Mom of jailed teen: Son’s just a prisoner of love

Boston Herald ^ | Monday, February 23, 2004 | David Weber

[stuartcr]

There was a time when this was not illegal...it's just relative.

[Nataku X]

There's no such thing as a teenage boy in love. Fathers know this, that's why they're so protective of their little girls.

[A. Pole]

There's no such thing as a teenage boy in love.

So Shakespeare got it wrong?

[Flyer]

Since when is 17 an adult?

In Texas, males are subject to adult laws and courts at 17.

[Nataku X]

Romeo was 12 years old... probably still had his head screwed on right then :)

[Iscool]

Very stupid on the part of the parents of the girl...There are ways to deal with the problem without someone going to jail...
If they are still a couple when he gets out of jail, they will not gain a son...They will lose a daughter...

[Oztrich Boy]

He's the one that broke the law and he got what he deserved.

When the US adopts Sharia Law families will be able to prevent their daughters from shaming the family honor.

[af_vet_1981]

that's what you came away with after reading my post? That's just out in left field.

Just what do you think a 17-18 y.o. boy and a 14-15 y.o. girl are likely to do in such romantic circumstances ?

Or is your solution to simply put the girl on birth control ?

[midcop402]

In Michigan, 17 year olds can be arrested and incarcerated. The age gap, while not so severe as others, is very problematic. My experience indicates that it is not so much as the maturity of the 14/15 year old, as the immaturity of the 18 year old. The parents of the girl have the right to restrict his contact. As long as they are legally responsible for the girl they have every right to get a retraining order.
I think a little more investigation will reveal that this is a high risk relationship of which has resulted in violence in similar cases. I have dealt directly and indirectly with similar situations, and they generally do not end nicely.
I know how difficult it is to restrict communication of your juvenile with others. Both my wife and I are required to have phones for our employement, so shutting off the phone is not an option. Email is much more easily controlled with password controls.
The 18 year knew the ramifications of his continued contact and yet he still defied the court order as well as the girls parents. If he had even a smidgeon of respect for the girl, he would have either terminated the relationship OR attempted to start over and work with whatever restrictions the parents put in place. The fact that he lied to her parents basically screws him in my book! This shows he had no respect for her or her parents. I think the restraining order was well justified. I have recommended this action in the past and will do so in the future for similar situations.

[nmh]

"There was a time when this was not illegal...it's just relative."

Fortunately having sex with a child IS illegal and responsible parents are NOT "relative" when it comes to protecting their daughters from statutory rape.

[nmh]

You asked a good question

"Since when is 17 not an adult?"

It NEVER has been considered an adult in the U.S.. You may want to make a note of that. In states it varies from 18 and 21 as the age for an adult.

Your other comment shows your cold cynicism. I let that speak for itself.

[Bikers4Bush]

How do you equate violating a restraining order to Sharia Law?

[RussianConservative]

If he not criminal before entry, he will be in end....great judicial system.

[Bikers4Bush]

"It NEVER has been considered an adult in the U.S."

That is a bald faced lie. Criminals under the age of 18 are routinely prosecuted as adults.

[RussianConservative]

It would be something he they meet up after jail when she adult and tell her father to shove it. Anyone ever hear shaperon date? Till she's 16. If he interested enough, he survive that problem....at 14 I not allow my dauthers (neither that age yet) to see any boy on date without adult, even if boy 14 or 13.

[RussianConservative]

So how is this system work: girl father puts restraining order on her behalf on the boy...right? Now if girl comes to see the boy, is it still the boy's fault?

[nmh]

That is a bald faced lie. Criminals under the age of 18 are routinely prosecuted as adults.

No it is not a lie. It is RECENTLY that crimes have been so hideous by minors that ADULT punishment is considered. Under the age of 18 is considered an MINOR. They are NOT routinely punished as an adult.

[RussianConservative]

Romeo was 12 years old...

I do not remember that in readings.

[stuartcr]

It is relative, because it depends on what state or country you are from, as whether or not it is illegal.

[Bikers4Bush]

It's an absolute lie. Prosecuting those under 18 as adults has now become routine. For adult crimes they are punsihed as adults. He committed an adult crime.