Mom Arrested After Son Hit By Schoolbus

[crashhelmet]

Link from NBC News in Vegas

A local 6 year old boy was running around "unsupervised" while waiting for the school bus and unfortunately ran into its path. He sustained severe injuries, including the possible need to amputate his foot. His mother has been arrested and charged with one count of child neglect with substantial bodily harm and one count of child neglect because she was not there to personally supervise him.

The Department of Child & Family Services (DCFS) out here is a joke. My own experiences can attest to that. This, though, is something that I think is completely absurd.

Yes, the kid is not innocent. The kid probably learned his lesson as to why you don't play in the street. But that's neither here nor there.

For starters, where is the liability of the bus driver to watch out for kids that may be playing or running around the area. Especially if it's at a known bus stop. how fast was the driver going?

Does this set a statute for all kids playing outside at any time? Are we forced to keep our kids within eye sight at all times? Sorry, Timmy. You can't go play outside with your friends because I have to cook dinner/do laundry/stay here while your little brother/sister naps.

[anakhouri]

I think 6 is old enough that you can expect them to wait at a bus stop by themselves. Maybe the mom had to work or had a baby too and couldn't be right on top of the kid? I don't see how this is her fault. She wasn't out there encouraging him to run around in the street.

[fireheart17]

I agree, in no way was it the mother's fault. What was she expected to do, tether her kid?

That's all I have to say.

[Greenday]

Perhaps she could have taught her kids not to run around on busy streets? Or have another parent who is there watch her kids?

[HYHYBT]

Perhaps she could have taught her kids not to run around on busy streets? Or have another parent who is there watch her kids?

Teaching kids not to do something does not always mean they won't do it, even when they have the best of intentions. How many school bus stops actually have the parents go down to see their kids off every day?

[Seifer]

There's a lot of blame to go around in this situation. Six years old is generally old enough to understand that playing in the street is dangerous. (This doesn't mean all six year olds will stay out of the street, however.) The boy wasn't watching where he was going and wasn't paying attention to his surroundings. (Seriously, how can you miss a school bus? They're gigantic, bright yellow, and noisy.)

The bus driver also faces some blame. Were they paying attention to the road? Did they try to stop and simply couldn't do it in time? Did they not even notice the kid until the accident?

I will put forth the opinion that the mother holds some blame in this situation, too. I can't say for certain if this applies to her, but I see a lot of parents jay-walking with their kids. They inadvertently teach their kids that it's okay to run through the street as long as you don't get hit. Again, I can't say if the mother ever did this, but it's something to consider.

Edit:

Witnesses reportedly told police he was running in the street and throwing rocks at cars when he got hit.

Or maybe Karma figured it would leave Earl for a moment and have a school bus hit this kid.

[boringscreenname]

Teaching kids not to do something does not always mean they won't do it, even when they have the best of intentions. How many school bus stops actually have the parents go down to see their kids off every day?

Actually our school district does. It is a rule for at least the preschool and kindergarteners that a parent or other adult must be present when the bus arrives to pick the kids up and when it drops them off and walk them to and from the bus. I don't know how older children are handled.

I feel sorry for the kid that this happened, and I'm sure the bus driver and mother feel horrible about it as well. I'm glad the bus driver was suspended and that the school will be conducting an investigation regarding what happened.

[Greenday]

The Jewish school in my neighborhood stops at every single house and waits for the kids to come out. The kids are never running around the streets here.

When I was in school, there was always one parent waiting with the kids, at least when I was young.

[Rageaholic]

Arresting the mom is the stupidest thing ever. The kid acted out, and every kid disobeys their parents at one time. She should not be responsible for something her kid does.

And what good is putting her in jail going to do? It's only going to cost the family more money when they are already paying the kids medical bills. It's just more unecessary burdon on a family who is already going through hell. Fucking stupid cops.

[Panacea]

Arresting the mom is the stupidest thing ever. The kid acted out, and every kid disobeys their parents at one time. She should not be responsible for something her kid does.

And what good is putting her in jail going to do? It's only going to cost the family more money when they are already paying the kids medical bills. It's just more unecessary burdon on a family who is already going through hell. Fucking stupid cops.

I agree. This certainly seems absurd.

And I'm hesitant to blame the bus driver as well. People dart out in front of busses all the time to find out they can't stop suddenly on a dime. Odds are, the driver saw the kid, tried to stop, but the laws of physics (which are not subject to repeal by Congress) wouldn't let him.

[Rageaholic]

Yeah, if anyone walks out in front of you, there's not much you can do. It's one of my biggest fears when driving. That some stupid kid will run out and I won't be able to stop.

Still doesn't make much sense to jail the mother (other than revenue).