14-year old Boy returns lost 3-year old to mother; Is arrested within minutes
 

That'll show him to be helpful!

So an irresponsible mother looses her toddler in a store and the teenager who may have saved her from an actual creep is branded a kidnapper (likely other things amoung his peers now that the story has spread).

The raging paranoia about pedophiles and child abduction is making it difficult to be a decent person.

Oh wonderful, because I hadn't had my faith in humanity crushed yet today. Fucks sake, what is fucking wrong with people?

...

You know, just reading your post, I got angry, because I knew it would be stupid.

Reading the article, I had no idea it would be this stupid. I have no words. Somehow I slipped from angry into an odd feeling I can't describe. It's not anger. It's not akin to anger. I don't think there's a word for it. I think my emotions just threw something together to tide me over until I can process it.

On the bright side, when this all clears up all he needs to do is find a lawyer and he's set for life with all the slander and libel cases he can throw out.

You know, there was a young looking girl walking away from her car along the side of the highway yesterday as I drove by with a gas can in her hand. The gas station was about two miles away on an overpass that I had to go to on my way home. I could have picked her up and given her a ride, sparing her the thirty minute walk to the station and back in the hot muggy weather. I could have been a nice guy. But I've seen shit like this happen and as a reflex I passed her by. I felt terrible about it for the rest of the night.

What the hell kind of culture do we live in where helping people is no longer the reflexive action?

Thing is though, I think he actually did break the law. I mean, it's absurd, and obviously when the circumstances are taken into account all charges should be quickly dropped, but while the police did not do the right thing by arresting him, I don't think they necessarily were wrong. Just... less right than they could have been.

Hopefully this'll blow over by his next court appearance on the 24th, and all he'll take away from it is a cruel lesson on life. In the mean time, at least he's only home confined.

Gee Tev, you should have helped her, then you could have been charged with False Imprisonment, Sexual Assault and some other cockamamie chargers!

But yeah, being a Good citizen sucks, you're best bet nowadays is to call the police and then walk away from it all so you can't get charged for some bizarre thing. But if the Mother isn't charging the kid for anything, then how can the police actually charge him with anything? False imprisonment outside in a shopping area? What the fuck? and for that matter, a charge like False Imprisonment, wouldn't the mother be the one to decided whether he didn't have a right to have the child at that point or not? If she testifies on Edwin's behalf wouldn't that mean the case is tossed out anyways?

Yeah, I've come to terms that I'm a terrible person. :ohdear:

Considering that's my birthday, the best birthday present would be that the entire thing blows over and he's found completely innocent and was just trying to help.

This is just so wrong, and honestly just makes me not want to help anyone, ever. Not if they're going to act like this, and quite honestly, I actually enjoy offering my help to people.

"We've already arrested him, we might as well string up a charge that might stick."