Parents Investigated For Neglect For Letting Kids Walk Home Alone 1 mile

[Deberg_1990]

It was a one-mile walk home from a Silver Spring park on Georgia Avenue on a Saturday afternoon. But what the parents saw as a moment of independence for their 10-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter, they say authorities viewed much differently.

Danielle and Alexander Meitiv say they are being investigated for neglect for the Dec. 20 trek — in a case they say reflects a clash of ideas about how safe the world is and whether parents are free to make their own choices about raising their children.

“We wouldn’t have let them do it if we didn’t think they were ready for it,” Danielle said.


She said her son and daughter have previously paired up for walks around the block, to a nearby 7-Eleven and to a library about three-quarters of a mile away. “They have proven they are responsible,” she said. “They’ve developed these skills.”


The Meitiv children outside the National Gallery in Washington this month. (Family photo)
The Meitivs say they believe in “free-range” parenting, a movement that has been a counterpoint to the hyper-vigilance of “helicopter” parenting, with the idea that children learn self-reliance by being allowed to progressively test limits, make choices and venture out in the world.

“The world is actually even safer than when I was a child, and I just want to give them the same freedom and independence that I had — basically an old-fashioned childhood,” she said. “I think it’s absolutely critical for their development — to learn responsibility, to experience the world, to gain confidence and competency.”

On Dec. 20, Alexander agreed to let the children, Rafi and Dvora, walk from Woodside Park to their home, a mile south, in an area the family says the children know well.

The children made it about halfway.


Police picked up the children near the Discovery building, the family said, after someone reported seeing them.

Police on Wednesday did not immediately have information on the case. But a spokeswoman said that when concerns are reported, “we have a responsibility as part of our duty to check on people’s welfare.”

The Meitivs say their son told police that he and his sister were not doing anything illegal and are allowed to walk. Usually, their mother said, the children carry a laminated card with parent contact information that says: “I am not lost. I am a free-range kid.” The kids didn’t have the card that day.


Danielle said she and her husband give parenting a lot of thought.

“Parenthood is an exercise in risk management,” she said. “Every day, we decide: Are we going to let our kids play football? Are we going to let them do a sleep*over? Are we going to let them climb a tree? We’re not saying parents should abandon all caution. We’re saying parents should pay attention to risks that are dangerous and likely to happen.”

She added: “Abductions are extremely rare. Car accidents are not. The number one cause of death for children of their age is a car accident.”

Danielle is a climate-science consultant, and Alexander is a physicist at the National Institutes of Health.

Alexander said he had a tense time with police on Dec. 20 when officers returned his children, asked for his identification and told him about the dangers of the world.

The more lasting issue has been with Montgomery County Child Protective Services, he said, which showed up a couple of hours after the police left.

Mary Anderson, a spokeswoman for CPS, said she could not comment on cases but that neglect investigations typically focus on questions of whether there has been a failure to provide proper care and supervision.

In such investigations, she said, CPS may look for guidance to a state law about leaving children unattended, which says children younger than 8 must be left with a reliable person who is at least 13 years old. The law covers dwellings, enclosures and vehicles.

The Meitivs say that on Dec. 20, a CPS worker required Alexander to sign a safety plan pledging he would not leave his children unsupervised until the following Monday, when CPS would follow up. At first he refused, saying he needed to talk to a lawyer, his wife said, but changed his mind when he was told his children would be removed if he did not comply.

Following the holidays, the family said, CPS called again, saying the agency needed to inquire further and visit the family’s home. Danielle said she resisted.

“It seemed such a huge violation of privacy to examine my house because my kids were walking home,” she said.


This week, a CPS social worker showed up at her door, she said. She did not let him in. She said she was stunned to later learn from the principal that her children were interviewed at school.

The family has a meeting set for next week at CPS offices in Rockville.

“I think what CPS considered neglect, we felt was an essential part of growing up and maturing,” Alexander said. “We feel we’re being bullied into a point of view about child-rearing that we strongly disagree with.”



http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/maryland-couple-want-free-range-kids-but-not-all-do/2015/01/14/d406c0be-9c0f-11e4-bcfb-059ec7a93ddc_story.html

[Rudy tossed tigger's salad]

10 is plenty old... especially if there are other kids/parents walking or biking around the area

[phisherman]

I find it ironic that this article references "helicopter parenting" when it seems that "helicopter governing" is what ACTUALLY seems to be happening in this case.

[bobbymitch]

That's a bunch of BS. I was a latch-key kid when I was 8. I had to fix my own breakfast, pack a lunch, and walk to school.

Granted that was 61 years ago and a different America.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Shit. Did that all the time at that age with a sibling about the same age as the youngster..That was twenty years ago. What a fucked up world we live in now.

[GloucesterChief]

I started walking to the bus stop by myself when I was young. So young that I don't remember when I started so it must of been in 1st or 2nd grade. This was the late 80s so not that long ago.

[displacedinMN]

That's a bunch of BS. I was a latch-key kid when I was 8. I had to fix my own breakfast, pack a lunch, and walk to school.

Granted that was 61 years ago and a different America.

In your defense, A guy interviewed here said that he rode his bike from Golden Valley to downtown Minneapolis (at least 5 miles) all the time. He was easily in his 60's. He said that he was more vulnerable at that time because of lack of cameras and distance of travel. So, the DHS is over stepping its reach.

[Gonzo]

I dunno... When I was 10 I rode my bike to and from school and that was well over a mile. Six is way too young, even with a 10 y/o shaparone.

[BigMeatballDave]

I dunno... When I was 10 I rode my bike to and from school and that was well over a mile. Six is way too young, even with a 10 y/o shaparone.

I lived in Topeka in the late 70s. I rode mine further than that, I'm sure. I was 9 at the time.

[Baby Lee]

My sis and I [she 3 years younger] were free range kids. Of course, we lived in the boonieburbs. Then there was grandma's house, the fricken driveway was 3/8 mile long.

They lived on 20 acres.

[stevieray]

but, crime rates are down!

[ModSocks]

I think i was probably around 1st-2nd grade when i started walking to school by myself.

I gotta say though, on my first day I almost got hit by a car....lol

Another day i got chased down the street by a dog....i found refuge in a truck bed parked in someone's driveway....as the dog ran across the street, some old hag of a woman ran the dog over in some nasty, beat up old car.

[DaneMcCloud]

At that age, where I grew up in Blue Springs, we could see the school from our front yard, so consequently, we walked to school every day from age seven, I believe. Once we moved back to Kansas, our junior high was about 3/4-1 mile away but there was a well used "trail" from our home to the school, so I always walked unless it was raining.

But currently, there isn't a school within one mile of my home now and even if there was, there's not a chance in hell I'd allow my six year old to walk to school.

[KCUnited]

I was writing down the lyrics to Sweet Child O' Mine and passing them as love notes to girls when I was 10. I could practically drive.

[The Franchise]

More power to them....but I wouldn't let my kids do it.

[ModSocks]

More power to them....but I wouldn't let my kids do it.

I think about that a lot. By 2nd grade, i was pretty well adjusted to feeding myself and walking to school alone.

I think about my son, a 2nd grader, and there's no way in hell i'd let him walk to school alone.

I don't feel overprotective, i'm just not sure he would be able to do it.

[SAUTO]

At that age, where I grew up in Blue Springs, we could see the school from our front yard, so consequently, we walked to school every day from age seven, I believe. Once we moved back to Kansas, our junior high was about 3/4-1 mile away but there was a well used "trail" from our home to the school, so I always walked unless it was raining.

But currently, there isn't a school within one mile of my home now and even if there was, there's not a chance in hell I'd allow my six year old to walk to school.

Cordill mason?

[saphojunkie]

God damn this country is getting fucking stupid.

[SAUTO]

Stupid shit is stupid

[DaneMcCloud]

Cordill mason?

Franklin Smith

[BWillie]

That's a bunch of BS. I was a latch-key kid when I was 8. I had to fix my own breakfast, pack a lunch, and walk to school.

Granted that was 61 years ago and a different America.

Your right, it is different. It's much safer than it was when you were a kid. In fact, violent crime specifically child sexual abuse has been on the decline for many years now. We just have the means and media to hear about it more.

[BWillie]

Governments gettin' out of hand. Getting their nose into everything. There are now many places around the country where you can get FINED and in trouble for leaving your DOG. YES YOUR DOG, outside in subzero temperatures. A fucking dog. Which is a descendant of a fucking wolf.

[stevieray]

Your right, it is different. It's much safer than it was when you were a kid. In fact, violent crime specifically child sexual abuse has been on the decline for many years now. We just have the means and media to hear about it more.

...and an average of two school shootings since Columbine!

seriously though, what do you think happens to all the missing children?

[Baby Lee]

At that age, where I grew up in Blue Springs, we could see the school from our front yard, so consequently, we walked to school every day from age seven, I believe. Once we moved back to Kansas, our junior high was about 3/4-1 mile away but there was a well used "trail" from our home to the school, so I always walked unless it was raining.

But currently, there isn't a school within one mile of my home now and even if there was, there's not a chance in hell I'd allow my six year old to walk to school.

No one wants to be Chris Brown's hood ornament.

[DaneMcCloud]

No one wants to be Chris Brown's hood ornament.

Fortunately, Chris Brown moved this past summer but guess who moved in directly behind my house for a few months after?

My CP Facebook friends know. Fortunately, he's gone, too.

[wazu]

I dunno... When I was 10 I rode my bike to and from school and that was well over a mile. Six is way too young, even with a 10 y/o shaparone.

A matter of personal opinion. Not something that should involve the authorities.

[Deberg_1990]

Fortunately, Chris Brown moved this past summer but guess who moved in directly behind my house for a few months after?

My CP Facebook friends know. Fortunately, he's gone, too.

Beiber?

[DaneMcCloud]

Beiber?

Bingo

[stevieray]

Franklin Smith

nice braces!

;)

[Baby Lee]

Fortunately, Chris Brown moved this past summer but guess who moved in directly behind my house for a few months after?

My CP Facebook friends know. Fortunately, he's gone, too.

Any idea if Myley Cyrus is still Bob Hope's 'neighbor?' When I saw that on google maps it blew my mind.

[DaneMcCloud]

nice braces!

;)
I was a brace face for a long, long time. Looks like my kids will need them, too, which is a bummer for them. Hopefully, orthodontics have improved since the 70's.

[CoMoChief]

i used to walk to school everyday and it was about 1 mile. Probably started around 9 or 10 yrs old. There were like 3-4 of us that would walk together...but it was probably about a mile.

Parents are retarded these days...though there are more crazies and sexual monsters out there now too than there was 20 or so years ago.

[Demonpenz]

White people need to watch their kids.

[stevieray]

I was a brace face for a long, long time. Looks like my kids will need them, too, which is a bummer for them. Hopefully, orthodontics have improved since the 70's.

IIRC, they have "invisible" braces now.

[Bwana]

i used to walk to school everyday and it was about 1 mile. Probably started around 9 or 10 yrs old. There were like 3-4 of us that would walk together...but it was probably about a mile.

Parents are retarded these days...though there are more crazies and sexual monsters out there now too than there was 20 or so years ago.

Nope you just hear more about it because of the way news is now as opposed to "back in the day."

[DaneMcCloud]

IIRC, they have "invisible" braces now.

Cool. Hopefully, they'll only need them for a short while before switching to Invisalign.

[TimBone]

Bingo
You had to have mentioned that here or at the Hub, because I knew that.

[DenverChief]

though there are more crazies and sexual monsters out there now too than there was 20 or so years ago.
you really believe that?

[LiveSteam]

I've been walking back & fourth to 2nd grade since 1976.
Look at me, I'm fine.

[SAUTO]

Franklin Smith

That's the one I couldn't remember.

You were from the other side of 7 then

[DenverChief]

I've been walking back & fourth to 2nd grade since 1976.
Look at me, I'm fine.

This is the forth time I have tried to tell you...

[DaneMcCloud]

That's the one I couldn't remember.

You were from the other side of 7 then

Yep. I think it was called Plaza Estates West?

[BucEyedPea]

I think about that a lot. By 2nd grade, i was pretty well adjusted to feeding myself and walking to school alone.

I think about my son, a 2nd grader, and there's no way in hell i'd let him walk to school alone.

I don't feel overprotective, i'm just not sure he would be able to do it.

I wouldn't do it in this day in age but I still don't think CPS should have been called on them. I walked alone by age ten, especially if I missed the bus from school. It was about a 3-5 mile walk or more. I had to even walk over a highway over pass. I would also ride my bike alone that far sometimes, but usually with friends. At age 12 I would get up at 5 AM and ride my bike to Mass the same distance—alone. I was told to never talk to any strangers though and never accept candy or be lured by any such thing.

I think the area can make a difference but these days...I dunno. I'd err on the side of caution.

[BucEyedPea]

I was a brace face for a long, long time. Looks like my kids will need them, too, which is a bummer for them. Hopefully, orthodontics have improved since the 70's.

Invisalign or braces on the back side of the teeth.

[SAUTO]

Yep. I think it was called Plaza Estates West?

Wasn't that in behind white oak plaza?

[BucEyedPea]

Last I checked around here, age 10 was old enough to leave in charge of a young child at home for a period of time, if parents wanted to go out.

[MTG#10]

God damn this country is getting fucking stupid.

That's what happens in a two party system.

[CoMoChief]

you really believe that?

Of course....you dont think the internet and porn and chat rooms etc have had created more of these monsters?

[DaneMcCloud]

Wasn't that in behind white oak plaza?

I was so young that I can't remember. There was a 7-11 on 7 highway within walking distance and just as we were moving out, a Sonic went up adjacent to the 7-11.

[suzzer99]

I had to cross 4-lane Roe blvd to walk to kindergarten. True story.

Full story is my grandpa was supposed to walk me across where I'd meet up with other kids. But quite often he was sleeping off a serious drunk, and sometimes the kids weren't there when I got across so I had to walk all the way to Roseland Elementary.

I guess my Mom would be in jail today.

Also the pre-school across from Roseland was run by a bunch of weirdo hippy women who would make us run around naked sometimes, and would de-pants any kid who peed his pants in front of everyone.

The 70s man.

[Easy 6]

More power to them....but I wouldn't let my kids do it.

Thats where I'm at... "the world is actually even safer now than when I was a child".

Uh, the **** it is.

Having said that, one mile is one mile and if the parents are comfortable with it then to hell with being in trouble for it... welcome to Nanny State America.

[ThaVirus]

I dunno... When I was 10 I rode my bike to and from school and that was well over a mile. Six is way too young, even with a 10 y/o shaparone


LMAO

Come on, bro. Hashtagdobetter.

[BWillie]

Thats where I'm at... "the world is actually even safer now than when I was a child".

Uh, the **** it is.

Having said that, one mile is one mile and if the parents are comfortable with it then to hell with being in trouble for it... welcome to Nanny State America.
I dont quite understand why people dont believe that it is safer. I dont get it. Ppl refuse to believe facts & trends.

[Just Passin' By]

Of course....you dont think the internet and porn and chat rooms etc have had created more of these monsters?

Hard to believe—with milk cartons and AMBER alerts reminding parents daily of our greatest fears—but child victimization rates in the United States have dropped dramatically over the last three decades and may be at their lowest point ever. Between 1970 (when detailed figures became available) and 2009 every category of child victimization has declined: child sexual abuse down 53 percent; physical abuse down 52 percent; aggravated assault down 69 percent; robbery down 62 percent; larceny down 54 percent. Bullying has dropped by a third in the last five years. And despite the horrors and headlines of stranger abduction—this year it’s the Cleveland kidnappings; a few years ago it was Jaycee Lee Dugard—confirmed cases are so rare (perhaps 100 or so a year) that the odds of your child being kidnapped and murdered stand at about 1.5 million to one.

http://www.psmag.com/culture/the-kids-really-are-all-right-58651/

[007]

Hell, I walked over a mile to school everyday when I was 8. It was literally uphill both ways. LMAO Well, and downhill too. Of course that was back in 1977.

[Beef Supreme]

My mom was like "Go do something outside. Be back by dark."

[SAUTO]

My mom was like "Go do something outside. Be back by dark."

My dad was that way too. I went all over kck on foot/bike.

[Bufkin]

I read this thread title and mumbled out loud "oh great, a 4 page thread of people sharing their anecdotes of hiking uphill 12 miles to get to pre-school prior to milking the 17 cows". I'm glad I wasn't disappointed.

[BucEyedPea]

I read this thread title and mumbled out loud "oh great, a 4 page thread of people sharing their anecdotes of hiking uphill 12 miles to get to pre-school prior to milking the 17 cows". I'm glad I wasn't disappointed.

I didn't milk 'em but we did tease a bull and then run for the fence.

[Color Red]

10 is plenty old... especially if there are other kids/parents walking or biking around the area

Ten might be plenty old, but six not so much. Now the ten-year-old has to be responsible for the six, and is he ready for that?

[Color Red]

Greater legitimate abuse and neglect has increased the helicopter effect for everyone. Whether warranted in each situation or not. Just saying.

[Just Passin' By]

Ten might be plenty old, but six not so much. Now the ten-year-old has to be responsible for the six, and is he ready for that?

I can't speak for all school districts but, in the area I lived, the kids were walking to school in the first grade, way back in the stone age (70's).

[Rausch]

God damn this country is getting ****ing stupid.

This.

What man doesn't have a "bully" or "man I got my ass whooped" story?

[keg in kc]

I was probably walking a mile to school at 6. Of course this was bumfuck wv and I had 12 and 15 year old sisters. I'll have to ask mom.