Pubdate: Fri, 26 Jan 2007
Source: Observer, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2007 Carlyle Observer
Contact:  http://www.carlyleobserver.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2915
Author: Jerry Mamer

CONUNDRUM

The conviction of Kim Walker (appeals not withstanding), marks a 
milestone in a case that has been both tragic and disturbing. We have 
a young man who is dead. We have a father sentenced to life in prison 
with no parole for at least ten years.

He committed the crime out of frustration and concern for his child.

The police are not at fault because they had done all they could do 
to remedy the situation. Social workers were not to blame as there 
was not much they could do under the present regulations and laws 
they must abide by. The result however exists.

The conundrum then is what to do to reduce the likelihood of this 
situation being played out again.

Kim Walker's actions certainly cannot be condoned.

Vigilante justice is not the way we live in this day and age. Still 
many parents can identify with his frustration. His daughter Jadah 
said in an interview that she had lost 40 pounds and weighed just 93 
pounds with her clothes on at the time of the murder.

She is of the opinion that she would have been dead herself in a 
matter of weeks if her father had not intervened. I have heard many 
parents declare that they would sacrifice themselves for their 
children if that was necessary.

The result is that even though we don't condone walker's actions we 
can at least understand them.

I think this case has shown that there is a need for parents to be 
able to have greater influence on their children until they have 
reached the age of majority.

If the parents in this case would have been able to have their child 
admitted into a detox center whether she wished to or not, there may 
not have been the loose of a life and the imprisonment of a distraught father.

It is important however that some simple checks and balances be put 
in place because in some cases the parents may be the problem.

An ombudsman of some type that parents could apply to have their 
children required to go to a detention or detox unit for a period of 
time (say a month) by which time the minister of social services 
could have investigated the situation and confirmed the need for the 
child to remain in protective custody or to be released.

The courts with their ponderous procedures do not seem the right 
place for this kind of hearing.

This is not an easy situation but doing nothing will mean that there 
is the likelihood of this type of situation arising again.

I know that young people don't like to be thought of needing 
protection, but in today's world that protection is necessary. 
Parents are in most cases well situated to realize this and to be in 
a position to set in motion actions that will provide that 
protection. The tragedy is that the inability of society to provide 
reasonable alternatives has caused the pain in two families.

It is my sincere hope that the government enacts some legislation 
that will provide hope to parents short of taking the law into their own hand.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine