'On Strike' Mom Accused Of Neglect [Archive]

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Sumanadevii

02-21-2008, 08:02 AM

OCALA, Fla. -- A Central Florida mother of four boys was arrested on Tuesday after telling authorities that she went "on strike" more than a month ago, leaving the teens home alone for hours every day because they would constantly fight.

Melissa G. Dean, 33, was charged with child neglect after telling Ocala police and the Department of Children and Families that she leaves her children, ages 17, 16, 14 and 13, home alone.

According to a charging affidavit, Dean said the children needed to start cleaning up and stop fighting and that she had no control over them. Dean also said she was fed up with being run over in her own home and having no privacy, according to the affidavit.

Dean told a DCF official that she decided to "go on strike" because no one would help with her children, saying the police and courts would do nothing to help her.

<snipped for space>

Police have responded to the home several times in the past.
http://www.local6.com/news/15357269/detail.html

WHERE IS THE FATHER?

Texas53

02-21-2008, 11:48 AM

If my math is correct, she had her 1st kid at 16, while she was still a kid herself! THis would be the perfect model to show these little teenage kids what happens when you have a baby at 16 or younger!

The woman is 33 and looks like she is 63. IMO

Sumanadevii

02-21-2008, 03:11 PM

SaberGal

02-21-2008, 03:33 PM

Texas..it looks like she has been to hell and back. Those ring under her eyes...I just wonder where the support is? her husband? her family? friends? Raising a house full of boys is tough! She needs some resources not punishment...

I tend to agree - if her kids were younger I would view her "strike" a bit differently...but these boys are old enough (especially the older two) to take care of themselves for a few hours a day. Charging her is ridiculous, IMO.

Sumanadevii

02-21-2008, 06:33 PM

I tend to agree - if her kids were younger I would view her "strike" a bit differently...but these boys are old enough (especially the older two) to take care of themselves for a few hours a day. Charging her is ridiculous, IMO.
You need to read the article Saber. The woman is not going home at night. She is only bringing meals sometimes for the boys. She is actually living with a friend. The article makes no mention of any other adult in the home.

SaberGal

02-21-2008, 07:35 PM

You need to read the article Saber. The woman is not going home at night. She is only bringing meals sometimes for the boys. She is actually living with a friend. The article makes no mention of any other adult in the home.

I did read the article....In my opinion, I don't think she should be charged - she's checking on them, brings them food and calls them frequently. We're not talking about little kids here. When I was 11, I knew how to cook for seven people, do laundry and "keep house." These are not helpless little kids...sounds like they need to learn a lesson or two. Would I have done what she did? No. But do I think she deserves a criminal record for this? Nope....

Pure speculation on my part, but my guess would be her mistake was not disciplining them early enough.

JMHO

Texas53

02-21-2008, 07:49 PM

I did read the article....In my opinion, I don't think she should be charged - she's checking on them, brings them food and calls them frequently. We're not talking about little kids here. When I was 11, I knew how to cook for seven people, do laundry and "keep house." These are not helpless little kids...sounds like they need to learn a lesson or two. Would I have done what she did? No. But do I think she deserves a criminal record for this? Nope....

Pure speculation on my part, but my guess would be her mistake was not disciplining them early enough.

JMHO

I have to say she is doing more for her kids than many parents do who are in the same house with the kids.

Too bad she can't put these kids back where they came from. Which by the way, where is dear Daddy? JMHO

SaberGal

02-21-2008, 07:53 PM

I have to say she is doing more for her kids than many parents do who are in the same house with the kids.

Too bad she can't put these kids back where they came from. Which by the way, where is dear Daddy? JMHO

True....and at least we aren't hearing about her killing her kids which seems to be very prevalent these days unfortunately. Sounds to me like this was the best way she knew how to cope with the situation.

Sumanadevii

02-21-2008, 08:59 PM

SaberGal

02-22-2008, 04:58 AM

I don't think she should be charged either. I think she needs HELP finding resources. Seems those boys have taken over. I question where the father is too!!! There is an eight year old in that house...sad for him. I am sure those older boys bully something terrible. Not very fair to leave him with that crew.

That's exactly what I think about her and these boys - I think she waited way too long to start "laying down the law with them" and they took over. I too wonder where the dad - or dad's- are...

Thought from the story her youngest was 13....haven't heard about and 8 year old. I will say that I believe, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15,....age is irrelevant really - I think whenever possible, children should experience both parents if at all possible.

Sumanadevii

02-22-2008, 05:44 AM

Saber, I guess I should take my own advise and read the article! You are correct. The youngest is 13. Still sad and so young. The mother should not be charged but if they are going to charge her...better hunt down the father and charge him, too. He is as responsible if not more so. I hope rather than punishment, they bring some resources into the picture. My personal feeling is...there is a ring leader among those boys...One of them is pushing the limits and throwing the whole group off. If someone in-tune to kids can get into that house and figure it out, it may offer a solution.