Caroline Tucker
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON (WMAL) — In the wake of a hotly debated case concerning free-range parenting, Maryland has some new guidelines for possible child neglect situations.
The new policy says Child Protective Services should not get involved if children are playing or walking alone outdoors unless the kids are hurt or at risk.
The state’s Department of Human Resources said in a state, “DHR is mindful that every family applies its members own personal upbringing, life experiences and expectations to parenting, and it is not the Department’s role to pick and choose among child-rearing philosophies and practices.”
The Meitiv family parents practice free-range parenting and are currently waiting on a ruling in the second of two child neglect cases against them.
Last month, they were cleared in one after their children Rafi, 10, and Dvora, 6, were picked up by police while walking home alone.
Mother, Danielle Meitiv, says the update isn’t good enough.
“I don’t think it goes far enough,” she said. “I mean I really think that this doesn’t necessarily assure parents clearly that their decisions to give their children freedom and independence will be respected.”
Meitiv says her family is now filing a civil action against the state.
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