Hennepin County attorney files child protection petition on behalf of 9-year-old stowaway

[alp227]

Source: [Minneapolis] Star Tribune

The 9-year-old boy who gained national notoriety when he hitched a flight to Las Vegas without a ticket will become the focus of intensive Hennepin County social services when he gets back to Minneapolis.

The county attorney’s office filed a petition for a child in need of protective services Friday on behalf of the boy, detailing a months-long pattern of running away and behavior that would be considered criminal if he were older.

The petition starts a process of determining the child’s future, whether he should be removed from his home or, more likely, receive intensive mental and behavioral health treatment to address aggression, outbursts of anger, running away and theft.

His mother reported that he has “behavior issues” and is seeing a therapist; “however, it appears their last session was on Aug. 13,” the petition said.

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/local/west/227405151.html

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AP: Officials seek protection for 9-year-old stowaway

St. Paul Pioneer-Press (Oct. 9) Stowaway's dad says he tried to get help for problem son

[efhmc]

1. Hope he gets the help he needs.

[hedgehog]

2. This kid's story reminded me of Louis Zamperini's early days -

Loius Zamperini was an Olympic runner who ended up as a POW of the Japanese during WWII after spending weeks on a raft in the Pacific. He came through all that andwent on to live a good life. His story is told in the book Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Zamperini

Anyways, the point is that he was a wild child, too. It makes me wonder whether there are always a certain number of kids like this out there, and whether the real problem is that our modern society has no room for them.

[Sunlei]

3. Child is still in Vegas. I hope the whole family gets help & support- sounds like they need.

The Father sounds very upset.

[bemildred]

4. Right, that will help.

[LisaL]

5. What is going to help?

As soon as he turns ten, he can actually be dealt with by juvenile justice system if he continues on with this type of behavior.

[LeftyMom]

6. If there's no abuse they'll probably institute a support plan

where the child gets therapy and the parents get therapy or parenting classes or substance abuse counseling if needed, and if the situation improves for a specified period of time they'll stop checking on them.

If children are removed at all it's almost always for a few days while a stable family placement (grandparents, usually) is arranged.

[dflprincess]

7. From what I read in today's paper

it sounds like the Mom is on board with what the county is doing. I gather this is the easiest way to get the child and the family help (the parents had, in the past tried to get help for their son).

Clearly this is an intelligent child and, from what I've heard on local call in shows and letters to the editors, nearly everyone is thinking that and hoping his energies can be channeled in more productive ways.

BTW - a blurb for the 10 o'clock news said the child has arrived back in Minneapolis.