Ironically, the kids were watching the movie "Home Alone" when the cops showed up for no good reason.
Last week in Muncie, Indiana, two boys—ages 7 and 4—were home alone watching, of all things, the beloved movie Home Alone, when their mom had to leave for work and couldn't find a babysitter.
But unlike Kevin McAllister's mother in the film, this mom was thrown in jail. Her children were placed under the supervision of a relative, and she faces a neglect charge and a $10,000 bond.
What, exactly, happened? The mom, Taylor Joann Cumings, had to go to work and struck out on a sitter, so she kept her older son out of school to watch her younger son, who was feeling ill. It's not clear how anyone else found out that the boys were home alone, but somebody anonymously called 911, and so the cops showed up, according to The Star Press:
When an officer knocked on the house's door, the older child looked through blinds and exclaimed, "It's the police!"
He then ran to a telephone and called his aunt, reporting officers were outside and he was scared.
The aunt quickly arrived and persuaded the boys to open the front door. The officer presented the youngsters with toys he had in his police car.
This reveals three important things: (1) the 7-year-old was quite capable of calling someone when he needed help, (2) an adult was nearby and could assist them, and (3) don't open the door for the cops!
Obviously, the situation for the kids was not ideal. But needing a job, having a sick kid, and not being able to find a last-minute sitter is far from ideal as well. This forced mom to make a seat-of-the-pants decision—something we all have to do from time to time. For this, Cumings is being treated like a criminal. But if it's a bad idea for a mom to leave her kids alone, why is it a good idea to take the mom away from her kids and lock her up?
What's more, the idea that a 7-year-old can't possibly take on some responsibility is also a bit precious. While we don't see or approve of 7-year-olds doing much of anything on their own anymore, 7 has long been considered "the age of reason." Sure enough, this kid behaved reasonably: He kept his brother company, found a movie they both could enjoy, and even knew not to blithely answer the door. (Whether he was capable of booby-trapping the house to deter bandits is unknown, though this isn't exactly an essential skill.)
Cumings told the cops she had made this same arrangement a few times before, but "rarely." Sounds like a mom stretched thin who was trying to do her best. Rather than help, the authorities chose the path of least assistance.
#1: GrandIsland To: Deckard (#0)
lol
GrandIsland posted on 2018-12-28 07:32:00 Reply Private Reply
#2: Deckard To: GrandIsland (#1)
That last one is most important.
Deckard posted on 2018-12-28 09:42:08 Reply Private Reply
#3: misterwhite To: Deckard (#0)
When seconds count, the aunt is only minutes away.
Speaking of, why couldn't their aunt watch them? I mean, the mom says she "rarely" leaves the ki kids alone. Surely in those "rare" occasions her sister could help.
misterwhite posted on 2018-12-28 10:50:22 Reply Private Reply
#4: GrandIsland To: misterwhite (#3)
lol... the aunt was “just seconds away”... but unable to actually watch the children. Looks like fake news, with an anti cop, pro drug agenda... shoveled down the throats of ignorant sheep.
Dicktard has retards following his bullshit, because he knows if a poster hates the cops enough, they won’t see the absolute bullshit that you just pointed out.
GrandIsland posted on 2018-12-28 17:37:24 Reply Private Reply
#5: misterwhite To: GrandIsland (#4)
I think the mom lied when she said she "rarely" did this. I think she did it all the time and some time ago the aunt told her "no more".
misterwhite posted on 2018-12-28 18:10:04 Reply Private Reply
#6: goldilucky To: Deckard (#0)
I also do not agree with the age of reason being applied at such a young age of 7. I can understand if the child is 12 years old. But age 7 is still wayy too young. They are still babies that also need to be cared for. Shame on this mother for expecting this from those kids. They will grow up resenting her for this. This is very wrong of her.
goldilucky posted on 2018-12-30 22:16:50 Reply Private Reply
#7: A K A Stone To: Deckard (#2)
A K A Stone posted on 2018-12-31 09:25:04 Reply Private Reply
#8: Deckard To: A K A Stone (#7)
I sure hope that posting like an adult is one of your new year's resolutions.
Deckard posted on 2018-12-31 10:10:21 Reply Private Reply
#9: A K A Stone To: Deckard (#8)
A K A Stone posted on 2018-12-31 10:23:16 Reply Private Reply
#10: Deckard To: A K A Stone (#9)
17 Times People Freaked Out Over Weed in 2018
Deckard posted on 2018-12-31 10:37:42 Reply Private Reply
#11: A K A Stone To: Deckard (#10)
Sometimes you do. Not always. Have a good new year. An honest one I hope.
A K A Stone posted on 2018-12-31 10:41:48 Reply Private Reply
#12: Deckard To: A K A Stone (#9)
Among Republicans, Newfound Majority Support for Legalization Remains
Sessions' opposition to legalization is further undercut by shifts in attitudes among his own political party. Gallup found last year that a slim majority of Republicans supported legal marijuana for the first time, and this year's figure, 53%, suggests continued Republican support.
Views that pot should be legalized have also reached new peaks this year among Democrats (75%) and independents (71%). Democrats reached majority-level support for legalization in 2009, and independents did so in 2010.
Deckard posted on 2018-12-31 10:42:06 Reply Private Reply
#13: Deckard To: A K A Stone (#11)
Don't lecture me on honesty princess - you have mischaracterized my position on legalization for years.
The war on drugs isn't working - we need to try something different.
Deckard posted on 2018-12-31 10:45:54 Reply Private Reply