Man walking dog called police about free-range children

WUSA-TV, Washington

Show Caption Hide Caption Man walking his dog called cops on 'free-range' kids The man who called police after seeing two young children walking alone near a park said he hadn't seen the children before and didn't know their parents were in the spotlight for the debate on the "free-range" parenting style.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The man who called the non-emergency line Sunday evening when he saw two young children walking alone near a park said he had never seen them before.

The caller, a Navy corpsman out walking his dog, said he had no clue who they were, but called police because he was concerned for their well being. After calling police, he kept an eye on Rafi and Dvora Meitiv, 10 and 6 respectively, until officers arrived.

Danielle and Sasha Meitiv's "free-range" parenting style has been a topic of debate.

A Montgomery County, Md., police officer found the children in a parking lot Sunday less than a quarter mile from their Silver Spring, Md., home and called Children's Protective Services. The officer didn't call Danielle and Sasha Meitiv, the children's parents. Children's Protective Services waited hours before contacting the Meitivs.

"Under Maryland law, if an officer believes there's circumstances or some indication that involves child abuse or neglect, we are mandated as police officers in Maryland to contact Child Protective Services," said Capt. Paul Starks with Montgomery County police.

Montgomery County police and county Children's Protective Services are jointly investigating the Meitivs for allowing their children to walk repeatedly around the neighborhood alone. The parents say they know where their children are but are allowing them independence.

The Meitivs are under investigation for possible child neglect for allowing their children to walk freely.

The Meitivs said they had taken the children to the park at around 4 p.m. and told them to be home by 6 p.m. When the children hadn't returned by 6:30, the Meitivs started looking frantically for them.

The couple said social workers did not contact them until after 8 p.m.. Their children were released to them at 10:30 p.m.

Attorney Robin Ficker, who has handled several high profile cases dealing with the rights of children and parents, thinks this incident may end with a lawsuit against Montgomery County.

"I think they should file a harassment lawsuit against Montgomery County here," said Ficker. "It's the county employees who are doing this to their children and let the county tell it to the judge."

The family's attorney, who was returning to the Washington area, said the family is considering filing a lawsuit.

In order to take the children home Sunday, the Meitivs said they had to sign a safety plan that prohibits them from leaving their children unattended.

Montgomery County police said they have yet to interview the Meitivs.

Maryland law prohibits children younger than age 8 from being unattended in a dwelling or car but makes no reference to outdoors. A person must be at least 13 years old to supervise a child younger than 8.

In December, the couple was accused of neglect for allowing the children to walk around their suburban Washington neighborhood together unaccompanied by an adult. In one instance, Rafi and Dvora were walking from a playground two blocks from home; in another, the park was about a mile away.

Those actions have sparked a debate about what now has been dubbed free-range parenting and what 50 years ago was considered letting children play.

In February, Children's Protective Services found the Meitivs responsible for "unsubstantiated" child neglect, and the couple has appealed. The decision means the agency will keep a file on the family for at least five years.

Contributing: Andrea McCarren, WUSA-TV, Washington.

Listen to the 911 call: