Strollerderby

just to let you know, the link in your story doesn't work

There must be much more to this story than what is in the paper.  For the foster parents to be able to adopt the children the birth mother must have her parental rights severed and there must be just cause.  She sounds like a stupid drunk to me.  Cant make a judement based on the flimsy story here though.  That is for a judsge to decide based on all the testimony.

I didn't save the links but rest assured there is MUCH more to this story; this mom is no innocent victim.  She has prior convictions of abuse (at least two) and a conviction for violating a protection order.  Besides, she wasn't arrested for spanking her kids, it was for assaulting the flight attendant.  Witnesses said she was wailing away on those poor kids starting in the airport terminal, that she dropped the two-year-old on his head, and that they were literally cowering in terror as she ordered drink after drink while smacking them around.  I have no problem with the kids being placed into foster care; she needs serious psychiatric treatment.

That said, this isn't terrorism.  The Patriot Act needs to be repealed; it's pure madness.

"The drinking with her kids part isn't cool at all - it's one thing to have a few drinks at home but when you're out in public there are too many "what if" factors. If you're the sole caregiver out in public with your kids, you need to have all systems go at all times - and alcohol inhibits that."

Hey Jeanne,I think you need to cut back on the judgment a whole heck of a lot. I am not a fan of your blog posts, and not a fan of your comments. I am not going to judge a mom for having a cocktail on a flight with 2 kids in tow, in fact I would probably be shocked if she wasn't drinking. Yeah, she lost her cool, but was probably stressed to the max. She should not have spanked her kids in public, I personally don't believe in spanking ever, but I think a little apathy goes a long way. You should try it sometime.

Sam, not sure why you're so defensive, but I'm with Jeanne. It is stressful and hectic to travel with kids...that's why it's a terrible idea to start drinking. How on earth would impairing your judgment make the situation better?

Also - there is no way this is the whole story. Knitty, thanks for your info. I'd like to see links to more information if anyone has them.

I agree with people who say there has to be more to the story. Kids don't get taken away so easily. And spanking your kids on an airplane is not the best form of discipline in any case.

She sounds like an out-of-control maniac to me:

www.rockymountainnews.com/.../0,1299,DRMN_86_5639468,00.html

Unfortunately, I can't find the article that discusses her prior convictions, but this isn't an isolate incident with her, it's a pattern.

OK.  I usually just read this blog and laugh, then go on my merry way.  But I feel compelled to repsond to some of these comments.  I have flown with three children ages 4 and under.  It is stressful.  Especially with critical and judgmental people watching your every move. Having a drink along the way, does not make someone a bad mother.  I have also spanked my kids on occassion - although I have never combined spanking and drinking.  How parents chose to discipline their children is up to the parents.  There are lines that can be crossed, but if it was as bad as Jeanne makes it out to be, then why didn't someone intervine earlier?  Perhaps offer to help the mother with her bags;  or take the hand of one of the children and walk them down the jet bridge to help.  People are way to quick to judge others without walking in their shoes.  Offer kindness rather than criticism and the end result may be much different.

Actually, Mom of 4, plenty of people tried to intervene.  This mother was drunk in the terminal and smacking around her children before she even got in the plane.  I have no problem with a mother having a drink to calm her nerves; believe me, I know how stressful traveling with an unruly brood can be.  I have no problem with a mother giving a well-deserved spanking.  But this case is about a woman who ADMITTED she lost control (she plead guilty to the charges) and has a history of abuse (we've talking SEVERAL convictions here.  Not accusation -- CONVICTIONS.)  Why should a drunk woman wailing on her toddlers and assaulting a flight attendant be offered unconditional support?  She needs a sharp confrontation with CONSEQUENCES, and I for one and glad she's getting just that.

Keep in mind that she had no problem with meting out consequences to her toddlers when they interfered with her drinking and watching a movie.  

child abuse is a terror. tell me something more horrific,how else do you spell terror

Usually just a lurker, but I had to comment on this.  I haven't read the actual article, but it seems to me that the charges should have been child abuse, not terrorism.  I fly a lot for work and feel nervous every time I go to the airport.  Not because of a fear of flying, but more because of a fear of security.  Obviously I want to be protected against terrorists, but it's getting ridiculous. These ridiculous reasons to charge someone with terrorism are getting out of hand. Let's concentrate on the people trying to sneak weapons on plane.

I'll be flying cross country with three kids 4 and under in about 2 weeks. I plan to carry singles, candy and lottery tickets to share, bribe and entice good behavior and assistance from anyone I can.

sick people make me sick

Found this copy of the affidavit in support of her arrest warrant:

online.wsj.com/.../unruly-freeman-09122007.pdf

I understand that no one wants to see a child hit. However, there is no law against spanking your child with an open hand on the leg. It is easy for people to judge. Still the real victims in this case are the kids. They have lost the only mother they knew and will have to live with the emotional scars of being ripped away from the mother and being put in the foster care system. If people really want to help they should offer the Mom treatment and counseling on how to deal with the stress of raising children. Imagine how any of you would feel if you lost your children. I also think the flight attendant had an ego issue.

My educated guess as a foster parent tells me there is probably a history of abuse to the children and that is why they are in foster care. Having said that, I also feel that the system is working against the best interest of these children. They should be having weekly visits with their mother and she should be required and allowed to get the help she needs in order to parent her children. We, Parents need to stand up for one another. I've had bad days too. She did not abuse her children on the plane. I'm not big on spanking, but I know think losing your temper, like that, should not have marked her a terrorist felony.

My ex kicked our 14-year old to the ground in a store last weekend.  My son tattled to his therapist, who called CPS.  My daughter complained to her school counselor who called CPS.  I lodged a complaint with CPS.  A caseworker went over this past Friday afternoon.  Nothing is going to be done.  I can't even get a phone call from CPS.  And this woman gets her kids taken?  My biggest crime (until recently) was that I couldn't get adequate work.

Sign me trying not to miss my babies too much.

I'm not a fan of of these "Child Protective Agencies or CHILD CARE AGENCIES". THESE AGENCIES ARE RUINING OUR CHILDREN. These children are better off with their mother disciplining them than with these agencies using them as cash cows and possibly submitting them to worse abuse than their mother supposedly subjected them to.  This woman is apparently NOT a drug addict or and alcoholic, or they would not be rushing to have someone adopt her children - FOR CA$H.  The Terrorisim charge is a joke. Someone angry because they were mistreated just ruined to children's lives.

I like to know where Knitty got her information,  if things had happen the way she said why wasn't she arrested in airport? I agree about the drinking, you need all you wits about when you are traveing with childre, I'm a foster adopted Mom  of 6 and a Christian who beleives God's words spare the rob spoil the child, I rather spank my kids at home(or in public if I need to) than have them beaten to death in jail, because I was to afaird of the system and have tell me how to raise my child.

christian woman someone should show you the rod you are sick .your logic is crazy.when you hit children you suffer the crime of your offence.if your body suffered all the wounds you have created you will see your mind will suffer .you are the meanest person i have had the pleasure to read find your p

JOEY I SAW AND FELT THE ROD AND MAN I THANK GOD EVERY DAY MY MOM LOVED ME ENOUGH TO LET ME KNOW WHEN I WAS WRONG,AND TO HARD HEADED TO LISTEN AND I THINK I, MY SIS AND BRO AND THE 150 FOSTER KIDS WHO CAME THRU MY MOMS HOUSE TURNED OUT OK, DON'T GET ME WRONG THERE IS A THIN LINE BETWEEN ABUSE AND CHASTISEING, SPANKING AND WHOPPING YOUR CHILD, BEING A FOSTER PARENT I SAW THE ABUSE, I HAVE NEVER ABUSED ANY CHILD THAT HAS BEEN IN MY HOME OR MY OWN. THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH A SYSTEM THAT THE ONLY HELP YOU CAN GET FOR A CHILD IS AFTER HE HAS BEEN ARESTED AND I CAN SAY WITH PRIDE NONE OF MINE AND OUT OF ALL THAT CAME THRU MY MOMS ONLY ONE WENT TO JAIL AFTER HE HAD LEFT HER HOME.

christian woman god never said spare the rod ever. you seem to have excepted abuse and are willing to deal it out at your will. chastisement spanking and whopping[extreme spanking?] are all abuse and lead to more abuse you seem like a woman that cares as a woman would you like to be spanked like you would spank a child in some cultures it is aloud as child spanking is aloud in this country up to about around a certain age if you think this is ok lets start spanking adults christian woman first do you understand abuse hurts people now and in the future you have been abused stop the cycle stay loving and live good

Wow, the comments are almost more inflammatory than the article itself!  Spanking (not beating) is not child abuse!  If you don't want to spank your kids, great!  Some kids are easy to deal with without resorting to spanking, some are not.  And each parent and each child is different.

That said, while I don't blame a parent for wanting a drink while travelling with children, I would probably avoid it myself (both travelling with children and drinking while doing it) for the same reasons Jeanne puts forward.  Being DRUNK while travelling with small children is really not ok.  Child abuse may or may not have been the situation, child endangerment (if she were drunk)seems a more likely charge.

But nothing that I am reading here warrants a terrorism charge.  Last I heard there is no law against being an ass.

if i am on plane a child and mom are disrupting the flight crew terror ensues because a mother is aloud to hit her child in the united states i am at risk not to mention the reasons you do not hit anyone and this mom disrupted a crew member disrupts the security of the flight.and child abuse or spanking seams to be a right of adult people in the interest of a child other people think you can drink at home  and no one will  .... you can be a crazy drunk a clown a loser hitting a child makes you abuser people will lie to avoid abuse torture or just punishment lying is a tangled web truth and honesty with a child is the future of  family values

Oh, please, people!

I completely agree with the writer - this is definitely insanity. I may very sharply disagree with this mother's treatment of her children and her behavior overall, but this was not in any way terrorism.

To call it that makes a mockery of REAL victims of terrorism. I have no doubt that the other passengers on that flight were made to feel extremely uncomfortable by that woman's behavior but she was not endangering them or the flight by her little fit. Perhaps she should be punished or taught some kind of lesson, but it should not be under the label of "attempted terrorism".

It makes me fearful of what they'll outlaw next - today it's spanking and hissy fits. What'll it be tomorrow?

this is about terrorism[child victims]extremely uncomfortable children real victims of terror she the woman should be punished or taught . if you are afrede of outlawing child aduse in the unided states you must be over 21 yesterday is the past we live now tomorrow the future is the childs

terrorize one you terrorize all thats the real thing the cycle protect the future

JOEY, I THINK I SAID THERE IS A DIFFERNECE BETWEEN ABUSE AND DISCIPLINE AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT SAID SHE ABUSED HER KIDS.   I SEE YOU DON'T READ YOUR BIBLE GOD SAID PROVERBS 22:15 FOOLISHNESS IS BOUND UP IN THE HEART OF A CHILD; THE ROD OF DISCIPLINE WILL REMOVE IT FAR FROM HIM, PROV 13:24 HE WHO WITHHOLDS HIS ROD HATES HIS SON, BUT HE WHO LOVES HIM DISCIPLINE HIM DILIGENTLY, PROV 23:13-15 DO NOT WITHHOLD THE DISCIPLINE FROM THE CHILD ALTHOUGH YOU STRIKE HIM WITH THE ROD HE WILL NOT DIE, YOU SHALL STRIKE HIM WITH THE ROD AND RESCUE HIM FROM SHEOL(HELL)EVEN PSALM 23 SAYS HIS ROD AND STAFF COMFORT ME.  THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT HER CHILDREN SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TAKE AWAY FROM HER AND SHE CHARGED WITH TERROISM BECAUSE SHE AND I REPEAT SHE CHOOSE TO SPANK HER CHILDREN. YOU CAN DISAGREE WITH ME, BUT THESE ARE NOT MY WORDS BUT GOD'S. THANK YOU CARA OH AND I KNOW WHAT'S IT IS LIKE TO TRAVEL WITH YOUNG KIDS 3(3-7) CA TO GUAM.

when you wish to promote the bible as a loving book i will read your prov. no bible in the world would hit a child . abuse and discipline . disciplining a child without corporal punishment is the best without spanking .the bottom line is you are not helping this woman by saying the bible tells me so .she was on an airplane she was abusing her children she was vial to a the flight crew  if this is aloud it would give any abusive parent the right to disturb a planes flight this is sad she may do 20 years for threatening the safety of the air because the 2 year she will get for the abuse of her children child abuse is terror in my eyes if she was aware child abuse was terror she may not have hit her kids on a plane but until all people stop hitting there kids we will continue the cycle

If "all people stop hitting their kids", many of these kids will grow up kicking the butts of people like you and me.  This woman's children will most likely suffer worse abuse, both phyhsically and emotionally, in the hand of strangers than they would have in their mother's disciplining care.

Many of our successful citizens grew up by the rod.

THE BIBLE IS A BOOK FULL OF LOVE, HE LOVE US ENOUGH TO GIVE IT TO US TO LIVE BY AND SAVE OUR SOULS, JOEY AS I SAID THESE ARE NOT MY WORDS, AGAIN GOD SAID HE WHO LOVES HIS CHILD DISCIPLINES THEM AND GOD DID A WHOLE LOT OF DISCIPLINE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, I KNOW MY GOD LOVES ME BECAUSE HE GAVE HIS SON TO DIE FOR ME AND WHEN I STEP OUT OF LINE HE LETS ME KNOW, BUT AGAIN THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT HER CHILDREN SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY AND AS PEARL SAID  THESE KIDS ARE SUFFERING A LOT WORST, TO BE TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR MOM AND PUT WITH PEOPLE THEY DON'T KNOW AND TO NEVER SEE HER AGAIN THAT IS ABUSE EMOTIONAL ABUSE, I KNOW, EVEN THO MINES CASE WAS DIFFERENT, EVERYTHING THEY HAD WAS IN A BLK GARBAGE BAG, THEY COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY COULDN'T GO BACK HOME, WHY THEY COULDN'T SEE THEIR MOM, MY LIL GIRL CRIED HER SELF TO SLEEP FOR A LONG TIME AND AFTER 10 YRS SHE DOES NOT THINK ABOUT THE PHYSICAL ABUSE AT HER MOMS HANDS, BUT THE EMOTIONS THAT SHE WAS TAKEN AWAY.