The parents are not to blame, but I would bet that they are horrified at the chlldren's behavior.
My gdaughter had a similar experience when she was 14, although it was not a physical attack it was emotional and left her very scarred, and I know parents have to know when this type of behavior is being exhitbited. Her teacher was my neighbor and told me he was so sorry she was in the grade where all the girls were pirahnneas, and this was before the incident. So many people were aware of their behavior.
I think parents take too little responsibilities nowadays for what their kids are out doing. If they had an inkling as to where their children were on any given night, maybe these teens wouldn't have gotten into so much trouble.
Moral values begin at home.
Greta first of all of those kids need to be in prison they are obviously violent and enjoyed being Violent.. I just saw the video of the grandmother talking and she said there was no kidnapping... someone needs to explain to her that at anytime if someone is held against there will as the girl in the video was when they would not allow her to leave the house... that is kidnapping. I am just sick to see all the teen beating videos coming out recently .. what has happend to the youth of America?
Why are you covering this violence?
Parent(s) need to parent and society needs to start holding kids responsible for their actions long before it comes to this!
There's that mom again, denying that her precious Mercedes did anything wrong. I'm sure the other parents are in the same state of denial. I'd be worried about the victim once she's well and has to go back to school, since she's accusing these innocent teens of this awful crime.
the mother of one of the girls said there was no kidnapping. well, when they held that girl against her will and would not let her leave, that is kidnapping. these parents should be so ashamed!!!
It is partially their parents fault for not insuring that they were taught better than to be involved in any such lunacy than this.
In the end I hope that they all spend time in jail......especially that smug acting guy (not the one in the orange suit, but the other one).
Fine example of what you get when the all mighty dollar earned comes above taking care of home. Parents need to grow up!
You do realize by making such a fuss over this, that someone, somewhere else is going to have to top it. It is frightening to me to see such mean sullen looking young people. Too bad they don't have something important to do with their time.
This is a horroble situation. If these parents had been monitoring their children's activities and where abouts and being in "touch" with their kids and their friends, this possibly could have been avoided. Heads buried in the sand is what I see these parents as doing. If I don't see what my child is doing then I don't have to deal with it. The kids made these decisions on their own, but parents, you need to be on top of what your kids are doing, saying, thinking, feeling, and projecting to the world around them. Wake up and smell the coffee! Your kids are LOST!!!
Parents can not control every waking moment of their childs days, however I believe that these kids have not been taught the difference between right and wrong.
Parents today do NOT PARENT, they let their kids run wild and do whatever they want, so that their kids don't get mad at them. It is time Parents take over the role of parenting!!!
WOW!!!! Did you see that mom!!! I guess since there was no kidnapping....we can all go home!! What a joke that mom is. No wonder it all took place at her daugters home!! I guess the fact that they beat the snot out of her just isn't that important to that mom!!!
There was no supervision and apparently the children were used to not being supervised. That would be the only way this could have been planned. After listening to the mother in denial on your show it is apparent that she would not have punished her daughter. It is good that the justice system will.
I blame most of the blame on the parents, in watching the interview with one of the mothers she never once said she was sorry for what took place.. How can anyone watch this video and not feel sadden about our youth today. She was making excuses for what took place she and the other parents need to pay just as much as the teens.
The parents are to blame and they should be horrified.
The comments of Mercedes' mother are atrocious and repugnant. Her comment about the wall not appearing damaged even though the victim is said to have obtained her concussion from it. This "mother" appears to have a great deal of guilt (wasn't her daughter living with another relative). The old saying that denial is a powerful thing--appears very true as far as this delinquent girl's "mother" is concerned.
Children are a reflection of their parents and of the values of their families
The teens need to be processed as an adult, they need to understand the consequences for not behaving as civilized people, they can not be going around life beating anyone that does not think or do not agree with them.
I think the judge did the right thing, Where? were the parents during all this?
This is unexcuseable
Are you kidding me??? If you are a parent you should be teaching your children right from wrong. The answer to this is simple.
Practice the Golden Rule. Theat others how you would like to be treated!!!
The parents are very much to blame and should be persecuted along with the young adults. The mother is so arrogant and keeps on making excuses for her daughter. There is NO excuse for this behaviour and we will not tolerate it.
While the parents are not directly responsible, they are responsible for how they raise their children and up to a certain age responsible for the values and morals that their children have learned - or not learned. I would also venture to bet that peer pressure influenced the extent to which some of the kids participated in this violent act.
cant believe any mum would want to go on tv. Her child did something both mother and child need to say I'm sorry - it was wrong - forget me, not "look at the wall you cant hurt yourself here - did mum watch the video!!
It is gratifying that these brats are being charged as adults. Yes of course the parents are at fault.
Parents are to blame some, but these girls knew what they were doing. For crying out loud they coaxed her to the house! Bottom line, they have brains and at this age should be able to think & reason. God help us all if we can not leave our teens alone for awhile without this kind of stuff happening.
i hope this kids get there justic hope they get jail time and i hope they have to pay the medical and the mother of the kids should be suit
The feel good NEA took power from parents. Let's blame anti-corporal punishment policies and a social policy to to punish parents who give physical discipline. I went to school in the 70' and this behavior would have been rooted out early and given a swift response.
The teens are young. Where did they get the idea to beat a fellow school friend? What goes on in the home. Their parents need to take a good look at themselves. Everyone is to blame here from parents, to the teens, to the ones that allow videos like this on the internet. Disgusting.
MANY OF OUR KIDS ARE GOING TO HELL IN A HAND-BASKET BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS ARE NOT BEING PARENTS
I don't see how you could blame the parents for this one. First where the parents home? If they were not home how could you blame them, second answer this I am 17 years old and do teens always tell their parents ever thing? I belive if the parents knew about this they would of done something. So I would not blame the parents if they did not know anything...
The Mother filmed by the Fox News crew is defending the actions of her daughter that actually used her Grandmother's home to stage this beating.
This Mother's interview speaks volumes in why these teens would feel their actions would not have consequences!
I hope all 8 of these teenagers are given the maximum sentence to send a message loud and clear that hate crimes in any flavor will not be tolerated.
In my opinion as long as they are living under your roof and are minors, it is the parents' responsibility to know where they are and who they are socializing with. A busy life is not an excuse to shirk your parental responsibility. The violence and language on this video should be a wake-up call to all parents and teenagers. I am glad they are being charged as adults.
my daughter is 14 and sadly i have found that if she and her friends choose to engage in some activities, i have no control or knowledge unless she wants me to.
Parents need to be aware of what their children are doing. What type of up bringing did these childre have? How could anyone consider being involved in something like this? No morals, no values, no compassion, no sole.
Just take one look at the parent who led the tour of the grandmotner's home and you can tell. It's frightening that such igorami popuate this country. I think I'll emmigrate to Mexico.
So far this vote shows why those kids did what thay did...people want to place the responsability of their CRIME on someone ells, so typical these days.
the mother showing the house where the beating took place did not show any remorse what so ever.If that were my child behaving in such a savage manner I would be horrified.Like mother like daughter
Dear Greta,
As a teacher in middle school we see this all the time. Students fight before thinking. They feel this makes them big in the eyes of their friends. Violence is a major problem with our children.
We try to teach them otherwise but they don't believe it. Parents and sports figures are there primary teachers. Wrestle mania is big with the children so they emulate this brutality.
More to come
Mrs. Westcott
Port Orange, FL
The parent's are most certainly to blame. The mom showed no remorse for the situation. In the interview she even tries to cast doubt on the victim's story.
SHAME
Yes...parents do have a level of responsibility, BUT, there is a point when one has to take responsibility for their own actions....these young adults are at that point.
As my neighbor said today, what do you expect from kids that grew up watching tv with their parents and hearing "JERRY, !Jerry! Jerry!"..and watched such garbage....and now imitate that behavior...
Most parents who are involved and vested in the lives of their kids are NOT to blame when that child does something like this. Kids are people too are afforded the same basic rights as any adult. In this situation, they had a well thought out, planned (cameras and lookouts) set up. This is adult type behavior, like a bank robbery, they deserve all the blame and the most severe punishment the law can hand down. The harsh punishment may actually let these out of control young adults and those a few years younger realize that society isn't a push over and will bring the hammer down on this kind of brutality, even among their age group.
I feel the parents are partially to blame, but I feel violence in the movies and on the internet contribute a large portion to this type of behavior.
I do not see how you can put blame on the parents for their adult children's lack of responsibility. If you can do that, then if found guilty, the parents should go to jail, and the children go free. Does make sense to me, and at what point do the children take responsibility for themselves.
Kids don't develop this type of behavior overnight. I think this sort of thing evolves because of a lifestyle characterized by lack of discipline and supervisioin. Sure kids can get into a bad situation and make bad decisions, but the fact that one has the reputation of being a bully, and two girls have apparently left their parents to live with "grandma", one would assume that these "children" have been left to their own for quite some time and have not been taught right from wrong. The sad thing about this is that there are thousands of children just like them all over this country....................with no concern for the welfare of others and no respect for authority.
Parents have a profound impact on the type of child they raise. We reap what we sow.
I listened to the mother. And she talks as though she is defending her daughters actions. She is the reason for her daughter attitude. Tell me she's not the blame.
This seems to be the FIRST time these young people have been confronted with, and will be accountable for the consequences of their actions. Very poor parenting with apparently no moral guidance for these kids.
the girls and the boys be charge in this case
Do you blame your parents for every stupid thing you did as a teen? I don't. Teens have always had a tremendous capacity for bad judgement.
Fox has not mentioned that these girls were cheerleaders...if that is correct
no wonder they have a "pack" mentality. They need to be put under the jail
for a long.....long ...time.
Greta,
I voted lots of blame on parents, but still the teens need to take blame as well. At this juncture in our culture these kids is evident they are not as mature as teens 10 years ago. I would know because Ihave a 18 year old senior at home, and two boys 27 and 28 as well.
Parents are raising teens to think they are entitled to whatever they want to have and parents really believe this. However, when things go wrong parents have a tendency to abandon or deny anything wrong took place.
My daughter tells me of situations like this all the time (though not as gruesome) of some sort of abuse going on by very well to do teens (mostly girls on girls) and the parents, and school administrators are in denial while teachers and police/sheriffs have their hands tied.
Thanks
I don't think that the parents are not to blame however they do need to discipliin these unrully children how would they feel if it were vise versa and their child was the one that was attacked!!
For gods sake control and educate your children to behave and respect one another!!
I think it's a disgrace the way young women act today. We never thought of doing such things when I was 16-17. Our parents raised us better. If the courts would allow the parents to discipline their kids instead of threatening to to the parents in jail---kids might behave better.
I can't say the parents are to be blamed for this, there are definitly things they could have done to try and prevent their children from doing this. There is absolutely no reason for these kids to treat someone like they did and their parents should've taught them that. However, these kids are fully responsible and need to serve time.
Parents need to teach children that you can not bully other children there is to much of this today. I know my daughter gets bullied from children at her school and those parents don't do anything about it. I have called school they try to reach the parents but they don't call the school back so the school makes they run laps at recess for there bad judgement.
Is anyone out there seriously going to say the parents are not accountable at all for their childrens' disgusting display of immoral and illegal behavior? Parents need to take their job as parents seriously. Children and teenagers need to be held accountable for their actions, as this cycle will continue. Mercedes' mother is a prime example of an unfit parent. Her comments on the video taken at her home were proof that she has enabled her daughter, probably all her life. Enough is enough!
These parents have managed to raise a bunch of white-trash thugs.. I blame the parents for that. Hell will freeze over before any of my children act that way because I've enstilled in them a value system that would not allow that type of behavior.
Parents are solely responsible to build character and instill morals in their children that groom them to make good choices. Clearly these parents neglected to do that.
The interview the mother gave when showing the grandmother's house, showed me, why the kids acted the way they did. She seemed like it was no big deal and showed no remorse at all.
Who is in charge at home the brats or the parents?
I am a single parent and if I would not have been a part of my sons life and the challenges he had to endure by schools, classmates, school mates, staff and others and taken a strong stand when I heard that something was not right; he would have ended up just like these kids. I am very proud of myself because I loved him in good times and bad.
I am apalled that parents and kids think that all these toys (technology) is going to enrich their lifes; boy are they troubled.
Wake up grandparents, parents and all you kids! You will get punished and waste your life. It is a good thing that I am not a judge.
Wendy I agree with you. The mom also said..."look at this wall, there is no evidence of her head being hit here." Yikes what a bonehead she is!
I BLAME THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO DISCIPLINE IN HOMES TODAY. PARENTS AREN'T ALLOWED TO DISCIPLINE CHILDREN AS THEY SEE FIT LEST THEY BE TURNED INTO THE POLICE OR THEY WANT TO BE FRIENDS WITH THEIR CHILDREN NOT THEIR PARENT. THE KIDS HIDE BEHIND THEIR SO CALLED "RIGHTS" THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN BY OUR LIBERAL SYSTEM. tHEY ALSO HAVE NO FEAR OF AUTHORITY AND FEEL THEY ARE UNTOUCHABLE BY THE LAW OR ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED THE TAPE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE FOR ME THEY ARE GUILTY AND I WOULD HOPE THAT THEIR PARENTS WOULD N'T HAVE THE GALL TO MAKE THE MOST COMMON STATEMENT "NOT MY CHILD NO WAY SHE/HE WOULDN'T DO THAT" THE PROOF IS STARING THEM IN THE FACE.
Wendy I agree with you. The mom also said..."look at this wall, there is no evidence of her head being hit here." Yikes what a bonehead she is!
I dont feel we have seen enough interviews of these young ladys parents to give an accurate opinion of whether the parents are to blame. Although it seems like there must be some degree of misfunctional family issues for these young ladys to act like this., but we should not judge them this early in the case.
The video clearly shows that this girl was beaten. The girls beating her knew how to make and use a fist repeatedly. These girls were experienced with their fists. They knew what they were doing. The parents have obviously not taught them respect and coping skills to deal with their differences with others.
Teens today are way our of hand no doubt about it. How can you not put most of the blame on the parents. Everyone wants to be a cool mom, or they are not home to supervise the teens, or they simply are unaware and some honestly don't care. What ever happen to morals, scruples, discipline and the family unit. What ever happen to plain old good parenting? Look at these girls and boys, they are a mess and this is America's future? Good Lord this nation is truly falling apart. However there still remains many good and decent parents raising good children. Most of these kids are looking for attention, quality time and TLC. Parents need to care again.
Lock them all up...kids parents, friends and anyone else involved. After some jail time, let them do community service for a few years. If they cannot
act like humans after that, put them all on a ship and send them to some
barbaric island where their behavior will be more of a necessity than an offense committed on a civil society.
Parents may have some blame, however, the teens are old enough to know right from wrong and they chose "wrong"! They need to be punished as adults.
The parents didn't teach the kids to respect others and be decent human beings. If they would have this might have not happened. Of course in some cases the kids get in with the wrong crowd and anything can happen.
Parents do not parent anymore. They act like friends to their children instead of teaching them values. If kids like this is the future of this country, God help us all. They are a bunch of hoodlums.
The fact that these girls thought their behavior was acceptable makes me wonder how they were raised! They acted like absolute animals, and not one of them stood up to stop the others. It is the parents' job to teach their kids to be civilized human beings. Obviously this was not a job well done!
I was shocked to see such terrible behavior from teens. Where do they get that anger from? Kids never acted out like that 30 years ago (afraid of what other people would think of them and of their parents). Kids today, have no shame or feelings for others. I have two teenagers and I would be very ashamed of them if they were involved with such cruelty.
No blame - these "kids" are old enough to know what they are doing. At what age do we start holding people responsible for their own actions?!
If I were the parent of one of these girls, I would let her stay in jail until this thing is over. They don't deserve to walk the streets where everyone else's kids are. They gave up that right. I'm sure some of the parents of these girls will blame it on the victim, and that explains alot. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Absolutely these parents are to blame! It is the way a child is raised that is the greatest influence on the childs behavior. Basic teaching of right and wrong is expected to come directly from the parents, they obviously failed.
them parents should be held responsible, i think its disgusting to even defend them teens, they ruined that girls life by trying to proof how bad they are, i feel for the father and family for the victim, i have a 16 year old daughter, its a shame. i wonder if any of those teens go to church?
Parents are always responsible for misdeeds of under age children. These cruel females should be removed from their parents' homes, put in a strict detention environment with no privileges and attend mandatory training sessions in citizenship and proper civilized conduct. No release until they pass rigorous testing. The need character development. The parents should attend mandatory parenting training classes, all lodging, training, and expenses to be paid for by the erring parents who failed to monitor and instruct their offspring. The State should not pay for any of this retraining. The fines should stand as well. It's time parents paid attention.
Did you hear the mother, justifying the shameful behaviour of her child. Sorry, but if parents can teach their children goo manners and behaviour then our Justice system should show them the consequences. They need to understand the pain/gain. If you do it wrong you have a price to pay (feel the pain), if you behave and follwing the rules (you gain the best of life).
Our children reflect our values. Nuff said!
These girls are 16-17 years old and have their own freedoms which are out of the parents control. The parents have no blame on the situation what so ever. Late teenagers shouldn't have to be baby sat.
The accused shouldn't have to face any jail time, but over 200 hours of community service would open their eyes to the reality of justice. Their futures shouldn't be ruined with felony charges, although probabation should be extended further then 3 years.
The mother must of known what was going on from the yelling I think she should be locked up in a room with women an beat. I just saw her showing off the house on the news and she showed no remorse for the girl who got beat.Im disgusted...!
The judge is doing the right thing by charging them with felonies. Regardless of what the courts do, the parents need to triple the punishment; but my guess would be that these parents are not properly involved in the children's lives in terms of raising them with moral values, and are at the root cause of such violent behaviour. With that said, the teens are ultimately responsible for their behaviour. The bigger question is what is going on in this country that so much hatred and violence exist in the lives of young people.
Too sad that our youth can act in this way without fear of repercussion. They knew exactly what they were doing but felt they were above reproach. Yes, the parents are definitely to blame...14 to 18 years too late. Keep up the exposure, Greta, we need other media to to cover these awful actions, including those the young people watch. If they have no shame, fear of the law may be the only way their ilk will pay attention. Too bad there's a gag order; the exposure is necessary.
Parents are responsible up to a certain age but when the children become young adults they know or should know the difference between right and wrong. This is where the parents can be faulted they didn't instill this knowledge in their kids or if they did then the child choose not to follow that teaching.
There comes a time when a child is responsible for what they do and they need to learn that this kind of behavior is unacceptable. My husband said these young people would be made an example of and I hope this is true.
The values and morals parents teach their children go a long, long ways towards how that child acts and lives out their lives. You could not bring up a child capable of delivering such a vicious beating, or any watch it happen, and not have seen signs of how disturbed your child is. The teens should spend a long, long time in jail and the parents hopefully will spend the rest of their lives with the guilt of knowing they contributed to messing up their kids lives.
The person interviewed at the house where that brutal beating took place was beingvery defensive for an indefensible act, and actually seemed angry at the poor victim. What did she expect to see on the bedroom wall as evidence of a concussion? Thankfully there wasn't a hole!!! She should be concerned for the victim...honestly!!!!!
I was born in Central America, and both my son and my daugther were born in the USA. My son is now a police officer and my daughter is a teacher specialized on children that are born deaf. During their early years of their lives, we had to live in a not so nice area of Los Angeles.
As parents, we never had problem with my son or daughter doing drugs or being part of any gangs, even when those groups were in the neighborhood.
I'm 100% certain that my children are excellent citizens of this country, because of our work as parents. Responsible parents, raise responsible good citizens.
Kids will do "crap" like this partially because their parents tend to minimize their guilt in anything they do. For these parents it's always the other kids' fault or their was a legitamate reason for their kids behaving a certain way or their kids' action wasn't that bad. Parents need to hold their kids accountable.
There seems to be little humilty from these young adults as they stand before the Honorable Judge. I wonder if they know who they are standing before or that their actions will be taken quit seriously by this person? What a poor, poor example this is for others their age.
Teresa, Powder Springs, GA.
Once I became a parent, it became crystal clear to me how much my husband and I influenced our twins as children and now as adults. No doubt about it. The good and the bad all come from either the strong pull of nature or the nurturing we provided. But, nurturing had the greatest influence.
Children are born into this world as a blank chalkboard. They become what we as parents write upon that chalkboard.
For these young teens to even think that it was acceptable to use one of their grandmother's home for this assault shows that at some point these girls parents have grossly abdicated their moral and civic teaching obligations that are owed all children.
When kids are that out of control, you bet, the parents are to blame. Many parents today are to liberal with their kids and done make them take responsibility for their actions they want to be their buddy or their friend instead of parents which would take up to much of their time.
Sure the parents are to blame, but also a society that do'es not allow children to be disiplined at home or school.
We might have said "some blame," but every parent we've seen has tried to downplay the incident and/or blamed the public outrage on Sheriff Grady Judd. This is a local story for us and we believe the sheriff to be a fair and honorable man. Where were all the parents? Where did they think their children were? No one seems to want to answer those questions.
Holding the girl against her will is kidnapping, pure and simple!! That woman who said it is not, is wrong! This crime by teens is Disgusting and Reprehensible. The parents are raising their children to be criminals. They need to be censured and made to answer also. They are not blameless.
It is unbelievable that the mother seems to defend every thing her daughter did. It is no wonder that this teen is in trouble. A perfect example of poor parenting and lack of a good role model in the home.
Parents are fully responsible for their teenagers. What the matter with them: at this age they need more looking after than ever. Keep in touch. Communicate and look to see what they are up to: too young to know and old enough to think they know.
YUCK!
The way in which that woman talks, the mother of the "child" that videotaped the incident, her mannerism conveys the feeling that she is ready to defend her indignant daughter. She comes across as trashy, repugnant and a poor representative of the average American citizen. What in the world is happening to people's (ESPECIALLY PARENT'S) sense of right and wrong??? Her daughter was involved a horrible attack, where is the remorse?
Where was the Mother during the time this assault took place? Was the grandmother at the place of work where the young girl was taken to? Eight teen age adults without supervision! Mother and Grandmother both need to appear before the court and explain where not only during the time but, after
this happened.
I think that what these girls and 2 boys did is very serious. I am very troubled by the amount of violence and physical abuse that teenagers inflict on other teens, but what bothers me even more is the attitude of their parents! It seems more and more often that the parents of teenagers who do these things make excuses for their teenagers actions and, even worse, blame others for the outrageous actions of their kids. It did not look like the mother of the teenage girl who lives in the home where the beating occured was concerned about the girl who was beaten. Her comment that she could not seen a mark on the wall where the girl hit her head and suffered a concussion certainly seemed cold and dismissive.
The parents are responsible. I would be glad to provide you with the email address for each of my children. They can tell you what would have happened to them if they had participated in actions such as this.
These kids do not appear to have any remorse when facing the judge. AS for the tour guide mother,what can I say? no excuses!
interesting point jesse. was an adult actually home when the beating happened?
Lock them all up...kids, parents, friends and anyone else involved. After some jail time, let them do community service for a few years. If they cannot act like humans after that, put them all on a ship and send them to some barbaric island where their behavior will be more of a necessity than an offense committed on a civil society.
What? White trash thugs, what about all these horrific crimes by blacks, asians and south americans??? Just keep your mouth.....
I agree that family should be first then work, money and friends. but we as parents can't not be with our son's or daughter's 24 hours a day.
The girls needs to be judge as adults because they knew what they where doing. By doing this if there is out there more people that want to do the same they maybe think twice.
This is shocking. That mother needs a dose of reality. The parents and the teens are to blame. How stupid do you have to be to place something like that on the internet? What is just as stupid, if not more, is for those teens to carry out this premeditated attempt on someone's life. If I were the parents of the girl who was beaten, I would file a civil suit against all parties and their parents. Kids today have no remorse or civility...they watch too much internet junk and TV. Our tolerant society of this kind of behavior could be a variable but this ultimately lies with the choice they made to beat her almost to death. I bet those teens do not think they are immune to anything now...I hope they rot in jail.
As the parent of a teenage daughter (age 14) I am horrified every time I see the video of the beating. The parents absolutely have lots of blame for what happened. I've heard comments made by some of the parents of these "bullies". It only takes a few seconds of listening to them to see "exactly" how their child ended up in this situation. Children learn what they live!
Not Kidnapping? That's unbelievable!Not only was this girl beaten ,but she was also held against her will. In my estimation, that is kidnapping.And to have Cameras set up and rolling!Until recent years acrime like this would have been hidden at all costs,now it,s being broadcast by the criminals! This is truly a sad commentary on our society.
Parents ARE responsible as well as their kids, children should be taught with every behavior brings consequences, good or bad! Parents are responsible for the under age children and they should be responsible for all current and future medical bill
Unknown Questions: Do they go to the same school, have the teachers ever report problems with any of these children. What are the histories of their behavior? Is there a no tolerance school? This rule should be enforced on and off school grounds and district if it involves students of that district.
False imprisonment and kidnapping. Classic examples of both. A brutal battery as well. The mother is an ignorant boob. Making excuses for her moronic daughter. Jail time is absolutly required. No sealed or expunged sentences. It's about time our criminal system started to recognize violent behaviour as such. We then can put the silly abu garaib argumenst in some sort of perspective.
As a parent of two, I think I would/should know if my children were capable of doing such an act as this. I would expect people to put the blame on me as it should be. This kind of behavior coming from (suppose to be) young ladies only shows them as being anything but ladies. As parents, we had better get a grip on teaching our children how to behave or the outcome in the future for our community and country looks does not look good.
My daughter will be in the 7th grade next year and I am really hoping that she will not be bullied in any way. She is such a gentle soul and I know how cruel kids can be. It doesn't start in high school either, it is really evident in elementary school. So in my opinion the parents are very responsible for the actions of their children. Bullies are not born they are taught, they will usually have bully parents as well.
I think the parents of these kids have to take some of the blame for their kids behavior. Parents of kids that have this type of behavior are never around or they just don't care what their kids are doing. Parents need to know what goes on with their kids, kids are out of control these days.
We can do all we can before the yellow monster comes and reaps our children! Once they enter that hell they are out of our hands and we can do no more. They put their morals, values, and family behind them and do any and all things forced on them by peer pressure. The more horrendous, the more credit they get for it. AND, parents are locked out of the schools and need permission to enter!
I feel the parents are responsible for the lack of respect the suspects show for another human being. I also feel Fox News is responsible for the "MY SPACE" pages , as well as owners of other pages of this type. Many of the young people today have no social skills because they do all of their interactions with their peers. It sounds to me that this scheme may have been devised thru a chat room, or something similar, and sounded good at the time. Now, it would appear, that these eight young people may have their lives ruined for several minutes of stupid, irrational behavior. They deserve whatever punishment is handed to them. None of them appeared to have any remorse for their actions.
I think it's time that we start punishing these types of actions stronger than a slap on the hand. I would of liked to see the judge tell those kids to look at her in the eye and not hang their head as they didn't have a problem being so stron when they were on the other end of the camera. This sort of bullying goes on all the time in schools and I can't believe how mean the girls are getting. If that was my daughter who had done this she would not get out on bail for quite awhile.
By watching the mother on the show, one can see why the kids did as they did. She obviously thinks her daughter did nothing wrong and even suggested the victim is making her injuries up when she said there is no mark on the wall that would make a concussion...When are we going to start holding these ignorant parents accountable for the way they raise these violent kids?
The parents are directly responsible and need to spend time in jail just like the kids. It's disturbing that no one wants to take responsibility for their actions. I am a retired military member and my daughter grew up on military bases throughout the world. She's a very mature, well-rounded, stable young lady because of the values taught to her. She thanks me and her Mother frequently for teaching her values and instilling discipline in her....maybe these folks should try to take charge of their lives as well.
Parents are responsible for their children.. The eight teenagers that appeared on the Fox broadcast stood and held their head down in shame... What were they thinking when they beat up this girl... I wonder if the parents of these teenagers feel the pain that their children put upon another.. Even though they are under age I feel that such a violet crime upon another human being should be tried as an Adult and should be ready to take the punishment.
The parents bear a great deal of the blame especially the mother that just said no kidnapping took place. Just a little education for this clearly unfit mother. Kidnapping takes place when you hold someone against their will. The parents of all the kids under 18 should have to pay tens of thousands of dollars in fines or spend their weekends in jail while their children are in jail. If this was the law then it would have never happend. Put me on any jury that deals with a lawsuit for this case and the parents lose everything they have.
I think all of the kids should spend at least five years in prison ,this girl is ruined for life and they should be punish, the parents as well .if they let them off lightely ,it will happen again because they know they can get by with it .
these "kids" should be severly punished atleast 6months behind bars(and thats also a slap on the hand) so that they know that there is a consequence for every action especially an action towards another person, they can also be an example of what happens when you commit a crime like so aggaints another human.
What was the reasoning for this beating to this girl? The parents have to take responsibility for their childrens actions. When they visit them on visiting day in jail they can ask themselves "where did we go wrong?" I just love it when the parent says that there was no mark against the wall where her head was supposed to have hit and she had a concussion. What about the damage that was done to the girl to her eye and her hearing? I think the mother of Mercedes has too much bleach on her head. Wake up and smell the coffee parents. Your kids are animals.
There is a growing trend for parents to excuse and defend inappropriate or unacceptable behaviors during various stages of childhood, and now we are seeing the results of their indulgence with the escalation of disturbing behaviors.
As shocking as this whole incident was, the demeanor of the parent showing Greta around the house was even more shocking to me, and it was very revealing. One would think she would be horrified and ashamed that her child would be involved in such behavior. Instead she was defensive, pointing out there was no hole in the wall, and stating there was no kidnapping. The second her child refused to let the other girl leave, there was kidnapping.
Shame, shame, shame on all of them. The problem is they have no shame.
the parents aren't necessarily to blame, but they are responsible. they can accept responsibility in the way they deal with this crisis. get those kids some serious help(when they get out of jail) because there is something really bad wrong!
Shame on Mercedes mother for defending her daughter's actions... Does she tell her daughter not to worry you did nothing wrong? I hope all these "adults" get what they deserve. I hope someone puts them on you tube in thier jail clothing. We are praying for the victim.
Parent(s) have for too long assisted in the masking of inappropriate behavior of our youth of today. This started in the mid 90's and has continued through today. Teenagers are great at pretending that they are little angels. DON'T GET ME WRONG.......THERE ARE STILL A FEW FANTASTIC TEENAGERS AROUND. Too many teenagers have been the cause of family break-ups. Too many parents have defended and rewarded such negative behaviors such as this incident. It will not change until parents begin giving harsh consequences to teenagers today instead of rewarding them with money, cell phones, cars, vacations and material things. Too many teenagers today are not aware of how they are destroying school, the family structure and their chance at a positive life in the future.
I absolutely believe the parents are also to blame. That mother did nothing but make up a bunch of bull. Those 8 kids knew exactly what they were doing and I think those parents better wise up and find out what their kids are up to. Why do the parents always defend their kids when they are truely in the wrong. Make them own up to their actions. The video says it all.
I think the parents are very smart for not bailing these children out of jail. During the years that I was raising my children alone, I watched many parents bail their children out of jail many times and most of them became repeat offenders who just didn't care about going to jail because the parents would bail them out. Yes the parents are responsible for their children's behavior or misbehavior and if you don't bail them out the first time, there will never be a second time. This is guaranteed advice through my own experience. And here's a quote from my own daughter after being arrested the first and only time, *Mom, I can't stay in here; there is no air conditioning". I simply told her she wasted her phone call because I had instructed my children that I would never spend my hard-earned money on bail and you can't raise children with idle threats. So I left her there. Yes, it broke my heart, but it also broke her spirit to get in trouble again; she is now 35 years old, a nurse and never got into trouble after that one-time teen experience.
I do believe that the parents are to blame. Because if my daugther was involved in something like this. I would ask more questions and monitor who she is around. I think that this should be enforced more on all teenagers. Alot of these kids are out of control. My kids aren't angels either, but I do try to watch who they are around and who they bring to my home.
and to think these barbarians will have kids of their own in a few years....OUCH
Michael Constible -- these are NOT adult children. They are MINOR children. Teenagers. Tell me a parent who is not responsible for guiding and teaching their minor children how to conduct themselves. And I think that Mercedes' mother really needs to take a better look at how she raised her daughter and to quit making excuses. Someone should bang HER head against the wall to see if it makes a "mark".
I meant to say that their interactions with their peers are done through the internet, not face to face.
"Don't hit the shelves," shouts one of the bullies. The only concern in evidance is for glass shelves that belong to the perpetraors grandmother! These teens should be punished to the full extent of the law. It seems only an accident that the young woman was not murdered. What would these bullies have done had she not come to after she was smacked into unconciousness.
Children today are not held accountable for anything. The parents will not believe their children are guilty. They always try to blame their behavior on someone else. Kids see so much violence on the internet, movies, television and video games, they believe this is the way to settle differences. Parents should be good role models for their children and continually talk to them about good behavior and good morals. Children behave at home the same way they behave at school so parents should not deny the child is capable of serious bad behavior. Violence, vulgar language, and a short fuse is not new to the parent when their child is caught behaving this way.
After hearing the mother's comment about where the concussion "supposedly" occurred (...although there are no marks on the wall... like that somehow absolves her) clearly shows a lack of responsibility for the actions of her daughter and the rest. It's difficult to dispute the evidence of the video. If the mother is not accountable for acknowledging the actions of her daughter, clearly she never raised her to be accountable for her own. It's a shame. A sad, sad, shame.
These kids know right from wrong and made a conscious decision to do what they did. Our society should focus blame where it belongs instead of constantly looking to blame someone else or someone's poor upbringing, poverty, neglect or whatever.I'm tired of hearing pathetic excuses for someone's poor choice. Our society would improve tremendously if the focus where accountability instead of excuse making. I'm sure these kids are excusing themselves and attempting to shift the blame at this very moment.
My children are grown now, however both my husband and I taught our girls that if they did anything illegal that we would call the police ourselves. They were taught there are concequences for all bad and illegal behavior. The mother who made excuses for her daughter is giving the daughter permission to do the same thing again.
In my previous comment, I did NOT mean to imply that the perpetrators are NOT responsible. I rejoice that they are being tried as adults! And, their parents ought to be standing trial right along side of them. Our society has gotten waaayyy to excuse driven. NOW! I will hush; because I doubt that my ranting and raving will do much good... just as decadence destroyed Rome, so will it do to America.
You bet the parents should take a lot of the blame!!
I'm the parent of a 15 year old. It's my responsibility as a parent to teach her right and wrong. The problem with teens today is the parents don't play a big enough part in their lives. We assume because nothing is happening on our door step that everything is fine. We have to know who, where and what they are doing. We have to keep them safe.
Most people think they have to give them their own space and freedom. Wrong!!
Teach your children right and wrong and be a good example to them.
Very involved prarent,
It's easy to blame parents for the actions of children, but in this case
the mother tried to rationalize and down play her childs action in the cruel beating of the victim. Of course parents can't keep track of everything their children are involved with, but MANY parents don't try to keep track of their
children.
Lack of parenting... root cause of youth violence. When will people finally learn?
Parenting has gone in the toilet, and this is a perfect example. It's clear that there's been a serious lack any kind of values, morals, or compassion instilled in any of these kids, and that comes from the parents, nobody else. When parents do their job, they can have peace of mind that their children will do what is right, and not give in to peer pressure, or behave in such barbaric and cowardly way towards another human being.
It's no suprise the girls acted the way they did. Look at how the mother is already making excuses and trying to minimize the brutality of what her daughter and her friends did to that ONE girl. Shame on all of them.
My comment relates to the Laurean story. His beard and moustache seem to be too well trimmed for him to have been living in boxes all this time. I think one of his relatives must have been harboring him.
After listening to the mom of one of the accused in the tour of the home/crime scene, I would have to say that she is responsible for her daughter's behavior. I am glad these kids are being charged as adults. I'm just sorry they aren't being charged with attempted murder. 15 years in prison might grow them up and their parents along with them.
Parents need to be held responsible for the upbringing of their children and not let them run the streets. They need to know where their children are and who they are hanging with. They need to police the internet. I have never seen parents so disconnected from their children as they are today.
I found it interesting that the girls wanted all of this on camera, yet in the courtroom they wanted no part of being on camera. I completely agree with the courts decision to try them as adults and hope they all get the maximum sentence.
I agree with cody.....persecute the parents!!!!!
Lock them all up...kids, parents, friends and anyone else involved. After some jail time, let them do community service for a few years. If they cannot act like humans after that, put them all on a ship and send them to some barbaric island where their behavior will be more of a necessity than an offense committed on a civil society.
I was horrified at this video -- as a mother of a daughter, my spouse and I watch our child 24/7 -- when friends gather, we ask questions, who, what, when, where why and how?? not only to our daughter but the other parents. It is the parents responsibility to set the pace, school is a child's responsibility not a playground for stirring up trouble. As a parent, I would be totally ashamed, embarrassed that I gave birth to this and would not have the persona to appear on television and say what this woman said. A picture is worth a thousand words, action and attitude is worth 5000; thus, the video cover the 5000 mark and then sum. All participants, deserve to stay in jail as well, the parent(s) whom pay to take there so called precious teen out of jail -- obvious are just as inhuman as their teen. The granddaughter of the grandmothers house where the incident occurred -- needs assistance and she sure does not know what she has done to her grandmothers persona -- A grandchild is suppose to be grandparents Pride and Joy -- not NIGHTMARE!
These individuals have no love or respect for themselves -- even less for their family and others.
Good Luck!
This is night mare situation for every parents and every citizen in United States. If I am prosecutor I would charge parents as well because if parentes don't have time to teach kids then they need to step-up and take responsibility. This is how law in Europe work when you under age . So question is... Where they learn that type behavioh?
I am twelve years old and I saw this for the first time about ten minutes ago. I can not believe this!!! I think that the judge was right about coming down hard on those kids. I think that the parents were partly to blame. I mean, did you hear how that mom was defending her felan of a daughter? Shame. I bet it would have been a whole different animal if her daughter was the one being "supposedly" beaten. My parents have me take full responsibility for everything that I do. I have made it a habit to take responsibility. Why don't they try the kids that beat up their teachers? Blah.
I'm glad to see that all these kids will be tried as adults .
the mother in you're video is completely clueless , which shows
why the kids felt like they could plan and execute what they did
at her house .
Unfortunately , this is going on all over the U.S. .
It is obvious that the mother was defending her daughter during the tour of the home where the attack occured, i.e."No marks are the wall" implying she could not have been knocked out, or no kidnapping because they left the house after brutally beating her. Are you kidding me? Yes, the parents are responsible, but these teenagers must bear the consequences for their actions if they will ever change their ways and become desirable members of our society. I don't want them in mainstream America if this is how they little trash talk!
The parents are to blame but so are the schools, look at what goes on in the class rooms. Of course what do you expect from the schools and most companies these days when you increase work loads, decrease income, and decrease benefits. Then there are the liberals creating laws to make parents fear even telling a child "no," all the kid has to do is tell authorities that the parents are abusing the child in some way. When I was a kid, I'd never have thought of doing something like this because I would be PUNISHED! Also, with my years of working with psych patients, you could clearly see deception in this womans body language.
Also, with the story about the students beating the teacher in the class room, do the freaking teachers need to carry guns on them now? Of course back when I went to school we still had Christian prayers before class started... and said the pledge of allegiance.
Yes I blame the parents. This type of behavior is a learned behavior and learning starts at home. For example: Look at Mersades, why is she living with her grandmother? Look at her mother, she talks like a teenager herself, where does she stand in the raising of her daughter or does she leave that up to the grandmother? Too many parents are "asleep at the wheel"and just expect their childern to go through the motions of growing up and the parents have very little input into their lives. I am very happy with the judge's charges and take my hat off to her for doing the right and moral thing. I hope these charges will go through and these teens will learn a valuable lesson, you cannot DO as you please, it is against the LAW to harm or hurt another human being and you MUST pay for your wrong choices. I pray for the young girl who was beaten and hope that she will recover both physically and emotionally.
I am sure that the parents of all these teens are going to take up for their
children and try to explain their actions. They will want them to get a slap on the wrist and think this is enough so they can go on with their life and back to the fun of cheerleading and the joys of high school. They need to put themselves in the victim shoes and her family. What if this had happened to their child by someone else? I can guarantee that they would want someone locked up and punished to the fullest extent of the law. This is an increasing problem with our society. No one wants another person disciplining their children. They are not being expected to pay the consequences of their actions and decisions. Until we make the punishment fit the crime why should any one stop. The attorneys are loving it. It is good job security.
I would hold those parents ass to the fire.
Don't blame the parents. These kids are old enough to know what they are doing. They are taught about responsibility for their sexual behavior which gives them knowledge to be responsible parents as well. Give them jail time so others kids don't imitate and go shopping for designers clothes to wear on national tv when they qualify for their time on talk shows after the next copy cat epiisode.
Bottom line, parents (some) need to take control of their children and take their role seriously. Our problem as a society is that we think that because a child is a teen they are on their own and we keep them loose. O good Lord, where are we going to end with-in 1 or 2 more generations if Parents don't start to take control of their families and show them values that will contribute to make them a better citizen and contribute to society and to their future families? What in the Good Lord is going on with us? Some parents needs to "WAKE UP" and take their child/family by the hand and show them the correct path they need to follow to avoid these types of situations.
Of course the parents are to blame. Look at that mother, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Some people should never be allowed to reproduce.
The parents of kids up to age 18 should be held liable for their actions
both criminal and civil
Parents would become better parents, and the kids would become better
citizens.
Jack
without the teachings of God in the homes our children will become more evil in this evil world and will desire more for the self than the love for one another. It is the responsiblity of parents to teach this love.
I hope that the extensive coverage of this terrible situation is and will be a true wake-up call to the many, many adults who relate directly or indirectly to teen agers. This includes parents of teen agers, teachers of teen agers and pertinent school administrations.
I also hope that efforts are started quickly to rehabilitate these obviously guilty youngsters and that such efforts are successful. I believe that similar efforts should take place for their parents.
Note -- I am a parent, and find this situation scary for all teenager parents!
Too many parents are raising their children instead of training them. You raise crops, but children must be trained to do the right things. The Bible says to train up a child in the way they should go. But training children requires the parents to be trained first.
Now that's what I call persecution, Joe!
I am 45 years old . I have never hit another humane being in my life . I have never been arrested, I never been in trouble, and do you know why ? Because my parents taught me right from wrong !!! When are the parents of America
( not all of you, I am sure there are many good ones out there but we never hear stories about you ) going to wake up and take the responsibility of being a parent seriously ?
Dear Greta,
Concerning the teacher being beat. We (teachers) worry everyday. It is unusual for the administration to back up a teacher. Lawyers and parents run the public schools. You will continue to see this type of brutality because our students are taught they are not responsible for their actions. It was the teacher who pissed me off so she deserved it. Administration will not get involved because of lawyers. Schools are daily becoming very dangerous for young people, especially on the bus.
I will tell you more if you are interested.
Thanks,
Mrs. Westcott
I do put some blame on the parents as well as the teens . Parents are often unaware of the bullying problems and they only talk about it with their children to limited extent. However, it is the responsibility of the parents to be aware and to educate their child about discrimination, prejudice or bullying.
Lisa C.
Children beating on other children? While this is not entirely the fault of the respective parents and certainly these children need to take responsibility for their actions, there is plenty of blame to go around. Children learn from their parents, arguably, sometimes things go awry, this group trapping, holding, beating and then taping the beating is a sad testament to parents everywhere. Were the children so proud of what they did to her that they documented it videographically?
How did these children arrive at the decision to hold this child against her will in the first place and then proceceed to beat her? While this child may have done something to provoke this group attack the way the group handled this is so sad and scary. I must say that it is refreshing to have heard the judge handling them in matter of fact fashion. My heart aches for these children each one of them, how did they experience discipline in their formative years? The findings will not excuse what they have done it might shed some much needed light on a very dark situation.
For one of the parents to say that this beating was a mole hill turned into a mountain shows that the kids upbringing was totally to blame for this incident. This situation is nothing to take lightly. The girl could have permanent physical injuries as well as emotional scars. I hope the judge sets a precedent with their sentences to let others know that this behavior will not be tolerated.
This proves the point of parents not keeping track of where their children are and then as this mother on the show tonight was defending her daughter. You could tell she did not hold her daughter responsible for this reprehehsible act. Spoiled kids, that's what I say they are.
Stella
Gods holy bible states you will reap what you sew..it all begins in the home. Sandi
The problems with todays youth is that their parents stick up for and protect them and make excuses for them even when they are caught red-handed doing things that are against the law.
Hey Fred, you should be in jail with the parents. You miss the point. they are minor.
Is that mother stupid? She said that there was no hole in the wall, and couldn't understand how the girl that was beaten got a concussion. If the wall had given way, maybe she would NOT have had a concussion.
I am happy that justice is being served. My son Ethan was the victim in a conspiracy of murder by 5 of his classmates in his elementary school in May, 07. They had weapons and a plan.It went through family court. that was useless. they got probation after taking pleas:Conspiracy to commit murder and weapons possesion. He has orders of protections against all 5. The kids all still hang out together and were allowed back to school. Ethan attends private school because he can not emotinally handle being in the same school with the 5 animals who planned his murder.The school never apologized and have not helped us with tuition or counceling. It is a disgrace.We are left to pick up the pieces. If the principal had listened to Ethan when he tryed to tell him what he had heard and the plot to kill him maybe he would not have been so traumatized. The principal is gone now and the school district has continued to deny any responcebility.I blame the parents because I have seen what they allow their children to do.It is much easier to let them run wild then inforce rules.Violence in school and elsewhere will only get worse if the kids that plan it or do it keep getting off easy.. I am very happy that the kids involved in the beating are being tried as adults. I wish the kids in Ethans case had been tried in the same way.If anyone wants to know the story and what happen to my son, goggle Ethan Travis, it will have the incident.I hope the victim gets justice and relief for what has happended and I commend the judge who is handling the case. Thank You
Two comments:
1. I'm glad the kids are being tried as adults. I hope they, (and their parents), get everything they so richly deserve.
2. It's obvious that the nations' education system is failing, judging by the hideous spelling errors in many of these posts. Please folks, use spell check once in a while, OK?
I feel that while the parents should bear some responsibility for this crime, I don't feel like they are fully responsible. They should have been more aware of their kids' internet activity, as I understand that it (the internet) played a somewhat important role in this crime. I believe this crime focuses on how much responsibility and sensibility all of should exercise, and teach our kids to exercise on the internet.
Without knowing more details about the attacker's home situations, it is not possible for me to make a judgment call on the parents culpability. Based on intuition, it is easy to assess great blame on the parents. This may not be accurate for all. Some parents can do all the "correct" things and still have their child make very bad decisions. These teens are not puppets. Their decision making process is influenced by parents, but also by other significant relatives, religion (or lack thereof), school, the internet, and their peers. When a teen sees that there are no real consequences to their peers for their questionable actions, it can have an effect on their own decision making "process" -- an effect probably more significant than the influence of their parents. These teens made very bad decisions, and I'm sure they are beginning to realize that their decisions do have consequences!
The rotten apple does not fall far from the tree.
I am happy that justice is being served. My son Ethan was the victim in a conspiracy of murder by 5 of his classmates in his elementary school in May, 07. They had weapons and a plan.It went through family court. that was useless. they got probation after taking pleas:Conspiracy to commit murder and weapons possesion. He has orders of protections against all 5. The kids all still hang out together and were allowed back to school. Ethan attends private school because he can not emotinally handle being in the same school with the 5 animals who planned his murder.The school never apologized and have not helped us with tuition or counceling. It is a disgrace.We are left to pick up the pieces. If the principal had listened to Ethan when he tryed to tell him what he had heard and the plot to kill him maybe he would not have been so traumatized. The principal is gone now and the school district has continued to deny any responcebility.I blame the parents because I have seen what they allow their children to do.It is much easier to let them run wild then inforce rules.Violence in school and elsewhere will only get worse if the kids that plan it or do it keep getting off easy.. I am very happy that the kids involved in the beating are being tried as adults. I wish the kids in Ethans case had been tried in the same way.If anyone wants to know the story and what happen to my son, goggle Ethan Travis, it will have the incident.I hope the victim gets justice and relief for what has happended and I commend the judge who is handling the case. Thank You
A closer look into the rearing of these 8 animals needs to be initiated. I find it hard to believe that the parents of these animals couldn't have been oblivious to the heathenistic tendencies of these perps. I can't phathom what is gonig on the hearts and minds of the younger geneation. This shit sisn't go on when I was in school, but if anything like this had ever been talked of, the general rule of my generation and the people I was reared around would have been to beat the shit out of the ones thinking of doing such. The one mother that lead fox news through the has where the violence was perpetrated comes as being very cynical, fox news shouldn't give this this woman the time of day. For this woman to event attempt to disclaim what happened to this little girl is a pretty good indicator of where her child (and I use the term loosely) such behavior arose from. MAN I'M LIVID CONCERNING THIS MATTER.
Isn't this whole thing just about I don't know say 100000000 times blown out of proportion? Those kids never have been in a system of discipline and now FL THE WORST STATE EVER with regards to criminal "justice" is going to go full tilt on some punk kids. Too bad FL does not do this with say murders and rapists. I am sure there will be a reality show in the works soon for these kids. The whole story is a JOKE.
I think that the media needs to show all of the girls being hauled off in handcuffs and then remind everbody that they are going to be tried as adults, . instead of showing the fighting video over and over again and then maybe some of these spoiled kids will get a clue how it is in the real world. I'm sure by this time all of the parents are all trying to blame each other, and how thier daughter really was just a by stander. I've seen it many times.
New to this site. After posting my original comment I read what others had to say. One can see which are written by another teen...no responsibility. My question...is there any way All Of These Comments can be Printed and presented to the accused and their parents? What a wake up call that would be to them all. Majority rules and they "ain't" in the majority.
We need to teach right from wrong to out children and the consequences of bad behaviour. That is the responsibility and the role of the parents. Also, let not loose spiritual perpective, we need to teach the the spiritual love and behaviour that our Lord has show us, this will contribute to bring up model citizens in the love of our Lord.
These children most likely represent many "average" children. Their parents probably raised them to the best of their ability. I don't know what makes people act in inappropriate ways, but after they do, as these children did, it is too late to change your mind. Hope this would be a lesson for other children that think this would be a "cool" thing to do. They are old enough to know right from wrong, and they made the choice to do wrong, not their parents. Raising children is the hardest job a person could ever have.
I raised my children that if they ever got in trouble with authority at school with a teacher, principal, whatever, don't come crying on my shoulder! They'll be punished as they should be and take responsibility for their actions! Too many kids aren't afraid of any repercussions. They have no limits at home, their parents blame 'others' for the lack of control they have. My children are finishing up college now and are extremely responsible, respect others, and respect themselves! A little discipline 'early on' goes a long way!
OSCAR STEVENS ...WHAT YOU SAID IS THE MOST INTELLIGENT STATEMENT I HAVE HEARD FROM AN AMERICAN IN 20 YEARS.
GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIEND, IF THERE WERE ONLY 290 MILLION MORE LIKE YOU, WE WOULDNT BE DISCUSSING THIS.
I'm a 16year old high school student and I think these attacks are pathetic. There are other ways to deal with people you don't like. Ganging up on her like that and video taping the whole thing shows that these teens are stupid jerks. While the girl being beat up might have done something mean, she didn't deserve that. These kids aren't ready for the real world if that's how they deal with their problems with their peers. I heard that they were laughing as they were taken to jail and asked if they would be released in time for cheer practice! Get real!
It's up to the parents to teach their children from right to wrong and this was just totally innapropriate and have should of never happened.
Persecution? Yes you liberal idiot.
I believe that some of the blame is on the parents in this situation. The blame I set on the parents here is that they, in my opinion, never made thier children take full responsibility for thier actions in return have given them the false belief that there are no consequenses for horrific acts such as this.
Actions such as this one proves our society, as it stands today, has lead our children to believe that they can get away with anything. If these girls had just one thought of what the consequences of thier actions would be they may not have followed threw with this horrible act of sheer violence. We need to start teaching our children at a young age that they are to take full responsiblilty for thier actions and that there are consequences. Not consistantly lay full blame on the parents or pass it off as "oh well, kids will be kids".
I hope each of the eight kidnapers gets the fullest and harshest penalty available. As a parent to watch the victum get beaten the she did, is repugnant and sickening. I can't imagine if that was my daughter getting beaten like that. Those eight punks are monsters. I ESPECIALLY THINK THE MAIN FEMALE ABUSER SHOULD GET LIFE IN PRISON.
I just saw your show tonight, April 11, and can not believe that Mercedes' grandmother said Torri (Victoria) was not kidnapped! When a person is held against their will that is kidnapping. Also stating there is no mark on the wall where she was given the concussion, is in denial. After watching Victoria's parents' news conference Victoria thought she was going to die during this horrific ordeal. When I first saw this video I was so deeply affected by this senseless brutal violence. I am a middle school teacher of 7th and 8th grade teens and they have their tiffs, but this is absolutely just brutal violence. I am glad they will be tried as adults. I hope all 8 teens involved are convicted and given life in prison. They will be kept off the streets from doing this to anyone else again. I just don't understand why these teens think they can set up another teen just to show off this video on U-Tube as an enjoyment piece. This beating was premeditated and lasted for a half-hour of terror for Victoria.
of how violence in high school is so terrible.
As a parent (and a teacher with an MA in Education), I know that some things-- MINOR things like a child attempting to cheat on a test or trying a puff on a cigarette at a party-- will happen. THIS is not the same. These girls and boys were obviously allowed to act like thugs without repercussion in their lives for quite some time for it to have gotten SO outrageously out of control. I think we should not only charge these kids as adults and lock them away as long as is humanly possible, but also charge their parents as accessories to the crimes-- it is as much their fault as their children's that this happened. A child doesn't go this far astray without someone either modeling this behavior in the home or neglecting poor behavior on the part of the child-- either of which is dispicable.
I blame the society and what people perceive as being permissable and acceptable behavior in classroom and in public. They show no respect to authority, parents and elderly. there is a new generation out there in the world.... they dress, talk and behave differently than how we were raised, they even listen to a different type of violence mixed so called music. Blame is in our society and what is now so called "acceptable". May God help all of us if these kids have to take care of us elderly folks someday...
I don't know all the facts, but ganging up on ONE person is inexcusable. Yes, I blame the parents. From what I have seen, they seem to be defending what their kids did, and MANY of those kids do not look the least bit remorseful.
I was in high school once too, and people got in fights all the time, but I don't buy Mercedes story that she was afraid of these girls. If she WAS afraid of them, why did she let them in the house?
Mercedes and her family have control of their home....they could always have told these people to leave the house. Mercedes especially could have told them to leave. All she seem worried about was those precious shelves.
Judges should start taking harsher action against kids like this. Make them do time....they are so big, mean, & tough....lets see how tough they are in prison!
But sentences now are only a slap on the wrist. Parents defend the actions of their kids or worse, they don't even care, so many of the kids in this case will only go on to do worse things.
I heard one of the mothers said the victim deserved it....she was talking *smack* about others and she should have been able to back up her words.
Parents encourage their kids to do many of the things they do. Start fining the parents for what the kids do, and I bet parents will start taking an interest in who and what their kids are involved in.
The only thing that parents seem to care about is money. When it starts costing them money, trust me, there will be changes!
Take their computers away....that should keep the kids off My Space and their grades will probably improve too!
If I were the judge, I'd make sure they would not own or use a computer until they were of legal age and out of high school.
I bet this doesn't stop here.....these kids will hurt this girl again, trust me, because they are going to blame HER for what they did!
Right now, there are no consequences for their actions.
I have a friend who has 15 year old twin girls. These kids are constantly in trouble, and mostly semi-violent stuff. Starting fights on the bus mostly. And every single time something happens, mom defends them and says it was either some other kid that started the fight or some such crap. She's even said the bus driver "had it in" for her kids. this is the type of parent that breeds the type of behavior we've seen in this case. If the beating had been in my town I would have been searching the video to see if my friend's girls were in it. What scares me is that this is starting to look like normal behavior for parents. It's very frightening.
The mother must of known what was going on from the yelling I think she should be locked up in a room with women an beat. I just saw her showing off the house on the news and she showed no remorse for the girl who got beat.Im disgusted...!
The level of degradation they inflicted on this girl speaks of how little they value themselves. To minimize what took place, these parents, and all those that stood and watched, waiting for thier opportunity to add to the abuse - it is repulsive - beyond words.
The court clips you just showed, to see the faces, covered with a bowed head, diverting their eyes, I do not believe it reflects shame or remorse. I believe it reflects disrespect and disregard for authority, and a sense of entitlement to behave they way they wish without question.
And Greta, please cease from showing the graphic details of the fight. It serves no one to continue playing the video - you're putting them in a glamorized spotlight. I'm sure they love it. Please, stop showing the video, but please keep us posted on what happens in the case. Thank You.
Lock them all up...kids, parents, friends and anyone else involved. After some jail time, let them do community service for a few years. If they cannot act like humans after that, put them all on a ship and send them to some barbaric island where their behavior will be more of a necessity than an offense committed on a civil society.
the parents of thease kids need to take some of the blame but i really hope thease kids do not get away with this i hope they all go to jail for it.judge needs to send a massage and give thease kid the max for this
Lighten up, Joe...I've been a conservative since I worked to try to elect Goldwater in 1964.....
There are some parents that don't care what there teens do and some parents try there best and still have bad kids.You can't blame them for what there kids do.These teens are not little children.With that said,For the parents who do not care about ther kids. Here is a Raseberry for them :P
HEY, jAMES pell ceck this
Right on Big Al
I'm 19. I believe the parents are partially to blame, but of course the majority of the blame goes to these girls. This makes me sick because older people see me and they often link me to things like this. Not all of us young people were raised badly. Some of us have good parents and want to make this world a better place. Some of us do our best to be helpful and good and benefit others. Don't stereotype all young people.
These are the actions of children who from a young age were not taught the values of love and respect for fellow humans. Yes, any kid can rebel but this tape showed something far deeper than that. Now we will here the parents trying to cover up for their kid’s actions. This in itself points to parent problem number one. Don’t deal with the problem just make excuses. Now society must deal with the problem and try to change these teens rotten attitude and animalistic behavior.
Of course in this day and age, kids out there often get into things before parents have any idea of it; however, I do believe that in cases like this, where kids are inflicting pain and misery on other kids, it shows that the parents have not been successful (either through non-effort or just didn't get a point across) in raising their children properly. Any kid from any family is subject to dangers of modern society, i.e., drugs and alcohol, but that is a case of their self-inflicting pain and being influenced by peers. I think that when the children have no qualms about hurting another person, such as these kids did, it could be showing they had a lack of moral training, but that is an assumption and a conclusion based on opinion, not necessarily on fact. These "kids" are in serious trouble, as they should be. They should be held responsible for their actions; they are old enough to have known better, training or not! It's easy enough to lay the blame for their behavior on their parents, but we do not know for a fact that those parents did not work hard to try to teach them better; we only assume that is the case. Nor do we know all the circumstances of the lives of each of these kids and their parents. I was appalled at the mother/gmother on TV tonight obviously trying to play down the injuries of the girl who was beaten up, and trying to throw a better light on what these kids did. Parents taking up for their kids no matter what those kids do is a problem everywhere! And therein lies much of the problem. It's important to let kids know that they are not expected to always be perfect, that if they make a mistake and goof up, we still love them and accept them, but it's equally important to let them know in no uncertain terms that behavior such as these kids exhibited will not be tolerated and they will be held responsible for it. Otherwise, they will do it again, or worse. Blame the parents? Maybe. But these kids must pay the price for their crimes themselves. Seeing their kids go to prison will be punishment enough for the parents.
I am so outraged by this video and the teens involved.
Parents are not involved as they should be with their kids. I place partial blame on them.
The mother of Mercedes is so blind to what her daughter took part in.
The evidence speaks for itself!
Wake up parents. Teach your children when they are small what's right and wrong and maybe this country would be a better place!
Our society is fractured and in danger of collapse. When we take prayer out of schools we open the door for evil. The message we send to our children is - anything goes. Our children are some what confused when they ascertain the possibility that they could have been one of the over 49 million innocent boys and girls sacrificed on the altar of a "woman's right to choose.
Children are a product of their parents! It is such a shame that so many people with children are unfit to be parents and the rest of society pays for it. Lack of proper upraising of children is the root of almost all the crime the rest of us becomes subjected to. How many times do you see the crimes of a murderer, gangster, or many other criminals have their criminal careers blamed on their childhood. You have to have a license to drive a car, but anyone can have a child. As crazy as it sounds, maybe those who want to be parents should have to pass some kind of a parenting course to recieve a license first BEFORE they have a child!
Oscar Stevens....I agree with you..if we would only take 5 minutes a day to teach our children the teachings of our Lord we would have a much better word.
There is NO EXCUSE for these children’s behavior, NONE. If alone they are probably good kids, but in a pack, like wolves, they attack. They should be shoot into the ADULT COURT SYSTEM. These kids should be made an example of and publicize the outcome to teach kids there are consequences! Make an example of them.
A mother on here mentioned that she has a daughter that is 14 and she has engaged in some activities and had no idea what she was doing. Well, first off that is a big problem but it is your job as a parent to bring your child up and teaching them right from wrong at the beginning, even when they are a baby. When you teach your children right from wrong, they still may make bad choices, but they more than likely not kidnap someone and then beat them. If a child is brought up correctly, that will not happen. Any parent that says, I can't control my child is just using that as an excuse for their lack of parenting and guilt. If you have a child, it is your job, not society or schools to teach your child social skills and right and wrong choices. When this generation becomes adults, it is going to be a scary world.
Robert. See Big Al's comment.
I hope these girls get a lot of jail time as they certainly deserve it. Funny, these girls did not look so tough in court. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the victim.
Even if the parents of those teens failed to teach their children self restraint and to respect for others, every one of those kids knows right from wrong. Those teens knew what they were doing was wrong. It was their choice alone to make, not their parents.
I blame the parents. Yes. You can't excuse the children for their actions and not hold the parents responsible. Someone is responsible. Personally, I feel that when children that age do these type things it comes from somewhere. If these children developed this attitude from their parents then punish the children and the parents. If the children developed this attitude from their environment then again, punish the parents and the children. Any way you look at it both the parents and the chilldren should be punished. The parents have much to be ashamed of in this situation and should be punished. But, the children must be punished also. Otherwise, how do they learn? The parents should also be punished. Otherwise, how do we all learn? GET A GRIP ON IT AMAERICA!!!! We're going to the dogs with this "it ain't my problem" and "they're only children" attitude. I'm tired of hearing "excuses" for people's actions.
I would like to open up claiming that this is a horrible thing to happen. The question here is, "Are the parents to blame?" I would have to ignore the role parenting has on the attitudes and morals of our children; yes, the parents are to blame.
I also believe that the children cannot fall back on their parents' responsibility in this incident. These kids obviously have some misunderstanding that their actions are not their responsibility. The parenting of these kids have failed in teaching social standards held all people. Kids will be kids? Yes; act accordingly. That's okay. Kids will be criminals? Yes; act accordingly. It's terrible to have to get to this level of law on chldren, but at this point, enough is enough.
The nature of children is to test their limits. From the youngest of babies to the beatnicks in college, and sadly beyond schooling (MJ). With three million people in the united states, it's not out of the question to assume that their will be failures in parenting. These parents may have had the best interest in the teens' rearing, but did not follow through on what company the children kept around themselves or the nature of their kids' humor or passion.
For those of you who said yes, awesome. For those of you who said no, shame on your ignorance. For those of you who said not sure, you must want to know more about the story. This nature was beyond any self defence. This was not a one on one dispute. That's enough.
For those of you who said "no blame". What this an accident? Did these children just randomly do this? No. I would like you to imagine telling the victim that there is no one to blame. Tell here that it was not a criminal act. Tell her that her health insurance and her money should pay for her hospital and medication expenses. Tell this girl, who just wanted to leave, who was confused by the incident's nature, that she was just at the wrong place at the wrong time, and there's no one to blame. I would not say just shame on your ignorance, but may god be mercy on your soul.
When a child is born, the only people in that room is the mother, sometimes the father and medical personnel. From that moment on it is the responsibility of the parents to raise that child. Unfortunately in this country we have to take tests to get a driver's license and a hunting license. Yet everyday at my job, no one has to take a test for a marriage license or has to take a test to obtain a parent license. Perhaps we should. What is more important than the life of a child? What is more important than guiding a child, teaching them right from wrong and raising them to be responsible adults? If perhaps the adults were tested to see if they were responsible enough to raise a child, and if they failed were prosecuted, similar to violation of motor vehicle and fish and game laws, were held accountable for their actions, we would have a lot less troubled children. Does this sound outlandish and drastic? Well, aren't the actions of teenagers and their parents just as outlandish and outrageous?
FRACTURED SOCIETY ????? AMERICA HAS ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE AND THE OTHER ON A BANANA PEEL.....OBAMA IS READY AND WILLING TO FILL IN THE HOLE.
Taking responsibility for your behavior. When you do wrong you pay the piper. Kids have to start learning when very very young. Look what happens when God is taken out of the home and NOT let in the schools. Blame the parents, the school, and the government. The left is taking over. I am 60. When I was young you just didn't see this type of behavior but we had Rules and they HAD to be followed. Spankings, NOT BEATINGS, were still allowed and consequences were greater. We respected our teachers, our family and our elders. Never were school shootings. The Only time GOD is allowed is WHEN there is a catastrophe at the school, than no one complains. Its a sad world we live in and it will only get worse. The Obamas, the Soros's, the left wing will keep us down this sad path. More kids having babys, MORE abortions, more killings more people expecting the government to bail them out, more irresponsibiltiy and for those of us who don't go down those paths WE ARE PUNISHED BY HAVING TO PAY FOR THOSE THAT DO. SAD! Makes me want to weep.
It is clear from the video that at least one parent is trying to excuse her daughter's violent, illegal behavior. I suspect that this attitude of covering and excusing her daughter's anti-social, cruel and bullying behaviors is a pattern with this mother. That is one reason that her daughter thought it acceptable to participate in the violent plot against the victim. I also imagine that some of the other parents may be of the same mind, trying to excuse away their children's illegal behavior. They teach their children that there is NO personal responsibility and NO consequences for anti-social and violent behaviors. Sadly, it will be up to society to teach that lesson to these children that their parents should have taught.
I think I blame society more than the parents.
Ditto....Right on Big Al....
I am the Mom of 2 teenage daughters and feel the parents are totally to blame. Is's obvious the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. My rule is no one comes over when I'm not home and if they do a neighbor will call. I also am a single parent.
in my home when children were small we talked about being kind to others. I would hear stories about kids in their classes that were not popular & we would discuss it. Anyway I think the lack of teaching by parents is a serious problem in this country. The parents have to suck it up and they are to blame.
I live in Florida and the crime in here is worst than when I lived in New York. These girls and boys should go to jail for the rest of their life. What they did is dispicable and they need to be punish severely for their actions. The problem is that we do not really hold the parents and these children accountable. I think if parents are held accountable they will start disciplining their children.
It is clear from the video that at least one parent is trying to excuse her daughter's violent, illegal behavior. I suspect that this attitude of covering and excusing her daughter's anti-social, cruel and bullying behaviors is a pattern with this mother. That is one reason that her daughter thought it acceptable to participate in the violent plot against the victim. I also imagine that some of the other parents may be of the same mind, trying to excuse away their children's illegal behavior. They teach their children that there is NO personal responsibility and NO consequences for anti-social and violent behaviors. Sadly, it will be up to society to teach that lesson to these children that their parents should have taught.
I believe parents or guardians are responsible for children. I only wish we would revamp our criminal justice system to include children, pre-adult and adult consequenses. These are not adults and it would seem to me that these pre-adults need something different than prison to have any hope of getting them back on track to being responsible, productive adults. Punish by all means but wouldn't it be better for them to experience sane, responsible parenting at the same time?
Unfortunately, it seems that our society is producing something less than responsible parents with "family" values and there may not be enough adults that are willing to take on the task. I also think parenting has become much more difficult with the restrictions that government has placed on them. Do we require that parents learn parenting skills before that precious baby is placed in their care? What does our society expect when children are having children and no one is teaching them how to cope with the demands that are made on parents to try to produce a caring, thoughtful, productive adult?
After listening to the mother of the girl who lived in the house where it happened, and the grandmother , it's obvious that these people are seriously flawed "human beings" and should not have children - sterilization doesn't sound like a bad option sometimes.
Joe.....my comment had to do with my critique of some peoples' use of language....persecute vs. prosecute....I agree with you and with big al
I hope the judge assigned to this case takes it very seriously and if the facts prove to be true as shown on the video, give them at least a year in jail for each act. Parents need to know what their children are doing and be responsible for their actions. It would appear from what I have seen and heard so far, the parents of those involved in this beating are not blaming their children. Good reporting, keep it up.
April 3 two girls, 10 and 11 in Erie, PA attacked another 10 year old girl on the playground, stomping on her and breaking her hip. She has 3 pins in her hip and may need a hip relacement. This little girl had asked the two hoodlums to stop splashing water on her little sister!
Two teachers in Baltimore have been beaten by students recently the beatings taped.
Bravo to the authorities in Florida who charged these crumbs as adults!!!
This is a good beginning...
This kind of behavior is street gang behavior, plain and simple. These kids may not be in a stated gang, like 18th Street or whatever, but it's all the same. It seems like there have always been little cliques that form at schools, and sometimes they could be mean to others, gossiping, giggling and playing dirty tricks, but it was mostly just snubbing those with whom they didn't wish to associate. Today, it seems, it's not enough to just ignore these people, but one must inflict physical pain. This is typical gang activity. It's time to make changes in our laws to increase the punishment on this type of behavior with a gang enhancement even though the perpetrators have not claimed to be members of a specific gang.
Yes, Brett, spell check is our friend. :)
It's sad to see such behavior. Clearly our generation - the baby boomers- are failures as parents! We haven't past on the values and mores we learned from our parents. We've let the TV and all the electronic stuff take over - it was too easy!
TEACHING THE WORD OF THE LORD.......LIBERALS WOULD MAKE THAT A FELONY...THEY HAVE SUCCEEDED IN MAKING RELIGION SOMETHING TO RIDICULE IN AMERICA....WELL...EXCEPT FOR ISLAM....THE ONLY RELIGION LIBERALS CONSIDER LEGITIMATE AND WORTH GOVERNMENT FUNDING.
Parents are responsible for their children. Today there is no discipline, responsibility or morals taught to children. The girls should be punished and the teacher incident should never happen. Lets bring punishment back into the school. I worked in the school system when a paddle to the butt kept all the children in line. Never saw many come to the principles office. Our country is falling apart.
These young people are responsible for their own actions and need to be punished severely. I was raised in a house where we attended church every Sunday and was involved in youth fellowship. We had the best of everything. We were taught right from wrong and all the rest. However, my brother involved himself with drugs (started with selling pot and advanced to being a herion addict). All of the children except my brother are college graduates. My parents are not at fault for my brothers outcome. Not all the parents of these kids are at fault for their kids behavior. Some parents probably are. However, the bottom line is that these young people are responsible for what they did. Many of the young kids of today have no respect, no manners, no heart, and blame someone other than themselves, for their problems.
RAY: Those are NOt the baby boomers. We are older and were taught better as kids. We rec'd spankings (NOT BEATINGS) and we learned respect. These are the grand children of a "new" generation. God is not in the Home. He's NO LONGER ALLOWED ANYWHERE. Thats the problem. Its not just in the home, its all over sadly to say. Us baby boomers lived an entirely different life!
We all predicted this when the government decided that Doctor Spock was sane and that parents were no longer allowed to be parents. Parents were arrested and their careers ended because some spoiled brat was told in school to report their parents for all sorts of things when in actuality the parent just told them that they coudn't stay out all night at a drinking party. Maybe they just told a 3rd grader that they had to do time out. Well, now we have generations of THOSE CHILDREN...that are supposed to express themselves. They forgot that in real life we are animals...and need to be trained when born. We are now SPEEDING towards a lawless, no consequence society. Enjoy...
Finally had someone that makes sense in raising kids. Rose Rock I raised my son on my on and told him I was dad not a friend. He had a choice do what I say or he would do what I said. He's now overseas defending our country. Parents need to be parents.
To Kim who posted at 10:15 p.m. and has a 14 yr old.
How could you say that you have no control or knowledge of what your daughter wants you to know?
This is the type of BS that i'm talking about. Parents that think that their children rule their home. She is 14 and she does not pay the bills. You need to communicate with your child.
These are the children that get into trouble because you have no control of what your child "wants" you to know! What gives them the right to let you know what they want you to know?
I don't want to bring religion into this but what happened to the commandent that says "honor your father and mother".
Until they are 18, they must obey their parents.
GOOD NIGHT MY GOOD FRIENDS...
Please vote REPUBLICAN to preserve whatever American tradition we have left.
I did a full research on the DEMOCRATIC PARTY....my friends, it's all there if you look it up....I found 50 members SO FAR linked to crime, corruption, sexual assault, bribery, perjury, fraud, prostitution, murder and some in jail. IT IS ORGANIZED CRIME...there is no other way to describe it.
Conservatives must organize and END IT this November.
NO! I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT THINK THE PARENTS ARE TO BLAME. THOSE GIRLS ARE OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW BETTER. THEIR PARENTS CAN'T FOLLOW THEM AROUND 24/7 TO POLICE THEM. I'M SURE IF THE PARENTS KNEW THEY WERE PLANNING THIS ATROCITY THEY WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO STOP IT. THOSE GIRLS DESERVE WHAT THEY GET FOR DOING SOMETHING SO STUPID. I'M SURE THE PARENTS TAUGHT THEM AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIFE RIGHT FROM WRONG JUST LIKE YOU PROBABLY TAUGHT YOURS. IT'S JUST THESE GIRLS LET OTHERS INFLUENCE THEIR BEHAVIOUR. I HOPE THEY HAVE TO WORK FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS TO REPAY THAT POOR GIRL FOR HER MEDICAL BILLS AND FOR PAIN AND SUFFERING. NO MATTER WHAT THAT GIRL DID TOANY OF THEM, IT DIDN'T WARRANT SUCH A BEATING. THERE ARE OTHER MEANS OF DEALING WITH A DISAGREEMENT. IT'S TIME THE VIOLENCE STOPS!!!!!! WE ARE ALL SICK AND TIRED OF IT.
HEY PAMELA...YOU ARE OUT OF TOUCH.....THIS IS JUST FOR YOU
Lock them all up...kids, parents, friends and anyone else involved. After some jail time, let them do community service for a few years. If they cannot act like humans after that, put them all on a ship and send them to some barbaric island where their behavior will be more of a necessity than an offense committed on a civil society.
Janice...we need to teach our children at a young age right from wrong and guide them spiritually...and show them that life has two path ... the path of righteousness and the path of that will not take you anywhere and give them examples, if when they are 18 years old and beyond they decide to take the bad path...we as parents when we look back can say to ourselves we did our best, we guided them and we show them good from wrong but they decided to take the wrong path...they now need to pay the consequences...its still our responsbility as part of our role and parents.
These girls are old enough to know better! The parents are not to blame at all! I'm sure the parents would have stopped the teens had they known what was going to happen. These girls need to grow up and they deserve everything they get. They are 16 & 17, give me a break. Im in total agreement with Pamela. I never at 17 would have thought about something like this. This is getting out of control!
WHAT IS IT WITH THIS MOM? Felony kidnapping (someone please explain what kidnapping is to this mom) and felony assault resulting in great bodily injury. Her daughter should go away for a long, long time...
God is great, God is good....been reading the comments here...religion notwithstanding, common decency and respect for others is essential to a civilized society...if parents don't have it and don't teach it, the kids won't exhibit it either..and if they are the future, I feel sorry for generations to come
All these kids need to be held responsible for their actions, we have elementery kids planning to kill their teacher, students beating their teachers and other students. All this violence shown on the internet and these kids laughing and trying to out do what they see. While the parents no not teach their children right from wrong. These kids are looking for their five minutes of glory. If I were the parents of these violent kids I would worry about if they will turn on me if they don't get their way or to want to seek the spot light on the internet or news. Moral values began at home and our courts should hold these violent kids responsible and just not a slap on the wrist and then turn them loose on society. Kids now days are so arrogant and do not respect human life or others. Our congress and courts are too blame also doing nothing to stop drugs, sex, and violence in our culture which affects our children. There is common sense to what is appropiate behavior and what is not appropiate behavior, freedon of speech is being abused to the corruption of our children.
Corrine - I'm a baby boomer and luckily my kids are okay - not Angels but okay. These kids may not be the kids of boomers - but I know a lot of boomers who have kids in their teens and I could see them doing something this stupid. I don't think they would understand how wrong, brutal and serious this is.
These parents (all 8) need to be sentenced to community service, for a period of time equal to the amount of the jail sentence each child receives. The children, after completing their sentences, should also be required to provide a year of community service.
Hopefully, this will teach the parents the definition of devotion and respect for others. The children will learn that there are consequences for actions, regardless of what their parents failed to teach them. Hopefully they will also learn empathy for others.
I am amazed at that mother. She does not appear to grasp the seriousness of the situation. She does not appear to be able to have empathy for the victim or feel shame for her daughter. I can't say I am surprised to see her young daughter in such trouble, given that this mother seems to have a bit of her humanity missing. I feel bad for all involved, but this type of behavior is becoming far too common. This needs to stop here and now. I hope the judge will understand the facts and send a message to our society that we still believe in the rule of law in this country. If these young people are found guilty, they need to do some real time.
These parents (all 8) need to be sentenced to community service, for a period of time equal to the amount of the jail sentence each child receives. The children, after completing their sentences, should also be required to provide a year of community service.
Hopefully, this will teach the parents the definition of devotion and respect for others. The children will learn that there are consequences for actions, regardless of what their parents failed to teach them. Hopefully they will also learn empathy for others.
I am 25 years old with a 14 month old daughter so i am a mom now. I put my parents through everythings you can possibly imagine when i as a teenager, even until i was 21. They always thought they were good at knowing and keeping tabs on what i was doing, with who, and so on. They tried hard and when i got caught, i did get in trouble. But they had NO IDEA what was really going on with me. It was so much worse than they could've dreamed at that time because i was an honar student and i had "good" friends and i didn't get in trouble at school or with the law. (At least not for a few years). They were semi clueless even though they tried to be plugged into me. It is sooooo easy for teens to get over on their parents, and pray that when my daughter is a teenager i learned enough from whenI was a teen to catch all the little signs that they do give off when they are into something bad or doing something they shouldn't or lying and i know from experience what they all are. You have to be VIGILANT as a parent. I wish with all my heart my parents had found out the severity of what i was doing long before they did. The parents of the teens that beat up that helpless girl are to blame to a point- you must live on the same planet as your kids. You must know them well, whatever it takes. You must be quick to pick up sihgnals and signs and catch them in little inconsistensies. I know all this because i lived it as a teenage girl and now i am a mother of a one year old and she BETTER NOT EVER be like i was, and i will do all i can as every parent should to be plugged into her life and all that happens in it.
From the parents' reactions to date, it is clear why the teenagers thought they could do what they want and get away with it. The parents have not closely monitored their children or taught them "personal responsibility," the key element to achieving adulthood. The parents insist on supporting their young criminals, who should be adjudicated as adults for their outrageous treatment of a peer. It's sickening, and would not have happened in my (eariler) time. We have only to look towards the art teacher who was beaten by her students, with the resulting video intended to be shown on MySpace. I know that I'm a dinosaur, but I'm worried that these young criminals are going to be invoved my future, as servers, caregivers and driving on the same roads with me. Nothing is ever their fault. How depressing, and frightening.
by the way, was that mother featured on drugs? She had no empathy and seemed to have no cares in the world while showing off where the fight happend and the door and the wall that were in the video. She said nothing empathetic about the girl who was beaten. Does her brain fail to wrap around the seriousness, the viciousness, and the terror and pain her own kid and others caused the victim? What a spacey empty "mother."
To Corrine: AMEN! I agree 100%
To Pamela: Kids imitate what they see at home & Mom & Dad are the role models. It starts when they are young.
In Mercedes case, her mother was on the television...she herself said Mercedes lives with her grandmother. Why doesn't she, (Mercedes) live with her own mother?
How can someone be slamming and yelling in your house without you hearing it? Mercedes Mom defends Mercedes. She says there wasn't a mark on the wall where the victim supposedly got a concussion. I guess she would have been happier if there would have been blood on the wall to prove the girl did get a concussion? PUHLEEZE!
So you see.....we saw the video that shows this girl being beat, the girls mom saw it, and yet she doubts there was a concussion, which tells me that mom clearly wasn't concerned about any of it....it was ok because there wasn't blood on the wall.
That is exactly the kind of *parenting* and attitude that goes into molding these kids. The message they get is "well, if no blood is shed, its ok". or "as long as I am not caught, its ok", or "violence is ok as long as someone makes me mad".
Its NOT ok. The victim didn't fight back, she didn't WANT to fight back, and the girls were trying to force her to do that.
Watch the faces of the boys as the judge is reading them a few "do's and don'ts". One of them looks as the judge is talking to him the other one rolls his eyes, and shakes his head no ever so slightly....as if to say, "yeah right...who is gonna make me do it?"
Throw the book at those kids...make examples of them, and hit the parents with a HEFTY fine....give those parents a wake up call!
Yes parents ARE to blame. They are too busy to check into what their kids are doing.
What if this girl had been severely hurt.....to the point where she was bound to a wheelchair for life? Is that what it will take before parents wake up?
Funny...parents take an interest when their kids are missing or hurt, but not when their kids are doing the hurting or damage to someone else.
If this was Mercedes that was beat up, I bet her mom would see this in a much different way, wouldn't she? So would the other parents....but it wasn't their kids, so that makes it all OK...to them anyway!
But life has a way of coming back and biting you in the arse. One day, one of these kids just might be a victim of a beating. I want to hear what their parents say then!
These kids’ parents should be held to blame. If more parents were held responsible for their children’s actions, we might not see as much of the delinquent behavior we see or read about. I understand that kids when they reach a certain age can be incorrigible, but had the parents instilled good values in their children and taught them to distinguish between right and wrong from infancy, the likelihood of these kids making the decision to participate in this deplorable crime would have been greatly reduced. The sad truth is that a lot of parents these days are not being parents. Parenting has been reduced to simply plopping a child in front of a TV. If parents aren’t willing to put in the time to raise a child to at least know the difference between right and wrong, then they shouldn’t be having children to begin with. Being a parent is the most difficult thing a person can do in his/her lifetime and it should not be taken lightly as it so often is these days.
yes,the parents are to blame.the goverment needs to get out of the schools and put GOD back in. i can't name one person that it hurt to say the morning prayer , the pledge of allegiance or to be paddled at school and when mom and dad found out there was another whipping waiting when we got home. no this wouldn't have happened 20 years ago because we knew better,thanks to our parents.
One more thing....and this is big! Many parents think its perfectly ok for their kids to spend their time playing these violent games where they are killing people on these game boys and other such games.
Why? 'Cuz it keeps them quiet and out of the way! But you know what, all the violence these kids are watching, playing, and acting out is NOT good for them, and probably partly to blame for all this violence young kids are exhibiting!
Think about it...when you play a game, watch a really good movie or book, don't you *get into it*?
I know when I read a REALLY good book, I get into it....and I don't like to be interrupted or bothered while I am reading it.
Well, kids are the same way! When they are playing these violent games they also *really get into* their game. The difference between me and them is that I KNOW my book is a just a book, but their game can become their REALITY!
The anger & frustration can build up inside of them and they can start taking out that anger & frustration on others. Eventually, they get *lost*!
Why can't parents start demanding everyone eat meals together, and spend time together as a FAMILY? Parents NEED to take the lead and take their families back and then maybe kids will follow.
God IS a necessity in their lives, but yes, people are shutting Him out of everything! Is it any wonder that these things are happening? The Bible says parents will kill their kids, kids will kill their parents, and all you have to do is watch the news, its happening all over the world!
To Pamela:
How could you say that the parents are not to blame? They at least have partial blame.
Are you a parent?
To all the women and men out there that decide to have a child whether planned or unplanned:
Take responsibilty for your actions. Raise your child with morals. What you teach your child at a young age will reflect in the future.
God Bless all you who have children. I pray that you teach your children to grow up to be stand up citizens.
Most parents are not in control of their children. They are not teaching their children about respect, responsiblilty, choices, accountability, and most of all about God. The behavior of the 8 teenagers appeared to be diabolic.
RAY; I guess its any kids Ray, BUT I really think the children of today are different from when I was a child. I'm now 60. Its so different today its scary. The biggest thing was knowing your friend smoked a cigarette. No kids that I knew of were pregnant, no one was beating anyone up. I remember a boy punched me in the arm and I thought that was horrendous. No body threatened or tried to kill the teachers, no one brought guns to school. There just wasn't anything serious like there is today. It started in our home with respect.
What we've got here is failure to communicate.
Maybe if this amoral society stopped violence in the womb (called "Choice"), we'd have less violence outside the womb as well.
The parents of these 8 vicious young people are TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE for the actions of their children. These kids must pay the full price for their actions ( big jail time ) and the parents should be sued for averything they have or ever will have for failing to raise without any values. However, I doubt if any judge has the guts to force the issue. Today's justice system ( or lack there of ) must share in the responsibility for the actions of these kids because they have become soft on all crime. But then isn't that what the Socialist Democrats want for all America?
Also, I do think the parents are to blame but not entirely. The government says not to punish your kids to severely so now the kids threaten the parents. We've had problems with divorced family member and their children. The father had threatened the mother and she was afraid of turning her daughter over to him. Guess who the law protects? Not the kid. The law says the father can have the kid so no matter what, he or she gets the child. Look what happened to the father who killed his kids because of a bitter divorce. The law, even knowing the man was a mental case, sided with him. Our laws are not very good and whats crazy is they are not uniform. Every judge determines things differently so there is nothing absolute. Our Country started out "In God We Trust" and now is no longer!
Loved Chris Rock's Mother. Each parent of these kids should have had to read the book and do a book report on it before they could have bailed out their idiot kids. Hey Greta. I thought the judge smacked a gag order on this case. Why is your show interviewing that "whiney" mother again. If there is a gag order shouldn't the mother and who ever interviewed her be in contempt of that gag order and be arrested for violating said gag order. I'm sure the sheriff would be if he talks about it. Hey your the Lawyer, if I'm wrong tell me.
The parents of these 8 vicious young people are TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE for the actions of their children. These kids must pay the full price for their actions ( big jail time ) and the parents should be sued for averything they have or ever will have for failing to raise without any values. However, I doubt if any judge has the guts to force the issue. Today's justice system ( or lack there of ) must share in the responsibility for the actions of these kids because they have become soft on all crime. But then isn't that what the Socialist Democrats want for all America?
The parents of these 8 vicious young people are TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE for the actions of their children. These kids must pay the full price for their actions ( big jail time ) and the parents should be sued for averything they have or ever will have for failing to raise without any values. However, I doubt if any judge has the guts to force the issue. Today's justice system ( or lack there of ) must share in the responsibility for the actions of these kids because they have become soft on all crime. But then isn't that what the Socialist Democrats want for all America?
The parents of these 8 vicious young people are TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE for the actions of their children. These kids must pay the full price for their actions ( big jail time ) and the parents should be sued for averything they have or ever will have for failing to raise without any values. However, I doubt if any judge has the guts to force the issue. Today's justice system ( or lack there of ) must share in the responsibility for the actions of these kids because they have become soft on all crime. But then isn't that what the Socialist Democrats want for all America?
Kids learn at home but they also learn in school. Our Pastor used to say "show me your friends and I'll show you your future". The rules need to be stricter. What totally makes me crazy is all these kids with cell phones. To much privacy to call AND the internet. Thats another trap. Parents need to put a stop to these things. Be parents NOT friends. We've had friends who were more "friends" to their kids than "parents". Christian people too. But boy oh boy we're their kids screwed up. Not the right parenting. Couldn't keep the "no" firm. Let the kids party at their homes. Drugs, Alcohol, Hitting Their Parents, Horrible Name Calling. ITS CALLED BEING A PARENT AND LAYING DOWN THE LAW AND "STICKING" TO THAT LAW!
Lock them all up...kids, parents, friends and anyone else involved. After some jail time, let them do community service for a few years. If they cannot act like humans after that, put them all on a ship and send them to some barbaric island where their behavior will be more of a necessity than an offense committed on a civil society.
I believe the parents ARE responsible legally for their kids until the kids are 18.
Ginny: Good point. Violet games, rap music that promotes violence, degradation of women, sex, and who knows what else. Internet, uncontrolled. Cell phones. I can't believe what some of these kids say to their parents. I would have gotten a soaping or a slap or gone to bed after supper. Cars at too early an age. Young kids are wheeling around by us on ATV's. Don't even have a drivers license and their acting stupid on those. We just had a young kid killed by a boat propeller after being in a fight with his parents and taking the boat on the lake racing around. Some things break your heart and the other things make you want to take the kid in the back room and take a belt to their butt, take everything away they love and ground them for a month!
The kids who commited the crime will recieve free counceling and still be able to attend school somewhere. The victim and their parents will be burdened with all the expences. The parents of the animals will defend them and blame the victim. WE KNOW we are still living with the pain, fear and stress related illness. I hope the judge gives full punishment to the animals. Make them pay for their crime.They do not see or feel the tears a victim does. They do not see the childhood they have destroyed.
CINDY: Its good for all of us to get straigt talk from someone who has been through it to understand the true impact. We can imagine but theres no way we can TRULY understand.
Corrine:What happened to my son Ethan was something that I pray another child will not have to go through. I am so angry at the justice system, the school district, the parents and the animals who planned Ethans murder. We cannot give him what he has lost. We are not a wealthy family and its hard to pay for all the things the crime against him has created.We do it because he needs to be safe and feel happy again. I can't explain how terrible it has been.When you think you have a good day something small can happen and he has a meltdown.I was sick when I saw the mother of one of the animals trying to explain how it was not possible to get a concusion from hitting her head on the wall.I am so happy her child and the other 7 will be tried as adults. Thanks for listening
This is outrageous! I definitely place the blame on the parents. If the parents would have taken a lot of time teaching their children right from wrong, I do not believe something like this would have happened. All of their parents need to read Rose Rock's (Chris Rock's Mom's) new book, along with streams of other parents across this country who are so busy fulfilling their selfish desires obtaining "things" that they say they need and their kids need so bad. What kids need are parents who spend time with them teaching them how to be an asset to their country, the United States of America, instead of supporting them to go on Spring Break for drunkenness, drug use, and sexual debauchery. These kids act like the rape of their fellow young women is acceptable too!
My 19 year old son said they all need to be convicted and spend a lifetime in prison. Wow! I would not have thought he would be so hard on them since he is close to their ages.
My two teenage daughters said they couldn't believe that these teenagers would gang up on that other teenage girl just because of "trash talking" on the Internet.
The girls, and the two boys, that did not actually participate in the beating frenzy should have told the ones who were beating that girl to stop because beating this girl did not solve anything. It showed how foolish they were to plan and carry out such a disgraceful, cowardly thing. They are just like the lawbreaking gangs because they acted exactly as the punk gangs do.
They gave the law enforcement agencies evidence to prosecute them for their crimes. They would not let the girl go when she tried to go out of the front door so they did lure her there to that house kidnapping her by holding her there in the house against her will so they could "gang beat" her for words!
Now, the girl who was "trash talking" on the site was wrong also for writing threatening language on the Internet; therefore, she should have charges pressed against her for making those written threats against those girls. Written threats can be construed as being the same as verbal threats, I think. I think this girl should have to perform many hours of community service at a nursing home, serving in the hospital, helping younger kids learn to read, etc. until she graduates from high school.
I am glad that the Judge is not putting up with this, too.
CINDY: I am so sorry for your son. I'm sure you have tried every avenue. Is there no justice? I know no one can undo the pain and suffering but isn't there someone to pay? It sounds like Ethan's case is much worse. I know money can not undo what is done to him but is there no recourse to "help" him contend or recover some? Most things medically cost more than most anyone can pay for. Is there no help from your Church or community? I'm hoping to not stir up awful memories but it sounds as if you all live this pain every day of your lives. This girl that was hurt, well they'll probably say it wasn't that bad. What they should think of is that they are LUCKY it wasn't worse. A blow to the head could have caused death. They say that a blow to the head that bleeds inward can cause alzheimers. There are things that could happen that may not show up for a while. I don't think it really matters whose fault it is or was. What matters is that these kids knew the difference between right and wrong. They need to pay for what they did. By not receiving just punishment will only give them the wrong message. Cindy, what is wrong with our world? Kids are so very out of control. I guess I'd say it was lack of God, lack of faith, lack of Biblical Teachings and not JUST on Easter and Christmas. I wish you and Ethan and your family God's healing and his Blessings.
Absolutely the CHILDREN should be tried as adults. This is not a moment we slap these kids on the hand and say NO BIG DEAL! If I was the mother of the attacked child, I would be sueing every parent of those kids!
I TOTALLY BLAME THE PARENTS FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED. AND FOR NOT CORRECTING THEIR CHILDREN-NOW THAT THEY ARE TEENAGERS, THEY ARE OUT OF CONTROL!!! YOU SHOULD KNOW YOUR KIDS' PERSONALITY SINCE THEY WERE LITTLE!! UNLESS YOU DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CHILDREN!! COME ON AMERICA, RAISE YOUR CHILDREN RIGHT!!!
the parents are to blame completely, where were they? these kids should be held 100% and so should the parents. the parents have responsibility over the kids and should know whats going on in the house. i think that there should be some charges brought against the parents as well
These girls need to be held accountable for their actions. It's called tough love, and I bet they will think twice before doing this to someone else, and the parents need to stop making excuses for their childrens actions.
As a parent, if my child did anything like this, they would be regretting it for a LONG LONG time. I might add, they wouldn't be sitting anytime soon. Kids get into squabbles all the time.
We didn't have beat-downs before YouTube and camera phones. These kids need to go to jail for a long time to show the country at large that it isn't cool or right to do this sort of thing. The victim didn't throw a punch, this wasn't a fight, it was a beat-down. Every gun-violence episode I recall, had been preceded by this sort of event. It must stop, and now is a great time for it to stop.
I am only 26 yrs old myself and these kids represent a pathetic generation that MY generation will have to put up with!!
I think that all 8 teens should be tried and sent to prison....why shouldn't they be treated like adults? they wanna fight like adults......and act like animals....send them to prison and let them feel how that poor girl felt when they were bashing her head in...there's more i could say...but just not over the net or without getting into trouble.
I was bullied, all during middle and high school. Bullies beget bullies, from what I've seen. Not only should the parents be held responsible, but teachers should also be held accountable. We shouldn't wonder why kids "snap" and blow up schools, shoot classmates, etc. when "bullying" has long since become an accepted part of growing up and kids establishing a "pecking order". It is damaging to the bullied child. Surely there is at least one in the bullying group who has a conscience.
CINDY: Just a thought. Bill Oreilly from Fox News does so many wonderful things for kids. Why don't you email him at oreilly@foxnews.com. You never know. His selling of things on his oreilly page goes mostly to different charities. Please try and email and ask for help. He just loves kids and I think would help you.
look, the parents arnt to blame, the children lear this off of tv and any other stuff with violence the parents have no part in this
For the most part, parents are responsible for their lack of using good parenting skills, which is wide spread today. Although the teens are responsible for their actions, the parents share the blame in the rearing of their children. This is wide spread today. Just go to the local court houses and see the ills in our juvenile society and their irresponsible parents.
i place blame in the parents only for the fact its there children we live in a generation where things are falling apart made up diseases uncontrollable violence lack of education and a lot of stupid people breeding. Lack of discipline lack of education.You cant blame TV, video games, Its the parents responsibility to raise a "good kid" but the parents have lost control. Kids are growing up to fast now there being held responsible for an issue that wasn't taking care of years ago i feel this was a cry out for attention. But because consequence weren't enforced as a younger child they are facing Huge consequences. Something has to change and it has to change starting from the heart of society.
I voted that the parents are very much to blame. I would temper that with "usually." I'm sure there are some kids who might behave this way IN SPITE of what they've been taught at home, but most would not if they came from a home with loving, involved parents who taught them responsibility for their behavior and consideration for others in this world. Parents today are failing to PARENT their children. They leave it to the daycares, the schools, and the babysitters. Look at the teens in that horrible video. They're HOME and there's NOBODY THERE!! The mother isn't there, the grandmother isn't there. Heaven knows, there's probably NEVER a father there! These kids are literally having their character formed by TV, video games, and YouTube. It's tragic. Even prehistoric "survival of the fittest" required that the adult of the species protect its young!!!
Where were the parents! My husband and I have raised our kids in such a way that they know they should not hurt or harm or gossip about other kids, or other people. They know that when you talk about other people it only leads to bad things. We have our computer in a room where it is locked and only if my husband and I are aware they are on it, then they dont use it. They have never been allowed to use myspace or any of those ignorant websites. In todays society it is simply too easy to hurt people especially with all of these websites. I heard these girls arguing over boys, come on girls, get a life, a real one.
I really feel for this girl, the victim. They did kidnap her because the girl wanted to leave the house and the girl kept holding the door and telling her she couldnt leave. The mom who kept defending her daughter should be put in jail as well, where in the ____ was she. This cant be the first time this has happened because it seemed well thought out and very manipulative.
If these kids were raised in God loving homes and the parents had good relationships with them, this would not have happened...Or let's say it's much less likely. THIS IS THE RESULT OF PARENTS THAT DON'T TEACH THEIR KIDS BOUNDARIES...THIS IS ALSO WHY PARENTS SPEND MORE TIME ARGUING WITH THEIR CHILDREN THAN BEING A FRIEND AND LOVED ONE TO THEM. It amazes me that some people think that the parents aren't to blame at all. I know FOR A FACT that my kids would never do this....and my kids (and their mother) could not be any closer. Think about it!
i blame the mom... its more her fault because she left her daughter with all those teens in the house..then she gets on t.v. playin cool it seemed like she didnt even care that her daughter hurt someone... i think she should be punished to..ever one that was should be punished i dont think they should get off easy cause that was really wrong..the girl wanted to leave and they wouldnt let her...since they wouldnt let her leave they should be charged with kidnapping and holding someone against their will... personaly i think they should be tried as adults... they shouldnt get off easy!!!
These kids should be ashamed of themselves.There is no respect any more and i think that should be taught at home,but we are not allowed to disipline our children any more.Maybe if we had'nt taken prayer out of our schools,these girls,might have thought twice about what they did,shame on them.I think parents are partly to blame,because they are suppose to know there children better then any one.my prayers are with the family of the child that was beaten.May god touch these young people.
Just the fact that the mother has an attitude about the incident that borders on cavalier, shows what these girls have been taught. They obviously don't know that there are consequences to their actions. The parents need to serve some time. Possibly community service
As a sociologist the teens behavior is a direct reflection on the breakdown of our society and its lack of structure and consequences for being involved in such deviant behavior. Yes, I believe that parents play a large role in their child(ren)'s behavior. Yet I cannot put the total blame on the parents. The eight defendants are old enough to know right from wrong and therefore ultimately responsible for their actions. There are several aspects of the incident that play a vital role in the unline reason this incident and other like it continue to occur. Today's teen population is more and more under stress and there looks like no easy solution. But if it continues to be swept under the rug prior to incident then incidents like this one and worst will occurred despite the consequences they will face if caught.
ALEX: They learn it off tv and other forms of violence? Who allows it? The Lord gave children parents to parent. To be sure that their kids are NOT watching violent tv, playing violent games, listening to horrible music. They are to set curfews and lay down laws. THere are laws from the time we are born till we die. The laws change as we leave our parents home to the following of societal laws. IF parents do not provide the proper direction from birth, the child may be more easily led astray. I grant you that some parents are wonderful, do most of the right things and their kids still turn out rotten. Sometimes its pear pressure and the kid wanting so bad to be a part of some group. But if a parent provides Biblical teachings they will have a better chance of making their own clear paths instead of following the paths of those that are evil.
This past Monday my daughter, Victoria (tori), was "jumped" in the locker room at her high school and punched in the face 6 times. I feel for her, Tori, and for her parents. I am pressing charges against this 14yr old girl as well as a restraining order as we live in a small city.I am also meeting with the parents of the girl who did this act to see where this anger comes from with her.I am very glad that these teens are being treated as adults.I hope they are punished to the fullest extent of the law. It makes me cry everytime I see that video and think of her. Tori, you are a special lady. Love to you
Many Parents do no set boundaries for their children today. The Mother of htis Mercedes not only did not show any remorse for the victim but tried to excuse it by saying that the "victim did not get along with her Step- Mother".The Grandmother of this Mercedes said today that "she didn't see wy they had to send this kids to jail so fast and they should have set tem down and talked to them and asked them why they did it"These people are excusing this behavior. In Florida because of the Homestead law they can't have their principle residence taken away in a Lawsuit but hopefully the Parents of the victim take everything else away from the Parents and these kids go to Prison.These kids are underage and live at home and their Parents are financially responsible for their actions.
I think our society is allowing all to blame their upbringing on anything bad that happens in their life. All, even children, need to understand and be held responsible for the actions and choices they make in their life. To always blame the parents is not always accurate and should not be the first thought. Parents responsibility is to teach their children right from wrong and that their actions will have consequences that they will be responsible for.
Make no mistake. The parent's reaction of trying to downplay the hideous conduct we have all seen is not peripherally contributory to the problem, it is CENTRAL to the problem. Not all parents of youths who act criminally are to blame, but EVERY single parent who tries to cover up, defend, or mitigate the serious of such crimes - simply because it is their child who is the criminal - IS ABSOLUTELY responsible to a material degree.
I volunteer with youth and adult offenders regularly. I teach them that until they accept BOTH the responsibility AND the consequences for their own actions, their life of suffering and destruction will not change. I never worked with a youth offender who did not blame their parents in some way for their own actions, and found that less than 10 percent of parents of incarcerated youths even believed their own children were guilty!
I am grounded in this teaching because I changed my own life - from facing over 400 years in prison to recently having my rights restored and being called the most successfully self-rehabilitated defendant the court system had ever seen - words used by the Judge himself who had sentenced me to prison years earlier.
I can say with certainty that the lady trying to downplay the seriousness or culpability of her own daughter is precisely part of the reason her daughter participated in this beating-for-sport. Even now, she thinks her precious daughter can do no wrong, despite undeniable evidence of what happened.
Where or how can this girl ever begin to understand her own responsibility when her own mother refuses to face the truth? Sadly, prison and society will now do the job of teaching this girl that bad acts carry serious consequences.
If 'mom' had done her job, society would not have to do it for her.
Yes, at the very least, this mom-in-denial is directly, materially to blame for what has happened in Florida.
too much influence from a LOT of tv programs where young people say whatever they want in any attitude they want. When I was young you knew what would happen to you if you even thought of acting out like this. But times have changed, the world has changed and we have lost "respect" for each other. Today, a well brought up young lady from a good family acts very differently when away from the family. Parents need to 'take back' their role and enforce rules/guidelines/respect. All this shows on our highways and every aspect of life today. It is very sad to see so much anger in everyone!! Those girls need to be 'reprogrammed'!! They need to do a lot of community service and not be back in school.
I hope their a shame of them self, but most of all thank god they didn't kill her.I hope they spend a long time in jail.
That is what you get when you can't "physically hurt" (as a punishment) your children. Here in in my country those kids would have received beating for their parents too. Hence they will realize what its like to be on the receiving end of those punches.
Talking is good, but there are instances that it is not enough. Sometimes there is a need to be "physical" and this incident definitely warrants it.
Manila, Philippines
I feel that the parents are to blame for the why there children behive. But that is what the goverment has done. You can not correct your children today. The goverment wants to stop child abuse but all that created was children that could do anything they want. You will never stop children from being abused. ever since the law was passed just take a look at the changes that have followed. When we wrer growing up we new not to do anything or we would get are butts spanked. I came from a family of 17 so we got our butts spanked every tume we did not do what we wrer told. This was what keeped us from getting in trouble because we new better. There was not one of us that ever got in trouble. Our parents taught us to respect people and them. I thank God that that law was not passed when I was growing up, and my children. Our teachers can do anything with these children they run the schools. Teachers are putting there lifes on the line every day trying the teach the few that are there to learn. Then the goverment wants to know what wrong with the kids today. My heart goes out to the parents today. Because their rights of raising there children. Just because the goverment wanted to stop abuse. Spanking you childrens butt when they need it is not abuse.
Now you just look at them cross eyed and they will will call the police and say you are abusing them. That is the way most parents are afraid to even try to do anythig . I would be afraid to do anything to. God bless my parents for raising us to behave with a good old spank on the butt.
I blame the US Government for their Abuse policy if you spank your child and teach them empathy you will not have this issue. When people are afraid that if they discipline their child that they will be arrested they will not take action. Children will not be afraid of any thing I hope that they laugh in the Judges face to show that they are untouchable and maybe then the US Government will wake up and realize that they are the ones to blame for people afraid of their children. Spank your child for their bad behavior and you will never see your child in this situation. Parents stop fearing the Government and teach your children right from wrong. Wake up and teach your kids. You should not let the Government raise your Kids They are not Paying you child support. So to all Parents if your kids do some thing wrong Spank Them they will thank you latter in life.
Blame goes much beyond the parents. Laws that prohibit disciplining of children by parents and teachers are very much to blame. Therefore, government!! However, these teens are old enough to know better but feel they can get away with anything. Unless these and others who do such atrocious acts are punished, then these type things will continue. Vote to rid our government of such liberal views and ideals that takes discipline out of homes and schools. Take back the right to parent. Take back the right to speak up for what is good and moral.
I believe when prayer was taken out of the schools, no one wanted to make trouble by objecting enough, and too many parents are afraid of their children maybe because the school system has changed that there is no right and wrong on everything........that is Wrong!!! Passing students when they can't read and write is definitely, why do they think they are going to school? Parents, where are you, we need your input in their education......
The parents of these kids are absolutely responsible for what these kids did. Parents have to be held accountable for the actions of their children. It's the only way to send the right message to society that, if parents are not raising their children to be good citizens, there could be consquences for them. If parents are to be allowed to raise their children however they see fit, they must be held accountable if the child, while under their charge, behaves in a criminal manner.
The only thing we asked of the school district was for them to pay Ethans tuition through school.They will take no responsibility. They never asked how he was doing, they never apologized. The principal has relocated. The school will not talk about the crime against Ethan. Instead we are told Thank God the kids were caught before the plan to murder him was carried through. They fail to see or say that it was Ethan who heard what the kids were planning and how he went to "Farley" the principal. "Farley sent him away crying and a teacher took him back to make Farley listen.The police would not let us file charges we had to go to the county attorney. Finally we obtained Orders of Protection. The police told us that they were just pieces of paper.Police covered for the school and things only got worse. Bottom Line: The animals who made weapons and conspired to kill Ethan are attending school where Ethan should be attending, they play baseball and carry on normal lifes. Three of the five were girls and they all still hang out together.They are a set of twins and their best friend. The one girl has not even written the court ordered apology, her and her father drove past my husband and Ethan and they both gave the middle finger to Ethan and him.The girls are on my space and the one girl lies and says she is 17. Some of the things that she writes just proves she has learned nothing. Someone they know either them their family or friends have gone on to diffrent websites and made disgusting comments about Ethan and I. How is he supposed to attend the same school they are in? How can he be safe? He has the orders of protection but if they end up in a class together. The kids who did this to Ethan were supposed to be expelled for 6 months and possibly indefinitly. Well September came and they were allowed back in school. The school never bothered to notify us or warn us. Not once was contact made. Thank God we had put him in private school it has been the one good thing that came from a terrible situation. He is thriving and making good friends with good morals. All we want is for the school to pay his tuition. He can not attend school with the kids who planned his murder. The school does not want any publicity but they will not offer any help. We pay for his counceling and his medication which is directly linked to the crime.Anxiety induced asthma. Depression. Its embarassing for him to talk about what happen and we do not want him to relive the trauma, but what do we do?We see the fear the anxiety and the tears. We see his withdrawel from any activity that involves kids not from his school. No more baseball. No going to a local movie with his friends. All of it. His nightmares, his sleeping on the floor in the living room between the couch and coffee table. His jumping at loud sounds. His anger.all of it. Yes we Thank God that he was not hurt but what he is going through emotionally is sad. My son has lost an important part of his childhood, innocence, and trust.He is a good kid caring and faithful who stands up for the underdog.His dream is to attend West Point, he loves the military and his country.He is probably the most Conservative child I know. He gave a beautiful speech about his Grandfathers service in the military. When a crime occurs you hear about how good the criminals are. The victim is only victimized more. Again. I am very happy that the kids who beat the young lady up will face adult charges. Maybe it will send a message to kids and parents who have no respect or decency toward another human. My son has suffered and I pray again for all the victims. We need better laws and accountability. I would be happy to fight for some type of change in the way the justice system handles juveniles.If you read up on crimes commited by children you will find that they commit the most violent crime, they have not developed compassion, that is when the parents and the church can play an important role in a childs life. Someone needs to.
Pack a lunch, bring the kids and hang 'em high.
If children are DISCIPLINED when they are young, toddlers even, and are taught right from wrong, they usually grow up to be good decent kids.
I was a single mother of two many years ago.....raising 2 kids in the 70's. My kids turned out ok, thanks to God, but they didn't play all these violent video games, they didn't watch alot of violent movies, they were taught right from wrong.
PARENTS HAVE CONTROL OVER WHAT THEIR KIDS WATCH AND PLAY FROM THE TIME THEY ARE VERY YOUNG!
If you take the time to discipline them WITH LOVE, they should be fine.
If you buy them violent games, let them watch violent movies, (Pulp Fiction is just ONE example!), they will NOT be ok!
Kids minds are very impressionable and they imitate what they see. If you approve of the violent movies and games, then they are getting the message that such action is OK WITH YOU!
So YOU Parents, are sending them messages of approval by allowing them to do the many things they do.
Control starts at a young age.
KIDS ARE RAISING THEMSELVES THESE DAYS because many parents are often off in their own worlds.
Just saw the television about all this again, some of these kids are actually SMILING when the judge is talking to them! That AMAZES me! They think all this if funny....its a joke....SUCH A LACK OF RESPECT....primarily because they were never taught to be respectful by their PARENTS!
All roads lead back to the PARENTS. Taking a interest, discipline, teaching respect, punishment, it all starts at home.
Teachers are teachers, they should not have to step in where the parent leaves off.
Just heard the parent of one of the male kids say it was only ONE person attacking this girl.
What video was he watching? Better still what is he smoking?! I just counted 3 DIFFERENT girls beating on the victim, and that was in just a short snippet of the video that they showed. I hope to watch this again soon in its entirety so I can more accurately count how many girls actually did hit the girl.
There you have it...proof that at least TWO of the parents don't think their kids did anything wrong! They are defending the actions for their kids!
What would they say if all those kids were beating on THEIR kids?
Would it not be such a BIG DEAL then? I doubt it!
Teens are in their 2nd quarter of their lives...0-12 children (1st quarter), 13-19 teens (second quarter), 20-40 adults (3rd quarter), 41-death (4th quarter)...if a person makes it to the 2nd quarter of their life, it is the parents responsibility to kick them out of the nest, like a bird, and ask them to fly...if the mama bird has not taught their baby birds to fly, they will fall to the ground and die...sounds like these parents have not taught their kids how to fly!
Apparently, there aren't enough expressions of live, kindness, and forgiveness in these violent beating girl's families. Are their parents not taking them to church and teaching them about God?
***GUESS WHAT FOLKS*** Dr. Phil just bailed out one of the teens that beat that girl! I won't be watching his show any time soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just On Fox this morning, Monday!
Somebody needs to ask Dr. Phil what he has done for the VICTIMS.. It makes me sick... Ask a victim what the crime against them cost or ask their family how they get by every day. The cost, emotional and physical, How about my son sleeping on the living room floor because the wind made a noise in the night? Or how some mornings we wake up in our room and trip over him because he is on the floor curled up because he is having a bad night or nightmare.No more baseball or local movies because he is afraid of running into the animals who victimized him, No going outside in our yard unless we are with him while he shoots baskets or rides bike. Or if we go out to a movie or dinner how he will not go to the mens bathroom by himself. How he will not walk in our house at night and hold his bathroom business until someone walks him. The shades down and no looking at windows. Crying, Anxiety, Asthma,and then his embarrassment because of what has happened and how he has so many fears.Post tramatic stress disorder, counseling, medication. Depression.He can not go to his own school, the animals go there,he has 5 orders of protection against the 5 animals but the school can not keep him safe and it will traumatize him all over again.We as parents can not talk about it in front of him because it makes the stress worse. He knows that we live paycheck to paycheck but he does not know the anxiety we have about how we will pay his tuition, his uniforms and all his increased needs.His new school is a blessing he has made good friends with good morals and faith. The school he attends has been good but they struggle to stay open and we can not expect them to cover the cost. Saugerties Central Schools should pay his tuition because it was their failure. To top things off they allowed the five animals who made weapons and conspired to kill him back in school. They went back in Sept. they commited the crime in May. so they missed June. They had the Summer off played baseball, walked the streets and still hung out together.Anyone like Dr. Phil care about how the victim spent his Summer?The girl who phil bailed out sleeps in a bed. My son will not.$30.000 sure could pay alot of services for victims. As I said it makes me sick. Dr.Phil check some victim services out and look how hard it is to get back what they have lost, innocence, trust. Talk to a victim who one day while driving down the road with us said he was so depressed that he wishes he was dead.Ask Dr. Phil if he can give our son peace and put a real smile on his face. Ask Dr. Phil if he could sit and listen when the victim is wheezing from asthma because of anxiety, or whos stomach hurts almost every day and he is taking mylanta to sooth his pain and nausea.Shame on you Dr. Phil why did you not think of the victims? Because you are a phoney uncaring person who is out for good ratings. Well.. I hope your show goes in the gutter where it belongs. You are no doctor. You took a title in the same way certain people put the word Rev. before their names. PLEASE BOYCOTT Dr. Phil and ask him how he could have done something so ignorant and stupid. Thanks again for letting me vent. God Bless The Victim and her Family. I wonder... will phil reach out to them?
GREAT IDEA - LETS BOYCOTT THE DR. PHIL SHOW! I THINK THAT GUY WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR RATINGS!
Greta, a previous commentor got it right -- why are you and Fox covering such garbage? These kids today want fame and fortune and will do anything to obtain it. Parents also want the fame and are happy to have a chance to sue someone, no matter how poorly their children act. If all news media stopped this display of bad behaviour, criminal in many cases, these kids might think twice about what they did. Media can report the news without all the side-talk and pictures and video. The public doesn't need a picture to know what happened.
PS If you're lacking for real news, I have some suggestions......
I don't think that what happened should be plamed on the parents. especially at that age, the girls should have been able to make decisions for themselves. As a 13 year old boy, i think it is no fault of the parents that this happened.
Greta, You though the jail term for the student involved with the bus driver fight was too strong. I don't agree with you. I think these girls should be punished to the full extent allowable. THEN, some day these kids will get the meassage that they will pay for bad behavior and not get away with it. In all cases, I bet thier parents let them get away with everything and were not strict in enforcing good behavior. Letting them get away with small things when they are young eventually develops into bigger things like beating up another person. Most kids are not supervised enought. Go to the malls and you see kids "Hanging out" they should be home or involved in a supervised sport. Look at the movies that parents allow thier children to see TRASH.
Thant's all for now
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