Posted on 09/14/2012 4:51:28 PM PDT by chessplayer
An 11-year-old boy was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse after his disabled mother was beaten so severely with an extension cord that she was hospitalized, authorities said.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
An 11-year-old as the primary caregiver?
I wonder if he just snapped from the pressure (not that he shouldn’t be punished).
Don’t know what’s in the kids mind right now but I bet if he makes it to 65 and starts thinking about is mom and what he did he’ll spend whatever life he has left with a ton of guilt, wishing he could bring it back ....
There are likely a huge number of details about this that can never be published because of the boy’s age.
I remember one in Arizona not too long ago, where an 8 year old boy is believed to have killed his father and another man.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-11-19-boy-shooting_N.htm
And it got a lot uglier as time went by:
What happens when the kid turns 18?
Don’t know what’s in the kids mind right now but I bet if he makes it to 65 and starts thinking about is mom and what he did he’ll spend whatever life he has left with a ton of guilt, wishing he could bring it back ....
I doubt it. In todays society, kids are taught not to feel guilty about anything. Thats why we see more and more perps guilty of horrendous crimes sit in a courtroom totally emotionless and stone faced. The judge asks them if they feel any remorse for their crimes, and they say no. They don’t feel any guilt whatsoever for what they did.
Sadly you’re right.
Beating your mother is a bad, bad thing, but a 51 year old is in no way an “elderly person.” I’m not a fan of elder abuse laws, because assault is wrong no matter who is the victim, but they should only apply to the truly elderly. If the law is about protecting the defenseless, then focus on her disability, not her age.
Moreover, an 11-year-old shouldn’t be responsible for primary care of his mother, especially if she is disabled. And isn’t it so convenient for Adult Protective Services to get involved NOW? As the article says, there’s more to this story and whichever way you look at it, this is a sad situation for both. And I’m no lefty.
Well, it used to be that criminal convictions for minors end at age 18; however, over time the courts have come to recognize that *some* minors are competent enough to stand trial as adults; and that *some* minors are so screwed up in the head that they need psychiatric certification before they can be let go.
As far as the kid in California goes, what is known right now is likely just the tip of the iceberg, and they will be months just figuring out how fouled up he is and why.
The AZ kid has serious bats in the belfry. I suspect that they will eventually put him in the state hospital.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.