Sunday, April 13, 2008

What chance does this child have?

Parents often argue over what's best for their children. When the child turns four, suddenly decisions have to be made. Catholic school or public school? Little League or Youth Hockey? Cub Scouts or music lessons?

Should he join the Crips or the Westside Ballers?
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. -- A couple arguing 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, reported KMGH-TV in Denver.

Gang? Yep. Gang.

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, told authorities she is a member of the Crips, police said. Manzanares is Hispanic and belongs to the Westside Ballers gang, the woman told police.

"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.

Let's see. He's 19, and she's a "teen mother" and the child is four. They're arguing over what street gang the kid should join.

When the kid commits armed robbery at 13, will we pretend to be surprised?