OK where do i stand with the law and one of my own children (15 ) stealing from other family member's ?? she seem's to think she can take good's Ipod's , digital cam's , clothing and money and get away with this and it's driving us all mad i have 5 other daughters who would never do this , she does not smoke or drink so god knows what she is doing with the stuff , we do get most of it back after having to look though her thing's ( god then i feel bad for doing this ) the ipod never did re apear , and now my oldest daughter has had £20 stolen from a locked box and we are having to lock are room's if she is in the house . the sad thing is she is a very bright child ( or should i say was ) can anyone advise me on what i should do am pulling my hairout with her now .
2007-12-11 00:34:13 · 14 answers · asked by lady i 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Well first sounds like she suffers from LACK A SLAP. But I have a very simlar situation going on at my house. So I have locking door knobs/handles on my bedroom door. ANYTHING of value is always in my bedroom. My daughter (21) is NOT allowed in my bedroom at all. It is mostly the old lady's stuff that dis-appears. Maybe you might want to have one of your local cops take her into the station and put a scare into her. Police can work with you in this area. Give it a try. Good Luck.
2007-12-11 01:39:51 · answer #1 · answered by GRUMPY 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to be strict theft is theft and a police matter. However there is something else here and I think you should try to get her somewhere and someone neutral ( not a family friend or relative) to talk to her and find out what the real problem is. Her school maybe could quietly help here as they often have contacts, it is possible they already know she has a problem and have been trying to get in touch with you . Obviously you do not want to bring the police into the matter unless you have to. Is drugs the problem? I hope you live in UK because secondary state schools are often up to speed on this
2007-12-11 04:26:50 · answer #2 · answered by Scouse 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The decision on what to do is really down to you. If you are willing to make this official and report it and go to Court at a later date to give evidence against your daughter then this is down to you.
However, the offence of theft would only really apply if the 'stolen' property was never returned or recovered as the theft act states:
'A person commits theft if he/she dishonestly appropriates property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of the property'.
In other words if they dishonestly take someone else's property, intending to keep the property or dispose of it in a way that means the original owner can't get it back then this would be theft.
If the property is retained with the intention of returning it then there is technically no theft.
2007-12-11 01:37:20 · answer #3 · answered by Ian UK 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like your daughter has a serious mental disorder and although you say she does not smoke or drink is she taking drugs and she may be stealing to fund the habit. It would be awful to have to report the theft to the police so I would warn her that this will be a distinct possibility if the thefts continue.By the way are you sure she is guilty?
2007-12-12 23:05:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry bout this happening to your family but it does sound like your thieving daughter has some pretty severe issues, it's unfortunate that this has happened but i'm sure you dont need us to tell you that in eyes of the law, theft is theft, but i wouldn't recommend this course of action.. Do you know any Police officers who could have a scary chat with her? if not i would advise you to maybe let her GP have a word as this does sound more like a mental health issue than just petty theft...
2007-12-11 01:47:51 · answer #5 · answered by John W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell her if it's happens again then you will enroll her in a scared straight program or some sort of discipline program. If you let her get away with it then she'll just keep doing it until it's bigger and bigger things. Your other children shouldn't have to live locking their things up all the time. Talk to a counselor, even if it's just one at her school - they may have some good recommendations, I'm sure they've seen it before.
2007-12-11 00:46:14 · answer #6 · answered by ○•○•Cassie•○•○ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to your local police station and explain the situation. If you don't want her to get a criminal record by prosecuting, you could ask the police if they would come round and have a stern word with her. Hopefully she would be too worried of the consequences to do it again.
And maybe encourage her to get a part-time/Saturday job so that she learns the value of money and can also afford to buy or save to buy things for herself.
2007-12-11 09:56:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the police and explain the situation and ask if they will speak to her and give her a caution. It is terrible when you have to live like this. It can also get worse as she gets older. You must stop her now before she starts shoplifting etc. Be strong, it is the right thing to do.
2007-12-11 03:30:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think she is suffering from kleptomania. There was a magistrate here in England that used to take things from shops and her family had to keep returning them. Its a sort of disease and I dont think there is a cure for it....perhaps hypnosis?????? I wouldnt go to the police about this as it will give her a crimanal record. I would go to the doctor and ask for a pysychologist to see to her.
2007-12-11 00:46:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wonder if this is a cry for help? You and your family must be devastated. Try talking to her or is there someone neutral who could talk to her? You could report the theft to the police but I doubt you feel like taking such a drastic step, not sure I could.
2007-12-11 00:41:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋