Get yourself together, “free thinker.” This kid started the fire in his own back yard. Evidently he felt uninhibited enough to do this in his own yard. The parents certainly should have known that their child was enthralled with fire. He was 10 or 11, this propensity just didn’t happen overnight. These parents don’t seem to even know who or what there child is capable of. That is poor parenting.
Our educational system can take a big share of the blame. I asked a local kindergarten teacher if teaching the kids “not to play with fire” is part of their curriculum and she said there are more important things they need to teach!
These parents don’t seem to even know who or what there child is capable of. That is poor parenting.Sorry, I remember being 10 and I and my friends playing with fire. We were well supervised with stay at home moms wherever we went. Luckily we didn't start any real fires. It wasn't because of any skill on our part.
I seem to be firmly between the hang him now and swat his hands brigades. He did something serious. Of course he needs to be punished. But the way folks are now they would have him up for life without parole in no time.
He's a kid. 10 year olds don't have very good judgment. From the confessions of we old and wise ones on this very thread you can tell kids do bad things. Once in awhile those bad things cause terrible consequences. Parents are supposed to prevent the bad things but kids are resourceful.
If he was a chronic firebug and mom and dad were not dealing with it then they should pay a price as well. But there is no evidence of that. A little rock throwing is the worst of it so far. Quite a few little boys would be put away if that was a major crime.
Here's some quotes from the article posted above:
The prosecutor's office was "not sure whether they'll bring any charges, given that it was an accidental fire," Los Angeles County fire Capt. Michael Brown said Wednesday. In a news conference Wednesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he did not think the child meant any harm.It sounds like the authorities feel the same. He's 10. It's a tragedy. There but for the Grace of God go many little boys. Get over it.The boy could be incarcerated for three years if found guilty of a lesser charge of unlawfully starting a fire. For that count, prosecutors would have to prove only that he understood the risks of his actions, but Yamashiro said winning a conviction on even that charge could be difficult.
"They'd have to prove that at 10 years old he really appreciated what the risk of playing with matches would have been," Yamashiro said. "It's difficult to prosecute him under that theory."