A man helped a lost toddler find her parents, police say. He was smeared online as a predator and fled town.

[Umka36 781]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/06/27/a-man-helped-a-lost-toddler-find-her-parents-police-say-he-was-smeared-online-as-a-predator-and-fled-town/

[Dashinka 25,217]

So will the father be charged with battery?

[Umka36 781]

I doubt he will be charged for battery, because even the victim understood how his action could have been perceived. The child's father seems to be a hot head, and will probably be sued for defamation. I'd be curious on why his 2 year old was left alone in the first place.

 

"Police officers thoroughly investigated this incident and interviewed witnesses, and based upon their investigation, determined no crime was committed. The citizen does not have a criminal history and officers verified that he was there visiting friends, who happened to be off-duty deputies.

 

The good Samaritan also declined to have charges filed against the father.

“In the heat of the moment the parents were scared, and I’m sure shocked. What they see as an individual with their child walking off, but he was a good Samaritan trying to get that child back to her parents,” Lakeland Police Sgt. Gary Gross said."

 

http://wfla.com/2017/06/26/good-samaritan-helping-lost-toddler-gets-beat-up-by-parents-facebook-shamed/

 

Edited June 27, 2017 by Umka36

[Dashinka 25,217]

11 hours ago, Umka36 said:

I doubt he will be charged for battery, because even the victim understood how his action could have been perceived. The child's father seems to be a hot head, and will probably be sued for defamation. I'd be curious on why his 2 year old was left alone in the first place.

 

"Police officers thoroughly investigated this incident and interviewed witnesses, and based upon their investigation, determined no crime was committed. The citizen does not have a criminal history and officers verified that he was there visiting friends, who happened to be off-duty deputies.

 

The good Samaritan also declined to have charges filed against the father.

“In the heat of the moment the parents were scared, and I’m sure shocked. What they see as an individual with their child walking off, but he was a good Samaritan trying to get that child back to her parents,” Lakeland Police Sgt. Gary Gross said."

 

http://wfla.com/2017/06/26/good-samaritan-helping-lost-toddler-gets-beat-up-by-parents-facebook-shamed/

 

That is an interesting take.  Maybe the father gets charged with child neglect.  Regardless, I guess people will have to think twice before trying to help anyone out.

[TBoneTX 46,716]

No good deed goes unpunished.

[Boiler 46,627]

Best not to get involved in this sort of situation, sad how things have changed.

[smilesammich 10,727]

i see posts on facebook of this nature pretty regularly, especially in the local community groups. someone will see a man sitting in a van or get the feeling a vehicle is following them, etc take a pic and post it to facebook like 'courtesy post, be on the lookout for shady so and so'. its really out of hand.. 

[bcking 3,157]

Depending on the situation, size of the park, proximity to a street etc...I would gladly take getting punched in the face over letting a 2 year old wander off without an adult. 

 

The father is probably a hot head and also likely over-compensating a bit because he was responsible for his child and let them wander off. Makes him seem like a bad parent, which makes him sensitive and he chooses to defend his reputation by insisting the guy who was actually observant and went to help the child was worse.

[Dashinka 25,217]

25 minutes ago, bcking said:

Depending on the situation, size of the park, proximity to a street etc...I would gladly take getting punched in the face over letting a 2 year old wander off without an adult. 

 

The father is probably a hot head and also likely over-compensating a bit because he was responsible for his child and let them wander off. Makes him seem like a bad parent, which makes him sensitive and he chooses to defend his reputation by insisting the guy who was actually observant and went to help the child was worse.

I don't disagree with your comments, but if this is over compensation by the father, it is a bit harsh as this Good Samaritan  is essentially being branded as a child predator.

[bcking 3,157]

4 minutes ago, Bill & Katya said:

I don't disagree with your comments, but if this is over compensation by the father, it is a bit harsh as this Good Samaritan  is essentially being branded as a child predator.

Oh yah I completely agree it is harsh. If the guy doesn't want to press charges for the attack, he should press charges for the defamation.