Eight days later no one has claimed lost 6-year-old boy yet

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-abandon08.html

Boy lost at Taste goes unclaimed

He came in like the more than 70 other children who have been separated from their families at Taste of Chicago this year.

But instead of being found by a frantic parent and whisked away, the 6-year-old boy stayed and stayed inside the "Lost Children" tent, where he "sat patiently" for four hours, according to police reports.

But no one ever came.

That was eight days ago, on June 30 about 2:30 p.m.

[dsc]

1. and I bet this worthless parent will get him back again

I am so sick of kids like this paying for having utterly worthless parents. I will give his parent this at least she didn't physically abuse the poor kid but the mental abuse will last for years.

[annabanana]

3. It sounds to me like she knows that she shouldn't

be caring for him.

"the mother allegedly called authorities to report she had locked herself in a room so she wouldn't hurt him"

[knitter4democracy]

12. A lot of moms do that--especially with three year olds.

We do it for short periods--give ourselves a time out to calm down and not beat the crap out of them. Not every minute of mothering is all sweetness and light--there's also a lot of frustration and rage.

That said, I cannot imagine how frantic I would be if one of my children went missing. I would go postal, calling everyone, searching everywhere, panicking every single second that they're hurt and can't find me. That poor boy didn't have that, and that's just wrong. If I could handle another kid, I would take him in, since he's the same age as my daughter. That poor little man. :(

[Lerkfish]

5. It also occurs to me the parents might have met foul play.

And their bodies not yet found.
I'm just sayin we don't know yet, its possible they might not be worthless parents but might be kidnapped or dead parents.
Having lived in Chicago, I can tell you it would not be hard for such a thing to happen in that huge crowd.

I edited to add: sorry, I misspoke before other posters chimed in. My theory appears incorrect.

[annabanana]

2. sad story..

Overwhelmed mom, no support system...
poor kid

[Bucky]

4. Apparently they do know who the mother is. They just don't know where

Worse than appalling. At this point she should just forget it. I doubt she'll ever get to keep the boy anyway. Here's the money quote: "a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, confirmed that the agency had previous contact with the boy's family, including substantiated allegations of neglect, and that DCFS was still providing supportive services to the family."

Do you supposed drugs might be involved? Naah!

[rocktivity]

6. Sounds like his mother decided to throw in the towel

She knew what she was doing. She's probably long since left town.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Marr]

7. Mom will stumble out of a drug/alcohol haze in a few days, I suspect.

I'd bet you cash the boy's parent decided to go on a binge.

[lonestarnot]

8. ahhhhh, I will take him.

:cry:

[Bluerthanblue]

11. oh please please DO look

into all the kids who are seen as unadoptable because they aren't 'healthy white infants'-
AASK is a WONDERFUL organization which helps kids find their forever families-
You won't regret it- believe me-

It would break your heart to know how many wonderful, beautiful kids are desperate for a 'family'- (and that can mean single parent, unmarried couple and depending on the state, other options).

Foster care fills a need, but there is NOTHING like a 'forever family'-

I strongly encourage you to look into it- My youngest son was a special needs infant... and he has enriched our lives and brought more joy into this corner of the world than I would ever have thought possible- It's not always easy... but it is the most rewarding decision I have ever made-

(Aid to the Adoption of Special Kids)- The Dave Thomas Foundation, your local DHHS- there are all sorts of organizations out there-

hope you do look into this-
peace,
blu

[lonestarnot]

14. I will, I will. The repuke neighbor has been causing me grief over my

6 abandoned dogs saying they make too much noise. Wait until I fill up what room is left of my house with kids!

[beyurslf]

24. I want to second what you say. I work in adoption and social services

I have dozens of kids on my case load, some as young as 7 or 8 with no one wanting to adopt. If no one does, they will stay in the system until they are 18.
Adoption isn't for everyone though. If you can't adopt, foster. I am a foster parent to teen boys, who are the hardest to find homes for. The current young man in home is 16, and has been in the system since he was 6. I think he is still amazed when I say things about him being in my house until he is in college or when I make plans a year out that include him (like next summer's vacation). These kids get passed around so much, they don't know what it means to have someone accept them no matter what.

[ninkasi]

9. This poor, sweet child

It sounds like he has had to cope with a great deal during the few years he's been on earth. I truly hope that somebody will adopt him, and give him a chance at a decent life. I realize that different protective services for children try to help the parent or parents cope, but the mother here seems beyond help.

What this little one needs is love and stability. Sadly, resources to help families in crisis is minimal. It's just so much more important to cut taxes for the wealthy.:sarcasm: There is one other thing I need to add. It's possible, even likely that the mother comes from a home where there was abuse, neglect, or simply dysfunctional. I hope she gets help. With a child at stake, though, it would be dangerous to take the chance that she will be able to get her life together.

The tragedy is for the mother and the child, and makes me furious that a nation as wealthy as ours has that wealth so unevenly distributed. We are apparently willing to spend billions on killing people in other countries, but are oblivious to the many needs of our most vulnerable citizens.

[porphyrian]

10. Not to excuse this, but it could be a pathetic attempt...

...to give the boy a better life by parents who know they are incapable of providing what the kid needs. As I said, I'm not trying to excuse the behavior, but it could be best for the kid.

[lonestarnot]

15. Well surely there are better ways to go about it than this. Poor kid.

[porphyrian]

19. I agree, but we are limited by the options we perceive...

...and we don't usually perceive all of our options.

[lonestarnot]

20. Isn't that just the saddest truth.

:cry: again.

[Nay]

13. Poor little guy. I hope he is adopted into a wonderful home.

[snacker]

16. What a heartbreaking story... nt

[bobby911]

18. Wife and I have taken in one

foster child.

Looking to get another.

You would be amazed at some of the stories we have heard from our local CS rep.

[Vidar]

25. Bless you. & welcome to DU.

[Clark2008]

17. This made me cry.

I keep hawk eyes on my 7-year-old every where we go. Heck, I even had a leash for him when he was 3 years old and we visited NYC - and I think leashes for children are appalling, but the alternative (his running off, getting picked up by a molester or struck by a vehicle) was worse.

I cannot IMAGINE leaving my kid for eight days. I had fits when I went on my honeymoon (I got remarried this year) and I left him with my MOM for five days. Needless to say, my son got tons of souvenirs because I couldn't stop thinking about him.

[onehandle]

21. Too bad he's not in his mother's womb or on life support.

Then Republicans would give a shit.

Congress and the Presidency would come to a halt to "help him".

[RagingInMiami]

22. Why don't they put a fucking photo of him with the article?

To help identify this kid and see to whom he belongs.

EDIT: On further reading, I see they know who the mother is, but how did they find out? I just woke up so if the answer is there, perhaps I missed it.

[adadem]

23. This happened to our adopted son

Eleven years later he still talks about it...the difference was that the police (in Russia) took him back to his mother and her abusive boyfriend. He is probably better off in foster care. Our son was later molested by his biological mothers sicko boyfriend.

[fortyfeetunder]

26. Oh, mom did show up Saturday

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/abandon08.html


"The mother of a 6-year-old boy abandoned at the Taste of Chicago turned herself in to authorities Saturday morning, police said.

The woman turned herself in to Harrison Area detectives around 11 a.m. Saturday, according to police News Affairs Officer Marcel Bright.

No information was immediately available regarding her identity or why she left the boy, Bright said."

Truly heartbreaking. Apparently there has been a history of this mother relinquishing custody, and showing evidence of not being able to care for him.

[Book Lover]

27. UPDATE: Mother turned herself in

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/abandon08.html

The mother of a 6-year-old boy abandoned at the Taste of Chicago turned herself in to authorities Saturday morning, police said.


The woman turned herself in to Harrison Area detectives around 11 a.m. Saturday, according to police News Affairs Officer Marcel Bright.


No information was immediately available regarding her identity or why she left the boy, Bright said.


The investigation was continuing to determine if charges would be sought, he said.


The 6-year-old boy remains in protective custody and the mother was being questioned at Harrison Area detective headquarters, 3151 W. Harrison St.