Sounds like the system worked to me. I'll sleep well tonight knowing we have destroyed this kids life.
OK - this isn't exactly a "success" story and certain details could have been managed in a different way. I'd be very interested in ideas about how to improve the system.
However - to suggest that this incident "destroyed" this boys life may be a bit overexaggerated. Prior to anything happening, this boy had already been kicked out of his home by his own mother and was living with an Aunt. Its very clear, that he was in trouble already (how deep that trouble was, I cannot judge from newspaper articles and online debates).
Certainly, if the school district had done nothing - they would have been accused of having ignored his cries for help and letting him slip through the cracks. Apparently, as a community we've decided to make many resources available through the juvenile justice system. This might not be the best way, but it was reality for the staff people who needed to help. Moving him to foster care, might appear like a bad move (and often times is) - but, I think that there are clearly cases in which foster care is justified. As far as I know, allowing this boy back into his previous living situation, may have done more damage to him.
Given to tools that we have to work with today (tools that we created and are responsible for), I'm open to the fact that the juvenile justice system and foster care MIGHT just be the best options that we have. I'm no where near convinced that these are the best possible options. However, the discussion in this forum, was about how school district and city officials dealt with the situation, given what was available to them today.
Chucks portrayal of the situation implies that everything was OK in this boys life, until meddling government officials got involved and "destroyed" it. While, government officials are capable of "destroying" lives - they are also expected and capable of making a positive difference.
I don't know the facts in this case - I don't know what the outcome will be. BUT, I will say that unless one in very close to the case and has special information, I find it a little presumptuous to assume that through this incident, "we have destroyed this kids life."
As a society, we might be responsible for neglecting issues much earlier in his life, which is another matter.
In short, this example is a demonstration of how we have failed this child and many others as a community - over the long run. BUT, I'm not convinced (based upon what I know) that the response to what happened recently was inappropriate. If anyone feels otherwise, I'd like to hear how it could have been handled better, given tools and resources that are currently available to district officials and county social workers.
Best wishes,
Tim Erickson Hamline Midway [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Tim Erickson http://www.politalk.com St. Paul, MN - USA 651-643-0722
[EMAIL PROTECTED] iChat/AIM: stpaultim
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