In loco parentis?
by M. Stewart
Today’s Morning Journal story about a Southern Local girl left in a South Carolina jail has a whole lot of strange twists and turns, but who was it that called the cops in the first place? Because our local papers block links from this site, you’ll have to find the story on your own.
The way I understand it, a 17-year-old girl on a senior trip was caught with some marijuana during a search for some missing money by a teacher. Apparently someone called police and had her arrested. Then the district superintendent decided to leave the girl behind in a Myrtle Beach jail. Once the girl got out on bond, a released male prisoner escorted her to some sort of tent city for homeless people. Long story short, somehow she managed to get back home alive.
After all this, the board of education’s concern was whether the girl would be permitted to walk with her class at graduation? Did I miss something?
I know a lot of you are going to say that the girl got what she deserved for having the marijuana, but foolish American drug policy is an issue for another time. What I don’t understand is why anyone would call the cops in this situation?
If it was one of the teacher chaperones, the school district needs to revisit its hiring policy and start screening for morons. Apparently the phrase in loco parentis no longer has meaning in our public schools. What sort of "educator" would call the cops on a 17-year-old girl and leave her in a South Carolina jail?
Today’s Morning Journal story about a Southern Local girl left in a South Carolina jail has a whole lot of strange twists and turns, but who was it that called the cops in the first place? Because our local papers block links from this site, you’ll have to find the story on your own.
The way I understand it, a 17-year-old girl on a senior trip was caught with some marijuana during a search for some missing money by a teacher. Apparently someone called police and had her arrested. Then the district superintendent decided to leave the girl behind in a Myrtle Beach jail. Once the girl got out on bond, a released male prisoner escorted her to some sort of tent city for homeless people. Long story short, somehow she managed to get back home alive.
After all this, the board of education’s concern was whether the girl would be permitted to walk with her class at graduation? Did I miss something?
I know a lot of you are going to say that the girl got what she deserved for having the marijuana, but foolish American drug policy is an issue for another time. What I don’t understand is why anyone would call the cops in this situation?
If it was one of the teacher chaperones, the school district needs to revisit its hiring policy and start screening for morons. Apparently the phrase in loco parentis no longer has meaning in our public schools. What sort of "educator" would call the cops on a 17-year-old girl and leave her in a South Carolina jail?
posted by M. | 9:41 AM
49 Comments:
The story says the board is going to revisit its policies, and it should.
Obviously, the teachers called the cops, who else?
How does a 17 year old end up in an adult jail for simple possession of weed in the first place?
To answer your question: What sort of "educator" would call the cops on a 17-year-old girl and leave her in a South Carolina jail?
Answer: Perhaps it was school policy to call the police when illegal drugs are uncovered. Leaving the girl in jail? Hey she's a criminal and needed to be treated like one.
Even if they felt the need to involve the authorities, whoever left this minor child behind should be held accountable for abandoning her. Think about it, if this girl's parents were to drop her off out of state, or even in state for that matter, JFS would be all over their case for abandonment. SOMEONE made a poor decision in telling the teachers to all come home. Why couldn't one adult stay behind to make certain the girl was ok while the rest of the students and teachers/adults went home? Even though she was considered an "adult" in SC doesn't change her status as a minor in the State of Ohio, a minor who was attending a school sponsored event!
I'd like to know what legal council would have to say about the school's decision to abandon a minor in another state.
In my opinion, the district superintendent should resign or be fired for such an assnine decision.
Thank God my kids don't go to Southern Local!! The teachers and the superintendent should all be fired on the spot.
that girl should do at least 5 years in prison for possession of a dangerous plant! thank God nobody was hurt!
Matt, you do not have to post this comment under this section, but can you please look and read the article regarding possible layoffs in the PD and FD in EL? I cannot believe things have gotten this bad, ONCE AGAIN. It is ridiculous to think we could possibly lose 3 more cops and possibly a couple fireman even WITH the retirement of Chief Barcus and Herb Yager. Is there any leadership in this city? Is there anyone doing anything except sitting in their office in city hall and watching the walls close in around them?
It's a school policy, at most schools, that any drug posession on school property or school sanctioned event that the police be called. The policy was put into place because parents didn't want drugs on school grounds. If the cops weren't called then there would be people complaining that the school board bent the rules for this one person. The breakdown came between the parents and the principal. The parents sent her a bus ticket. When the principal found out about this he spent his own money to get her a plane ticket. The girl is the one who needs to be punished not the shcool board. She broke the rules no one else did.
Southern Local's Student Code of Conduct clearly states that students can be referred for prosecution for the possession of illicit drugs while attending any school sponsored event. Clearly the student was in violation of Board policy by being in possession of drugs. Furthermore, she was left in the custody of a jail where she was being held as an inmate for possession of drugs. She was not left out on the street. She was unable to find someone to bail her out until contact with her parents was made. Then it should have been her parents problem to provide for her to get home. If she was unable to complete this on her own one of her parents should have traveled to pick her up. If you were the person that had found these drugs would you want to be responsible for flushing them or disposing of them? I would have involved the police also. Maybe this teen learned a hard lesson that it does not pay to use or posess drugs. Instead of being so quick to jump all over the school staff we should look at who was in the wrong in the eyes of the law. Just because she is seventeen she shouldnt be excused from the responsibility of knowing right from wrong. If she doesnt understand this responsibility perhaps she doesnt understand enough to graduate from high school or drive a car.
I also believe the superintendent and the teachers should be fired. How nice that the board is going to revisit it's policies..that doesn't even deserve a comment. What would you do if that were your daughter? A 17 year old girl!! I don't care what she did but to just leave her behind to fend for herself. This is outrageous, just unconscionable.
Thats right, blame everything on the school. I'd let my child sit in jail in another state, then send he/ she a bus ticket home..... Oh wait, he/ she met a stranger in jail and this stranger is going to take care of my child in a "Tent city" for the homeless....
This is one of the best ones yet!
Sounds like someone besides the teen was smoking "weed". . .
"loco weed"!
Off the subject but speaking of "loco", what's the real story about the little girl mauled by a wild animal in East Liverpool?
Are you people fucking nuts? This was a 17 year old girl left alone in a jail in a state 500 miles away. Nick sounds like he has a SEVERE weggie and obey the rules is anybodys guess.
Matt ELO we cant afford anything because we are paying Bosco's 1.3 million for useless land- get over it.
Actually Southern Local should be turned in to Ohio Job and Family Services for abandoning an 17 year old minor out of state. I believe that's against OHIO law. Try it and see how long you stay out of jail.
R U serious-it's obvious you're childless and should be.
Only one thought comes to mind, where the hell was Gary B., when this travisty took place
First of all everyone keeps talking about this minor and such and beleive me I also look at 17 year olds as being young but guess what. The state of South Carolina looks at 17 year olds as being an adult. At the age of 17 in that state you are an adult and will be thrown in jail under adult terms. We are so used to hearing that the adult age here is 18 that all fail to pay attention to other states laws. Child services could donothing because this 17 year old adult in that state commited the crime by simply having the weed. The law is very strict in that state as well. Here in Ohio you would face a simple fine for such a small amount. In South Carolina you face up to six months jail time. I am not saying what is right or wrong but just thought I would let ya know 17 is an adult there. They dont want to talk to moms and dads because you are your own boss at 17.
This would make a great school debate.
When the parents bailed their daughter out, where the hell did they expect her to go? They should have left her butt in jail and drove down to MB to get her. They are crying that the school "left her" but they did the same thing only worse! They bailed her out and left her with no way to get home. They obviously felt that she was responsible enough to find her own way back to Ohio. When the school left her she was in the custody of the police. I know first hand that the bus station in MB is no place for a 17 year old girl and to let her ride those buses 650 miles by herself is also irresponsible. You wouldn't believe the stories I could tell you about this so called "tent city". It is by no means an organized area for homeless people. It is just basically an area in the woods that homeless people set up camp. There are some strange birds in these camps and I am sure she learned a valuable lesson. Don't do drugs!
IN SOUTH CAROLINA I BELIEVE YOU ARE CONSIDERED AN ADULT AT THE AGE OF 17. SO THE TEACHER DID NOT ABANDON A JUVENILE AS SOME OF SUGGEST. THE STUDENT DID IN FACT BREAK THE LAW AND IN SOME STATES SIMPLE POSSESSION OF A SMALL AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA IS A FELONY (as it should be). THE SCHOOL SHOULD HAVE CONTACTED THE STUDENTS PARENTS AND HAD THEM MAKE ARRAINGMENTS TO GET THE STUDENT HOME. IF YOUR NOT IN OHIO ITS HARD TO BREAK OHIO LAW.
This sounds like a William Faulkner story.
I'm wondering if the amount of weed this chick had justified being jailed, which I seriously doubt it was. The parents being unreachable (a horse show!!!) while their child was in another state is pretty ridiculous, too. That's inexcusable. Don't those hicks have cell phones? Of course, even if they did, the kid probably couldn't remember the damn number because peoples' memories these days are as deep as a tinkle of hamster piss.
The teacher who called the cops should be beaten with a crooked stick. I understand that the district had a schedule to keep, but this proves most teachers don't care about children. A teacher should have taken it upon his/herself and stayed with the kid. 17 is 17.
And to all those who think the child was rightly jailed --- you are either childless or idiotic. Leaving a child in jail in the southern regions of this fair land, only to be escorted to a Hooverville by a released male prisoner --- uh, hello?
If that had happened to one of my kids, holy shit. Holy Hick Shit.
This is only a story because she was using some stolen culvert pipe to smoke it.
These are the same kids that grow up to sell drugs to your kids and maybe even kill a couple.
Regardless of the fact that at 17 your an adult in SC, she was from OHIO on a FIELD TRIP! For those who think it was OK that she was 17,.... I am sure you would think diff. if it were your son or daughter. While I think the parents should have gone down after their daughter, we do not know the circumstances. Perhaps they did not have the financial means to do so. I think I know the "exmbcop" and if it who I think it is, I am disappointed in your comments. I would think you would see things differant. While I don't think it is excusable for a 17 year old to have drugs and some form of punishment is due, being in a "foriegn land" as a CHILD and being locked in an ADULT jail may have just been punishment enough and hopefully, a lesson well learned. As for the teacher and super, I am one who would like to see their resignations.
So Jeff M you are saying that the parents have no responsibility at all? I guess when you send your kids 650 miles away you get a "free babysitter" for a week? I guess if the parents would have been parents in the first place none of this would have happened. Teaching right from wrong. Saying no to drugs! You liberals crack me up. Turn it around on "The man" its their fault she had drugs in her room. Its also their fault she got stranded 650 miles away. Lets sue!
For the last time the police were dealing with an adult. If this adult would have been 16 a juvenile in that state then maybe then things might have been different. Sounds like we should all go to the county jail in Lisbon and wait on adults there to get released and give them rides home. If your an adult in another state and break the law then take the punishment. And Jeff M what you meant to say was " If this would have happened to one of your ADULT children holy shit. Holy Hick Shit.
Did the parents not look at what the girl was packing for her trip? When my kids went on school trips I checked out everything that they were taken. I agree that one of the chaperones should have stayed in South Carolina to make sure the girl got home, but on the other hand the parents should have went there to make sure their daughter was okay and that she got home safely. My children went to Southern Local and I never ever had a problem on any of the field trips. Maybe her parents need to take a closer look at the activities that their daughter is involved in.
She made it home alive,
All I am trying to say is that the parents are trying to blame it solely on the school. They have to take some responsiblity for this also. If I were on that trip, would I have left her down there? Absolutely not! But if I were her parent, I would have left her butt in jail, drove my butt down there and drove her butt home. Not release her to find her own way home. Even if they did not have the financial means to get down to MB they should have waited to bail her out until they found some money to get her. Like you I am glad she made it home alive. MB isn't the "paradice" everyone thinks it is.
Jeff M you are saying that the parents have no responsibility at all? I guess when you send your kids 650 miles away you get a "free babysitter" for a week? I guess if the parents would have been parents in the first place none of this would have happened. Teaching right from wrong. Saying no to drugs! You liberals crack me up. Turn it around on "The man" its their fault she had drugs in her room. Its also their fault she got stranded 650 miles away. Lets sue!
Swineflu,
I didn't say anything about filing a lawsuit.
And this child wasn't an adult --- at least under Ohio law. Again --- I want to know how much weed this girl had: a few joints, an eighth, an ounce, what? Are you telling me that a minor in possession of some weed justifies jailing her in some southern jail and then leaving her after several attempts were made to locate the parents?
You must not have kids, Swineflu, because 1) You'd be able to differentiate between different concepts of "responsibility" and 2) you wouldn't name yourself Swineflu, for that is an insult to those who have died because of it.
You must be a hillbilly. Only hillbillies view their children like cattle, willing to trade their children's safety and ultimate perception of the world in favor of their own moral and ethical superiority.
How do local papers block other sites?
Unlawful search and seizure. Adult in SC cannot be treated like an underage student from Ohio. Teacher should be sued.
Were the teachers paid and who paid for their trip?
School trip? school responsible.
Why out of state?
Many places in Ohio to go if they have to go somewhere.
Teacher chaperones? Where were the parent chaperones?
Everyone always wants to call a cop and it most always causes more problems.
I'm sure I would not want to be in a fox hole with any of the morons related to this story and this goes for many of the posters too.
This matter should have been handled in this fashion... Call the parents, come get your child and we will handle this matter when we return home. If they couldn't do this then they should have put the kid on a plane or bus and have the parents pay the bill.
They should have never left this kid alone down there. Kids do make mistakes and the punishment should be measured, meaningful and fair.
Calling this kid a criminal is nonsense. We just let a couple of drug addicts off here in Liverpool Township with no charges and no jail time for breaking and entering, and stealing guns, money, jewlery and more drugs.
The liablility of this event is greater than the offense and the district put itself at risk by following a policy not good common sense.
Let's get real. She was in jail. What was the chaperone to do? Stay in the hotel and watch TV. The girl was in police custody she was not abandoned on a street corner. This supposed "kid" is the one who on her own left the jail with a released convict. She could of asked the cops for a ride to the bus station and I'm sure they would have given her a ride. It also doesn't matter how much weed she had. She broke the rules and she paid the price. It was a sanctioned school event and the teachers have a duty to follow the law. They would be facing criticism if they flushed the drugs or just turned a blind eye to the drugs. This girl failed herself and the school and her parents. It's no one elses fault. Her parents failed her by not getting her home in a safe manner. If money was the issue ask the school. The school did pay to get her home even though it wasn't their responsiblity. We got to stop making excuses for these "kids" and blaming every one else. And yes I do have kids and if they would have done this I wouldn't be blaming the school I would be blaming my kid. And I don't have the money to travel but I'm sure I would have found a way to get my kid home in a safe manner. When I was in school smoking cigarettes was against the rules. I smoked and I got caught and I was punished. I was also punished when I got home. My parents didn't blame the school they blamed me. And I learned a lesson from this. Hopefully, this girl will learn a lesson from this if they blame her for this mess and not everyone else.
her parents should have strip-searched their daughter before the field trip. after that, they should have taken her to the jail for a body cavity search and to the airport to have her baggage x-rayed by homeland security! how can a parent be so irresponsible!
I don't have much to add to this argumant since all I know is what I've read in the peper and read here. But I would like to point out to Inmate that this was a Southern Local student and Bonnell is an East Liverpool board member. So this time you can't blame him.
Well there's plenty of blame to go around for poor judgement by both the School and her parents I don't agree that this student should be allowed to particiate in graduations. It was her stupid actions that caused all this and she should have to pay the consequences for it.
So if this happens again with another student on another trip, then the school has set a presidence that 1. yes you can graduate,2. we will break the rules for you also, since we feel bad for you now.
Also, to 'Learn your lesson' some rules are made to be broken, like on your way to the hospital to get a loved one there before the heart attack or stroke kills them. I'll tell you, I'd be driving 90mph to get there. I'd hope that a cop would not pull a gun on me and demand I lay on the ground. Oh well, I'm tired of talking about this crap...
DUMBPEOPLEHATER said...
IN SOUTH CAROLINA I BELIEVE YOU ARE CONSIDERED AN ADULT AT THE AGE OF 17.
[end quote]
Age of majority in South Carolina is 18, same as Ohio.
However, in South Carolina kids as yng as 10 are being charged as adults, tried convicted and sent to prison as adults.
I would guess that the crimes they are charged with a far more serious than a having a little weed.
I ran across one reference saying that Ohio considered 17 a adult
but I have serious doubts about the accuracy of that reference since the age of majority is 18 and the reference gave no cite to verify the information.
There was at least one parent chaperone on the trip, just to clear that up.
My understanding is the cops told the girl they weren't in the taxi business and wouldn't take her to the bus station.
Her parents were at a horse seminar, not a horse show...should they have been sitting at home waiting (expecting?) a call from the principal when their daughter was on a school field trip? They got home late from a seminar and found the message from the principal. your comment about them being hicks because they weren't home and didn't have cell phones is sort of unfair, Jeff M. Not every person in the world has a cell phone stuck up his ass every minute of every day.
What is a child?
It all depends...
If a 15-17 yr. old rapes a 21 yr old they are tried as an adult.
If a 15-17 yr old has sex with a 21 yr. old they are a child victim.
Whatever makes those who "serve and protect" look the best.
It's the good ol' boy, 'atta boy system.
If we are to use a number of years as the determing factor for age of reason then use it.
What is the root of this problem?
Out dated, ignorant drug laws.
be fair,
if my child is 600 miles away on a field trip, i would be reachable. no matter what. without question. i must be one of the few who love my children and have common sense.
Buckeye,
Just to clear up your last post. You ARE an adult in South Carolina at the age of 17. No matter what law you break, or how the court finds you. SC also has no classification system for crimes, meaning that you could be locked up in jail for speeding, possesion of marijuana, etc. The only thing that you cannot be jailed on is seatbelt violations. So saying that kids as young as 10 being charged as adults is nationwide not just in Ohio and SC. But in SC a 17 year old can be charged with speeding and locked in jail as an adult.
It was a good thing it wasnt East Liverpool. [The school board] would have this 17 year old prosecuted to the fullist, thrown out of school, dammed for the rest of her life.
Oh no that's right, she would probably get off with homemade probation.
Eye of the Law said...
What is a child?
It all depends...
If a 15-17 yr. old rapes a 21 yr old they are tried as an adult.
Rape is rape regardless of age.
If a 15-17 yr old has sex with a 21 yr. old they are a child victim.
If 15 and the other is 21 it is illegal. If in Ohio and the one is 16 or 17 and the other is 21 there is no crime since age of consent in Ohio and a little over half of the other U S States is 16. Provided it was consentual.
Bottom line when you agree to chaperone any group of students you have a responsibility to see that each and every person you left with comes home with you-regardless of what happens-you know these kids are teens they are going to try and get something past you. This student may have brought the drugs but I would bet my house that multiple kids knew and participated in smoking the product. You have to punish all involved not just the one stupid enough to confess. The student and the parents do have blame in this also but again the buck stops with the chaperones who did not follow through with their duty which is to make sure that you leave with everyone you came with-if they wanted to report it to the police that is fine but I think the one reporting had a responsibility to accompany her to the police station while she was being booked and work with the admins at the school to post bail then work on getting her home to her parents it is common sense-I do hope that this family takes legal action against this school bec in the end the responsible adults on the trip neglected their duties-when we have kids stay at our home we are responsible to keep them safe I dont expect their parents to sit home all night waiting to see if something happens they know I am home and in charge and will take care of what happens-the parents at southern need to see that this could have been any one of their kids.
buckeyeelo said..
"Rape is rape regardless of age."
Thanks Mr. Obvious,
That has nothing to do with the point.
buckeyeelo said..
"If 15 and the other is 21 it is illegal. If in Ohio and the one is 16 or 17 and the other is 21 there is no crime since age of consent in Ohio and a little over half of the other U S States is 16."
My point exactly. Number of years has nothing to do with (now pay attention here) age of reason.
buckeyeelo said..
"Provided it was consentual."
Again Thanks Mr. Obvious.
Once it was found, it had to be reported. Otherwise, who is carrying it? Think about this from the point of view of the teacher for a minute. They are required to report. They called the superintendent or whoever and were reminded of school policy. Is it their fault the little juvenile delinquent chose to bring drugs? Should they accept the liability of holding them and then getting caught. Imagine being the parent of another kid and finding out someone got away with having drugs on the trip.
If you were the teacher would you stay down there and wait? Think about that. Teachers aren't rich. They would have to stay somewhere. Hotels are not free, travel expenses are not free. It couldn't be just one teacher either, that could ruin their career. The last thing any teacher should do is put themselves in a position where they come 600 miles alone with a kid who has a grudge. That is asking for it.
Put the fault where it belongs - the idiot kid who took weed on a field trip.
If this happened here, she would have to become our school board's maid. He would have had her come to his house first to make sure she knows how to vacuum and clean. But once she proved her worth, she would have had to become his maid for a month or two. What a joke.
Mugsy Jones said
responsible adults on the trip neglected their duties.
You have to punish all involved not just the one stupid enough to confess.
You punish the one with possession of a drug. I would sue you if my child was on that bus and you wanted to punish them all becuase you BELEIEVE that all new about it. What a fool you are to say such a stupid thing. you ever hear of probable cause. Try to follow the police around after they arrest an adult. It cant be done, they will tell you that the person is an adult and they will handle the situation.
The adult being the 17 year old? You people dont get it do you? No wounder this community is in the shape it is. WOW is all I have to say.
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