BAYNE Home Who is Floyd Other Sites Email Me Commentary-- Updated 2/6/06! WC Archives |
Floyd's Opinion
Child NeglectGood day, Sir, I write regarding today's page B2 article, "Four parents charged with leaving children in vehicles". Let me see if I understand this - a father leaves his child in a car at the church where he works as a youth pastor and that child dies. As I write this letter the Hanover Sheriff has stated that the investigation into this death is completed and the Hanover Commonwealth's Attorney has all the information necessary to make a decision regarding prosecution. Yet, there has been no charge levied against this father. On the other hand two children are left in a vehicle at a Hanover Wal-Mart and are found "warm and sweating", but otherwise alright. The twenty-five year old mother was IMMEDIATELY charged with two misdemeanor counts of child neglect. What's wrong with this picture!? Am I to assume that in Hanover I stand to be held less accountable if my neglect leads to my child's death than if I merely allow them to become overheated? I am sure that the youth pastor at Cool Spring Baptist Church is a fine man and well liked by all those who know him. But, are his actions, which led to his daughters death, any less actionable by the Commonwealth's Attorney? If not I would like for someone to explain to me why. Where are the cries for prosecution from the same crowd who would see parents thrown in jail if their child dies from a handgun left carelessly within the child's grasp? I have two children and readily admit that I have, on occasion, forgotten to give them their vitamins or check their homework. But, how do you forget that your child is in the car with you? If "warm and sweaty" is neglect then certainly death is as well. Sincerely, Floyd C. Bayne
|
