Who do you think is to blame for something of this calibur: the sitter, the kid.....or once again, the parents? Your thoughts on ths story.


Authorities: Girl attacked baby sitter with machete

The Associated Press - Thursday, October 7, 2004

BARSTOW, California (AP) -- An 11-year-old attacked her baby sitter with a machete during a struggle that included attempts by the girl to grab a baseball bat, a shovel and a BB gun, investigators said.

The girl fled on a bicycle after the attack but was arrested about an hour later and booked for investigation of assault with a deadly weapon, said Sgt. Doug Hubbard, of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

The 34-year-old sitter telephoned deputies after fending off the Tuesday attack and locking herself and the girl's 12-year-old sister in the bathroom of the Mojave Desert home, Hubbard said.

No serious injuries were reported.

The girl and the sitter had gotten into an argument over feeding a dog, and the girl began to beat and choke the animal, Hubbard said. The sitter tried to pry the girl off the dog.

The scuffle moved to the front yard, where the girl grabbed a shovel and then a baseball bat in an attempt to attack the woman, Hubbard said. The girl next found a BB gun, but the woman got it away from her, he said.

The altercation continued until the girl found the machete lying in the yard and began to chase the woman, who took refuge in the bathroom, Hubbard said.
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The girl either has huge,emotional issues that haven't been addressed or she has been taught that violence is an acceptable way to respond.

I think the parents hold some responsibility for her actions. She has either not gotten the proper health care or her parents have taught her that violence is OK.

I think the babysitter was being responsible in not allowing the girl to harm the dog and also in taking ther sister into the bathroom with her for protection.

I agree with that. Plus if any parent just leaves implements of destruction and harm to humans just lying out in their front yard, they must really want to see what a prison cell, or at least a neighborhood of hell looks like.

One of 2 things ... either the kid was listening to Rush, Sean and Bill and just couldn't take it anymore or she finally succommed to the boredom of living in Barstow.

Keep those radios out or reach of the children or at least use volumn-knob guards.

ROTF

Dop

Barstow, California is pretty close to the middle of nowhere. Used to be more like one big truckstop between LA & Vegas.
The article describes a child that is way out of control - child & family services needs to look at just what is happening within the home. That kid could have a lot of pent up anger with the parents & found the babysitter an easy target. Call in the Social Workers!

I was permitted to go wherever I wanted at the age of nine. My parents both work and I don't remember having had any babysitter. Seems strange why 11, 12 year old teenagers need babysitting. But that's besides the point.

I agree with above. The girl might have mental problems or was very badly raised and taught. Babysitter needs to be compensated for the fright. If there is problems associated with the girl that the parents failed to mention to the babysitter in the beginning, the babysitter should be compensated even more.

Maybe she was drunk *shrugg*

she might have attachment disroder. it's comethin that happens when a child is abused as an infant. and is unablw to form loving trusting bonds with other people. itm akes them not feel guilty for harming others. it's realy scary. i watched a vdioe on it in sociology class, and tihis girl was saying she wnted to kill her (adpotive) parents and brother.