NationStates Jolt Archive

A repeat sex offender dressed as the Joker, Heath Ledger style, has been lurking around my kids' school. Today, my youngest daughter saw him and absolutely freaked out. She's still terrified, thinking he's going to come to our house and hurt her. Obviously she reacted to his appearance...she had no idea he is a sex offender, though later on the people at school confirmed with her that he is a 'bad guy'.

The school is sending out a warning to all the parents, and police patrols in the area have been stepped up, since he apparently 'lurks' during specific times of the day.

Ultimately however, sexual predators are excellent at exploiting opportunity, and while having the adults in charge hyper aware of their charges is good, kids themselves need to know how to keep themselves safe. I think my kids have a good sense of who is 'safe' and who isn't...they are also very good at understanding what is appropriate and what isn't when it comes to their own bodily integrity...but not all kids are prepared, and even those that are can 'slip up' sometimes.

So for those of you with children, or who are involved in child care...what do you do to help children protect themselves and be safe when it comes to the dangers posed by other kids and adults?

Reiterate that the child you are supervising is to, under no circumstances whatsoever, take rides, candy, money, et. al offered to them by anyone other than who they know personally, no matter what. Tell them what may happen to them if they do so and that their parents love them even if they don't give them what they want all the time.

Things like this are awful and terrible when they happen to such young children i would ask you to walk your kids to school and also to contact your school, parents and your local police station before something happens please.

Reiterate that the child you are supervising is to, under no circumstances whatsoever, take rides, candy, money, et. al offered to them by anyone other than who they know personally, no matter what. Tell them what may happen to them if they do so and that their parents love them even if they don't give them what they want all the time.


Even if they know the person, it's no guarantee. Most child abducters/molesters are people they know. The following link leads to a website that gives good information about protecting your children without smothering them (note, it is not possible to completely protect your children at all times). The site is in South African and the numbers are for South Africa, but the police and social services in your area can give you appropriate numbers for counseling and whatever else may be needed.

http://www.childsafe.org.za/molest.htm

I swear it wasn't me. I was busy tackling senior citizens. *nod*

Even if they know the person, it's no guarantee. Most child abducters/molesters are people they know.
It's not the case here, however. Here they've got a Pedobear's avatar on the loose.

Teach them how to physicaly fight back, and train them to use guns.

Sad to think of how humanity has gotten, before you really didn't here much of child molestation and such. I would keep your kids together, there's safety in numbers, and I would personally beat the shit out of however I think is getting to friendly with my kids.

well i tell you what I will give your daughter a ride home every day. here is my Van http://www.fugly.com/media/IMAGES/Funny/free_candy_van.jpg

well i tell you what I will give your daughter a ride home every day. here is my Van http://www.fugly.com/media/IMAGES/Funny/free_candy_van.jpg

oh wow... lol xD

Things like this are awful and terrible when they happen to such young children i would ask you to walk your kids to school and also to contact your school, parents and your local police station before something happens please.

I walk my kids to and from school. They are supervised at all times when outside. They know not to run off behind the school or try to hide from their supervisors. The school immediately made me aware of the problem and is working at getting the message out to all parents...they are also working with the police and with people in the neighbourhood.

Quite honestly there's not much more you CAN do.

I swear it wasn't me. I was busy tackling senior citizens. *nod*
Were my child to come home covered head to toe in mud, I'd be looking at you...but I'd never characterise you as creepy :P
Teach them how to physicaly fight back, and train them to use guns.
...

They're 6 and 4 years old. Get a grip.

Sad to think of how humanity has gotten, before you really didn't here much of child molestation and such. I would keep your kids together, there's safety in numbers, and I would personally beat the shit out of however I think is getting to friendly with my kids.
You may not have heard much about child molestors, but it's not as though it never happened. If anything, we hear about it more because we listen better to our children. The bulk of child molestors are family members or people who have regular access to children...the 'stranger from the street' scenario is rare.

And I am not about to go 'beat the shit' out of the Joker. That would land ME in jail.

-snip-
You may not have heard much about child molestors, but it's not as though it never happened. If anything, we hear about it more because we listen better to our children. The bulk of child molestors are family members or people who have regular access to children...the 'stranger from the street' scenario is rare.

And I am not about to go 'beat the shit' out of the Joker. That would land ME in jail.

You obviously don't live in Florida.

Anyways, I'd still rather go to jail than have my kids raped.

well i tell you what I will give your daughter a ride home every day. here is my Van http://www.fugly.com/media/IMAGES/Funny/free_candy_van.jpg

Ahhahahahahaha....awesome :D

They're 6 and 4 years old. Get a grip.

Give them small guns. I was that old when I was taught how to shoot.

They're 6 and 4 years old. Get a grip.
They're never too young to learn, "hit the groin, poke the eyes, pull hair, don't stop biting."
Guns are a bit much; a lot much, actually.

They're never too young to learn, "hit the groin, poke the eyes, pull hair, don't stop biting."
Guns are a bit much; a lot much, actually.

I don't know if that would be beneficial, I can't imagine how a six year old girl or boy will fight back against a full grown man without bringing even more pain upon themselves.

Give them small guns. I was that old when I was taught how to shoot.

:rolleyes:
Yes, I'll tuck machetes into their belts and strap ammunition across their tiny chests as well. I'll train them how to use poison darts, and garrotes. That will make everything better.

I don't know if that would be beneficial, I can't imagine how a six year old girl or boy will fight back against a full grown man without bringing even more pain upon themselves.

While a .25 auto slug to gut might make them reconsider.

While a .25 auto slug to gut might make them reconsider.

Rocket launchers.

Should come optional with all elementary school backpacks.

:rolleyes:
Yes, I'll tuck machetes into their belts and strap ammunition across their tiny chests as well. I'll train them how to use poison darts, and garrotes. That will make everything better.

That'd be to obvious.
A pocket pistol and a few extra round would work fire.

I don't know if that would be beneficial, I can't imagine how a six year old girl or boy will fight back against a full grown man without bringing even more pain upon themselves.
More pain than being raped and possibly murdered?

That'd be to obvious.
A pocket pistol and a few extra round would work fire.

Obvious perhaps, but wouldn't that be an even better deterrant?

Once any child molester saw my four year old decked out in ninja gear with razor sharp knives strapped to every limb, a big bandoleer across her chest, samurai swords on her back, and a mini-Uzi hanging from her right hand, he'd just off and go molest some other, less protected child.

More pain than being raped and possibly murdered?

And a gunshot would would stop them from getting that far.

Obvious perhaps, but wouldn't that be an even better deterrant?

Once any child molester saw my four year old decked out in ninja gear with razor sharp knives strapped to every limb, a big bandoleer across her chest, samurai swords on her back, and a mini-Uzi hanging from her right hand, he'd just off and go molest some other, less protected child.

If you're just going to mock me when I am honestly trying to help, then that's your own problem.

And a gunshot would would stop them from getting that far.

Oh! Shit! Sorry...oh wow. Your point was so damn subtle I honestly missed it! The solution to the problem is guns! THANK YOU!!!! Whew! Glad I caught on, that's a bit embarrasing.

If you're just going to mock me when I am honestly trying to help, then that's your own problem.

Mock you? Are you crazy?

Sure, I could have her stash a pistol in her backpack, but she needs to visibly scream to any would-be predators "I WILL KILL YOUR ASS IF YOU SO MUCH AS LOOK AT ME WEIRD". I would feel a lot safer with her decked out in the fashion I've described.

And a gunshot would would stop them from getting that far.
A room full of kindergartner's with guns . . .
Well, it would certainly make nap time an interesting prospect.

A room full of kindergartner's with guns . . .
Well, it would certainly make nap time an interesting prospect.

Children have an inherent sense of when it's appropriate to put a cap in someone's ass.

A repeat sex offender dressed as the Joker, Heath Ledger style, has been lurking around my kids' school. Today, my youngest daughter saw him and absolutely freaked out. She's still terrified, thinking he's going to come to our house and hurt her. Obviously she reacted to his appearance...she had no idea he is a sex offender, though later on the people at school confirmed with her that he is a 'bad guy'.
-snip-


I've already made a number of shitty posts due to my inability to recognise satire. If this is truly how he is, however, I am creeped on multiple levels.

I'm not a parent, but if a guy dressed as the Joker was prowling around my hypothetical kids' school, I wouldn't let them out of the house. Not getting raped by a psychopath gets priority over formal education in my book. Dead freakin' serious.

Mock you? Are you crazy?

Sure, I could have her stash a pistol in her backpack, but she needs to visibly scream to any would-be predators "I WILL KILL YOUR ASS IF YOU SO MUCH AS LOOK AT ME WEIRD". I would feel a lot safer with her decked out in the fashion I've described.

Then get her a hip holster. And make the gun hello-kitty pink. My sister's had one since she was 6.

Then get her a hip holster. And make the gun hello-kitty pink. My sister's had one since she was 6.

It's a damn shame the Canadian government has made all handguns illegal to possess. And they just don't give firearms licenses to four year olds. Bastards.

I've already made a number of shitty posts due to my inability to recognise satire. If this is truly how he is, however, I am creeped on multiple levels.

I'm not a parent, but if a guy dressed as the Joker was prowling around my hypothetical kids' school, I wouldn't let them out of the house. Not getting raped by a psychopath gets priority over formal education in my book. Dead freakin' serious.

I wonder if he's dressed so creepily to deliberately scare kids away...as a way of not reoffending.

Then again, hanging around the playground constantly isn't a great tactic if he's honestly trying to resist molesting children.

He could be dressed as such to attract a certain age of kid who would find such garb interesting.

But no. I'm not about to lock my children up in our home.

to be honest it sounds like you've done all you can. It sucks but eventually it is up to them. as they get older it will be more and more their duty.

It's a damn shame the Canadian government has made all handguns illegal to possess. And they just don't give firearms licenses to four year olds. Bastards.

Then you need to leave that retarded police state and come to the good ole' US of A.

I wonder if he's dressed so creepily to deliberately scare kids away...as a way of not reoffending.

So he really is dressed like that? I would be quite disturbed to see such a person hanging around my elementary school playground. It might attract some kid out of pure curiousity mayhaps.


Then again, hanging around the playground constantly isn't a great tactic if he's honestly trying to resist molesting children.

A very good point.

But no. I'm not about to lock my children up in our home.

Which is certainly your choice. I have the highest respect for parental autonomy.

But don't think they're safe just because they'r eon the bus. Anyone who's seen Dark Knight knows that the Joker can get onto school buses pretty damn well. :D

Then you need to leave that retarded police state and come to the good ole' US of A.

Only when I want to fuck people in Vegas.

Then you need to leave that retarded police state and come to the good ole' US of A.
Even in the US, there's that pesky zero tolerance business. For some reason, people seem to be against the idea of filling schools with firearms, swords and explosives.

But don't think they're safe just because they'r eon the bus. Anyone who's seen Dark Knight knows that the Joker can get onto school buses pretty damn well. :D
I walk them to and from school. They are in after school care at the school...I turn them directly over to the daycare staff, and they are supervised as well as they can be throughout the day.

So I need to ensure that the moments they might be out of the direct view of their supervisors...or the times they might be tempted to run off...or talk to strangers...that they know this is not a good idea.

I know about this offender. I have no doubt there are many, many people I DON'T know about who could hurt my kids had they the opportunity. So it's absolutely imperative that children are educated about dangers such as these. We can't just lock them up to 'protect' them.

I walk them to and from school. They are in after school care at the school...I turn them directly over to the daycare staff, and they are supervised as well as they can be throughout the day.

Which is good. The school bus thing was just a reference to the film, of course.

So I need to ensure that the moments they might be out of the direct view of their supervisors...or the times they might be tempted to run off...or talk to strangers...that they know this is not a good idea.

Do they spend time outdoors during after-care?

I know about this offender. I have no doubt there are many, many people I DON'T know about who could hurt my kids had they the opportunity. So it's absolutely imperative that children are educated about dangers such as these.

I'm in total agreement. If you keep a kid behind 'bars', he's safe 'till he gets into the 'real world'. If you teach a kid to defend himself, in one wya or another, he can do it forever.

We can't just lock them up to 'protect' them.

Aye. What I was thinking was more of a short-term response to this Joker bloke than a complete parenting philophy. I was a Libertarian ever since me mum said I couldn't leave the yard with out telling her at age 6.

Once any child molester saw my four year old decked out in ninja gear with razor sharp knives strapped to every limb, a big bandoleer across her chest, samurai swords on her back, and a mini-Uzi hanging from her right hand, he'd just off and go molest some other, less protected child.
Unless he's a big perv (though do "perv" and "child molester" even go in one sentence?). What matters is not guns... it's the user and whether they'll pull the trigger, or at least pull it before the gun is grabbed.

A repeat sex offender dressed as the Joker, Heath Ledger style, has been lurking around my kids' school. Today, my youngest daughter saw him and absolutely freaked out. She's still terrified, thinking he's going to come to our house and hurt her. Obviously she reacted to his appearance...she had no idea he is a sex offender, though later on the people at school confirmed with her that he is a 'bad guy'. How do you know this is a "repeat sex offender?"

The school is sending out a warning to all the parents, and police patrols in the area have been stepped up, since he apparently 'lurks' during specific times of the day. OK, do these warnings say it is a "repeat sex offender?" if so, they know who he is, why has he not been arrested?

Ultimately however, sexual predators are excellent at exploiting opportunity, and while having the adults in charge hyper aware of their charges is good, kids themselves need to know how to keep themselves safe.the vast majority of sexual offenders are NOT predator types who grab the unsuspecting kid from the playground, but are instead the uncles Bobs and cousin Tony that you know and trust.

I think my kids have a good sense of who is 'safe' and who isn't...they are also very good at understanding what is appropriate and what isn't when it comes to their own bodily integrity...but not all kids are prepared, and even those that are can 'slip up' sometimes.that is true, to to make kids fear all people they might run into is wrong and to create sense that every stranger that approaches them is a sexual predator is not a good idea. Life is a risk. If they have a good idea who is "safe" and who isn't, then you have to let go and then just comfort them when they are frightened as your daughter sadly was. Let her know, not all people are bad. This guys sounds bad due to the description of his appearance and her warning signals told her to stay away from him. She has learned well, tell her so.

So for those of you with children, or who are involved in child care...what do you do to help children protect themselves and be safe when it comes to the dangers posed by other kids and adults?
I tell them what you have seemingly told your child, watch out for the people that are weird, that don't behave as you would expect them to behave, that hide and disguise their true appearance, don' accept rides from people you don't know, don't take candy from a stranger. However, speaking as an attorney who has defended people who I am certain were falsely accused of being molesters and predators (as well as those who clearly did it), there comes point you just have to let go and trust for the best.

How do you know this is a "repeat sex offender?"
One of the parents is a police officer, and spoke to him. He admitted to being a repeat sex offender. Apparently this officer also checked to confirm. Then charged him with trespassing.

OK, do these warnings say it is a "repeat sex offender?" if so, they know who he is, why has he not been arrested?Well I am going to be asking why his release conditions don't include staying away from schools...but I'm going to have to assume that he has served his sentence and that he has no such restrictive conditions attached to his release. You cannot arrest someone merely on the fact that they have committed crimes for which they already served time.

Edit: though since you've said you work in the legal field, you know this.

the vast majority of sexual offenders are NOT predator types who grab the unsuspecting kid from the playground, but are instead the uncles Bobs and cousin Tony that you know and trust. Which is why I'm more worried about making sure that my kids know what inappropriate touching is, and that they tell me about hinky interactions with teachers/daycare staff/older kids etc.

that is true, to to make kids fear all people they might run into is wrong and to create sense that every stranger that approaches them is a sexual predator is not a good idea. Life is a risk. If they have a good idea who is "safe" and who isn't, then you have to let go and then just comfort them when they are frightened as your daughter sadly was. Let her know, not all people are bad. This guys sounds bad due to the description of his appearance and her warning signals told her to stay away from him. She has learned well, tell her so.

I tell them what you have seemingly told your child, watch out for the people that are weird, that don't behave as you would expect them to behave, that hide and disguise their true appearance, don' accept rides from people you don't know, don't take candy from a stranger. However, speaking as an attorney who has defended people who I am certain were falsely accused of being molesters and predators (as well as those who clearly did it), there comes point you just have to let go and trust for the best.

Another fucking lawyer on the forum? We're taking over.

Let them wear underwear with the text:

"I have Aids"

If the perv has Aids himself that might backfire though.

i think that the best way to make your children "safe" is to let them know that in every group of people there are some bad guys. that you cant say "oh teachers never hurt anyone" or even "the police never hurt anyone". that if they find that ANYONE creeps them out or treats them strangely that they should come to you with it and you will help them sort it out.

it is especially important to let your girls know that its OK to make a scene. forcing them to be quiet and ladylike can leave them unable to act up enough to get the attention of adults when someone is trying to do something bad to them.

kids who are from reasonably good families (like yours) have a pretty good sense of when an older person is "off". as long as they can come to you with their concerns and are authorized to give these people the cold shoulder, they should be ok.

of course you can do nothing to prevent some kind of snatch-off-the-street scenario. luckily they are extremely rare.

i think that the best way to make your children "safe" is to let them know that in every group of people there are some bad guys. that you cant say "oh teachers never hurt anyone" or even "the police never hurt anyone". that if they find that ANYONE creeps them out or treats them strangely that they should come to you with it and you will help them sort it out. I think this is really important. There is nothing inherent about a position, a job, a function that makes someone 'safe'. Kids are really good at following their gut...we train them out of it over the years. I'd like to refrain from such 'training out'.

I think the biggest thing is just talking to them everyday about how things went at school...they don't always tell me things in great detail, but there have been many times they've told me something that I've asked the daycare staff about in more detail, which does a few things. It shows your kids you're listening to them and taking them seriously, and it shows their caregivers that you're paying attention.

I also take a few moments every day to ask their teacher or daycare worker how they've been, if anything abnormal happened etc.

As weird as this guy is, I'm honestly less worried about someone so visible, and so obvious than I am about people closer to the kids who could potential exploit their confidence.

Like you said, teach kids that they have a right to their bodily integrity, and to put up boundaries. While my school doesn't have a specific "no touching" policy (at some schools, kids can't hold hands or hug), the kids in my class have a range of sensitivities and I teach them all that those different boundaries need to be respected. If Kid A and Kid B want to sit squished next to each other on the carpet, fine, but if Kid C doesn't like anyone to touch him, Kid A and Kid B DO NOT touch him at all. Just reinforcing that they create their own boundaries that must be respected.

I also make sure to explain every rule I give them and how it relates to safety, because I want them to know that there are good reasons behind these rules, and that they can trust me to keep them safe. They don't go outside of the classroom alone, they don't leave the classroom at the end of the day until they've pointed out the parent/guardian taking them home and they've said goodbye to me.

Last, and this is one of the harder parts, I try to make clear the difference between people they need to listen to--the teacher, the principal, their parents, police officers and firefighters--and people they don't. They need to know that ALL adults are not authority figures that they have to listen to. If they don't know an adult who's trying to talk to them, they don't have to be polite--they need to trust their instincts and find an adult that they know is safe.

Sad to think of how humanity has gotten, before you really didn't here much of child molestation and such.

It still happened, you just didn't hear about it.

They're never too young to learn, "hit the groin, poke the eyes, pull hair, don't stop biting."
Guns are a bit much; a lot much, actually.

Good point. My mom told me when I was little that if I was in that situation (with an adult trying to overpower me) to go for their eyes first, because most guys are expecting the kick to the groin.

A room full of kindergartner's with guns . . .
Well, it would certainly make nap time an interesting prospect.

:(

They do enough damage with pencils and legos. Also, we don't have nap time anymore... so you've just got a bunch of cranky kids with guns. :(

Then you need to leave that retarded police state and come to the good ole' US of A.

People who call it the US of A should not be allowed to live there anymore.

Like you said, teach kids that they have a right to their bodily integrity, and to put up boundaries. While my school doesn't have a specific "no touching" policy (at some schools, kids can't hold hands or hug), the kids in my class have a range of sensitivities and I teach them all that those different boundaries need to be respected. If Kid A and Kid B want to sit squished next to each other on the carpet, fine, but if Kid C doesn't like anyone to touch him, Kid A and Kid B DO NOT touch him at all. Just reinforcing that they create their own boundaries that must be respected.
Good point! I think we've gotten over the days where we used to force kids to endure the cheek squeezing of great aunts, and it seems pretty unthinkable to tell a kid that feeling weird about Sally hugging her all the time is something she should 'get over'. Being conscious of personal boundaries is a good way to just be more in touch with your 'gut' anyway. Cool to hear this...I mostly taught the older kids.

I also make sure to explain every rule I give them and how it relates to safety, because I want them to know that there are good reasons behind these rules, Hahaha, if my kids don't get an explanation they can stomach, the rule just doesn't stand. Did that whole 'do it cuz I said so' thing ever actually work on kids? I have my doubts.

If they don't know an adult who's trying to talk to them, they don't have to be polite--they need to trust their instincts and find an adult that they know is safe.I'm trying to hammer this idea home...it can be hard for kids to navigate when they're always being told to be polite and listen to adults.

Sad to think of how humanity has gotten, before you really didn't here much of child molestation and such.

Just because you didn't hear of it, doesn't mean it didn't happen.

Think of any crime or sexual diversion that happens today, pretty much, and some version of it happened ten years ago, a hundred years ago, and a thousand years ago.

The only difference is how it is viewed by society, and how much it got talked about.

Like you said, teach kids that they have a right to their bodily integrity, and to put up boundaries. While my school doesn't have a specific "no touching" policy (at some schools, kids can't hold hands or hug),
That's horrible. Insanity.

What's next, planting them into separate cubicles with the teacher communicating over video?


They don't go outside of the classroom alone, they don't leave the classroom at the end of the day until they've pointed out the parent/guardian taking them home and they've said goodbye to me.
Elementary?


Last, and this is one of the harder parts, I try to make clear the difference between people they need to listen to--the teacher, the principal, their parents, police officers and firefighters--and people they don't. They need to know that ALL adults are not authority figures that they have to listen to.
That's a good thing.

I'm trying to hammer this idea home...it can be hard for kids to navigate when they're always being told to be polite and listen to adults.

My personal experience is that this carries into adulthood. Kids who learn the habits of politeness and deference too well swallow their instincts to the point where they're easy prey for a con artist or worse. Teaching kids to a) trust their instincts and b) recognize which adults they can trust doesn't just protect them in childhood, it's a lifelong lesson.

An elementary school is just a candy store for predators. Ban public schools entirely. *nods* or...

http://fabmin.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/hello-kitty-ar-15-rifle-2.jpg

An elementary school is just a candy store for predators. Ban public schools entirely. *nods*

Ban children.

Edit: A poster named Bubbled Tea! Can I suck sago balls out of you?

A repeat sex offender dressed as the Joker, Heath Ledger style, has been lurking around my kids' school.

They generally can't get within a certain distance of children (if hes registered...). Was this guy wandering on the fringe of that zone or something?

Also tell the cops/parole dude/whatever.

What's next, planting them into separate cubicles with the teacher communicating over video?

I know a teacher that did that more or less.

Ban children.

I'll see if I can persuade Kat to start by banning you :p

I'll see if I can persuade Kat to start by banning you :p

Watch how you speak to your elders.

They generally can't get within a certain distance of children (if hes registered...). Was this guy wandering on the fringe of that zone or something? Canada doesn't have the weird sex offender 'zones' or whatever the hell they are that you'll find in some US states. There is a National Sex Offender Registry that law enforcement personnel can access.

It may be that his release conditions include a prohibition about being near schools, but it's unlikely unless he was paroled rather than having served his full sentence.

The police are aware of the situation.

Talking of sex offenders, Ruth Kelly, the ex-Secretary of State for education, before switching to Transport then resigning, used to allow convicted sex offenders to work in schools.

Last, and this is one of the harder parts, I try to make clear the difference between people they need to listen to--the teacher, the principal, their parents, police officers and firefighters--and people they don't. They need to know that ALL adults are not authority figures that they have to listen to. If they don't know an adult who's trying to talk to them, they don't have to be polite--they need to trust their instincts and find an adult that they know is safe.

my rule was that you do what your teacher/principal/other authority figures tell you to do and come to me afterwards if you felt it wasnt right.

within reason of course but there was never a time when the authority figure abused their authority so i didnt have to go kick anyone's ass.

other adults .... not that there were many when i wasnt around... my son didnt have to obey.

my son wouldnt even take CANDY from a stranger without asking me about it first. not even when he was 2 years old.

Canada doesn't have the weird sex offender 'zones' or whatever the hell they are that you'll find in some US states. There is a National Sex Offender Registry that law enforcement personnel can access.



O_o

In my schools town we had a long time pedo teacher arrested and barred from coming within ~distance~ of kids. Made him wear a home arrest leg bracelet thing and everything. This was in rural Saskatchewan too.

Anyway the accuser didn't show at the first court date (no idea when the next is) and I think my friend was molested by him... Apparently he was/is also spending a lot of time with the local special needs kids too. :(

In my schools town we had a long time pedo teacher arrested and barred from coming within ~distance~ of kids.
[...]
Apparently he was/is also spending a lot of time with the local special needs kids too. :(

*Special needs*, I like the phrase.
Appears he had own ideas about what these needs are.

*Special needs*, I like the phrase.
Appears he had own ideas about what these needs are.

Apparently so.

Sad to think of how humanity has gotten, before you really didn't here much of child molestation and such.

Um. Do you really think child molestation is a recent phenomenon?

Perhaps it is just finally getting exposed to the light and outrage.

*Special needs*, I like the phrase.
Appears he had own ideas about what these needs are.

I invoke the power of the Sociologist Lists on you!

Avaunt, Special Needs, Avaunt!

Get the behind me, denied words!





That was a bit of a let down...

Then get her a hip holster. And make the gun hello-kitty pink. My sister's had one since she was 6.

You really think a 6-year old has the maturity and discretionary judgment to pack around a deadly weapon?

I'm really hoping your whole schtick on this has been just that: a running joke.

Do you really think child mole station is a recent phenomenon?
It used to be just a squatter-filled piece of an old abandoned subway, until the Bear came.

You really think a 6-year old has the maturity and discretionary judgment to pack around a deadly weapon?

I'm really hoping your whole schtick on this has been just that: a running joke.

This may be what he was getting at. . . (http://www.theonion.com/content/video/report_american_schools_trail)

But more seriously, this may be the point where I tell parents the hardest thing they are ever going to here: sometimes, really, really terrible things will happen to your child and there absolutely nothing you can do about it. Let me repeat and rephrase at the same time: anything that you could do to stop your child from being one of the 5 or so children per year in America who are abducted by strangers and murdered, the worst-case scenario for any parent, would also make his life miserable, and you CANNOT be a good parent and inflict that on him just to reduce his chance of being a victim of such an attack to zero. Part of being a parent is to remember that those kinds of circumstances are extraordinarily rare, and you have an obligation to plan for what is likely going to hurt him and make your child a good person in spite of those reasonable dangers.

In the case mentioned above, you talk to them about inappropriate touching, you tell them to yell their heads off if they get grabbed, and you tell her above all that people are on alert and this is very unlikely to happen again, but if it does, run for a teacher or administrator. It is terrible that she had to deal with a creep in a Joker outfit, but she needs to be told that things are going to be all right, and you need to remember that yourself. Don't cocoon your child.

What's next, planting them into separate cubicles with the teacher communicating over video?

Not as outlandish as it sounds. It's really crazy in some places.

One of my favorite authors, Kage Baker, wrote a series of sci-fi books that span a huge range of time from the past to the future, and at some point in the future she envisioned a time when only licensed adults with training in child care and psychology were permitted to physically touch children that weren't their own. It's not that far off.

Elementary?

No, they're 10th graders, why?

Yes, kinder. :p