Police say boy, 16, was kidnapped as infant -- Social Issues

By Gary Peach Associated Press Writer RIGA, Latvia - Police have found a 16-year-old boy who was kidnapped as a baby and he soon could be reunited with his mother, authorities said Wednesday.

[Broccoli EAT ME]

What parent leaves their 1 1/2 month old baby unsupervised outside a store? I'm sorry, I don't wish kidnapping on any parent, but if you are THAT stupid to do something like this, what do you expect? Much like the parents of kidnapped Madeline McCann, who left their three children alone in a their vacation cabin while they went out for dinner. The only people I feel sorry for in this instance is the poor kids who are victims of both the perp that took them, but also of their own parent's stupidity. I don't leave my dog unsupervised outside a store, let alone a child!

[Dienne]

Broccoli EAT ME wrote:

What parent leaves their 1 1/2 month old baby unsupervised outside a store? I'm sorry, I don't wish kidnapping on any parent, but if you are THAT stupid to do something like this, what do you expect? Much like the parents of kidnapped Madeline McCann, who left their three children alone in a their vacation cabin while they went out for dinner. The only people I feel sorry for in this instance is the poor kids who are victims of both the perp that took them, but also of their own parent's stupidity. I don't leave my dog unsupervised outside a store, let alone a child!

I wondered the same thing - what reason would you have for leaving a child unattended? I mean, people leave their dogs outside because dogs are not allowed inside, but children? I'd love to know how common it is/was to leave children outside stores in Latvia and why.

[The Gin Guy]

Prior to the downfall of communism in eastern europe, it was commonplace to see baby carriages with babies outside shops.
We've become a very crime ridden society, so we have to be constantly on our guard.
It's horrible this happened but we can't always put our values on other societies.

[Stina]

Dienne wrote:

<quoted text>
I wondered the same thing - what reason would you have for leaving a child unattended? I mean, people leave their dogs outside because dogs are not allowed inside, but children? I'd love to know how common it is/was to leave children outside stores in Latvia and why.

Add me to your list? I read that and thought that was the STUPIDEST thing I've ever heard. It makes no sense to leave a child unattended outside. Maybe it's a rural area outside the city? Aren't your children supposed to be your first priority? And I feel so bad about the McCann situation (for the kids, I mean). Parents who'd rather leave their children unsupervised in a foreign country to go to dinner than lok after their babies. Geez!

[Stina]

The Gin Guy wrote:

Prior to the downfall of communism in eastern europe, it was commonplace to see baby carriages with babies outside shops.
We've become a very crime ridden society, so we have to be constantly on our guard.
It's horrible this happened but we can't always put our values on other societies.

While you may have a point, people are people are people... Plus, the downfall of communism was a long time ago. There's a whole lot of crime (i.e., human traffiking) there, too...

[Dienne]

The Gin Guy wrote:

Prior to the downfall of communism in eastern europe, it was commonplace to see baby carriages with babies outside shops.
We've become a very crime ridden society, so we have to be constantly on our guard.
It's horrible this happened but we can't always put our values on other societies.

I know I've seen pictures of baby strollers outside stores in different times and places, but I guess my question is still, "Why?" Why wouldn't you just bring the kid into the store with you? Especially a tiny baby like the one in this story. What harm does it do to bring the kid in with you? What good does it do to leave him/her outside? Were people afraid the child will break something in the store? Did they think it was good for the kid to get some extra sun? I just don't get it.

[Anon]

The child was kidnapped in 1992, which wasn't all that long after the Berlin Wall came down.

And it's not just Communist era Eastern Europe where it was common to leave kids outside. In 1997, a Danish mother visiting NYC was arrested for leaving her baby outside a restaurant. She argued that it was a common practice in Denmark:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html...

Even in the late 1960s/early 1970s, my mother would leave me/my brother outside. Carriages were a lot heavier/bulkier then and were harder to move around inside of a store.

[Dora]

Folks, you might not leave your baby carriage outside here, but there are many places where it is perfectly accepted. No doubt people there think we are crazy to raise children in a place where you can't leave the kid unattended, sleeping in a nice safe baby carriage.

As for why you would leave the child outside, my guess would be either that the configuration of the store is such that there is no room to bring in a stroller/carriage and no way to shop while holding the kid in your arms OR the atmosphere outside the store (fresh air, sunshine) is considered healthier for the child than inside (cigarette smoke, moldy, etc.)

[dora the anchor baby]

it is extremely common over there to leave babies unattended in strollers while parents go into restaurants, do shopping etc...

[James]

To be raised by a woman for 16 years and told she isn't your mother, how devistating for that young man. We can only hope that both parents, the mother that raised him and his natural mother are both great people.

[Chudrow]

Latvian. He looks Estonian.

[no kidding]

Broccoli EAT ME wrote:

What parent leaves their 1 1/2 month old baby unsupervised outside a store? I'm sorry, I don't wish kidnapping on any parent, but if you are THAT stupid to do something like this, what do you expect? Much like the parents of kidnapped Madeline McCann, who left their three children alone in a their vacation cabin while they went out for dinner. The only people I feel sorry for in this instance is the poor kids who are victims of both the perp that took them, but also of their own parent's stupidity. I don't leave my dog unsupervised outside a store, let alone a child!

When I lived in W. Germany years ago
everyone left their baby in the carriage outside of the stores and
shops. It was and still is I believe
common practice. Do I agree with it
no, but they did it.

[kara]

I understand it was commonplace. But still ... I don't care what culture you live in, it should be mother's instinct to never leave your child out of your sight.

[Chgo Native]

I live in Poland and often babies are left outside of stores. Here, I believe it is because there is often a step/steps going into the stores and it is very difficult to get the stroller up them. Also, many of the stores are small so there is no room for the stroller w/o knocking things over. (many stores here are not like in the states with lots of room). I personally do not go to those stores (I have a 6 month old) because I do not feel comfortable leaving my son outside (unless he is in full view of me at all times). Europeans however think otherwise and as others have said it is common practice.

[oh really]

People in this country used to do that too, at least in small towns where "everybody knew everybody".

There weren't supermarkets and huge stores in these little rural towns. No one ever thought someone would come along and steal their child!(and as far as I know, it never did happen!)

Times have changed, and our 'customs' have changed with them. We've become more paranoid because we need to be a more paranoid! What was common practice a few decades ago, would be unthinkable for us all now.

[Angel]

James wrote:

We can only hope that... the mother that raised him... are both great people.

Apparently not. If I read the article right, they found the boy when the woman who's been raising him was arrested for something unrelated.

I do feel sorry for the kid. The only mother he's consciously known is headed to jail and he finds out he's not who he thought he was.

[The Piper]

I know this sounds funny but i'm somewhat serious.. Is that how the gypsies got the reputation for stealing babies?? Maybe it was so easy to steal them from countries like poland, romania etc since they leave them places??

Chgo Native wrote:

I live in Poland and often babies are left outside of stores. Here, I believe it is because there is often a step/steps going into the stores and it is very difficult to get the stroller up them. Also, many of the stores are small so there is no room for the stroller w/o knocking things over.(many stores here are not like in the states with lots of room). I personally do not go to those stores (I have a 6 month old) because I do not feel comfortable leaving my son outside (unless he is in full view of me at all times). Europeans however think otherwise and as others have said it is common practice.

[James]

Angel wrote:

<quoted text>
Apparently not. If I read the article right, they found the boy when the woman who's been raising him was arrested for something unrelated.
I do feel sorry for the kid. The only mother he's consciously known is headed to jail and he finds out he's not who he thought he was.

I have no words, I can't even think of anything to say. This is a terrible situation. I just hope at 16 he has the best help in front of him.

[Claire]

Hmm. This is just horror! How many parents are stupid enough to leave their kid in front of a store while going in, Sheesh! Who ever has done that, shame!

[Nickol]

If even bicycles often get stolen...!