Community Chat

[chickenbutt]

As bad as this is, I can't see any criminal charges for the teenager.  Like everybody has said, he really skrewed up and he is going to live with that.  But he didn't do anything illegal, assuming it wasn't actually he who abducted and killed the little one.

The most anybody can do is a civil case for negligence that lead to the homicide, in my view anyway.  

[Stray]

We are talking fiction right?   Well, I go with the poster that a teenager is not a responsible chaperone.   A responsible party would be an adult. 

[shoekitty]

I am assuming that being in high school, the student hired to escort the boy home is a minor himself.  I agree with crystaltree and chynnablue, that indeed this is a case of poor judgement and irresponsibility.  Kids that age (under 24 or so) most often do make good judgements.  The part of the brain that controls this is not fully developed.

If the babysitter had a legal contract  with the mother to walk her son home, and was ordered under no circumstances to leave her child unattended, there might be something to charge.  But to what avail ?

What is to say, the stalker that killed the boy wouldn't have followed him home, and abducted him at a later date or even invaded the home to take him?  JMHO

[Silver Lining]

Since it was a television show, how did it end? I've not seen that particular episode. 

[circles]

Many of you said the teenager will live with the guilt for the rest of his life....Sadly....I bet he won't give it a second thought after about a week or two....

If he is that irresponsible to not care if the child got home safely ....only thinking of himself and his own fun...how much time do any of you think he will spend concerned about the childs kidnapping and death....NONE....

[muttmom]

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@Silver Lining wrote:

Since it was a television show, how did it end? I've not seen that particular episode. 

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Good question.  I thought I'd seen every episode of L&O multiple times.  This one doesn't sound the least bit familiar.

[MacDUFF]

@occasionalrain

I'm curious if the HS student was being paid (I know you said he was "employed").  I assume he's a minor, but depending on state contract laws, there may be some legal culpability...so some sort of negligence charge...or breaking of contractual agreement...actions have consequences even if we forgive or agree that it is enough that the HS student will "pay" with his conscience for a lifetime. 

[151949]

he should be charged with neglect - he entered into a contract with the parents to see the boy home in return for a salary. At the very least the parents should sue him against future earnings.

[Blahblahvampemer]

I saw that episode and wondered the same thing.