07 January 2009

Babysitter Needed?

Here is a story out of Jackson, Ohio in the USA. Is it any wonder it is tough to find someone willing to babysit your kids?

A four-year-old boy, that is right, four-years-old, has grabbed a loaded and unsecured shotgun and shot his 18-year-old babysitter in the arm and side. Apparently, the babysitter accidentally stepped on the four-year-old's foot. This infuriated him so that he responded with a shotgun blast.

There are a couple of issues here, like what was an loaded and unsecured shotgun doing in the home in the first place and can a four-year-old have the legal or mental capacity to be responsible for his or her actions?

The four-year-old has not been charged. This suggests that the possibility of a four-year-old having the mental capacity to understand right and wrong does not exist. Nevertheless, on the bare facts available to date, the idea that the kid got a little angry when the babysitter stepped on his foot and then decided to shoot the babysitter would suggests that there is some capacity there in terms of understanding revenge, maybe.

I do not own any guns so there is not much chance of you being shot when you're babysitting for us.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

This reminds me of a documentary I saw the other day about American dads who are teaching their kids how to shoot. Well of course the dads bring them to a shooting range and with safety equipment and so on, but the kids are as small as 7 years old. When asked whether it is wise to teach their children how to shoot a gun, the dads give arrogant answer that it's their own business and nobody should interfere with how they want to raise their kids. True, but can they guarantee that their kids will be the next Virginia Tech killer? I never trust US and its weapon law :(

Rob Baiton said...

How's Vic?

The whole thing is a little disturbing in that at four-years-old the kid reaches for a shotgun when he gets angry.

Anonymous said...

Vic is doing great, thanks :) He's chirpping loud this morning, not like yesterday :)

Anonymous said...

I guess you'd be hearing a lot of those type of news if Sarah Palin became vice president! LOL

Anonymous said...

"I do not own any guns so there is not much chance of you being shot when you're babysitting for us."

the fact that your son is still a little baby also lessens the chance of him grabbing any gun and shooting it at anything.. lol

Rob Baiton said...

Writer...

Glad to hear it!

Therry...

Perhaps!

Rima...

Generally, the shots fired by the little fella is more likely a constant stream of warm liquid (aka pee) so it pays to be on your toes when changing nappies or bathing him ;)

Anonymous said...

well, im used to warm liquids (kpi, teh, sekoteng.. jangan jorok yah pikirannya! heheheh) so i dont think it'll be much of a problem..;)

Rob Baiton said...

Rima...

Me, jorok, never!

I will be sure to look you up next time we are in your part of the world.

schmerly said...

Rob..

Here we go again, your post "Gun Crime in the US--Murder by Children"
Nov 11 2008.

The UK is going down the same path, with gun crime amongst children on the increase.

There are 28 various gun crimes committed every day in the UK!

Rob Baiton said...

Schmerly...

Yep, the world is a much more dangerous place now than it has been in the past.