Another child vanishes, 9 year old girl in Missouri

[Darsa]

Has there been any new information on this? I haven't seen much in the news...

 

[KAMKIM]

Has there been any new information on this? I haven't seen much in the news...

Fox updated their link yesterday but no new information on where she is - they just added a picture

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,569073,00.html

 

[GEM]

I agree that these cases are horrible....very upsetting and disturbing. The little girl in Florida particularly bothered me, I think, because I've been in that community before. There is a state park near there that we like to visit when we are in Florida.

However, I'm going to be the unpopular one and say that I do not think allowing a seven year old to walk a mile home from school in the company of several other children is abuse or neglect. Would I do it? I don't know. It would depend on the area, the personalities of the kids, etc. I probably wouldn't...but that would be because I would be worried about getting hit by a car, which is MUCH more likely than getting kidnapped. As for the girl in MO, it was a quarter mile (1,300 feet) and four houses in between her friend's house and her own. Would I let a 9 year old walk that alone in the daylight in a neighborhood I felt was safe? Yep. I sure would. And, yes, after this news story, I still would. I'm not going to criticize anyone for making different choices that I would make....but I find it hard to find fault with either of the parents involved in these recent tragedies.

Interesting website to checkout for anyone who's interested..... www.freerangekids.wordpress.com

Personally, I pretty much agree with the philosophy. I know lots of others won't. And, that's fine.

 

[luvmy3]

I agree that these cases are horrible....very upsetting and disturbing. The little girl in Florida particularly bothered me, I think, because I've been in that community before. There is a state park near there that we like to visit when we are in Florida.

However, I'm going to be the unpopular one and say that I do not think allowing a seven year old to walk a mile home from school in the company of several other children is abuse or neglect. Would I do it? I don't know. It would depend on the area, the personalities of the kids, etc. I probably wouldn't...but that would be because I would be worried about getting hit by a car, which is MUCH more likely than getting kidnapped. As for the girl in MO, it was a quarter mile (1,300 feet) and four houses in between her friend's house and her own. Would I let a 9 year old walk that alone in the daylight in a neighborhood I felt was safe? Yep. I sure would.

I agree with you 100% In fact my kids 8 (almost 9) and 11 walk to their friends house all the time which is about as far away as the distace this poor little girl walked.
I also don't think anyone who doesn't let their child do it, is a helicopter parent and I wish those that aren't lettimg their kids do these things don't see parents like me as neglectful or abusive. We all have to figure out what we think is safe for our children to do, and I firmly believe that a year old walking to his friends house, or school today is no different from a 9 year doing it 25 years ago.

My heart goes out to this little girl and her family, I hope fer fate is different from Somer's

 

[brockash]

I agree that these cases are horrible....very upsetting and disturbing. The little girl in Florida particularly bothered me, I think, because I've been in that community before. There is a state park near there that we like to visit when we are in Florida.

However, I'm going to be the unpopular one and say that I do not think allowing a seven year old to walk a mile home from school in the company of several other children is abuse or neglect. Would I do it? I don't know. It would depend on the area, the personalities of the kids, etc. I probably wouldn't...but that would be because I would be worried about getting hit by a car, which is MUCH more likely than getting kidnapped. As for the girl in MO, it was a quarter mile (1,300 feet) and four houses in between her friend's house and her own. Would I let a 9 year old walk that alone in the daylight in a neighborhood I felt was safe? Yep. I sure would. And, yes, after this news story, I still would. I'm not going to criticize anyone for making different choices that I would make....but I find it hard to find fault with either of the parents involved in these recent tragedies.

Interesting website to checkout for anyone who's interested..... www.freerangekids.wordpress.com

Personally, I pretty much agree with the philosophy. I know lots of others won't. And, that's fine.

I think there are a lot of parents that would't think either of these situation were a big deal. Most of the kids at my DS's school walk home alone, some as young as kindergarten. Personally, that scares the crap out of me, and in despite of my ds's wishes, he isn't going to get to any time soon (he's 7.) We only live about 1/2 mile from the school, but still I'm concerned, and hearing the last story about the 7 year old, it just reinforces my feelings. If it were up to my dh though, my ds would be allowed to walk by himself. My DH thinks I'm too over-protective ect, but I'd rather be that, than a devestated mom. I can't even imagine what these parents are going through or the kiddos, but I agree that many ppl. wouldn't hesitate to let their kiddos walk home by themselves.

 

[KAMKIM]

I agree with you 100% In fact my kids 8 (almost 9) and 11 walk to their friends house all the time which is about as far away as the distace this poor little girl walked.
I also don't think anyone who doesn't let their child do it, is a helicopter parent and I wish those that aren't lettimg their kids do these things don't see parents like me as neglectful or abusive. We all have to figure out what we think is safe for our children to do, and I firmly believe that a year old walking to his friends house, or school today is no different from a 9 year doing it 25 years ago.

My heart goes out to this little girl and her family, I hope fer fate is different from Somer's

I agree - everyone has different parenting styles and many are very quick to point out why their parenting style is better than anyone elses.

I dont allow my kids to be outside without me right now, not sure when in the future I will feel comfortable doing so but I do not think less of the parents that do allow their kids to do this. I would say most of the parents I know do allow their kids to be outside with a parent(depending on age of course).

 

[Jillpie]

I wonder if this Fl girls mom would give her life today, to have an opportunity to be a "helicopter" parent? Would you feel the same way if your child is say 2 or 3? A 7 yr old girl lacks the maturity to make the kinds of necessary decisions when confronted with a stranger, not to mention the physical strength to run away!! You don't leave a little 2nd grader to fend for herself, period.

 

[luvmy3]

I agree - everyone has different parenting styles and many are very quick to point out why their parenting style is better than anyone elses.

I dont allow my kids to be outside without me right now, not sure when in the future I will feel comfortable doing so but I do not think less of the parents that do allow their kids to do this. I would say most of the parents I know do allow their kids to be outside with a parent(depending on age of course).

This summer was the first time my ds(almost 9) was allowed to walk down by himself. But I would watch him from my yard, or send my dd with him. My alomst 6 year old ds is not allowed anywhere alone outside of our yard, and won't be for a few more years. I also live in a subdivision with one way in and out, I feel that if I lived on a major street I would probably not let them go alone.

I wonder if this Fl girls mom would give her life today, to have an opportunity to be a "helicopter" parent? Would you feel the same way if your child is say 2 or 3? A 7 yr old girl lacks the maturity to make the kinds of necessary decisions when confronted with a stranger, not to mention the physical strength to run away!! You don't leave a little 2nd grader to fend for herself, period.

I think its ridiculoius to ask if we would allow a 2 and 3 year old, but I respect the fact that you don't think a 7 year old should be out alone. Maybe you yourself could show a little

That being said, I'm leaving this thread because I don't want too see it headed down a road that leads it to be closed.

 

[allison443]

I agree that these cases are horrible....very upsetting and disturbing. The little girl in Florida particularly bothered me, I think, because I've been in that community before. There is a state park near there that we like to visit when we are in Florida.

However, I'm going to be the unpopular one and say that I do not think allowing a seven year old to walk a mile home from school in the company of several other children is abuse or neglect. Would I do it? I don't know. It would depend on the area, the personalities of the kids, etc. I probably wouldn't...but that would be because I would be worried about getting hit by a car, which is MUCH more likely than getting kidnapped. As for the girl in MO, it was a quarter mile (1,300 feet) and four houses in between her friend's house and her own. Would I let a 9 year old walk that alone in the daylight in a neighborhood I felt was safe? Yep. I sure would. And, yes, after this news story, I still would. I'm not going to criticize anyone for making different choices that I would make....but I find it hard to find fault with either of the parents involved in these recent tragedies.

Interesting website to checkout for anyone who's interested..... www.freerangekids.wordpress.com

Personally, I pretty much agree with the philosophy. I know lots of others won't. And, that's fine.

I think there is a difference in the two cases...the Missouri girl left the friend's house and her family was expecting her home. When she didn't arrive they quickly realized something was wrong. I started doing something similar with my dd around that age, she would call when she was leaving her friend's nearby house and I would watch out for her to arrive.

In the Florida case, my understanding is that the group of kids was walking home together, the oldest was 10, the one little girl ran ahead and when they got home they couldn't find her. It didn't seem like there was an adult around who realized something was wrong and the little girl was missing. So the police weren't called until something like 2 1/2 hours later. This is just my understanding from various reports, I'm sorry if it's incorrect. So I was wondering if the kids were going home alone? When my dd started going home alone after school she had to call me once she got inside.

Both cases are horrible and my prayers go out to their families.

 

[MelanieC]

What I want to know is why they aren't allowed to issue amber alert's when there is no evidence of an abduction or foul play. Child missing- worried parent doesn't know where kids are= do everything you can to quickly find the child. By waiting 24 hours the child may be dead already - example girl in Florida. Would it hurt them to issue one with the girls description? What if it could save a child even once.

but no Amber Alert had been issued because there was no evidence of an abduction or foul play.

Also, I only let my son walk around our neighborhood. He is not allowed to walk outside our neighborhood to friends houses or even down the street to the mini-mart/gas station. He is 12. His bus stop is across the street. I don't go outside with him, but I open my window and sit on my couch or stand at the window and watch (it's not cool apparently in middle school to have your mother go to the bus stop, lol - or even wait on the porch).

 

[Darsa]

A similar conversation is taking place over at the Dreamin' Demon, where I actually first heard about this (I think...). Of course there's a lot more bad language used, heh heh, but this is what I posted:

Heh, I have found that people have very differing views as to how much independence kids should be given. Personally, I’ll give my child as much space as I feel comfortable with and not a centimeter more. I am fairly protective of my kid, but she does have her freedoms. I also know that she considers herself to be extremely lucky that her parents care THIS much about her. Yep, her dad is as protective as I am.

I don’t think it’s fair to judge others based on your OWN opinion as to how much freedom your child “deserves” (not an appropriate term here IMO), unless of course the freedom given can be considered to be neglect or abuse of course. You let your kid walk by himself along the side of the road to a friends house a couple miles away, I won’t. You make sure your kid calls you every hour that they’re at someone else’s house, I don’t. That’s your “freedom”, that’s my “freedom”. Don’t judge me, I won’t judge you.



Aaaand, that's how I feel.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2009/10/23/breaking_news/doc4ae10c83ef680093862382.txt

We live 40 miles from the town this little girl is from and haven't heard anything new since the initial report. Here is "the latest" from the local paper. There still isn't much new.

 

[E&BMom]

Just saw on the local news website they have found her dead and a juvenile iis in custody. www.ksdk.com SO SAD!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I'm so sorry to read about her death. Tragic. A juvenile is a person of interest?

 

[lillygator]

it looks as though the POI is a juvenile.

 

[Darsa]

This breaks my heart, I am in tears. God bless this little girl and keep her. My thoughts are with her poor, poor family at this horrible time.

 

[E&BMom]

The local news was saying they can't release the POI's name because they are underage. Very, very sad that this has happened.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

How horrible

 

[teacups]

 

[S. C.]