In Oregon, an 11-year-old boy is being arraigned on allegations of first- and second-degree robbery and unlawful use of a firearm. His accomplice was a 7-year-old boy.
The Oregonian reports:
Police said the 11-year-old was armed with a loaded .22-caliber derringer and threatened Amy Garrett, 22, in her pickup while she was parked at Freedom Foursquare Church about noon Saturday. Garrett said the 11-year-old and a 7-year-old boy, carrying a backpack with bullets, demanded her pickup, then money and her phone.
The boy’s father was charged with a relatively new law that makes it a crime to leave a gun unsecured and within reach of a child. The father is a convicted felon, and he has had two child neglect and abuse complaints filed against him in the last year. The 11-year-old boy and his two younger siblings were taken into protective custody.
A neighbor claimed to have called police several times over the past 18 months with complaints about vandalism and trespassing involving the then 10-year-old boy. The young age of the attempted carjacker and his relatively long history of contact with police brings to mind the case of Nathaniel Abraham; Abraham was given a real opportunity when he was sentenced as a juvenile; unfortunately, he seems to be struggling in prison as an adult.
But back to the current situation with an 11-year-old boy facing first- and second-degree robbery and weapons charges. What a strange and sad case! What in the world would an 11-year-old do if his victim had surrendered her vehicle? Would he have attempted to drive it off? To where and to what end? And, what are the circumstances of his 7-year-old accomplice? The boys are not related and police have not take action against the 7-year-old.
What do you think should be done in this case? What would be an appropriate response?
Edit, Dec. 13: here is a follow up to this story.
Comments 1
Jordan — December 15, 2012
In such a case, I believe the child should be put into protective foster care with strict guidelines for his behavior. The judge's order seemed fair and adequate. Most likely the boy's problems stem from the socialization he has received from his deviant father, who has had multiple child neglect charges against him and is a felon. If the best interests of the child were being taken into consideration, the father would be immediately removed from the child's life. The more time spent with this man, the worse off this child's future is going to be. This boy has already proven himself a danger to the community by stealing a gun and threatening to kill someone; he cannot suffer from being subjected to a bad influence any longer.