Posted by belovedbliff on April 25, 2008 at 6:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This is beyond ridiculous! The inequity in America. Now, you will not like this, but if this had happened to juveniles from a certain downtown school. . .

In any event, I hope these kids don't live in public housing or they are outta of there (dripping sarcasm)

Posted by Reader on April 25, 2008 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Brian Hicks' jokey tone is inappropriate for a story about a burglary.

Posted by ForPnC on April 25, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Forgive them for they know not what they do. Or is that steal from the rich to give to the poor? Or just an re-aquisition of funds?

I know! Someone will come on here and say that they know these boys, how wonderful and upstanding the family is, and that we don't know what we're talking about because we don't know the them. Let me tell you - you're full of it. You apparently don't know squat.

The Andrews' are a whole nicer than I would be. Throw these little punks in jail.

Posted by theronce on April 25, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Do you think that we have a problem when the adults do not know what to do about a couple of 13-year old thieves of a couple of thousand dollars...other than a five day suspension from school? This stuff day in and day out gives me a headache.

Posted by capnphil on April 25, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Like I have repeatedly said, IT IS NOT POOR TEACHING that goes on in the public school system, it is the POOR PARENTING, sending immoral and amoral and ignorant ("ant" suffix for 'one who does'), [ignore - root word - to pay no attention to, to disregard, refuse to consider, recognize or notice,] children to school. Students make BAD CHOICES, choose to ignore the rules that THEY CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN TAUGHT at school. As far as the administrative decisions made, well, case by case is the case, but (those decisions) alas, have been so inconsistent. Time for me to hit the trenches.

Posted by feb251939 on April 25, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Someone needs to explain why they didn't think grand larceny and burglary aren't serious enough to prosecute. They are CHARGED to uphold the law regardless of ethnicity.

It's called dereliction of duty.

Posted by desspec on April 25, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You'd think that burglary and grand larceny were also a violation of C.E. Williams' "code of conduct."

Posted by RTC on April 25, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If middle schoolers are already committing burglary, then what's next on their agenda?
Them benjamins will get ya' everytime, boys.

Posted by MsPiggy on April 25, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So 5 days suspension from school is the proper punishment for grand larceny and burglary??

Come, on!

What I don't understand is if I were a kid who stole thousands of dollars in cash...I sure wouldn't be passing out the money at my SCHOOL. I would want to keep it for myself and (maybe) my close friends. Like most, it was their stupidity that exposed them.
But then again, they are only 13 years old.

I think there needs to be a level of punishment for the parents of these kids. We are so quick to pounce on the kids who commited these crimes, but when are we going to start investigating the parents? I understand that sometimes parents do their best to raise their kids in the right way (like the parents of the 2 Wando High teens) but I mean, really....if you notice your kid is out of control and having really bad behavior..
2 words:

BOOT CAMP.
PALMETTO BEHAVIOR HEALTH.

I hope that Dr. Andrews gets every last penny of his money back, and his class ring.

Posted by realman on April 25, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Over the course of the last 60 or so years, the mother has been taken out of the home and placed in the work force, which has dramatically reduced their involvement in the lives or OUR children.

This has resulted in a bored, morally uneducated youth that must suffer the consequences of their stupid behavior. It can't be said with certainty that had their Mothers been at home each day upon their return from school that they wouldn't have made the same bad decision, but it would have made the probability of such behavior less likely.

The Mom should be at home. Old-fashioned? Maybe. But maybe "Old Fashioned" isn't so bad, after all.

Posted by carolinagal on April 25, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My kid goes there...and she is still broke...just like every 12 year old should be!
Whew....
Buncha hoodlums at that school.....I feel for the teachers....The hoodlums stop my kid from learning.....

Posted by suec on April 25, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A lot of homes have 2 working parents so that they can drive the SUV and go to Disney World every summer. A lot of these kids have mothers (no daddy in teh pictur) who are home ALL DAY LONG but just don't care what their kids do.

Posted by realman on April 25, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, allwoman, since we DEMAND that we keep up with the Jones', DEMAND to go to Disneyworld, demand to eat at restaurants more than we eat at home, demand to rack up an enormous amount of debt, and since we DEMAND to drive gas-guzzling SUV's and Mini-vans and live in homes that we simply can't afford - it is impossible to function on one income.

Our unwillingness to sacrifice the material things in life has left our children virtually parentless, allowing violent computer games to serve as "virtual baby-sitters".

By the way, even Bill Clinton eventually admitted that every child fares better when both parents are present in a child's life. It became obvious even to him, this after the Dan Quayle's comments about a specific episode of "Murphy Brown". It it blatantly obvious that the best possible environment for any child is when BOTH parents are present in their lives.

Posted by realman on April 25, 2008 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As I typed my last comment "suec" was submitting hers/his. Funny how great minds think alike!

Posted by mac0cm4 on April 25, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I fail to see how what the parents drive has anything to do with this. Why don't you attack all the pickup truck and full-size van drivers too - anyway - they're juveniles and the agency that arrested them probably just released them to their parents, as leaving them in Columbia at DJJ wouldn't have done any good, and it would have cost the rest of us even more. The crime was not violent, so there's really no need to leave them in DJJ anyway. In the end, they'll probably get PTI. We'll be seeing them again in a few years, just too old and too seasoned a criminal for PTI.

Ridiculous that at 13 they've already progressed to B&E, larceny, and whatever else CCSO can charge them with. Next they'll be stealing cars and riding to school - but these geniuses will probably be caught when their friends tell on them because they offered them joyrides in the parking lot..lol.

Posted by realman on April 25, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey mac! Read my post! I did attack minivan drivers! (I do accept, however, that some large families require minivans).

If these kids were black and lived in the projects, they most certainly would be heading for DJJ. Justice should be administered with a blind eye to a persons race and social and economic background.

Posted by realman on April 25, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyway, I was attacking our overall view of living above our means. If you need two incomes to pay for your SUV then something is wrong, and our kids are suffering for it!

Posted by SC_DOC on April 25, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

These kids will probably grow up to be politicians, since they already know how to steal and re-distribute the wealth.

Posted by forget on April 25, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok, so now a whole other can of worms have been opened. Alot of women went into the work force because of necessity. Has anyone paid attention to the goals of young men in recent years. Not many of them WANT to provide for a family. Us and our children can not sit back and wait for the men in our lives to support us. We would be living on the streets. I know there are some stand up men still out there, and I'm sure I'll hear from some of you, but from what I see on a daily basis they're a thing of the past. But neither here nor there, you can still work and pay attention to what your children are up to. You just have to want to and put forth the effort. They need to punish these 13 yr olds NOW, because if they just sweep this under the rug we'll be discussing their much worse crime here in 2 years.

Posted by hadenough on April 25, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Realman

How do we know that the kids aren't black?

Posted by Thomas1776 on April 25, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok ... if we can put a person away for life for killing his grandparents when he was 12, we can put these 13 year olds away for 20 years in the Dept of Corrections ( What they correct is beyond me, though).

Posted by Thomas1776 on April 25, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

SC_DOC,

Amen!

Posted by RTC on April 25, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't believe that any one has given any credit to the children that told.
I am hoping that they reported these boys because they knew that it was wrong, and not because they didn't get any of the cash.
Either way, they did the right thing, and someone needs to let them know that.

Posted by Satanssybil2007 on April 25, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, if this were my son, and I have 5 of them, I would be making sure that the puishment fit the crime and if that meant going to juvi so be it! I have done the single mother thing, working full time and raising my son, and my 13 year old is am honor role student with role model behavior! They deserve what they get and nothing less but adult prison NO! I dont care what their race is they deserve what the law sees fit!

Posted by IslandGirl83 on April 25, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just throwing it out there for "realman" but since you believe that the mother should be there every day when the kids get home. What is your opinion on a mom that works and a dad that stays home with the kids??

Posted by Two_Sheds on April 25, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Quote from desspec: <You'd think that burglary and grand larceny were also a violation of C.E. Williams' "code of conduct.">

At C.E.Williams, burglary and grand larceny are not against the "code of conduct," they're part of the "rite of passage!"

I have two questions regarding this incident:

1. Why are those cocky little b@stard$ still in school, instead of in jail where they belong?

2. What were the victims doing with all that loose cash lying around their house?! Looks to me like they could've afforded to shell out $100 or so to buy a safe.

Posted by ColdBeer on April 25, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Speaking of problems in our schools, P&C, I'd sure like to get an update on the stories below:

Teachers accused of sexual misconduct with students:

Charles H. "Chuck" Long Jr.
http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/jan/...

Janet R. Fackovec
http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/oct/...

William Brent Tillman
http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/nov/...

Eugene Payton
http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/nov/...

Posted by Thomas1776 on April 25, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Two_Sheds,

Maybe the reason they had that much cash in their home was because they are into something illegal, like drugs? Ravenel sure was. Why not the owner of this cash?

Maybe the IRS should look into this, too?

Posted by suec on April 25, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There are definitly parents who both work and do a great job with their kids.
I just get tired of hearing the 2 income excuse for poor parenting. If you can work and be a good parent then great. if you can't have 2 parents working and still be a good parent, then one needs to stay home.
If you can't be a good parent no matter what, then don't keep having kids. get on birth control, get sterilized or put them up for adoption.

Posted by SCHoser on April 25, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You can always make money and buy cars and go on vacation, but you get one shot at raising your children-make it count!

Posted by IslandGirl83 on April 25, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Some people keep that kind of cash on hand just in case. If your bank account is cleaned out because someone stole your debt card, they have to investigate before they give you the money back. Sometimes that takes weeks. And even if you have a credit card you might be in trouble because you can't pay for everything with a credit card. What did it amount to like $4,000 in cash? that really doesn't sound like too much to me. If it were like 10 or 20K, then I might wonder. I know if I had my bank account cleaned out I would want to have some money on hand.

Posted by Two_Sheds on April 25, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ColdBeer, you are correct that the P&C hasn't really followed up on these stories--I guess they aren't as dramatic as the late Scott Knight incident (WAHS teacher who killed himself). The P&C seems to thrive on sensationalism like that.

Additionally, I'm glad to see that some people here are recognizing the fact that the problems in some of these schools are NOT the teachers, but the lack of good parenting. My husband is a teacher at one of Charleston's inner-city schools, and many of his students have this "raised with wolves" mentality, because their parents are too lazy to do their bloody jobs.

But hey, as long as the government is paying people to pop out babies like clay pigeons at a skeet shoot, these less-than-stellar "parents" are going to continue to flood our schools with law-breaking little POSs like these guys.

Posted by Thomas1776 on April 25, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I wonder if a few Charleston doctors had been attending Ravenel's cocaine parties ... .. . Hmmm? lol

Posted by LowcountryMoose on April 25, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The 4 grand was probably acquired through bonuses from pharmaceutical companies for writing extra, unnecessary prescriptions for boner pills and head-shrinker meds. These kids should have completed the circle of drug madness by taking the money and buying a pound of weed.

Posted by Two_Sheds on April 25, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Quote from IslandGirl83: <$4,000 in cash? that really doesn't sound like too much to me.>

Your husband must not be a S.C public school teacher like mine is, LOL! That amount would be astronomical for us!

Who wants to bet he now goes out and buys a safe for his valuables?

Posted by carolinagirl25 on April 25, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I wonder if Solicitor Wilson will put these guys away for the rest of their lives as she did the boys from Mt. Pleasant.

Posted by ColdBeer on April 25, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The young men from Mt. Pleasant were only sentenced to ten year if I recall correctly. The young men from Mt. Pleasant pointed a gun, at several people, in the commision of their armed robbery. carolinagirl25, maybe your confusion is due to that fact that they SHOULD have been put away for life and weren't.

Posted by Early on April 25, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm going crabbing today, anybody got a spare foot?

Posted by forget on April 25, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe the doctor has one?

Posted by TripleTasked on April 25, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wonder if the doctor, the VICTIM of this crime, has seen your comments about drug use, illegal prescribing etc. You are accusing him of many things. Thomas 1776 and Lowcountry Moose, maybe you should check out slander laws before you start reveling in someone else's misfortune and making such statements.

Posted by Marianne0558 on April 25, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just wanted to comment on all of the double-income family comments...

My husband and I both are working.
We have one daughter.
We SHARE a 96 Buick POS.
We live in a 2 bedroom apartment.
We definitely don't live above our means.
I work to ensure my child has food in her mouth and a roof over her head. One income would barely cover our rent and utility bills, let alone our GAS.

Posted by Marianne0558 on April 25, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TrippleTasked:
Maybe you should check out the difference between slander and libel.

Not that I agree with the comments about drugs and illegal prescriptions.

Posted by TripleTasked on April 25, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And as for the comment about moms needing to be back in the home and not at work- I work, go to school and am raising two kids. I also have a supportive husband who splits up the duties when it comes to the kiddos. It's not a matter of having one parent there all the time; as mentioned by several readers, this just isn't feasible for most in today's economy and you can still physically be at home and be mentally checked out. It is about one or two parents "being there" for homework, practices, or just to hang out with. Mom doesn't have to sit at home and iron all day to be there for her kids. And I'll second IslandGirl's thoughts- where's dad? And why doesn't he get some of the "blame"?

Posted by LowcountryMoose on April 25, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Marianne,

I didn't know that you and the professor got married. Congratulations! How much is gas for the Buick these days on the island?

Posted by TripleTasked on April 25, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Slander is an untruthful oral (spoken) statement about a person that harms the person's reputation or standing in the community. Because slander is a tort (a civil wrong), the injured person can bring a lawsuit against the person who made the false statement. If the statement is made via broadcast media -- for example, over the radio or on TV -- it is considered libel, rather than slander, because the statement has the potential to reach a very wide audience."

I see Marianne's point... however, am not sure of the legal ramifications because the persons posting the slanderous/libelous comments are in violation of P&C rules and are individuals posting comments versus the paper printing something not caught by a copy editor... anyway, the effect is still the same- potential for litigation.

Posted by Marianne0558 on April 25, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well isn't it against the P&C rules to call people rednecks, white trash, black trash or green trash?

Moose,
The professor is one hot piece of nasty!!!
mm mm mm
We make our gas from coconuts but it's taking more clams now because Gilligan broke his hand on one of them so we only have one hand now.

Posted by ColdBeer on April 25, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm old fashion... I want my wife home... cleaning the house... while I sit back and watch.

Of course, I prefer that she do that wearing a short skirt or at least a pair of cut off short shorts. My motives are not chauvinistic in any way. They're pure hedonistic :)

In reality, she works. We both work. She took about 4 years off from working when we lived in Hawaii and she found she was getting bored not having a job. It's not difficult to have a family in which both parents work and yet still be able to properly raise, love and care for your children. Mine are all young adults now... so I'm hoping that the future holds more playing than parenting, but if the kids ever need me, I'll still be there for them. So will my wife.

Posted by IslandGirl83 on April 25, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Two_Sheds: I was looking at it from a doctors point of view. It doesn't seem like a lot for him to have on hand. I am sure his monthly bills are probably higher than the average persons and therefore he will require more emergency cash on hand in case somethings happens with his bank accounts.

But yeah a safe would be a good idea. But if it was in one of those portable saves then the boys still could have taken it and just spent time at home getting it open. I have one of those but I don't have it for money just to keep important documents in incase of fire. A safe deposit box would always be a good idea.

Posted by IslandGirl83 on April 25, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Coldbeer, That is a good plan, but I hope you really don't expect any HOUSE cleaning to get done that way! :-P

Posted by IslandGirl83 on April 25, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I wonder what people think of the man staying home and the women working? I always did want a good house husband. Sometimes a women makes more than a man and so it just makes more sense money wise but I definitely think children can be raise fine with two working parents. It just has to be the right two parents. I would like for either me or my fiance to take time off work when our kids are young atleast until they go to school but I definitely would not want either of us to stay home full time unless a child with extra needs came along. That is the thing with this issue. There is gray area. Not all children require stay at home parents while other children really do.

Posted by TripleTasked on April 25, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's right, allwoman... we're in the same club.

When people make comments that blame the state of the world today on working moms I find it very hypocritical- the old school folks were all about them working in factories to support war efforts and their children while Dad was at war (which without we all might be speaking German right now), yet they are blamed for the crash and burn of the nuclear family, because, GASP! , they wanted to help support that family and contribute to their society and personal development. As women joined the workforce, we've simply taken on more... while there are men out there sharing the proverbial load, most still get to do what their dads and grandads did (work) while most women work, are primary caregivers of children, run all the errands, schedule all the appointments, work on their education and keep the house together. Oh, and not to mention that women are expected to be sex kittens on demand. Maybe those so quick to blame working mothers (a redundant term by the way) should get off their behinds and lend a hand around the house or with the kids more often. I mean, since us mommas are doing such a bad job and all.

Posted by ColdBeer on April 25, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by allwoman: I love the comment about the term "working mother" being redundant. A mother is always working whether she is in or outside of the home.

As is the father too :)

Posted by TonyaC on April 25, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was a stay at home mom to my four children before my husband was killed in this God forsaken war! And now, I work full time. My oldest is 15 and my youngest is 8. Because I was at home more with the older kids, I too worried that my youngest would somehow be "different". Don't get me wrong, it IS harder. But, my 8 yr old has made all A's all year, and the others have stayed on the A/B honor roll. We SIT down for dinner every day, and attend church. But, through all of that, the most important thing is that we TALK TO EACHOTHER. NO TV, NO GAME, NO PHONES... We spend time, everyday talking (sometimes crying, and most of the time laughing). If parents, single or not, would spend time talking to their children...

Posted by Satanssybil2007 on April 25, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To TonyaC and her family, i dont know you but my husband and I and our 5 boys extend our deepest sympathy in the loss of your husband. He died so we could have our freedom but your loss is a life long sentence. god speed to you and your family. I too work for the military.

Posted by CountryGirl on April 25, 2008 at 6:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

RealMan...I don't know what cave you crawled out of, but thank goodness most of the rest of us are on target here. As a family, we all have to do what is best for "each" of us, and since all our situations are different we live differently. Also, just as with TonyaC, the husband could be gone at any given time, (my deepest prayers are with you TonyaC). If the wife doesn't work or have any CURRENT skills in the workforce, she just can't make it on one job and take care of the children...which puts her in the "guilt seat" for not spending time with her children. Let's see...spend time with children or work so they can eat...no one should have to choose between that.

Also the divorce rate has to be figured into this. Man makes all the money, wife has no skills, man divorces wife...clears out bank account and leaves country. I know it's illegal, but it happens. I know...I watch Lifetime...LOL.

These children however, and they ARE children, that stole this money should be punnished more severely. I don't feel they should have been allowed to return to the school setting, but while waiting for court proceedings they should HAVE to spend their days on schooling. To this age group that IS punnishment. I don't believe in sending children to adult prisons though. Something else can be done with offenders like this, but prison is not the answer. If the parents can't teach them right from wrong then it's up to us as a society to teach them...somehow. We need to take the anger out of our youth, but I sure don't have the answer to that one. Thank goodness my boys are grown..(and I did raise them by myself). I feel for single moms that have young children in this mixed up world.

I'll be running and hiding for cover now. bye bye.

Posted by CountryGirl on April 25, 2008 at 6:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

reargar67...I agree with you about our sad vietnam war...I lost friends in that one and they weren't GIVEN the choice to go or stay.

However, I can't put myself in TonyaC's place either, she's the only one that knows what she is going through.

Oh yea...I was supposed to be running and hiding...forgot just like that...

Posted by RTC on April 25, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

After rereading this story I noticed that there was no mention of how these boys got into the Andrews' house.
You would think if they had broken in someone would have noticed. Surely, in this day and time, the house was not unlocked?

Posted by SuzieQJones on April 25, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

TonyaC. I don't even know you, but I'm proud of what you're doing. Too bad the young thieves' mothers weren't more like you. Good luck with your children and in your life.

Posted by realman on April 25, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

IslandGirl83 Said:
"Just throwing it out there for "realman" but since you believe that the mother should be there every day when the kids get home. What is your opinion on a mom that works and a dad that stays home with the kids??"

I have no problem with that. Someone needs to know what 13 year olds are doing in their free time. Kids can't be allowed just to "roam free" as they please. If they do then trouble like this can be expected.

Posted by magoo on April 25, 2008 at 11:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

4000.00 cash in the house not at a bank seems kind of fishy with having that much cash in your house.

Posted by CountryGirl on April 25, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey Magoo...if you read the postings you would know that this subject has already been addressed...emergency money.

Posted by onmyown on April 26, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By the end of everyone's rants, there wasn't anything about the issue at hand. Neither of the boys have fathers and the mothers are doing the best they can but obviously it isn't enough. I think some sort of boot camp for these boys would be grand. The lack of a positive male role model seems to be the biggest problem. What wasn't mentioned was that the kids that turned in the money were suspended for three days. Dr. Andrews may never see his missing cash or jewelry since the kids will be afraid they will be suspended if they turn it in.