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Raising a Dangerously Obese Child Is a Shame — But Is It a Crime?
Pajamas Media ^ | July 27 | Michele Catalano

Posted on 07/27/2009 9:00:00 AM PDT by AJKauf

In aisle six there’s a man wheeling a grocery cart filled with prepackaged and ready-to-make food: TV dinners, frozen breakfasts, macaroni and cheese, and similar items. The cart is also overflowing with sugary cereals and a variety of soda. The man weighs about 400 pounds. With him is his son. The boy is about 12-years-old and weighs close to 200 pounds. He’s pointing to things he wants — Pop-Tarts, Oreos, Rice Krispies Treats — and the father is throwing everything the kid asks for into the cart.

“That’s child abuse,” I think to myself. “That man is endangering the welfare of his child. He should be arrested.”

Of course, I was speaking hyperbolically. You can’t really arrest someone for what they choose to feed their child, right?

Now it seems as if my hyperbole wasn’t so outlandish after all. A South Carolina woman was arrested for criminal child neglect because her 14-year-old son, Alexander Draper, weighs 555 pounds.

When the boy’s mother, Jerri Gray, was asked for an explanation as to how her son got so dangerously obese, she said, “Well, a lot of times it had to do with lifestyle. A lot of times I had to work full time second shift or full time, third shift. And I wasn’t home a lot.” She explained that she would often purchase fast food for Alexander because she didn’t have time to cook due to work.

It’s easy to call the mother out on this. ...

(Excerpt) Read more at pajamasmedia.com ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: childhoodpolice; foodpolice; parenting
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1 posted on 07/27/2009 9:00:01 AM PDT by AJKauf
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To: AJKauf

My mother worked and raised 3 of us by herself and all 3 of us together didn’t weigh anywhere near that much


2 posted on 07/27/2009 9:03:51 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Seniors, the new shovel ready project under socialized medicine.)
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To: AJKauf

Yikes....555 lbs? If the child was undernorished everyone would agree the child was neglected. A 14 year old who hits 555 lbs has been neglected too.


3 posted on 07/27/2009 9:04:54 AM PDT by mockingbyrd (Boehner Baby!!!)
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To: AJKauf

This could be coming in the health care bill. Let’s sent the breadwinners to jail because they feed their children junk. Force them to put their kids into weight loss programs with substantial co-pays as punishment. That will teach them - put those families on welfare and food stamps and limit what the food stamps can be used for.

I’m just postulating here, but the way DumbocRATs think - anythings a possibility and the skies the limit when they have the votes.


4 posted on 07/27/2009 9:05:54 AM PDT by OrioleFan (Republicans believe every day is the 4th of July, democrats believe every day is April 15)
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To: AJKauf

This is a very difficult case. Obviously I want government out of our business, but in this case, I believe the best option is to get that kid away from his mother as soon as possible. She clearly does not have time for him and feels throwing him a pop tart is parenting. At 14, weighing 555 pounds is insane and something needs to be done or this kid won’t see 18.


5 posted on 07/27/2009 9:09:29 AM PDT by napscoordinator
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To: AJKauf
Related Story
6 posted on 07/27/2009 9:12:23 AM PDT by Jeff Chandler (The University of Notre Dame's motto: "Kill our unborn children? YES WE CAN!")
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To: napscoordinator

Mom doesn’t appear to feel at all responsible here but I can also see how this sort of thing could be used for all sorts of other reasons.


7 posted on 07/27/2009 9:12:53 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Seniors, the new shovel ready project under socialized medicine.)
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To: AJKauf

“That’s child abuse,” I think to myself. “That man is endangering the welfare of his child. He should be arrested.”
Of course, I was speaking hyperbolically. You can’t really arrest someone for what they choose to feed their child, right?

Nomore then you can arrest a parent for raising their child to beleive in man made global warming orputting earth worms before people.


8 posted on 07/27/2009 9:14:39 AM PDT by SECURE AMERICA (Coming to You From the Front Lines of Occupied America)
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To: AJKauf
Alexander Draper


9 posted on 07/27/2009 9:15:02 AM PDT by thefactor (yes, as a matter of fact, i DID only read the excerpt)
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To: AJKauf

This is the exact reason why we should NOT have universal Healthcare.
If these people want to have 500lb kids, go for it! But dont expect me to pay for.
Goes for welfare too!


10 posted on 07/27/2009 9:15:41 AM PDT by Havok ( www.survivalblog.com)
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To: AJKauf
Another chapter in the Free Republic catechism, according to which:

Fat people = disgusting and pathetic

Smokers = noble and persecuted

11 posted on 07/27/2009 9:18:47 AM PDT by Notary Sojac (I quit voting for RINOs when the GOP gave us Bob Dole. Have not voted for one since...)
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To: AJKauf

If there were a severe price to pay parents would not do this. When healthcare is free, people have less incentive to take care of themselves. People are brainwashed to believe nothing is their fault, if that doesn’t change, no law will solve the problem.


12 posted on 07/27/2009 9:19:18 AM PDT by Republic of Texas (Socialism Always Fails)
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To: Notary Sojac
Fat people = disgusting and pathetic

All real nice and good but nobody said anything along those lines.
13 posted on 07/27/2009 9:20:48 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Seniors, the new shovel ready project under socialized medicine.)
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To: Notary Sojac

Both are guilty of making stupid choices, which is their right.

Just don’t expect me to pay for their care when those choices come home to roost.


14 posted on 07/27/2009 9:23:08 AM PDT by EricT. ("Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government." -George Washington)
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To: Republic of Texas

When I was that age I was riding my bike the 5 miles to where our new house was being finished, working all day, and riding back that evening. There’s no way in hell that my mother would have allowed us to just sit around the house. When we were home we had chores to do anyway.


15 posted on 07/27/2009 9:24:33 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Seniors, the new shovel ready project under socialized medicine.)
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To: AJKauf

Will we take anorexic or bulemic children away from parents as well?


16 posted on 07/27/2009 9:27:35 AM PDT by ReneeLynn (Socialism, it*s the new black.)
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To: thefactor

That kid will be lucky if he makes it to 30.


17 posted on 07/27/2009 9:27:59 AM PDT by reagan_fanatic (Impeach the sumbeech)
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To: Notary Sojac
1.Speak for yourself. If you are on this board you should know that not all people have the same idea. Either that or go back to the daily kos boards

2. The idea behind Liberty is that you can do whatever you want (ie. get fat, smoke) but you have to deal with the consequence of your actions. Dont expect me to pay for your stupidity.

18 posted on 07/27/2009 9:28:17 AM PDT by Havok ( www.survivalblog.com)
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To: cripplecreek
My parents worked & I learned to cook at a very young age. We ate healthier back then too. I think the way food is made now has much to do with a child's weight. The things they add to food IMO are the reason. My daughter who is 9 yrs old is tall & thin. She hates meat & drives my husband nuts. I just keep hard boiled eggs or veggie burgers in the house for the nights when it is is going to be a problem. Her doctor told us not to fuss over it. Or we would be facing an eating disorder. Sassy never gets soda unless she is sick or at a party. We keep fresh veggies & fruit for snacks. I hate junk food & don't let her near it.

One thing I have have noticed through the last few years is that girls don't know how to cook. Most of my 3 son's girls friends have no intention of ever cooking. One can't make anything that isn't frozen & goes in the microwave. So my boys are learning to cook. One of them is a great cook already & does all the cooking when I am sick. I am making a point of teaching Sassy how to cook. We include it in our home schooling . I let her pick the fruit & veggies out at the market. I think educating her on food is a good start.

Too many children don't get outside & play like I did as a child. I never wanted to be inside, winter or summer. I don't understand parents who let their children watch TV or play video games & sit for hours on the computer.

19 posted on 07/27/2009 9:28:59 AM PDT by pandoraou812 (elected officials should be required to pass drug, alcohol & dementia testing)
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To: EricT.
Just don’t expect me to pay for their care when those choices come home to roost.

No one expects you to do anything, the government will do it for us, see not complicated at all.

20 posted on 07/27/2009 9:34:13 AM PDT by itsahoot (Each generation takes to excess, what the previous generation accepted in moderation.)
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