Minor sets her room on fire
Arson—it’s an offence that makes the news very often; but when the charge is brought against a twelve year old, it raises serious concern and begs a much closer look. The story begins with a twelve year old girl from Burrell Boom Village in the custody of Ladyville Police after she allegedly set a fire in her home intentionally. The incident happened on Wednesday night after the girl’s parents confronted her about telling a lie and grounded her. She apparently took it to heart and lit her bedroom on fire. At first the girl claimed that someone passed through the yard and threw a firebomb into her room. But nothing was found in the room to support her story and the student eventually admitted to starting the fire. While her parents contained the blaze before it spread to the rest of the house, it did destroy her bed and mattress and scorched the room. Normally when the police arrest and charge a minor, it would be in the presence of one or both parents. In this case, however, her parents told us that they were considering letting the law deal with the troubled girl because they have for years been experiencing a challenging time with her and have sought counseling sessions that have not helped. They have also involved the police on previous occasions when she has acted unruly at home and was found to be stealing and making false complaints against them. The child has also reportedly tried to set her grandmother’s house on fire and has scorched her own foot in the past. According to the parents, she has displayed some kind of split personality disorder for the past four years. The parents feel that because the girl is also abusive to her younger siblings, placing her in a girl’s home might be the best solution. This evening, however, they decided to give her one last chance to correct her mistakes and went to the Ladyville Police Station for her release in their custody.
NOW SHE SHOULD SLEEP ON THE FLOOR….at least until Christmas….
I kow some of who must be tired of seeing my comments, but I have lived a long life and have seen many things from which I can draw refferences I am a great gandfather so I can say my piece I saw much of the world and do a lot of reading especially now that I can see so many things on the Internet without having to go to a liabery. Now lets address parenting:In the times when I was growing up many parents blieve that it was necessary to shout or hit at a child to get their attention. I was guilty of that myself with my first set of childern. Then I s notice that friends of mine did not shout at their children nor hit them and they had a very good relationship with their children. My ignorant mother hit me if a fell and got hurt, instead òf helping me to ease the pain with a little comforting words. But that’s the way she was brought up and had no conciousness really of other methods of raising a child.
It was not until I was in my second relationship that I came to realize how much my kids were acting like me, and it took my new companion to point it out to me. I also came to grips with the reason why I had such a high flash point, and still have a little, but now I’m concious if it. Now about this child that set her room on fire: This poor child has lots of supressed anger, meaning that she cannot find a way to express her deeper feelings, and it has completely clouded her judgement. It may appear that she knew and meant what she did, but she does not. Having her arrested is the wrong thing to do. Its fortunate that the house did not burnt down. Mother of this child. if you read this my comment, I’m telling you that you may need to give yourself a good serious self-analysis. If you can get to a Internet, go on google and look up the book: EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE and order it, and for God sake read it when you get it, if you follow this advise.
Putting your child in the hands of the police is a terrible thing to do. The ability to communicate properly is ever so precious. You need to be able to communicate with your child on many subjects intelligently, so that your child can look up to you as that smart person that she can go to for wise answers and comments. Drop the case against her. If you never hug her before and tell her how much you love her, this is the time to do it. If you feel that you had wounded her ego that caused her to do what she did, tell her that you are sorry. Of course if you feel that you as a parent should not say you are sorry to your child, then it could be business as usual between you and her. Its not about making her feel guilty, its to bring out the tenderness between both of you. I can go on and on but a little word at times goes a long way. Best wishes to both of you.
As a parent, this breaks my heart. Parents, keep trying, it may be necessary to put her on medication to control her mood swing but if counseling hasn’t helped, if she is allowed to stay in your home, you will need to take precautions to protect your other children. God bless.
this child needs to be taken to a psychiatrist for help, placing her in a girls home without help will prove disastrous.
From the sound of this scenario, this child needs professional help. Saying she got couselling means nothing to me. People who are counseling children in Belize are by no way qualified to deal with some of these situations. GOB needs to invest and make allowance for people to be professionally trained as presently the demand for more personnels. Presently, I believe there maybe only two or three psychiatrist in the country of which only one is Belizean ( I stand correted if I am wrong). It will take more than just reading a book and taking pills, though both WILL be of some help. The root of the problem must first be identified and family, friends, teachers and the wider community will need to be educated likewise. Gone are the days when everyone that behaved out of the ordinary was branded as “crazy” or “retarded”. There are names. There are illness that can be treated and managed. We are a people – one hope -one destiny – one love BELIZE. All the best, and Prayers to God most high is paramount.
Bravo Manford….thank you for the words of wisdom.
Sallams and Ramadan Mubarak
This is a sad piece of news.
The parents stated that the child seem to have a splitt personality disorder and yet they palced her in the hands of belize most incompetent peope, “the police”. What the hell can the police do for this child in her present state of mind or condition? nothing.
This is again a case of child neglect, two people giving up on their kids, and putting their problem in the hands of someone else, shocking.
somehow, it seemed that these parents missed the concept that parenting is an intimate interactive process that continues.
The child is sick, she needs help.
MADDYVANDIJK/SURREALIST………. Please read your posts BEFORE HITTING THE SEND BUTTON. It would be helpful to all………
Manford……… The professor!!!
Make her sleep in the bed, as she left it!
It never ceases to amaze me how everybody is so quick to judge and give advice without getting all the details.
We must consider that the report says the child has been troubled for some time – that she had previously tried to set her grandmother’s house on fire. Obviously her parents have been trying to get her help, especially if she received counselling before. Ayesha may very well be right, we do not have enough “trained” proffessionals in Belize. The counselling that she previously received may not have been sufficient or good.
Just imagine, her parents have been trying for 12 years – they finally reached a level of frustration that they called the police after she set their home on fire – the home they live in!! need I mention that it is alleged that this is not the first arson attempt.
Manford had the right approach by offering help by recommending a book but I felt that you were blaming the mother! Parenting “back-in-the-days” and parenting now sometimes seem like “chalk and cheese.” To me it is obvious that calling the Police was the parents’ cry for help. Two people that obviously love their daughter and just don’t know how to reach her anymore.
My heart goes out to the entire family and especially my prayers too.
Sadly that’s all I can offer but how about “blogging” names of professionals or more books that can help ALL involved. Nobody asked if there were other siblings – let’s look at the big picture!!!!!
That entire family needs help!!
This story is a sad one and there is something much deeper going on with this child. The parents, I believe are not telling the whole story behind this child’s behavior. I feel they shoud be investigated because I’m looking at what was burned in the fire. Her bed was burned which indicates there may be sexual harassment taking place in this child’s life.