If your child stole from you...?

Question

Would you press charges? Let's say he/she is over the age of 18 and it was something more than just a few dollars out of your wallet.

Just a topic that came up during a family discussion and I am curious to hear others' points of view. Use whatever scenario you wish...just something that would cause them to serve jail time.

If your answer is yes, you'd press charges, would you bail them out of jail? Would you go visit them in jail?

TN2Vegas...I can't quit laughing at your answer! That was great! ;-) I may have to join you in that glass of wine!
*We were discussing parenthood...when they become parents and we were just posing questions of things that may or may not happen. Example, we also asked, "When you become a parent, will you spank your kids?

Answer 1

i would question their motives...I would question their purchase...I would question them a LOT...but i would give them 1 pass...

I DO understand tough love...but to some extent ...if they are stealing..then it is reflective upon how i raised my children.

so the first time they would be grounded and would lose benefits...but the next time...we would have to do some thinking. I do not feel like I NEED the cops to be a better parent.

if we are talking about hundreds or thousands...and if it was used on drugs...then it could affect MY work and my security clearance, so i would be forced to press charges...BUT...i would support him and I would bail him out of jail the 2nd or 3rd day. I feel like a day or two can be therapeutic...if it is drugs...they'll be going to rehab anyway so...i'd bail them out and send them to Betty Ford...

Answer 2

Have you ever heard of "tough love"?
It depends on their age, but yes, definitely I'd press charges if they were over 18. They are no longer a child at 18 and it would be clear that they missed something as they were growing up, and it would be something that they cannot go on thru life not knowing that lesson. These things get worse with time. However if he thinks what you have is his too then he also needs to learn respect, along with not learning to steal. Both of these are taught to christian children, so along with hurting humanity they hurt their maker. Seems then that someone didn't bring up their child properly. I'd probably bail them out if I knew the person was a true christian and didn't do the deed. But on the other hand if I was even somewhat sure they did the deed they would stay in jail. Some are so convincing though that people fall for their "stories". Visit them? Well depends..if it's county or city jail and they'd be in for longer than a week then someone would have to do their laundry, so it would be a work of mercy to go and visit them. It would depend too on the emotional state of the family member (if that person stole from them) as to if they could take getting patted down and the bars clinking around them.

How would you feel though if he stole a lot of money from you and you didn't press charges and he went around the neighborhood saying about what a rug you were, an easy mark? And, would he not try it again if he got away with it the first time? Why not hire an attorney who would hire a PI and see just what else that guy was up to? if he was also stealing elsewhere, and what exactly he was using that money for. Like if it was for drugs then for sure he would get time.

Answer 3

Yes, I would press charges, but only if it wasn't the first time. No, I would not bail them out of jail, and yes I would go visit them. I am sorry, but I think being a parent doesn't end when they turn 18 and you have to teach them about taking responsibility for their actions. The first time I would probablly just have a talk with them, but that second time would not be a joke.

Answer 4

yes, I would press charges, I mean , why would they want to steal from me when I only gave them love and attention! I I would put them in Jail , and nooooooooooooo , I will not bail them out. Visit yes, and on that visit, I will tell them how I am going to make sure they pay for what they did. Its never okay to steal, harm,robb, or kill. You worked hard for that money! Oh I mean I worked hard for that money!

Answer 5

my son was 6, I had warned him over and over again to stop taking money out of my purse... he refused and I caught him red handed... I had THREATENED that if he kept taking money from me I would take him to the police. Well, being the wonderful mom that I was, I went outside and told him to get in the car, we were going someplace he's been DYING to go... he got all excited UNTIL we pulled into the police station. The BIGGEST cop I have EVER seen was behind the desk and after telling him what my son did, he told me to leave my son wit him.... I could hear him talking to my son---it was WONDERFUL.... my point ----whether your son is 6 or 18, stealing is stealing ... if he's done it before he will do it again UNLESS you do something strong enough to make him realize that he will have CONSEQUENCES to his actions... YOU decide what you want to do.... I'd kick him out on his BUTT and change the locks on the house if I were you IF I didn't have him arrested.... but if you let him get away with it---he's going to CONTINUE...

by the way, my son is now 29 years old and NEVER stole from me again...

Answer 6

If someone stole my child, I don't care if my child was 50 yrs old you better bet your bottom dollar they are going to spend time. And NO I would NOT bail them out or go visit them.
Why would your family discuss something like this?

Added: Ooops, sorry I read the question wrong...lol...dont' guess I needed that last glass of wine huh???

No, I probably would not press charges against my child for that but I would make them think that I am and scared the crap out of them.

Answer 7

I would let my child know that there be not be a next time or I promise. . . I will call the police and have you locked up. I'd probably let it go and hope for the child's sake there's not another theft, but my child would have to repay me and if not. . .I'd press charges. I would never bail him/her out because they would never learn, but I would go visit.

Answer 8

Tough love is called for here. If they want to act criminal they have to leave the house immediately and not return. When the child has sunk low enough to seek help they will.

You set the rules of behavior not them. put them out with the clothes on their backs. Pack up the rest of their stuff and have ready.

Answer 9

You're gonna send your child to jail for taking a few dollars from you? Sounds like something deeper than money is happening here.

Answer 10

If it happens to me and my child did it or the first time, i would talk to him/her and ask why he/she did it and let him know that it is so wrong. If it is like the 20th time, then that is something else. I wouldn't press charges but I wouldn't trust him/her with my money or wallet or credit cards and stuffs like that.