SOCIETY

'Free range parenting' lands Maryland parents in trouble

Monday, April 13, 2015

Children at center of "free-range parenting" controversy — Two children in Maryland were taken into custody after they were found at a park alone. Their parents are proponents of what's known as "free-range parenting."
ABCNews

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A Maryland couple is under scrutiny again by Child Protective Services after their kids were found at a park without adult supervision.

Six-year-old Dvora and her 10-year-old brother Rafi were picked up by police Sunday night after someone spotted the kids alone, and called 911.

CPS held the kids for hours before they were reunited with their parents.

"They made us sign a safety plan that says that we will not leave them unattended at all until they follow up, and I'm not going to risk my kids being snatched again like this by CPS," said parent Danielle Meitiv.

This is the third time the parents have got in trouble for letting their children roam freely.

They call it "free range parenting" and claim it builds independence. But, police call it "illegal."

Maryland state law says that children under eight-years-old, must be under the care of a reliable person who is at least 13.