http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16064380/&GT1=8816

COLUMBIA, S.C. - A fed-up mother had her 12-year-old son arrested for allegedly rummaging through his great-grandmother's things and playing with his Christmas present early.

The mother called police Sunday after learning her son had disobeyed orders and repeatedly taken a Game Boy from its hiding place at his great-grandmother's house next door and played it. He was arrested on petty larceny charges, taken to the police station in handcuffs and held until his mother picked him up after church.

"My grandmother went out of her way to lay away a toy and paid on this thing for months," said the boy's mother, Brandi Ervin. "It was only to teach my son a lesson. He's been going through life doing things ... and getting away with it."

I saw that. He needs to be taken to a prison and shown how it is when you think your a bad azz.
That works pretty well on younger kinds.

x2

Ridiculous. So now the police have to raise people's kids? What I would have done was made the kid go with me as I returned the gift to whatever store it was purchased.

Next time the cops aren't taking care of <insert nuisance complaint>, remember this story because this is what they were busy working on instead of taking care of real problems.

I think we should just round em all up, put em in jail till they're (grammar correct) 30, then let em out.

Whew! Starting to let that tension out....feeling better all ready.

Before this gift brouhaha the kid had hit a police officer. Sounds like he does have a problem with authority and handcuffs might make a better impression on him. Yes, it's a 'nuisance complaint' or maybe it will keep him from trying to grab a police officer's weapon the next time.

Maybe the police weren't taking care of real problems, maybe that just ate fewer donuts that day.

Father Flanagan's Girls & Boys Town is a loving place for youth to re-learn how to function in society. They teach academics and behavioral skills, with an emphasis on accepting authority, following instructions, accepting feedback appropriately, and problem-solving. The 12 year old in South Carolina could benefit from those tools.

Sadly, I think he needs to pack his bags and join the program, before he is court adjudicated. Needless to say, the parent needs to acquire different skills too.

Nice use of hyperbole.

I'd forgotten how much I love your knack for devil's advocacy.

I heard this story & figured-They want to be on Jerry Springer!!

wow. sounds like you might have a problem with authority. Or maybe just a lack of respect for police officers. That a very telling sentence of yours