Boy kills brother over dessert

[Anzik]

To me it speaks volumes that one would leave a thirteen year old in charge of multiple children. I know adults who can't handle more than one kid.

 

[bagelsncheesey]

I'd equate it to something being mentally wrong with him in the first place, and bad parenting for leaving the 13 year old in charge.

 

[lcummins]

To me it speaks volumes that one would leave a thirteen year old in charge of multiple children. I know adults who can't handle more than one kid.

It used to be common for 13 and 14 year old girls to babysit for parents for most of the last century, so I think a 13 year old should be responsible enough.

While I've read several posts that raise valid points, I personally believe the problem is simply a lack of discipline. Society started accusing parents of child abuse just for spanking their children in public and had their children yanked out of the home "to protect them". Parents then became fearful of losing their kids or going to jail, and they began to use less disciplinary measures and kids grew wilder every year. In the schools, the same thing was happening because Parents were suing schools for spanking their kids, so educators could no longer discipline kids while at school, and had to resort to other measures. Between home and school, the average child doesn't receive a fraction of the guidance and discipline that children from the 50's, 60's or even 70's received. I really think the scales have swung too far in favor of the kids and it won't be too long before society says enough and the scales start to swing back in favor of strong discipline for children. Just my two cents...

 

[pixletwin]

Here is food for thought:

If a kid was so worried about what his parents would do to him (if he ate a dessert) that he would kill his brother, those parents may have been really violent child abusers to possibly raise that kind of fear in a kid for self preservation...

Who knows...

I also agree with Lonnie. A typical 13 year old is old enough to baby sit.

 

[Darthrazz]

Here is food for thought:

If a kid was so worried about what his parents would do to him (if he ate a dessert) that he would kill his brother, those parents may have been really violent child abusers to possibly raise that kind of fear in a kid for self preservation...

Who knows...

I also agree with Lonnie. A typical 13 year old is old enough to baby sit.

That's a valid point....I'm sure that a thorough investigation might prove that.

 

[Voorhees27]

It used to be common for 13 and 14 year old girls to babysit for parents for most of the last century, so I think a 13 year old should be responsible enough.

While I've read several posts that raise valid points, I personally believe the problem is simply a lack of discipline. Society started accusing parents of child abuse just for spanking their children in public and had their children yanked out of the home "to protect them". Parents then became fearful of losing their kids or going to jail, and they began to use less disciplinary measures and kids grew wilder every year. In the schools, the same thing was happening because Parents were suing schools for spanking their kids, so educators could no longer discipline kids while at school, and had to resort to other measures. Between home and school, the average child doesn't receive a fraction of the guidance and discipline that children from the 50's, 60's or even 70's received. I really think the scales have swung too far in favor of the kids and it won't be too long before society says enough and the scales start to swing back in favor of strong discipline for children. Just my two cents...

You bring up some excellent points but don't believe society has the balls to reverse things. Fear is a *****.

 

[screamingmetal]

I think the kid had major anger issues and went way to far in expressing his anger with brother. I also think it's very likely the kid picked this unrestrained aggression up at home from his parents.

As far as the media is involved, I think the violence on TV, in Movies, and Video Games isn't likely to influence a child as much as it's Parents. The environment could contribute to bad behavior, but then again I think it's up to Parents to control the child's Environment.

 

[Anzik]

I agree that some 13 yr olds are mature enough to babysit, but all 13 yr olds aren't equal. As the kids mother, she should have been able to judge his ability. I find it hard to believe that beating his brother to death was his first violent act, which is even more reason for her not to leave him in charge.

 

[pixletwin]

Lots of assumptions flying around here as fact. But here is what we do know at the moment:

1) A 13 year old killed his brother because he was scared he was going to be punished for something his little brother did.

Thats it, to my knowledge.

Whatever the circumstances, its a tragedy and obliviously something wasn't right in their home: whether that be parental abuse/neglect or a mental health issue with the child or both.

 

[DarkArtist81]

Here is food for thought:

If a kid was so worried about what his parents would do to him (if he ate a dessert) that he would kill his brother, those parents may have been really violent child abusers to possibly raise that kind of fear in a kid for self preservation...

Who knows...

I also agree with Lonnie. A typical 13 year old is old enough to baby sit.

That's what I would think too. I know that I came close to losing it on my abusive step mother for the 4 years she was in my life, so much so that I would sleep walk and wake up in the kitchen holding a knife.

So I can say that I had minor issues and a hard ass life.... But it was my sense of right and wrong that stayed my hand. Most children aren't instilled with those values anymore. So I'd say that possibly abusive parents, bad values and a tad bit of mental instability caused this kid to go off the deep end for a moment.

I feel bad for all involved, it's a terrible thing to have happen.

 

[Bannister]

That's what I would think too. I know that I came close to losing it on my abusive step mother for the 4 years she was in my life, so much so that I would sleep walk and wake up in the kitchen holding a knife.

Obviously that occurred because you watched Halloween too much.

 

[dr2red]

From what I have read the victim had signs of old injuries.
"He had fresh injuries and he had old injuries," Allen said in an interview with Wftv.com. "The child had suffered multiple injuries and, at this point, we're still looking into how some of those other injuries had occurred, where they occurred and who might have inflicted them...It certainly appears at this point the child has been beaten over a long period of time."
"According to neighbors, Key only recently became a part of Levares's life. She had allegedly given him up at birth to Penny Blackmon, a woman police have identified as his godmother. In June, Tangela allegedly picked up Levares for a visit and then decided to keep him. At this time, it remains unclear who had legal custody of the child."

 

[pixletwin]

From what I have read the victim had signs of old injuries.
"He had fresh injuries and he had old injuries," Allen said in an interview with Wftv.com. "The child had suffered multiple injuries and, at this point, we're still looking into how some of those other injuries had occurred, where they occurred and who might have inflicted them...It certainly appears at this point the child has been beaten over a long period of time."
"According to neighbors, Key only recently became a part of Levares's life. She had allegedly given him up at birth to Penny Blackmon, a woman police have identified as his godmother. In June, Tangela allegedly picked up Levares for a visit and then decided to keep him. At this time, it remains unclear who had legal custody of the child."

Sigh....... I have two boys myself and whenever I hear about stuff like this, in my mind I see them. Really sad stuff.

Rory, we need to elect you and Darth Loki to tell us who may and who may not have kids.

 

[pixletwin]

Obviously that occurred because you watched Halloween too much.

 

[Bannister]

Rory, we need to elect you and Darth Loki to tell us who may and who may not have kids.

 

[nash]

pshhhh..... I've killed for less

 

[creecher]

It used to be common for 13 and 14 year old girls to babysit for parents for most of the last century, so I think a 13 year old should be responsible enough.

While I've read several posts that raise valid points, I personally believe the problem is simply a lack of discipline. Society started accusing parents of child abuse just for spanking their children in public and had their children yanked out of the home "to protect them". Parents then became fearful of losing their kids or going to jail, and they began to use less disciplinary measures and kids grew wilder every year. In the schools, the same thing was happening because Parents were suing schools for spanking their kids, so educators could no longer discipline kids while at school, and had to resort to other measures. Between home and school, the average child doesn't receive a fraction of the guidance and discipline that children from the 50's, 60's or even 70's received. I really think the scales have swung too far in favor of the kids and it won't be too long before society says enough and the scales start to swing back in favor of strong discipline for children. Just my two cents...

I am old, so I have to agree. Except for the pendulum swinging back. When it does swing on over, I reckon it wont be so much physically, as in smacking, which I approve of in public, because it doesn't have to be hard to hurt more, and it is a fast lesson in the unexpected, painful consequences and embarrassing emotions and brings home the message that if you muck up and get caught, a bigger power will wreak all manner of crud down on you. Something I find lacking in todays society, other than the getting caught and copping it. Even the copping it is lame in many instances.

Violence is a part of the animal kingdom, and the physical world. It allows for new beginnings, whether birth or death. So smacking, appropriately, allows for the lesson to be learned, and the slate to be wiped clean. An economical and expedient act. Sure it would be nice to 'reason' with a kid. Hey, they're kids, and sure you can blow it up their Khyber's, because they have limited reason, but I never suffered from some good old experience to show me the way. These are just my own thoughts, and I don't wish to argue. At least we don't rub their noses in their own poop, do we?

I somewhat agree with Darthrazz, in that television violence was understood to be like playing, Cowboys and Indians, for instance. Playing is a great teaching tool for kids. PRETENDING to shoot, kill or die. A couple of possible scenarios and one sure one. I don't believe that has changed because there is more of it. Just like I don't have more sex because porn is more accessible now.

As for these particular kids. I think what the cause is, is more the pressure being put on everyone and everything across the board, and the planet. Children to pass tests. Young adults to succeed, and old people, like myself, to survive. Even relaxation is, seemingly, at a fast pace. Who knows which will be the straw to break the camels back.

 

[Anzik]

I was born in the 60's and when we were growing up TV and Movies still had the same message. The bad guys never won. The bad guy, or more accurately anti hero, might be the protagonist but he still had to pay for his actions. Violence is and will always be, but the idea of consequences has been lost.
The media is oblivious to all this and still embraces the idea that its more important to feel good instead of doing good. They are clueless, which was why I posted this to begin with. Here is an immense tragedy and they ponder what kind of dessert it was over.

 

[gideon]

This family sounds like the ideal 21st century American social unit. They needtheir own reality TV show.

If you want to cut somebodys hair, sell them real estate, teach children in school, dispense medicine, nurse someones wounds, or handle their legal papers you need to take classes, get a license and maybe even pass a test. Even the simple hunting of animals requires a license. But if you want to create and raise another human being what requirements are there?

And we wonder why segments of our society are going to hell on a roller coaster while other are greasing the tracks.

 

[The ill Jedi]

I read the title of this thread yesterday, but didn't want to read it 'cause I knew it'd sad. Well, I read it today and it is very sad indeed. I agree 100% with those who think this kid was a sandwich short of a picnic basket. Although I feel she is mostly to blame, I feel bad for the mother.