Readers Call Actions Against Family 'Troubling,' 'Harassing' and 'Abuse of Power'

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Has government trampled on the rights of Montgomery County parents, or have Alexander and Danielle Meitiv risked their children’s safety by letting them explore their neighborhood unaccompanied?

Patch readers from across the country have shared their thoughts on the legal tangle the Meitiv family is ensnared in with Maryland authorities after letting Rafi, 10, and Dvora, 6, walk home alone from Silver Spring parks.

On Sunday, someone called police – as happened in two earlier cases – to report the Meitiv children were alone just a couple of blocks from home. The siblings were picked up by Montgomery County Police about 5 p.m. and turned over to the Child Protective Service, authorities said. Danielle says the children were released to their parents at 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

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The county agency in February determined that Danielle and Alexander Meitiv had committed unsubstantiated neglect of their children for an earlier unsupervised trek to the park.

More than 250 comments have been posted on the story by Tuesday afternoon, with many siding with the parents.

Here’s a sampling of readers’ views on the issue:

Dr. Bob wrote: “If the kids were picked up by the police about 5 p.m, it seems that the first thing they should have done is notify the parents. It is also very troubling if the police told the kids they would drive them home but then didn’t do so and held them in the car for 3 hours.”

leannael says, “The cops can investigate, and call DCF, sure. But holding them and not bringing them home or alerting their parents is abuse of power. And no one has found any signs of child abuse with this family.”

apraxin comented: “Why does Montgy. County keep harassing these people? Ten years old is old enough to walk to a nearby park to play. Every adult is not a child-napper. Since when it is inherently unsafe for children to walk around their neighborhood?”

Ronald Furr posted, “This is why so many 17-30 year old are still childlike. They were not allowed to grow up when it is natural for them to start growing up.”

Lucinda Jezzebelle Blackletter says, “They have been warned and, as stated, had a file opened on them for violating the law. The parents did interviews saying they had no intention of changing their parenting habits and that the kids had been out alone on several occasions since the initial investigation. This was only a matter of time before someone called on them again. Not sure why they are acting like this is such a surprise.”

Debbie Kagrise says, “I certainly think a ten year old can be responsible. I taught my children at a young age about safety, my daughter walked home from first grade alone, about three blocks. My nine year old grandson plays outdoors unsupervised. If I was these parents I would move to the country, where people know how to mind their own business.”

»Photo of the Meitiv family from their public Facebook page