Father, stepmother accused of locking son, 5, in closet in Spring home

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Kid was in there how long?

Not sure this random discover is anything to build a policy around.

How do could you have created that in THIS case to prevent this crime?

Random? Happens all over the place, all the time. These 8 kids, if schooled in an actual school, would not have had to endure this horrific life for years.

Police: Tampa mom starved, tortured children

TAMPA — Neighbors never saw the eight children venture outside the metal gate at their Tampa home.

Their mother, Jamie Marie Hicks, 43, homeschooled them. They played inside the yellow concrete block house, or in the yard.

Their isolation masked extreme abuse, Tampa police said Friday.

Over eight years, Hicks hit the children with various objects, choked them to the point of unconsciousness, held their heads under water, fed them spoiled food and withheld food from them for as long as three days, police say.

She would make her children regurgitate food, then force them to eat it, police say. She would punish them for "stealing" food. Sometimes she would make her oldest sons — twin 16-year-olds — stand still for hours, naked.

At some point, the Florida Department of Children and Families investigated the family, but the agency would not provide details Friday. That case was closed. Tampa police say they became aware of the abuse this week after two of the children ran away.

On Thursday, a pediatric nurse declared the twins malnourished. One was 88 pounds and another 94. They should be 135 pounds, authorities say. They were taken to a hospital.

[Danno 1,228]

Random? Happens all over the place, all the time. These 8 kids, if schooled in an actual school, would not have had to endure this horrific life for years.

School?

Yeah,........... the state trampling down everyones door based on the promise that some how they could have prevented this.

You think that will stop this stuff?

Got news for you Bro,

Let's read a part of the story you declined to highlight.

<<<<At some point, the Florida Department of Children and Families investigated the family, but the agency would not provide details Friday. That case was closed. Tampa police say they became aware of the abuse this week after two of the children ran away.>>>>>

The state was at their home and in their life and yet it still went on.

[Peikko 1,575]

What Steve is talking about, I think, is that nowadays we isolate ourselves from our own communities. For many, it's a matter of never staying in one place for long enough to get to know the people who live in the community, for others it's fear, fear of the unknown. You ask people to be prepared to move in order to find work and yet you want neighbourhoods to remain friendly communities. When that doesn't work (not sure why anyone would think it would) all kinds of random things are held to blame, too much government intervention, too little government intervention. You want caring communities, encourage a more stable, static society. It's all very well to tell people to get on their bikes but when they do, the community support networks are put under tremendous stress and often no longer exist.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

School?

Yeah,........... the state trampling down everyones door based on the promise that some how they could have prevented this.

You think that will stop this stuff?

Got news for you Bro,

Let's read a part of the story you declined to highlight.

<<<<At some point, the Florida Department of Children and Families investigated the family, but the agency would not provide details Friday. That case was closed. Tampa police say they became aware of the abuse this week after two of the children ran away.>>>>>

The state was at their home and in their life and yet it still went on.

Florida DCF is worthless. Thank a Republican for that. Our schools are not. Yet.

Edited April 2, 2014 by Mr. Big Dog

[Danno 1,228]

Florida DCF is worthless. Thank a Republican for that. Our schools are not. Yet.

I wonder if teachers have a specific work shop on how to take notice with a child looks neglected or abused.

It would seem like an obvious thing but having a system in place... a designated resource person to field these concerns might be a good idea if thats not happening already.

I think news stories like this... when well promoted do more to make people aware and involved,

though often the worse cases are those which are the most difficult to detect.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

What Steve is talking about, I think, is that nowadays we isolate ourselves from our own communities. For many, it's a matter of never staying in one place for long enough to get to know the people who live in the community, for others it's fear, fear of the unknown. You ask people to be prepared to move in order to find work and yet you want neighbourhoods to remain friendly communities. When that doesn't work (not sure why anyone would think it would) all kinds of random things are held to blame, too much government intervention, too little government intervention. You want caring communities, encourage a more stable, static society. It's all very well to tell people to get on their bikes but when they do, the community support networks are put under tremendous stress and often no longer exist.

Exactly. We move almost 4 years ago to another state and into a smaller town than what we were accustomed to in Southern California. My two boys were 9 and 2 yrs. old at the time. We knew almost no one, but from my son's school and by volunteer coaching, we quickly began to meet great people. I think of all the people who have helped shape my oldest, who is now 13. From the school principal to his math teacher, his other coaches, the dads of his friends, etc.

Some people, however, keep to themselves. They don't want their kids mingling with others. They don't want their neighbors to know their business, etc. That's where the danger lies because that's the type of environment where kids get abused without anyone noticing. Shed the light instead cursing the darkness. Be part of your community. Help shape another child's life and you may never know just how much you help them grow up to be whole beings.

ETA: I just thought of one of the boys my son met through basketball. He's the child of a single mother and was conceived from a rape. One of the other families sort of took him under their wings, to be there for him, take him to church, etc. He also has a big brother. I coached him last season. I know he was a bit envious of my son because he knew that my son was not mine biologically. Hopefully, the village approach will pay off as he reaches adulthood.

Edited April 2, 2014 by Porterhouse

[TBoneTX 45,291]

The stepmother in Spring was interviewed on the TV news (beside her lawyer). She said that the story has taken on a life of its own and has been twisted. More on this will surely come out. Meanwhile, the little boy is getting donations from all over. The other children in the house are in CPS's hands; the 1-year-old is in a foster home.

[TBoneTX 45,291]

Update: The boy is due to be discharged from the hospital in a few days. He'll live with his aunt. He can't live with his biological mother, but she is permitted (and plans) to spend all her time with him. The news photo of the boy in the hospital showed a much healthier, happier child.