Interesting Scenario...

[\m/ Rich \m/]

Watch, then discuss.

How would you have handled this situation?
It's not like it was a vicious kick, but im pretty sure i'd have done the same thing as the dad. Would you feel bad after? Not likely for me.

[moochie]

first of all i couldnt hear it and second of all that just wrong the kid had Down syndrome for God's sake! (He doesnt really know right from wrong) i wouldnt hit him so hard

[moochie]

UNDERSTAND THAT THE kid has Down Syndrome, he's not at your level in health wise

[moochie]

you undaaaaastand.....??

[bohd]

f.o.

[kitty&mimi]

i understand the boy had down's syndrome but....
i think a lot of people would have done the same as the toddler's father, instinct kicks in and many parents are very protective of their children....

[shadowjak]

Did he have downs syndrome?
He was using what looks like a cell phone.
The person he was with didnt look like she would be his mother.
And the attack on the child was instantaneous.
The person defended their child with one hard punch then stood between the attacker and his son.
He did not continue to attack the man on the ground.
And he backed off when no further threat presented itself.
I would have to say a reasonable amount of force was used to stop any further attacks .

[skibunnie64]

first of all i couldnt hear it and second of all that just wrong the kid had Down syndrome for God's sake! (He doesnt really know right from wrong) i wouldnt hit him so hard

By working in the field, I know that many know right from wrong. If he is able to use a cell phone, means he has a pretty high level of independence and should know it is not right to do what he did.

[italiandomino]

very well put jak

[Anapeg]

The original attack on the little fellow was unwarranted as well as unprovoked. If the chap with Downs is known to respond in that manner then his caregivers are responsible for inflicting him on an unsuspecting public without proper supervision. The father reacted without diagnosing the mental state of the offender as any parent might in a similar situation. I would think that if blame is to be placed it would have to be on the attackers family/caregivers or the older youth himself (assuming his mental state allows for culpability)

[GRUMPY]

I read all the posts before watching then I watched and I hate to say it but I tend to agree with Max/moochi it was a little kick that I doubt hurt the kid as much as scare him and happened while the lady he was with was occupied. As for her not being the mother ,maybe your monitor is better than mine but it was fuzy to me. Was he wrong in kicking the kid, most definitely however I also think there was way too much force used and if this went to court the father would be found guilty of assault. As you are allowed to use only enough force to make the other person stop you do not have the right to take it any further.

[bluekrissyspikes]

the kick was kinda hard, but the dad probably was running off instincts. i doubt he took the time to judge what was going on. he saw someone harm his child and reacted. you can't kick someones kid and expect to walk away unharmed.

[tippikitty]

I'm sure the father didn't even realize the guy/kid had down syndrome. I'm sure he just seen the kick and instinct kicked in. He's lucky that he only got punched once. I'm sure others would have taken it much further.

[BooBooMyKy]

well this is a tough one...i really dont think that the father know that the child had downs. I dont think that he would have hit him as hard as he did if he know, however, i beleive that two wrongs dont make a right and the father should have taught his child that hitting is not approprate in any situation. clearly the child was not hurt by the kick, and the father was just reacting without thinking, but should have handled the situation differently. in a perfect world, he should have taken non physical action against the caregiver. But being a parent myself, if someone kicked one of my children, i cant say that i would have reacted any different. your first instinct would be to protect your child, and i bet that the father feels really bad for hitting the boy so hard.

[Guest]

I would have to agree with shadowjak. One punch to neutralize the threat to the child and that was it, no further actions were taken on the guy with Downe's Syndrome other than to make sure he stayed on the ground and the child was safe.

If something like that were to happen to my kid, or really, any small kid like that, I'd do the same thing as the guy that threw the punch and make sure the small kid was safe.

[moochie]

did you ever think the Down boy maybe thouhgt the feisty little kid was a threat to him, maybe... yeah running in wild like that

[moochie]

Ihowever I also think there was way too much force used and if this went to court the father would be found guilty of assault. As you are allowed to use only enough force to make the other person stop you do not have the right to take it any further.

egg-zaktly!!!!!!!!

[moochie]

Did he have downs syndrome?
He was using what looks like a cell phone.
The person he was with didnt look like she would be his mother.
And the attack on the child was instantaneous.
The person defended their child with one hard punch then stood between the attacker and his son.
He did not continue to attack the man on the ground.
And he backed off when no further threat presented itself.
I would have to say a reasonable amount of force was used to stop any further attacks .

yeah but it was still wrong though.

[moochie]

I'm sure the father didn't even realize the guy/kid had down syndrome. I'm sure he just seen the kick and instinct kicked in. He's lucky that he only got punched once. I'm sure others would have taken it much further.

instinct is primitive whioch could bring you into trouble

[vixen]

did you ever think the Down boy maybe thouhgt the feisty little kid was a threat to him, maybe... yeah running in wild like that

that was one of many thoughts. But Im a parent and the boy with downs is much bigger then the toddler. So Im sure my reaction would be the same. Im not saying that it would be right but Im sure tunnel vision would be taking place.