abutted the property of the the elementary To the right of that they eventually built the football At first - when they started construction - we were really But after a couple of years - 'Whoa! Look at what we've got NOW!'
That was a bit before my time:) Movies were only $2.50 or so in my childhood.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Yep winter months I used to put together model planes, ships and tanks. Did not get into trains much as my dad had little patience for them:)
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Great anecdotes. Yeah loved those no pads or helmets football pick up games. Great times. Remember one kid Tom hitting his head on a rock diving for a ball. He was knocked out for three minutes, came to and got in the huddle:)
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Today's society is proof enough it does not. It has led to gated communities and ghettos.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Comments (81 - 85) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestWhat do you think a jury of her peers (other mothers) would say?
#41. To: A K A Stone (#20)
this can be the result of no control:
#42. To: A K A Stone (#39)
(Edited)
You just said child endangerment. You never showed the text of the law how it applied to this case.
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts
#43. To: Gatlin (#41)
#44. To: A K A Stone (#39)
"I say arrest you because of child endangerment. You put a kid in a car before."
#45. To: A K A Stone (#21)
Since you are such a ninny. I hope you never take your kids, grandkids or anyone including yourself in an automobile. They are dangerous. Even more kids die in car accidents then by weirdos. So if you ever put a kid in a automobile. I hope you are arrested for being so wreckless by endangering their lives by putting them in one of those contraptions. I mean what kind of ca lice monster would put their kid in an automobile? That is something Hitler would be proud of.
#46. To: misterwhite (#43)
(Edited)
#47. To: Deckard (#17)
Good grief man - how do you muster up the courage to even drag yourself out of bed each day?
#48. To: Deckard (#16)
#49. To: A K A Stone (#46)
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts
#50. To: Gatlin (#48)
Who GAS what Melissa Harris-Perry has to say about this?
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts
#51. To: Deckard (#50)
I'm not the one ...
#52. To: misterwhite (#13)
...isn't it understandable that everyone involved would
like to minimize their costs by making it less likely...
#53. To: Chuck_Wagon (#52)
"it was a different country then."
#54. To: Gatlin (#46)
"A chain is so cruel and heartless."
#55. To: Gatlin, A K A Stone (#46)
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts
#56. To: Deckard (#55)
#57. To: A K A Stone (#38)
"Don't give me your self-righteous "We never sued" bullcrap. You never sued because you never had to."
#58. To: Deckard (#55)
#59. To: Pinguinite (#11)
One day went to a friend's house instead of home.
After school I didn't have 'go straight home'.
I went over friend's houses or rode our bikes
or whatever. Just had to make sure I was home
for dinner. If I was late for dinner there
would be hell to pay.
#60. To: CZ82 (#58)
(Edited)
webcache.googleuserconten...cd=12&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
#61. To: Gatlin, TheFireBert, CZ82, hondo68 (#56)
What are you talking about?
“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul
Americans who have no experience with, or knowledge of, tyranny believe that only terrorists will experience the unchecked power of the state. They will believe this until it happens to them, or their children, or their friends.
Paul Craig Roberts
#62. To: A K A Stone (#1)
#63. To: Deckard, GarySpFc, SOSO, liberator, tomder55, Vicomte13, BobCeleste, Chuck_Wagon, misterwhite, sneakypete, TooConservative (#0)
The new Child Protective Services finding, which follows an appeal, comes as the experiences of “free range” parents Danielle and Alexander Meitiv have drawn national attention, sparking debate about parenting choices and how far local officials should go to enforce laws designed to protect children.
#64. To: redleghunter (#63)
My how the times have changed.
#65. To: sneakypete (#64)
And you didn't even have a cell phone to call home with.
#66. To: redleghunter, sneakypete (#65)
And you didn't even have a cell phone to call home with.
#67. To: TheFireBert, Deckard (#60)
#68. To: redleghunter (#63)
Most of the older kids (12-14) played with us and were not dopers but athletes.
And the the slot car enthusiasts.
#69. To: redleghunter (#65)
My son's HS just enacted a rule only seniors can leave campus for lunch. I was shocked that was not rule already in place.
#70. To: SOSO (#66)
You forgot the cop that walked the beat and knew everyone in the neighborhood.
#71. To: redleghunter (#63)
Neighbor at the corner had two 'man eating' looking German Shepherds which gave both non- neighborhood 'family' and postal workers pause.
#72. To: redleghunter, CZ82, Deckard, GarySpFc, SOSO, liberator, tomder55, Vicomte13, BobCeleste, Chuck_Wagon, arasina (#63)
My how the times have changed.
#73. To: Liberator, redleghunter, CZ82, Deckard, GarySpFc, liberator, tomder55, Vicomte13, BobCeleste, Chuck_Wagon, arasina (#72)
"Diversity is our Strength" -- remember seeing that indoctrinational lying crock by the mid 1970s?
#74. To: sneakypete, redleghunter (#70)
#75. To: SOSO (#73)
What is the evidence that diversity as used in context of the PC brainwashing has ever produced better societal results?
#76. To: Liberator (#72)
(Edited)
We had huge fenced tech school ballfield that abutted our back yard...
school. On the other side of that was the (small) ball field
and the basketball court.
and soccer and big baseball fields.
upset - because they were tearing up all of the trees from
our favorite woods - where we used to ride or bikes, ya know...
#77. To: SOSO (#66)
#78. To: Chuck_Wagon (#68)
#79. To: Liberator (#72)
#80. To: SOSO (#73)
What is the evidence that diversity as used in context of the PC brainwashing has ever produced better societal results?
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