What to do when a child commits a crime?

[lene]

Thanks for sharing this!

I read a news article about a seven year old who beat his seven month old sister to death, and that is what made me think about parenal responsibilities, what can be done to prevent things like this from happening, what do do when things like this do happen. From what I could understand from this article the seven year old was alone with the baby, and he hit her because she wouldn't stop crying. I have a seven year old myself, and I would NEVER let him be alone with a baby - even though I know he loves babies and would never intentionally harm one. But things can spin out of control - and I would never risk my seven year old growing up feeling responsible for something that I should have prevented. Does that make sense?

[catskillz]

Absolutely, but i wouldn't say one should be prosecuted for leaving a 7year old with a baby! ;D

I make a joke but it is exactly the point, what exactly is negliance and what is who's responsibility. I mean in business this is allready tough (where we have everything worked out and where we exactly know how systems work), let alone defining this for the issue of responsibility for another human beings actions.

Catz

[lene]

No, I guess a parent can't be prosecuted if leaving the room for a brief period of time, but if the parents leave the house, I would say there were grounds for prosecution, because it would be neglect and endangerment of a child.

But you are right that in many cases it is hard to say what is what exactly. I do leave my seven and six year old alone with their older siblings in charge (10, 11 and 13 years of age) if I have to run over to the store to get something. But if something had happened while I was gone, I know that no court could punish me harder than I would have myself.