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Jail time for mom who took kids to TP house

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BY LORI PILGER / Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Nov 09, 2007 - 02:11:36 pm CST

A 39-year-old mother said she didn’t know the extent of the damage her 12-year-old daughter and friends planned to cause when she agreed to drive them to toilet paper a house in May.

The responsibility for that, Joanne E. Douglas said, “was solely on them.”

“What I did is take them.”

Story Photo
Joanne Douglas

Still, Lancaster County Judge Gale Pokorny sentenced Douglas to 10 days in jail.

At her sentencing Friday for contributing to the delinquency of a child, she said what happened early May 20 was “the stupidest thing I ever did as a parent.”

But Douglas took issue with the allegation she watched from the car as the Pound Middle School seventh-graders smashed eggs against a teacher’s house, spelled out vulgarities on her sidewalk in pancake syrup, taped tampons on the doors, poured dishwashing liquid over the steps and poured household chemicals over the lawn.

“I did not see. I did not drive past the house. I did not know,” Douglas told Pokorny.

She said she didn’t know they had anything more than toilet paper and only learned on the way there they planned to TP a teacher’s home.

If she’d known the extent of what they intended to do, she said, she wouldn’t have taken them — to a teacher’s house or anyone’s.

“I find it a little bit hard to believe that Miss Douglas didn’t know what was going on,” Deputy County Attorney Rodney Reuter  said.

He said he didn’t see how she couldn’t have understood what was going on or not see the eggs and syrup and other things in the car.

It’s had a profound impact on the victim, he said. And everyone at school knew it happened.

“Not only was this an incredibly dumb act, but this was an incredibly dumb act against an authority figure,” Reuter said.

Douglas’ attorney, Deputy Public Defender Paul Cooney, said his client made mistakes that night.

The first, he said, was agreeing to take them when she could have dissuaded them. The second was continuing after learning the house was a teacher’s.

“She’s made serious mistakes,” Cooney said. “She now understands those mistakes.”

Douglas has no previous convictions, and Cooney said restitution already has been divided among the kids and paid as part of diversion.

He asked Pokorny to consider a sentence that would not take the single mom away from her two kids.

But Pokorny said that as the kids concocted their plans, Douglas immediately became an active participant and may even have been the one to find the teacher’s address online.

And he questioned if she would have had all the supplies the kids used without going to get them.

He also took issue with what Douglas told a probation officer in a pre-sentence report — that the girls would have done it even without her driving them — despite the fact it was  midnight and the house was several miles across town.

“Children, particularly young children like those here ... they learn by example,” he told her. “They acquire the morals and ethics of their parents.”

He said it wouldn’t come as any surprise to find her children standing before a judge in a decade or so.

“She expresses not a particle of remorse,” Pokorny said.

He said Douglas maintains lots of parents do what she did “and that the whole thing simply isn’t ‘that big a deal.’”

“You’re wrong Miss Douglas,” he said. “This is a big deal.”

Then he sentenced her to 10 days in jail and ordered her to pay a $1,000 fine.

Reach Lori Pilger at 473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com.


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Nice Sentencing!! wrote on November 9, 2007 2:32 pm:
" Guess she won't be getting the "Parent of the Year" award. "

 TO wrote on November 9, 2007 2:36 pm:
" I don't understand parents today? Do what ever little Johnny or Kathy want or else they won't like me as a parent. Maybe little Johnny and Kathy need some strict discipline!! "

 Bill wrote on November 9, 2007 2:43 pm:
" "Mom of the Year" award. Funny how she never takes responsibility for her actions. Way to be a role model as well. Have fun in jail. "

 10 days excessive wrote on November 9, 2007 2:44 pm:
" I believe 10 days in jail is quite excessive. Too often white-collar criminals with money who do things that hurt many more people escape prison time. 10 days in jail is just too extensive of a punishment for an act like this. I imagine that the adolescents and their peers have more than seen the consequences of their actions. They need to see that the greatest consequence is that it hurt another person, rather than resulted in prison. "

 Michael F wrote on November 9, 2007 2:47 pm:
" Another candidate for Mother of the Year. "

 hm wrote on November 9, 2007 2:53 pm:
" nice parenting! "

 A parent wrote on November 9, 2007 2:54 pm:
" I would not EVER take my 12-year old and friends to someone's house to TP...even if that's all I thought they were going to do! That is irresponsible parenting. I respect others and their property far more than this mother does. I think her jail time and fine should have been more...and who is responsible for her children now? I certainly hope it isn't her. "

 Resident wrote on November 9, 2007 3:00 pm:
" And this is the reason that kids are so disrespectful these days. It's because of their "parents". Be a parent, not a friend to your children. Monkey see-monkey do. "

 ac wrote on November 9, 2007 3:04 pm:
" Someone needs to learn some parenting skills!!! My kids are grown, and they weren't perfect, but I always felt that however I wanted them to behave, I needed to behave even better than what I expected of them. After all, they were watching their parents, and learning from what they saw. No wonder our world is such a mess! Look what we have for parents!! "

 but........ wrote on November 9, 2007 3:06 pm:
" the mother who left her daughter on the Interstate won't spend a day in jail, somethings not fair "

 HPG wrote on November 9, 2007 3:09 pm:
" Sounds like she is off to a good start on being an inmate...Not my responsibility! What's really funny is she is blaming her 12 year old daughter. Usually it is the other way around. Grow up! "

 mmh wrote on November 9, 2007 3:10 pm:
" Good! She deserves that sentence. She'll definitely think twice in the future about trying to be a "cool" parent! "

 M wrote on November 9, 2007 3:11 pm:
" It is a big deal, should of been longer. Be a parent, not their pals. "

 Glad to be gone wrote on November 9, 2007 3:13 pm:
" We want to build a new jail because there's not enough room for sex predators, violent criminals, and the like, but we waste 10 days of jail space for this? Sheesh. "

 sad wrote on November 9, 2007 3:15 pm:
" And we wonder what is wrong with our "world" today. Great example right here! Nice job MOM "

 CSS wrote on November 9, 2007 3:17 pm:
" Pokorny says: “She expresses not a particle of remorse." Did he even listen to what she had to say? The article quotes her, in court, as saying it was “the stupidest thing I ever did as a parent.” Pokorny is a poor judge, and has been for a long time. Not a particle of remorse? Open your ears. "

 Ej wrote on November 9, 2007 3:18 pm:
" disgusting "

 NS wrote on November 9, 2007 3:28 pm:
" Okay parents! Time to start being parents again and not trying to be your kids friend or one of their crowd! Children need structure and discipline to turn into descent people. Parents like this one aren't providing that, and aren't helping their children in any way shape or form. I'd rather my kid be mad at me for one night, then end up acting like this. "

 Mom wrote on November 9, 2007 3:35 pm:
" Wow. Nice parenting, glad they have a role model like you to look up to. "

 ad - good wrote on November 9, 2007 3:35 pm:
" I think the sentence is a good example to set so that other parents are detered. I realize this parent is guilty of ACTIVELY participating, but i wish that parents who passively participating (but disgrearding their responsibility of knowing what/where their children are) in crime could be held accountable as well. I'm tired of the "Not my kid" or "it's no big deal" attitude of lots of parents. "

 Jan wrote on November 9, 2007 3:52 pm:
" Now we know why Lincoln needs a new jail; or do we? If we have room for this mom in jail why do we need a new one? Heads up to all the no minds who kept saying we don't lock up non violent offenders. Huh You should eat your words but I know you wont. "

 sj wrote on November 9, 2007 3:56 pm:
" Thank you, Judge! Parents need to actually parent their children. "

 You just happened to get caught! wrote on November 9, 2007 3:57 pm:
" Busted! "

 Joey wrote on November 9, 2007 4:02 pm:
" I don't think what she did was right. But come on 10 DAYS in jail~ Come on. Good thing we are planning building a new jail for criminals like Joanne! "

 Rae wrote on November 9, 2007 4:04 pm:
" I dont think this parent gets its. She blamed the kids, said other parents do the same etc. Yep, her kids will be at Detention in a few years........... "

 Parenting Class!! wrote on November 9, 2007 4:31 pm:
" In addition, that "mother" should have to do community service alongside her daughter picking up trash and take some parenting classes!! "

 Jim wrote on November 9, 2007 4:39 pm:
" What a stupid way to get her parenting help. "

 Slap on the wrist wrote on November 9, 2007 5:06 pm:
" 10 days in jail and 1,000 dollar fine is only a slap on the wrist. Should have used Joann Douglass as an example. Parents need to be held MORE accountable for their children's bad choices especially when they encourage this sort of negative behavior. What happened to the girls? They should have had consequences and possibly be taken out of the home of Joann Douglass. "

 Judge Pokorny may be right wrote on November 9, 2007 5:20 pm:
" He just might see her kids in 10 years or so. That's so sad. Parents, whatever you do and however you act will be closely scrutinized by your kids. Do them a favor and act responsibly in every way. "

 NO WAY wrote on November 9, 2007 5:21 pm:
" I don't remember hearing about this last May... but there is NO WAY my mom would've driven me somewhere to TP or egg someone's house!!! Holy Cow. Rest assured, I will be sitting down with my children tonight to talk about respecting others, respecting their property, and themselves! I sure hope the teacher is okay and has been able to restore their property... again, WOW! "

 Exactly what is wrong with our society wrote on November 9, 2007 5:31 pm:
" A complete and utter lack of ethics. To make matters worse, our children are being taught the same. "

 colin wrote on November 9, 2007 6:05 pm:
" that's awesome my mom would have had my hide "

 Doc wrote on November 9, 2007 6:12 pm:
" Yes, Yes, Yes. I agree with the post that said community service. No jail time here. 10 days of picking up trash along I-80 or Hwy 77. Cleaning the teachers house, Inside and Out. Washing teacher's cars. Scrubbing the area around the daughter's school. And the little darlings that actually did the damage, they get to help Momma with the cleaning. There are a lot of things that need cleaned and scrubbed around Lincoln. It'll make all the other big Mothers around town ask question, put out discipline and do the teaching of the kids before the problems start. There should be a stern message, you are responsible. "

 Family. wrote on November 9, 2007 6:25 pm:
" Yes, she made a mistake, but you should not always believe everything you read. She is paying for what she has done, and I can guarantee she will not do anything like this every again. She is one to learn, and she did feel remorse for what she did. Do not judge someone unless you know the entire situation surrounding this... people make mistakes, as long as we learn from them, and grow, that's what counts. And her kids will remain with her. "

 Extreme sentence wrote on November 9, 2007 6:35 pm:
" Can't condone what the mom did & maybe she was ignorant of what her daughter & friends actually did. But I think the 10 day jail sentence was way, way excessive. What a waste of money & jail space. Isn't everybody complaining about them being overcrowded? Why not offer the woman parenting classes? I think she'd benefit more from that than jail. Also Pokorny said she showed no remorse. I think her line of "stupidest thing I've ever done as a parent" shows that she's sorry. And she has had no prior convictions & has already made restitution before this trial. Think this woman has learned & is willing to learn more to be a better parent. But I don't think jail is the way for her to be taught. "

 capt justice wrote on November 9, 2007 7:11 pm:
" Wow. Alot of couch judges out there that obviously know more than the judge that has been to law school and spent a good portion of his life to become a judge. He heard all the actual facts before deciding on his ruling, yet according to alot of those who weren't even at the trial, made the wrong decision. Go figure. "

 Laurie wrote on November 9, 2007 7:41 pm:
" I thought TP-ing someone's house was a prank that University greeks did to one another. I can't believe some of the sanctimonious statements I have read here. Yeah, it was totally dumb, but "take her children away"??!! Jeez, aren't some of you people the ones that were defending the goldfish swallowers? "

 Wow wrote on November 9, 2007 7:48 pm:
" Thats worth 10 days in jail - really? No wonder our jails are overcrowded with stupid sentences like this one. "

 Oh Yeah... wrote on November 9, 2007 8:14 pm:
" Some kids never go up. Then they go and become parents. Shudder!! "

 Question wrote on November 9, 2007 8:22 pm:
" Is jail time a good way to teach parenting? Such a waste. "

 she's not to blame? wrote on November 9, 2007 8:35 pm:
" The girls would have done it even without her driving them? You kidding me? 12 year olds wandering around town in the middle of the night??? Whose responsibility does she think that is, anyway? "

 old guy wrote on November 9, 2007 8:57 pm:
" Blame? Is there enough to go around? Who objects to parents spanking their kids? Who sues a teacher for expecting kids to behave in school and to not do anything to extract behavior? Who defends the rotten kids who cause damage, steal, bully, brutalize, and just plain act monsters instead of human beings. Legislature, city council, county commissioners pass laws requested by voters. Judges who aught to punish delinquents are limited by those laws. Who is responsible...a lot of moms, dads, lawyers, judges, legislators have developed the idea that nobody is responsible.Yes she and her daughter are both responsible and seems there were others in this case that maybe escape with not one bit or needed learning. "

 Fools wrote on November 9, 2007 9:23 pm:
" The mother does an incredibly stupid thing, is caught, sentenced to 10 days in jail, and the bleeding hearts complain about the "crazy" sentence. Blame the idiotic mother for her actions, she's the one the brought on the sentence for being so incredibly irresponsible. Everyone complaining about the sentence should learn from this woman. Family: if there is more evidence or other information, why wasn't it brought about at the sentencing? Your family member and her children are currently, and will be a future expense to the citizens of this county because they will be inmates of the correctional system. Thanks for being irresponsible mom, you're the WORST! "

 LawDog Who Was There wrote on November 9, 2007 9:28 pm:
" What would parenting classes teach this woman? Do you really think we need a parenting class to teach a parent that they shouldn't drive a group of 12 year old girls over to their teacher's house to vandalize her home? Parenting classes teach parenting skills - - they don't erase stupidity or teach someone how to behave in a civilized society. And this case didn't JUST involve TPing someone's house. They hung red-stained tampons on the teacher's property (do we believe that the 12 year old's came up with this bright idea and had the tampons??), they pelted her home with dozens of eggs, wrote profanities on her deck and driveway, and poured chemicals on her lawn. And yet this "mother" tried to claim ignorance that she didn't know what the kids were doing, that she did NOT know that they took these items to the teacher's house in her vehicle, and that she merely acted as their chauffer because she wanted them to reach their destination safely. She also claimed that she could NOT have stopped them from doing this act. Judge Pokorny got this one right. This "mother" showed no remorse and took VERY minimal responsibility for her actions. This was a cruel and irresponsible act and this "mother" STILL doesn't understand the gravity of what she did. Not only did she irreparably harm an innocent woman's life, she taught a handful of children that senseless vandalism to anyone, let alone one of the authority figures in their lives, is no big deal. Judge Pokorny was right - - it is a big deal. Sending this "mother" to jail was the only punishment that would not have depreciated the gravity and seriousness of this woman's horrible actions. "

 Observer wrote on November 9, 2007 11:56 pm:
" CSS, “the stupidest thing I ever did as a parent” is an expression of regret at having been caught. "I'm sorry I did it and I apologize to the teacher" is an expression of remorse. Don't confuse the two. This woman got what she deserved. However, she should be expected to attend parenting classes while she is in prison. Perhaps then she would learn how to be a parent. "

 Bad parenting wrote on November 10, 2007 12:55 am:
" Bad parenting starts with how we set an example for our kids. That includes how you drive, tailgaters! A LOT of bad parents out there because they can't drive normally! "

 Fair??? wrote on November 10, 2007 2:14 am:
" I find it odd that she got 10 days in jail for this, but a person I know who has been charged with Possession of Marijuana 6 times recently got 1 day in jail for his most recent conviction.. I guess toilet paper is worse than Marijuana in the judges eyes..... I will never understand! "

 Parent? wrote on November 10, 2007 2:33 am:
" In response to "CSS 3:17" Apparently you have wax build-up in your own ears. Judge Pokorny was on target when he stated Douglas had not remorse. This incident, "Is a big deal", contrary to what Ms. Douglas said. Children are a product of their own environment. Of course there are more serious crimes out there, but some crimes should not be ignored. No matter how trivial it may seem. "

 Mindless Robot wrote on November 10, 2007 3:23 am:
" Where were the Parents of these Children!? "

 PRIME CASE........ wrote on November 10, 2007 6:19 am:
" This would be a PRIME case for community service. Maybe Mom and Kids would have been better off going downtown to clean graffitti off the building. AND give a LOT of publicity about it. Let the entire town know that we are tired of the sorry parenting that goes on. It's time that the parents AND the kids be held responsible for bad decisions. ESPECIALLY when it is supported by a PARENT!!!! 10 days in jail???? Perhaps too excessive. Maybe 100 hours of cleaning graffitti would send a much clearer message!!!! "

 Unbeliveable wrote on November 10, 2007 7:03 am:
" Not only should this "mom" and the children involved be made to clean up the mess they made or at least pay to have it cleaned up they should have been made to do community service. Pouring dish soap on the front steps in the hopes that the teacher would suffer a fall and get hurt is NOT a childish prank. The children should be removed from this "parent" as soon as possible. Also a written apoligy should be issued by the "parent" and children involved. "

 Read it again wrote on November 10, 2007 7:32 am:
" TP-ing is inconvenient and annoying. What those girls did to the property has a name...vandalism. It was dangerous and destructive. "

 the girl wrote on November 10, 2007 7:58 am:
" ok the mom is in jail - what is going on with the kid? I'm not sure putting a bad mom in our already overcrowed jails is the answer. I do hope the girls had to go over and help with the mess and maybe even apologize of all things - writing a letter of apology might even be a good idea. My big question - how do these wonderful little ladies learn from this? "

 Parenting... wrote on November 10, 2007 8:52 am:
" You are there to be a parent not a best friend! That is the problem with parents today they are trying to hard to be a freind and not the parent mediator that is needed! "

 Rick M wrote on November 10, 2007 8:59 am:
" I have an expression I like to use.... If you didn't see it, I didn't do it. We have parents like this one everywhere.. and many are far more stupid than this woman.. Jail time... a bit overboard... the fine was quite sufficient. Now, when something minor goes on in her neighborhood, she'll be called out for it. "

 Have fun in jail wrote on November 10, 2007 9:32 am:
" A crime is a crime. Just because it was "non-violent", doesn't mean it wasn't wrong. This punsihment DID fit the crime. This mother AND the children need to be punished and hopefully they and their peers will learn a very valuable lesson. It is because of these parents unwillingness to discipline their children that teenagers are turning into violent offenders. Our jails are full beacause the offender didn't have a parent or elder to be a proper role model in their life... not because of "stupid" sentences. Way to go Judge! Society needs this as an example to other parents who would rather be a friend rather than a parent! "

 Mike White wrote on November 10, 2007 10:09 am:
" Get off your high horses, we all T.P'd someones house or soaped their windows when we were kids, that's part of growing up and usually good clean fun, yea, it makes a mess and we laugh about it for years. The problem here is, mom let them go too far. Did mom know about it ? you can bet she did. Was the Judge right ? not at all, good job judge, lets tell the people where the $1000.00 fine went, certainly not to the teacher who's home was damaged, that's right folks, the city took the $1000.00 as if the city was the victim here, it goes on all the time. Mom should have been made to clean up the entire mess and to put the property back to original condition with her little vandals along side of her, apologize to the injured party and made to pay for the teachers pain and suffering. Our legal system, ain't it great? "

 b s wrote on November 10, 2007 12:10 pm:
" Mom did we learn a lesson here. You are the parent. the child doesn't get what she wants all of the time. Wow that was easy to write. Can we remember that while you are sitting 10 days in jail? It is parents like you, that kids are out all night doing what they want and getting into trouble. Now when you get out of jail, be responsible. "

 Bill wrote on November 10, 2007 12:51 pm:
" She should be given hours of community service connected to the Lincoln School system where she is expected to work with the teachers and her children should be given community service as well...working in library or something of that nature....connected with education. There are many volunteer positions at the schools. I knew of a young person that got community service and he was required to do his service at a retirement community center here in Lincoln. His chore became playing cards with some of the residents. After his service was completed he still went there. I talked to him for some minutes and he said that was the first time in his life he could remember faces lighting up when he entered a room. He said that he went to the judge and personally thanked him for his thoughtfullness when he was in court. This young man was a friend of my children and I thought then he would have a hard time in life but now he is an adult...working at a meaningful job...involved in Boy and Girl Scouts, his church. One thing that touched me was his statement when he said, "People's eyes still light up when I enter a room." Isn't that what we all want and understanding judges that are willing to take the extra step should realize that sometimes people need to be forced to bring out the good in them rather then subject them to incarceration and bitterness later. "

 TaxPayer wrote on November 10, 2007 1:05 pm:
" Really dumb decision on the Judge's part - community service would have been a better punishmet and the minor children should have been charged right alone with mom! Sorry Judge you missed it on this one! Waste of jail space for such a petty charge - now we all know why the jails are overcrowded! "

 JeiPi wrote on November 10, 2007 2:41 pm:
" Ignorant and immature mother. Parenting will not solve the problem that should have been fixed 30 years ago in her life. Compassion for this woman, absolutely! She did not show remorse for this teacher whatsoever, that's because she is ignorant and immature. She needs help, 10 days in prison it's PART of the process. Her family and herself might have to figure out what to do. "

 ?? wrote on November 10, 2007 3:33 pm:
" I don't think you people that think this sentence is way too long know what this mom will have to do. Most likely she will be in the minimum custody facility (LCF) with contact visits, pool tables, ping pong tables, vending machines,t.v.'s, horse shoes, volleyball and basketball. I have had plenty of friends out there and they say it is easy as pie. "

 Amazed wrote on November 10, 2007 5:45 pm:
" I continue to be amazed at the number of parents who act more like friends to their children! This incident made the press but we are well aware of other moms who have done this same thing!!These are otherwise very intelligent people!! It's very sad. I truely hope this mom and daughter have learned a lesson. I do agree that community service with her child would have seemed to be a much more fitting consequence. "

 big picture wrote on November 10, 2007 5:46 pm:
" Consider this...how many people read this article. How many are parents, how many will think twice about the parenting vs friend forms of raising children. Ten days not only gets the message sent to the mother, but how many other parents. Further more, go to court, take a seat, what you hear out of the defendants mouth, fact or fiction, lip service or not. What is said during pre-sentence investigation and what is uncovered may be quiet different. You can not measure the number of incidents of criminal activity will be discouraged by this sentence and subsequent media coverage. I'm curious as to what those children think now or are they so far gone as to not care as long as they don't suffer jail time. The judge is right, there is a a very good chance he will see them again. Why would it change? "

 Overkill wrote on November 10, 2007 11:16 pm:
" We ALL TP'd houses where I am from! We TP'd the houses of people we liked. Never any "vandalism", although I read a lot of statements from people here who act as though it is criminal conduct. I find it amazing that true criminal behaviour can result with a slap of the wrist and this woman is in jail. This sentence is over the top. The children should have some type of community service to do to pay back for the vandalism. 12 years old is of the age of accountability. I am bothered this woman is in jail for 10 days, criminals are on the streets and these kids are not having any consequences. Most unfortunate. "

 JK wrote on November 10, 2007 11:34 pm:
" My mom would of never done that at all, however, this is soo funny!! At least it was TP and not eggs or spray paint!! "

 TJ wrote on November 11, 2007 12:26 am:
" 10 days is appropriate. She had to know about the other items being used. It wasn't just TP'ing. They are lucky no one broke their neck with dish soap on the front steps. "

 Jim wrote on November 11, 2007 3:20 am:
" I just LOVE all of these people piling on someones bad judgment. Like you have never done anything silly before. I put you people in the same catagory as this woman. I believe that you all should grow up and "waste" your time doing some parenting of your own. "

 David B wrote on November 11, 2007 9:49 am:
" So this is what a mother gets for trying to be more involved in her daughter's life? "

 WE wrote on November 11, 2007 10:07 am:
" Should have given her 10 months. "

 ta wrote on November 11, 2007 11:09 am:
" you do the crime you should do the time. i hope the kids helped clean the mess up. "

 Lincoln idiots wrote on November 11, 2007 1:58 pm:
" I just don't understand any of our armchair quarterback parents on here. I am a parent, and do the best to keep my kids behaving, but what choices do we really have. It is not all the time that we are trying to be "cool", the government controls so many aspects of parenting anymore with the school regulations we have to abide by, and the media advertising to our kids on a constant basis that all you have to do is report your parents if they don't give you what you want. I really try to parent good, and so far my kids haven't gotten into trouble, but I know that being a single dad of a teenage daughter who has nore than once thrown these rediculous commercials by Bruning in my face, I am scared to death any time I punish her or my boys that they will make one phone call and the storm troopers will be on my doorstep. Being a guy, you don't get the opportunity to be innocent in today's society because we believe that the minute you are accused you go to jail for life. I really hate what this state, and especially Lincoln has turned into all in the name of FEAR, maybe if all you morons wouldn't believe all the advertisements from the SHRUB about how we all need to be in a constant state of fear from the boogeyman, you may think rationally again. Now this mom has a permanent record all cause of what used to be considered a high school prank, I think it is the constant worship of money and possessions that is the downfall of our society rather than all of us being considered "horrible parents" just cause our kids get into trouble. "

 Then Move wrote on November 11, 2007 3:24 pm:
" If you don't like Lincol, no one is stopping you from packing up your XBox and moving out of mom's basement. You can go anywhere else, and whine there. "

 still amazed wrote on November 11, 2007 3:31 pm:
" For those of you stating this is a high school prank...and we all did it?? Ya, I agree but not with permission and help from our parents!!! That's the difference...the folks that are suppose to be the adults here are right in there with the children...that's not how it was in my day. Thank goodness! "

 re-read it! wrote on November 11, 2007 10:51 pm:
" To those that thought it was "just TPing"...re-read the fifth paragraph to find out what else was done...egging, spelling out vulgarities on the driveway, etc. This was vandalism, and awful judgment by the adult that was supposed to be helping those girls be better citizens. "

 everyone does it wrote on November 12, 2007 7:47 am:
" To the comments that everyone has TPd houses. Everyone does not do this. My friends and I have never done this and never would. And to the person that wrote that it was just TP and not eggs and spray paint. Read the article again - it was eggs and dish soap and chemicals. How much damage do you suppose was done to the lawn by the chemicals and how much money will it take to repair the lawn. "

 Nina wrote on November 12, 2007 8:40 am:
" TP'ing a house is a mild prank, but these other things amount to vandalism. My daughter is a coach, and at season's end each year, her team TP's her house and yard. Last year, they also camped out in tents in her back yard (without her knowledge) after the deed was done. In the morning they all had a good laugh, and she made them breakfast. This year, my daughter is awaiting a back surgery, so the kids only tied balloons all over, instead. TP'ing a house in this case, and back in my day, too, was done because we had affection for a teacher, and appreciated his/her sense of humor, not vengeance. Guess it's not that way in this case. "

 Heather wrote on November 12, 2007 8:52 am:
" I think the sentence is too light considering she was aiding in turning her children into criminals. Very sad. I hope these children get into some good foster homes and get some REAL parenting with rules and consequences and good role models "

 Good Decision wrote on November 12, 2007 10:15 am:
" This was a good decision made by the judge to remind the community that this behavior especially by a parent ( shame on you) will not be tolerated. I hope that this does not discourage the teacher from teaching. How embarrassing maybe some consolation that justice was done "

 who cares wrote on November 12, 2007 10:24 am:
" I don't mind TPing a persons home. However, all of the other stuff was a bit much. Nonetheless, going to jail for this is a bit much. Its not like she was taking her children to a street corner to sell themselves and to do drugs. When I was younger TPing a house was a fun thing to do that was considered harmless. "

 Huh? wrote on November 12, 2007 11:38 am:
" Don't think the daughter spending 10 days in foster care (if that's where she went) or the mom spending 10 days in jail is going to change the parenting pattern that has probably been in place for years. Jail may scare the mom but it doesn't contribute to a long term solution. Think the judge would've done better with community service in working at a school or cleaning up vandalism. "

 a mom wrote on November 12, 2007 11:46 am:
" "The first, he said, was agreeing to take them when she could have dissuaded them. " Dissuaded them?!? Are you kidding me? It'a apparent that mo has no parenting skills or she should have told her daughter, that not only would she not drive her, but she is grounded for 6 months. Sounds like mom needs to grow up! "

 To Fools.. from Family wrote on November 12, 2007 12:27 pm:
" I just want to say that you do not know what the future holds for my family. You may think that my cousin's children will be in the system later in life, but just so you know, she is using this as a learning experience, and there will be changes in their house. And I didn't say anything about more evidence, but some people don't show how they truly feel, and hide behind defenses, I was referring to don't believe everything you read/hear in the fact that she didn't feel any remorse... you don't know her. Thank you. "

 Kathy wrote on November 12, 2007 2:00 pm:
" I'm not sure what the big deal is about the 10 day sentence. What was done was illegal and she got caught. Case closed. "

 Give me a break... wrote on November 12, 2007 2:01 pm:
" Would my mom, or dad for that matter, ever consider driving me to mess up some teacher's yard? NO! Would I ever do the same for my kids? NO,NO! Being a parent is not so much about fun, it's about owning up to a responsibility. Also, do we really need to be teaching our kids that it is okay to disrespect those who earn their meager livings by spending all day teaching them? We probably shouldn't be, that would turn out bad. "

 Where was mom... wrote on November 12, 2007 6:17 pm:
" after she dropped her 12 yr old and friends off to do their Pt'g and what not? Did she go around the block to wait for them? Did she just leave them out there at that time of night? I think her lack of taking responsibility got Judge Pokorny to give her what she got. I think it might be a bit heavy handed, but I bet Mom never does this again or thinks it's ok now. Community service would have been a good deal to include with the sentence. Clean up other graffity and vandals work. I hope many learn from her lack of being the parent. "

 dave wrote on November 12, 2007 7:22 pm:
" There's a thirteen year old in all of us! "

 Jay wrote on November 12, 2007 7:45 pm:
" Sure I TP'ed homes when I was a kid.....major difference, if my parents found out I would have got a foot to the butt! She mentioned that they would have done it anyways....does that mean she will go buy them beer, because...or maybe she can ship some guys over to the house for her girls, because.... Come on, she really stood in court and said she had no idea that it would go past TP'ing!? How does one make it out of the car with TP, cleaners, misc chemicals, tampons, etc with out her knowing. Does the sentence really seem that extreme considering this and the assumption that she felt the courts are dumb enough to believe her. Of course she should spend time in jail...that way she can give her kids advice when they go in. "

 Different sentence? wrote on November 12, 2007 10:57 pm:
" Shouldn't the children be sent to boot camp for 10 days and the mother be sent to diversion for parental counseling? Rather than jail the mother for idiocy and let the children run around by themselves? What the heck... "

 Poor judge wrote on November 13, 2007 7:24 am:
" Pokorny must have made a good decision, since there are people yelling from both sides of the fence--he was too harsh, he was too lenient. No matter what, someone is not gonna be happy. ... and I'm glad us adult women from a church overnight never got caught... "

 Whos paying for the damage wrote on November 14, 2007 11:14 am:
" to the teachers property? A $1000 fine wont even begin to cover it. AND THIS SENTENCE Of 10 days in jail is a joke. She should be given min 30 days and then 1000 hours of community service along with the PUNKS that did the crime. Pathetic parent and glad everyone knows her name and sees her guilty face! "

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