I don't even know what to title this. Perhaps, 'Now, I've heard it all and its sad.'

[Copswife]

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/15851207/detail.html

Parents Fight Over Which Gang Toddler Should Join

Police: Mother A Crip, Father A Westside Baller

POSTED: 7:10 pm MDT April 10, 2008
UPDATED: 7:27 am MDT April 11, 2008
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. -- A couple fighting about which gang their 4-year-old toddler should join caused a public disturbance that resulted in the father's arrest, Commerce City police said Thursday.On Saturday, Joseph Manzanares stormed into the Hollywood Video store where his girlfriend worked, threatened to kill her and knocked over several video displays and even a computer, Commerce City police Sgt. Joe Sandoval said.After he ran out of the store, police were called and the 19-year-old was arrested at his home.His girlfriend told police that they had been arguing about the upbringing of their son and which gang he should belong to. The teen mother, who is black, is a member of the Crips. Manzanares is Hispanic and belongs to the Westside Ballers gang, the woman said."They have different ideas on how the baby should be raised. Basically, she said they cannot agree on which gang the baby would 'claim,'" Sandoval said.Manzanares was charged with disorderly conduct, harassment, and domestic violence. He was transported to the Adams County Detention Facility.On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was sentenced to a year of probation. The misdemeanor harassment charge was dropped.

Copyright 2008 by TheDenverChannel.com (dennews@thedenverchannel.com). All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[beansprouts]

Just give the baby to me, and they won't have to worry about it :(

[Copswife]

That and it puts a whole new perspective on the threads I've been writing and reading about curriculum choices. Here these parents are trying to decide what gang their child will be in. We fret over science curriculums.

It's just kinda nuts to think about other kids out there that are growing up in such disfunctional, shoot, they aren't even disfunctional. What would be the word for that? Totally screwed up? :glare:

And it also makes me realize that parents DO mold how their child will turn out. IF this boy stays in this family, he'll end up a gang banger , most likely. How sad is that? Of course, as a Christian, I know God can move and do miraculous things in people's lives, even if they are brought up in the worst circumstances.

It's just sad. It took the load off of my shoulders today because I've been fretting and pondering about next year's curriculum. And you know what? No matter what we decide, my kids will be just fine! If we get something and it doesn't work, we'll try something else. :lol:



Tracie

Just give the baby to me, and they won't have to worry about it :(

[Cadam]

To be so little, and have no future. If he survives to be a teen it will be amazing. I hope DCF is involved.

[Remudamom]

Hmmm, I guess that will teach them to yoke themselves unequally to a member of a rival gang.

Un. be. lievable.

[beansprouts]

To be so little, and have no future. If he survives to be a teen it will be amazing. I hope DCF is involved.

Normally I would never wish for DCF involvement, but in this case I am inclined to agree.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Wed. at the library I saw a young boy (6 or 7 years old) all dressed up as a "gang-banger" - head scarf, big chunky chain, baggy clothes. . . (a written description probably doesn't do justice to the fact that he had the whole 'tude and attire down pat). I guess he's just waiting until he's old enough to join. . . .

[Plaid Dad]

Oh, man. I can't even begin to imagine what this child's life is like. :(