That was not why homeschooling was declared illegal in the entire state. This is a ridiculous argument, still. It was merely the vehicle for getting the family into the courts. We have no idea if the father was beating his children or if an unhappy, liberal family member sees homeschooling as anti-social child abuse and reported them to be spiteful.
It wasn't.
Here's a hint...don't believe everything reported by the MSM. I know there's a tendency for FReepers to declare the MSM totally void of any quality--except whenever they report what FReepers want to believe--but it's better just to remain cautious at all times.
This is a ridiculous argument, still. It was merely the vehicle for getting the family into the courts.
Actually, that's not correct.
This family has been in and out of the courts for 20 years, going back to when the father didn't like that the elder stepdaughter stayed out past 9, so she ended up in the hospital and then living with the grandmother and moving out of state.
This time around, the eldest of the three minor children showed up at the police station asking for help and saying she'd been molested, and that her parents wouldn't believe her and still invited the molester into the house.
We have no idea if the father was beating his children or if an unhappy, liberal family member sees homeschooling as anti-social child abuse and reported them to be spiteful.
True.
The teenage daughter's behavior seems to indicate that she has borderline personality disorder (though I am not a psych), so I don't know that we can necessarily trust her, (despite the therapist suggesting that she's extremely honest and blunt). But then again, her condition is quite typical of the effects of a family situation similar to what is alleged. The evidence cuts both ways.
We know the father and mother's stories have changed many times, and the various kids have contradicted them.
My point is, the state is far too likely to step into families' business, but at the same time, I think it's good to exercise discretion in hailing these folks as heroes or victims without knowing more to the story.
Funny how the father brags that he's raised eight kids so he knows what to do with them--yet many of them left home under protection of the state.