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Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Are the parents to blame when 6-year-old son steals their car?
The boy missed the school but was determined to get to school. His parents were arrested and the children have been taken from their custody.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A 6-year-old boy from Virginia took his parents’ car and tried to drive to school after he missed the school bus. He made it about six miles before hitting an embankment and utility pole.
The Associated Press reports: The boy, whose name wasn’t released, missed the bus, took the keys to his family’s 2005 Ford Taurus and drove nearly six miles toward school while his mother was asleep, police said.”
“He made at least two 90-degree turns, passed several cars and ran off the rural two-lane road several times before hitting an embankment and utility pole about a mile and a half from school.”
“The boy told police he learned to drive playing Grand Theft Auto and Monster Truck Jam video games.”
“His parents, Jacqulyn Deana Waltman, 26, and David Eugene Dodson, 40, are each charged with child endangerment, Wilkins said. Waltman is being held without bond. Dodson was released on a $5,000 bond.”
“The boy and his 4-year-old brother were placed in protective custody.”
What do you think: Is it the parents’ fault the boy stole their car? Should the parents have been arrested? Should the children have been taken away?
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Is Snow Mountain worth the money?
We need your first-hand reviews! Has your family been to Stone Mountain’s new snow attraction? Is it worth the money? Would you go back?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My 5-year-old son is perpetually hoping for snow. And now we have a manmade hill of snow less than five miles from our house. But is Stone Mountain’s new Snow Mountain worth $25 a person for a two-hour session? Here is the pricing and calendar.
My parents drove over to check out the snow last week. (My dad is obsessed with snow and skiing.) They said the hill seemed very icy, and there was a long line to go down the hill. They weren’t sure how many runs you could make in the two-hour time period. However, they talked to families who were on the slope, and they said they were having a great time.
When I was little my parents would take us up to Sky Valley to ski, and as we got older we went for day trips to Cataloochee. I was thinking about taking my 7-and 5-year-olds up for a day this year. The Cataloochee Web site says a weekend day lift ticket is $51 for an adult and $41 for a child 5 to 12. And then to rent equipment is $22 for an adult and $18 for a kid. So for the math impaired, a whole day of playing in the snow in North Carolina would cost $73 for an adult and $59 for a child.
We need to hear from parents that have tried Snow Mountain. What did you think of the experience? What did your kids think? It two hours too short or just about the amount of time a kid is willing to stick with it? What is the youngest age that can down the hill alone? (My parents thought it looked too fast for our 7- and 5-year-olds to go down alone.) Could one parent take two kids down in the double tube?
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