What would u want to do if this was your kid?

[HAVE_A_HEART]

If your child was the participant in the following story...how do you think you might react--and what would you do to the child?? (Let's see if we could answer this without being judgemental towards the actual parents/guardian of the actual child involved! This is hyperthetically your personal reaction to if it was your child involved!)
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Authorities: Boy, 12, robs store with a toy gun
Makes off with cash, arrested a short time later by Fla. deputy

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. - A 12-year-old boy was arrested after pointing what turned out to be a toy gun at a convenience store clerk in northern Florida, authorities said.

The Walton County Sheriff's Office said that the boy walked into the store Thursday, pointed a wood-barreled, long gun at the clerk and demanded money from the cash register. After handing him an undisclosed amount of money, the clerk told deputies the boy said thank you and left.

A deputy on patrol saw the boy walking on a highway. The boy attempted to run before being stopped.


Authorities said they found the money and toy weapon. The boy was first transported to the Walton County Jail, and later transferred to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Crestview.

[larry kremis]

I'd wait to see what the authorities were going to do after I let him know how ashamed and disappointed I was. After the authorities decide how to punish him. I'd create my own punishment that would probably make the justice system's punishment look like play time.

[blondie 11]

I am totally in line with Larry's way of thinking. His life would be school, church and work. He would be able to recite the bible, and get a free education due to wonderful grades.

[larry kremis]

It is very very likely that the boy's environment and upbringing had a lot to do with it.

[CWO3ROBBIE]

I would talk to the authorities involved to get the entire story from their side. I would then talk to my son/daughter to find out what he/she thought. I want to know details. I want to know what each person involved thinks happened. At that point I would probably hire a lawyer. Our Court system makes it almost manditory that you hire a lawyer. I would take responsibility for his/her actions. But I would make sure that He/She knew that they were the one who committed the crime and they were the one who would have to pay the concequences. At the same time I would be examining what I and my spouse had done to bring this on. At twelve years of age kids do not always make good decisions, but they usually know what is right and what is wrong. I can not imagine a kid of mine doing this, but I know it happens. If he/she did not end up in juvenile detention for a long period, I would make sure that we all got counsing to try to keep it from happening again.

[TeeBubbaDee]

Whar Larry said, what 1GL said, what blondie said, what Pru said, plus grounded (and I mean GROUNDED) till he/she proved worthy of my trust.