Quote:
Originally Posted by mblab  Since this is probably the beginning of what may be a personality disorder you can't place too much blame on the parents. People with personality disorders are extremely difficult to live with and deal with. While his parents should know where their 7 year old is, he is an exceptional 7 year old.... |
I respectfully disagree. The blame for
this incident is squarely on the parents. Personality disorder or not, this is a
7 year old child running loose creating havoc. At this age where he is, what he is doing...anything and everything he does is his parents responsibility. All the more so if he does have a disorder, his parents are surly aware of it and must not allow him out without adequate supervision. He is not just a minor but a small child, his parents are 100% totally responsible for his safety and actions. The fact is, he should have never had the opportunity to do so much harm. What if, heaven forbid, he had a friend with him and he pushed that child in to the croc pen? It's not just what he did, but when he did it, "early Wed morning" and how, as a 7 year old, he was able to get there.
The report does not say if the parents had noticed him missing and were looking for him. Or how far they lived from the zoo. I would like to know that. How is a 7 year old child, "early Wed morning" able to leave home without being missed?
I did hear that because of his age he can not be prosecuted, but that they were going to pursue all legal avenues against the parents. I think that is reasonable and justified. If the parents are not able to protect the child or the public from the child then something needs to be done.