what do you think of this story about the 10 y/o boy and a california fire??

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20071107/us_time/willachildbechargedinthefires


do you think he should be taken away and charged? or the opposite? just wondering.

read it first before you answer.

Answer 1

He needs his 10 yr old butt beat!! Twice.

Answer 2

I live in California, and I am constantly amazed at the harsh punishments that are meted out here. They seem to really like locking people up.

Still, no reasonable person can believe that a little boy playing with matches (Did YOU ever play with fire as a child? I bet almost all of us did.) is in the same league as an arsonist for hire or a bank robber.

If they prosecute that child, or blame his parents for such common (though incredibly dangerous and stupid) childhood behavior, or remove him from his home, I will be disgusted beyond belief.

Stuff happens. Sometimes it's bad stuff. Wildfires are very common in that area, but on a different day, he'd have burned his fingers and no other harm would have happened. Incredibly bad luck, childish behavior in a child, and a terribly unfortunate result are not the same as evil.

L.
.

Answer 3

I agree with the statement that a 10 year old may know the difference between right and wrong, but no 10 year old would ever be able to conceive of the magnitude of destruction that began with that match. Hopefully, they will try to help this boy to realize the destruction he brought about and help him to forgive himself as a fallible human being. Perhaps he should be made to work in community service until the age of 18. Firehouses, Red Cross Centers, and as he gets older, burn hospitals. It's a very unfortunate circumstance and every parent is thinking there but for the Grace of God go I.

Answer 4

The amount of money in fines and possible civil liability is staggering. Yes, the parents can be held liable to some extent, but do you really think they will be able to pay that kind of money? As far as punishment, the court will have to look at the fact of whether the boy is actually upset about what ended up happening or if he's upset about being caught.

Answer 5

I think that there should be a consequence for his actions. Taken away? How far can you take a 10 year old away? Not too far and unless there is proven neglect on his parents' behave, I hope they will not take him from his parents. By the way, I have not heard anything about his parents and wonder what their status is on all of this - I would think very stressed.

Answer 6

His parents made a terrible mistake telling the authorities. What is done is done. And this will linger over his shoulders for the rest of his days. The laws are strict, and the justice system is spiteful.

All that he has done is forgiven in my eyes, but to the criminals in charge of California...justice doesn't look past the ignorance of youth.

Answer 7

He's a child. It was an accident. Many children play with matches. He should be punised but not to the point where he is taken out of his home and put into a detention center. I hope the officials use wisdom in this matter.

Answer 8

I am wondering why does have those matches and where was his parents. I don't know if he wanted attention of some kind or want. But he shouldn't get away with it. And his parents will end paying off all those fines. And I think he need some kind of punishment for starting that fire.

Answer 9

I think he should have to do some community service untill he turns 18 like work in a soup kitchenon weekend clean parks and even help rebuild the homes... Also go around to schools telling kids not to play with matches.

Answer 10

everyone f**ks up, we've all done things at that age that could have very easily spun out of control and had a similar outcome. It wasn't like it was premeditated, do you think the kid is old enough to have ANY comprehension about what kind of damage a small fire could cause? I say they charge the kid and give him 8 years of probation, this way by his 18th birthday he'll remember how to think about his actions.

Answer 11

aliens abducted him.....he didnt die.....j/k He should be grounded in his room for a year. It should be like living in a cave for him. I dont think they should charge the poor kid with arson......now if he set the fire ablaze on purpose id say come down with a hard hammer, but playing with mayches and accidently starting a fire is hardly arson...... Arson is the intent to destroy on purpose not accident. I played with a magnifying glass when i was a kid......