Middleville woman threatened with fines for watching neighbor's kids
9/24/2009
MIDDLEVILLE (WZZM)- A West Michigan woman says the state is threatening her with fines and possibly jail time for babysitting her neighbors' children.
Lisa Snyder of Middleville says her neighborhood school bus stop is right in front of her home. It arrives after her neighbors need to be at work, so she watches three of their children for 15-40 minutes until the bus comes.
The Department of Human Services received a complaint that Snyder was operating an illegal child care home. DHS contacted Snyder and told her to get licensed, stop watching her neighbors' kids, or face the consequences.
"That we have babysitting police running around this state violating people, threatening to put them in jail or fine them $1,000 for helping their neighbor is truly outrageous" said State Representative Brian Calley.
Calley is drafting legislation that would exempt people who agree to care for non-dependent children from day care rules as long as they're not engaged in a business.
A DHS spokesperson would not comment on the specifics of the case but says they have no choice but to comply with state law, which is designed to protect Michigan children.
Lemmy
09-24-09, 09:14 PM
I live in Michigan...this makes me feel like I live in Florida.
Cheato
09-25-09, 09:31 AM
A DHS spokesperson would not comment on the specifics of the case but says they have no choice but to comply with state law, which is designed to protect Michigan children.
That's probably a mistake in the article. I'm sure what the spokesperson said was that the law is designed to protect Michigan children's day care facilities' profits.
DeputyDave
09-25-09, 09:36 AM
Seriously, do we need a poll here? Is there anyone here who actually sides with the state?
orangecrush
09-25-09, 09:36 AM
A DHS spokesperson would not comment on the specifics of the case but says they have no choice but to comply with state law, which is designed to protect Michigan children.I hate when people say this to justify a stupid decision. It is such a load of crap. Police, prosecutors, CPS, DHS, etc. all make decisions to not enforce rules all the time.
wendersfan
09-25-09, 10:19 AM
Maybe it's a stupid law; I don't know. What I do know is that as soon as something bad happens to a child in an unregulated day care, the voters in Michigan will be up in arms for the government to do something about it for the sake of the kids.
When it comes to government regulation, most people are inconsistent morons who want their cake and the ability to eat it too.
orangecrush
09-25-09, 10:30 AM
Maybe it's a stupid law; I don't know. What I do know is that as soon as something bad happens to a child in an unregulated day care, the voters in Michigan will be up in arms for the government to do something about it for the sake of the kids.
When it comes to government regulation, most people are inconsistent morons who want their cake and the ability to eat it too.If by cake you mean well written laws that protect children and by eating it you mean sensible enforcement of said laws, then yes, I want both. Perhaps I am more sensitive than the average person because my state is about the worst when it comes to hurting families to "protect the kids."
wendersfan
09-25-09, 11:10 AM
If by cake you mean well written laws that protect children and by eating it you mean sensible enforcement of said laws, then yes, I want both.No, I mean they want the state to simultaneously leave them the hell alone and also protect them from every fear, real or imagined. Essentially, these "people" want a set of laws that follow common sense, not realizing that common sense is neither a practical basis for law, nor is there a universally agreed upon determination of what it means.
DeputyDave
09-25-09, 11:13 AM
Maybe it's a stupid law; I don't know. What I do know is that as soon as something bad happens to a child in an unregulated day care, the voters in Michigan will be up in arms for the government to do something about it for the sake of the kids.
When it comes to government regulation, most people are inconsistent morons who want their cake and the ability to eat it too.
If by cake you mean red velvet with a cream cheese frosting, and if by eat it you mean naked in an empty kiddy pool; then yes, I want both.
JasonF
09-25-09, 01:02 PM
No, I mean they want the state to simultaneously leave them the hell alone and also protect them from every fear, real or imagined. Essentially, these "people" want a set of laws that follow common sense, not realizing that common sense is neither a practical basis for law, nor is there a universally agreed upon determination of what it means.
Exactly. Somewhere out there, there is a kid getting left at a bus stop in front of a neighbor's house. The neighbor is watching the kid while he waits for the bus, but the kid is still going to wind up getting hit by a car, or molested, or something, and people are going to be outraged that this neighbor was allowed to supervise the kid. It's the American way.
DeputyDave
09-25-09, 01:04 PM
The left will always find a way to justify a police state.
General Zod
09-25-09, 01:10 PM
The Department of Human Services received a complaint that Snyder was operating an illegal child care home.
So let's assume that is true. Let's assume someone 5 doors down has a license and does it "by the book". Is having your house in front of a bus stop negate the need for someone to get a children care license?
I article doesn't say if she's profiting from it but I highly doubt she's just being nice. Nobody is nice anymore.
wendersfan
09-25-09, 01:58 PM
I hate when people say this to justify a stupid decision. It is such a load of crap. Police, prosecutors, CPS, DHS, etc. all make decisions to not enforce rules all the time.I doubt they can do that (ignore the law) if there's a complaint on record. And with good reason.
wendersfan
09-25-09, 01:59 PM
The left will always find a way to justify a police state.But you are the police state! :lol:
DeputyDave
09-25-09, 02:02 PM
But you are the police state! :lol:
I know, and I hate myself for it everyday.
grundle
09-25-09, 02:17 PM
Maybe it's a stupid law; I don't know. What I do know is that as soon as something bad happens to a child in an unregulated day care, the voters in Michigan will be up in arms for the government to do something about it for the sake of the kids.
When it comes to government regulation, most people are inconsistent morons who want their cake and the ability to eat it too.
I think actual day cares should be regulated by the government, because parents are having their children taken care of by strangers.
But this wasn't a stranger in a day care - it was a neighbor who was babysitting.
grundle
09-25-09, 02:17 PM
Seriously, do we need a poll here? Is there anyone here who actually sides with the state?
There is no poll in this thread.
grundle
09-25-09, 02:18 PM
If by cake you mean well written laws that protect children and by eating it you mean sensible enforcement of said laws, then yes, I want both. Perhaps I am more sensitive than the average person because my state is about the worst when it comes to hurting families to "protect the kids."
Having your child be babysat by a neighbor whom you know, is not the same thing as handing your child off to a stranger who runs a daycare.
orangecrush
09-25-09, 02:25 PM
I doubt they can do that (ignore the law) if there's a complaint on record. And with good reason.Why not? CPS, police and other "enforcers" do it all the time.
Ranger
09-25-09, 03:36 PM
So let's assume that is true. Let's assume someone 5 doors down has a license and does it "by the book". Is having your house in front of a bus stop negate the need for someone to get a children care license?
I article doesn't say if she's profiting from it but I highly doubt she's just being nice. Nobody is nice anymore.I agree. I find it very hard to believe that the state would waste their time with this if no money was being made up to a certain point and if she was only watching a few kids.
That said, I wouldn't be surprised if this was reported because of an HOA thing, some are very strict.
DeputyDave
09-25-09, 03:49 PM
There is no poll in this thread.
Do I have a tumor? I could swear there is a poll right at the top of page one. Maybe I've been in the sun too long.
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