SILVER SPRING, Md. — Maryland parents accused of child neglect for letting their kids roam around their neighborhood had to retrieve them from the county's Children's Protective Services after police removed the youngsters from a park.

 

At about 4:55 p.m. ET Sunday, Montgomery County police received a call to check on the welfare of Danielle and Sasha Meitiv's children — Rafi, 10, and Dvora, 6 — at a park here. Officers found the children unattended and brought them to the agency as part of protocol, they said.

 

Montgomery County police and county Children's Protective Services are jointly investigating the Meitivs of Silver Spring for allowing their children to walk repeatedly around the neighborhood alone. The parents say they know where their children are but are allowing them independence.

 

Officers picked up the children about two blocks from home, Rafi said, telling them they would drop them off at home. Instead, the two sat in a patrol car for 2½ hours then were taken about 10 miles away to Children's Protective Services offices in Rockville, Md.

 

 

 

Parents in trouble again for letting kids walk alone

I'm probably in the minority here, but the nanny state, raise your children the way I say, mentality is rediculous.

 

I know there are plenty of people who think they're irresponsible. I don't, but even if some think it is, it's not criminal.

 

I think the hover parents who won't let their children fall or fail are irresponsible, and are not preparing their kids for life.

I don't think they're irresponsible based on the article. So much depends on the maturity of the children and the environment.

I was gone from dang near dawn to dust at 10 years old with my 7 year old brother in tow. We were far from alone, we ran with a pack of kids all over the neighborhood, in the woods, in the creeks, playing baseball, kickball, football and a hundred different made-up adventures. I weep for today's children.

I'm probably in the minority here, but the nanny state, raise your children the way I say, mentality is rediculous.

 

I know there are plenty of people who think they're irresponsible. I don't, but even if some think it is, it's not criminal.

 

I think the hover parents who won't let their children fall or fail are irresponsible, and are not preparing their kids for life.

Letting a 6 year old roam around under the supervision of a 10 year old is irresponsible no matter how you cut it. These two are the same age as my kids. I don't consider myself a hover parent but no chance my 6 year old is running around the neighborhood on his own or even with only my 10 year old. Call me irresponsible all you want.

Letting a 6 year old roam around under the supervision of a 10 year old is irresponsible no matter how you cut it. These two are the same age as my kids. I don't consider myself a hover parent but no chance my 6 year old is running around the neighborhood on his own or even with only my 10 year old. Call me irresponsible all you want.

 

Is it criminal?

Is it criminal?

Based on what the article says it's tough to say. But I would be inclined to say yes, at least for the 6 year old.

Based on what the article says it's tough to say. But I would be inclined to say yes, at least for the 6 year old.

 

So you think everybody's method of parenting should be the same as your's?

It's one of the toughest balancing acts a parent does. We want to allow our kids to have fun and learn responsibility but a wrong decision can cost them their lives. As I mentioned, I think you do have to take into account the surrounding environment as well as the maturity levels of the kids. I did allow my 10 year old daughter to roam with her friends and take my 6 year old son with her on walks to a park less than a half mile from our house. I never allowed my 10 year old son to take his 7 year old brother on the same trek. Same environment, different levels of decision making abilities.

Those kids need to be inside playing video games like normal kids.

So you think everybody's method of parenting should be the same as your's?

 

Where did I say that? Just because I think letting a 6 year old run around town unsupervised? I also think smacking your kid in the face should be criminal.

Where did I say that? Just because I think letting a 6 year old run around town unsupervised? I also think smacking your kid in the face should be criminal.

 

The 6 year old was with an older sibling. My 10 year old son used to run around the neighborhood with my 6 & 7 year old sons. I wouldn't let them loose in an area I didn't know, but 3 or 4 blocks from my house I would.

 

While I don't like smacking your child in the face, I've seen many a mother give a child a slap. I don't personally agree with it, but I don't find it to be criminal. I also don't think giving them a spanking is criminal.

 

Punching them I probably would.

So much depends on the neighborhood they are in. If you are in a place that might as well be a gated community, you are probably fine. IIRC, the first incident occurred when another parent called them in. If you are in the type of neighborhood where people are calling in things like that and the police are responding immediately, it tells me that they are probably in a pretty safe place.