Deserted 5 year old takes toddler to neighbor in bitter cold.

[LAS14]

Last edited Sun Dec 8, 2019, 09:24 PM - Edit history (1)

I can't think of how to introduce this as a discussion topic except that I'm just so amazed/impressed at the empathy and grit and moral responsiblity that was demonstrated by a 5 year old I wanted to share!

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/deserted-year-takes-toddler-neighbor-bitter-cold-67557987

Edit: "The children are expected to make a full recovery, Ken Marsh, a department spokesman, said on Sunday." NYT. I've been waiting for this.

[Demovictory9]

1. k&r

[mopinko]

2. i hope those babies get a good foster family.

jesus fucking christ. leaving 2 little ones like that when it is that cold is demented.

[Hortensis]

3. Good little kid, smart enough to know to go for help.

When I was abused by cops at that age, I fully understood that they were behaving badly, that they were supposed to take care of me like Officer Bob, or whatever his name was, in the Dick and Jane readers for small children.

This child knew they weren't supposed to be abandoned and took the little one to adults who could take care of them. I'm just very glad they got there okay. Imagine opening the door to them!

[dewsgirl]

5. Surreal...im so happy they are ok. How awful.

[CatMor]

4. I read this story earlier today and was amazed ...

the five year old could carry the one year old a half mile in freezing below zero temps with just socks on his feet. I hope the two children can go to a loving family.

[Blue_true]

6. I read the article earlier tonight.

I hope that both kids come through this without permanent damage to their bodies.

The 5 year old kid was both smart and brave. He realized that him and his sibling would likely die in a house without lights or heat, so he set out for the nearest house in -31 below cold, poorly dressed for it.

[abqtommy]

7. A young age doesn't mean that person is incapable of thinking and acting. Good for them.

When I was young my favorite books were the Boxcar Children series, mainly because children were the protagonists but I also learned some valuable coping/survival skills.

[Grasswire2]

9. Did you ever read the Moffats series by Eleanor Estes?

Set during the Depression, I think, and they were resourceful children too.

[abqtommy]

12. I missed that but I'll make a note to look it up. Thanks!

[abqtommy]

13. I found info about the 4 Moffats books on Wikipedia and from there was directed to the 11

books of the Five Little Peppers (and how they grew) series published until 1916. Hoo boy. Guess I'll see about ordering from Powell's Books, they're a good source. Thanks again!

[Grasswire2]

14. thanks for ordering from Powell's!

What about the Trolley Car children?



If you are on FB, you might also like a group called "Golden Age of Illustration" where many people post illustrations from old children's books. (among other wonderful images)

[abqtommy]

15. Dealing with Powell's is my pleasusre. Thanks, I'll look up the Trolley Car Children too.

[JoeOtterbein]

8. K n R ! Thanks for posting!...

...and for the opportunity to add anger and tears.

[wnylib]

10. Glad they made it to someone who could help.

But they are not ok. The article said they suffered weather related injuries. Most likely frostbite. Surely on the 5 year old's feet, and possibly the face and hands.

[Roland99]

11. Details

A 5-year-old child left alone in a house in a remote Alaska village carried a toddler half a mile to a neighbor's home in the bitter cold wearing only socks and light clothing after the power went out, authorities said Friday.

Both children suffered cold-weather injuries in temperatures that dipped to 31 degrees below zero (minus 35 Celsius) in the village of Venetie, Alaska State Troopers said in a news release. Spokesman Ken Marsh couldn't immediately detail the extent or nature of the injuries.



ADVERTISEMENT

The adult who left the children in the home, Julie Peter, 37, has been arrested on suspicion of endangering the welfare of a minor. Online court records do not list the case, and it's not known if she has an attorney. She remained jailed Friday.

Troopers on Tuesday received a request to check on the two children in a village of 175 people about 155 miles (250 kilometers) north of Fairbanks. Like other interior Alaska communities, it sees extreme temperature variations throughout the year and in winter routinely reaches 40 degrees below zero or lower.

[LAS14]

16. Good news!

"The children are expected to make a full recovery, Ken Marsh, a department spokesman, said on Sunday." NYT. I've been waiting for this.

[lpbk2713]

17. Thanks for the update.

I am so relieved. Nothing gets to me more than little ones suffering like this due to the stupidity of adults.