# Child torture: what the fuck is wrong with these people? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 4, 2005, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442 "2005-02-04T22:53:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/21 "2005-02-05T06:31:51Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > People like this make me want to bring back the stocks, the dunking stool, and public hanging. In the Middle Ages they’d have been nailed into their house and burned alive. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/22 "2005-02-05T07:34:41Z")
Wow. I have hope for these children though. I wish I could remember more details of the story, but I recall seeing on Oprah a family who’d adopted some number of children (damn, if I could remember), siblings, who’d been abused and locked up and starved; very similar to this case. There was a 16 year old boy who weighed as much as a healthy 5-7 year old. He’s not 100% (none of them are and I can only hope they will be someday), but he’s come a long, long way since finding his family. And then there’s [Dave Pelzer](http://www.davepelzer.com/aboutb.htm). He was starved and burned and beaten and locked up in the garage, forced to eat his own vomit… so many unspeakable things were done to him by the very person who brought him into this world. She had “favorites”, too. So he wrote this trilogy. The titles alone say so, so much. The books themselves though… just, wow. And he’s okay now. I do have hope for these children. ---
**Author:** ![UntouchedTakeaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d78d45/32.png) [@UntouchedTakeaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UntouchedTakeaway)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/23 "2005-02-05T12:36:59Z")
I don’t think the pictures you’re referring to are mugshots. The happy, shiny people pictures were on [cnn.com](http://cnn.com) & they were labeled as “undated”. They’re still assholes, though 🙂 VCNJ~ ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/24 "2005-02-05T13:13:02Z")
I’m glad these people are Christians, and glad they believe in hell as a real place. Because if they don’t get the death penalty, I hope they live out their prison sentences in mortal fear of burning for all eternity. I dunno about you guys, but this makes me want to adopt one or two of those kids myself, just to see if I can help them! ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/25 "2005-02-05T13:35:28Z")
> [@Beware of Doug](#): > > In the Middle Ages they’d have been nailed into their house and burned alive. I could get behind that too. But in the Middle Ages, was child abuse as recognized as it is now? Was it considered a crime back then? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/26 "2005-02-05T13:46:52Z")
> [@Silver Fire](#): > > Wow. > > I have hope for these children though. I wish I could remember more details of the story, but I recall seeing on Oprah a family who’d adopted some number of children (damn, if I could remember), siblings, who’d been abused and locked up and starved; very similar to this case. There was a 16 year old boy who weighed as much as a healthy 5-7 year old. He’s not 100% (none of them are and I can only hope they will be someday), but he’s come a long, long way since finding his family. [Here’s](http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/special_packages/njchildwelfare/9139577.htm?1c) an article on that case, which took place in my home state of New Jersey. When I heard the news this morning, I thought that’s what it was about. Turns out this is similar case :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/27 "2005-02-05T14:20:12Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Why do these things happen? Why do these people exist? > > I am not pro-death penalty–it’s too easy, to my mind. > > I also don’t believe that these folks are insane–they look damn happy, no? > I am sick. I’m more inclined to think they’re insane, then less because of their “normal” seeming cheery exterior. Those are the faces of psychopaths IMO. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/28 "2005-02-05T15:28:11Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > I could get behind that too. But in the Middle Ages, was child abuse as recognized as it is now? Was it considered a crime back then? Same here, I could “look the other way”, or even supply the matches. In the dark ages and middle ages, the sheriff / shire reeve would probably handle this or the local lord would. If not, there were “alternatives” such as sudden disappearance, poisoning, angry mob, a lot of "unofficial methods I bet. Since these were foster children, there is a chance they have relatives somewhere, and that would have triggered a vendetta in the old days. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/29 "2005-02-05T15:57:37Z")
Your comments brings to mind a series on TLC I saw quite a while back, one of the “Castle ghosts of” (They covered England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland IIRC) had a segment about a castle who’s [oubliette](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oubliette) was cleaned out in the mid 1900s, which had bones in it that had fairly modern watches among them. It was said that very few knew of the existence of such places, and that the Lord of the castle would order the person (even a clansman) who displeased him to be taken there, that they’d be going along, then get a shove and end up in the oubliette. They explained that often these dungeons were designed with spikes, and “if you were lucky you’d hit the spikes and die more quickly”. If not, then you’d waste away slowly. The program claimed that oubliettes were often made in such a way that the person within could see people coming and going, hear their festivities, even smell thier food, but not escape/be heard and die forgotten. _shudder_ I don’t know how accurate such claims are, but it’s not a pretty thing to imagine in any case. Maybe a fitting end for people like this after all though? ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/30 "2005-02-05T16:19:29Z")
> [@Metacom](#): > > According to the CNN article I just read, the children were being homeschooled. That would make me less surprised if they offer some kind of religious justification… One of my concerns about homeschooling is that it gives people like this cover to do exactly what they did, without having their kids subjected to the prying eyes of others. Sometimes, you need a few prying eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/31 "2005-02-05T16:22:18Z")
> [@Beware of Doug](#): > > In the Middle Ages they’d have been nailed into their house and burned alive. Nah, all they would have to do is claim that the kids were witches and everybody would have applauded them. The Middle Ages were fucking sick. ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/32 "2005-02-05T16:45:18Z")
Ah Florida. The foster parent of the year couldn’t adopt because he’s (GASP!!) gay but they let these bastards adopt seven. Nice work. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![AngelicGemma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/33 "2005-02-05T16:57:57Z")
Those poor children. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/34 "2005-02-05T17:15:25Z")
If anybody deserved to burn in fire for all eternity… :mad: ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/35 "2005-02-06T02:23:32Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > I could get behind that too. But in the Middle Ages, was child abuse as recognized as it is now? Was it considered a crime back then? I am not sure, but what with infant mortality etc back then, many kids didn’t make it teenage etc. Also, IIRC, children were more valued as agricultural commodities back then. I’m sure that child abuse happened, but maybe not so much? OK-so they’re not mug shots. I would prefer to not consider them “insane” b/c I have compassion for the mentally ill, but none for evil. If I am being inconsistent, oh, well. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/36 "2005-02-06T05:40:56Z")
Damn…just damn. I can’t believe that there are people like that out there, and it makes me feel both lucky and sad-lucky because my folks are the best, and sad because it’s only the “luck” of the draw that I ended up in a good family I’m going to give my parents a both a big hug tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/37 "2005-02-06T15:45:38Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > I am not sure, but what with infant mortality etc back then, many kids didn’t make it teenage etc. Also, IIRC, children were more valued as agricultural commodities back then. I’m sure that child abuse happened, but maybe not so much? > > OK-so they’re not mug shots. I would prefer to not consider them “insane” b/c I have compassion for the mentally ill, but none for evil. > > If I am being inconsistent, oh, well. 🙂 A psychopath might not be legally insane though. They know the difference between “good and evil” actions, but choose to pursue self interests, even if it means “breaking the rules”. Many times psychopaths won’t do things that extreme, because they don’t want to be caught, but sometimes they do. (Though IANAD, I’ve encountered this type, the bully who won’t hesitate to step on me, cheat and lie to get ahead in school.) Take a look at these [characteristics](http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/serial.htm) to see what I mean. The characteristics are similar to the attributes in a[psychopathic person](http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/428/428lect16.htm). > [@](#): > > From the first site: “The serial bully appears to lack insight into his or her behaviour and seems to be oblivious to the crassness and inappropriateness thereof; however, it is more likely that **the bully knows what they are doing but elects to switch off the moral and ethical considerations by which normal people are bound**.” Bolding mine. I found the list by following links at [BullyOnline](http://www.bullyonline.org/). I was trying to learn how to deal with someone, who is a bully. I avoid the person now. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/38 "2005-02-06T17:04:58Z")
**Guinastasia** , I don’t mean to hijack, but how come under your user name it says “member” instead of “charter member?” You’ve been around forever. I’ve been curious. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/39 "2005-02-06T19:07:15Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > **Guinastasia** , I don’t mean to hijack, but how come under your user name it says “member” instead of “charter member?” You’ve been around forever. I’ve been curious. A bug in the system caused her to lose her charter. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BMax](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bmax/32/4267_2.png) [@BMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMax)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2005, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442/40 "2005-02-06T22:57:44Z")
Everyone I’ve shown the link to says the couple of monsters should be tortured the same way they tortured those kids. I don’t agree. I think they should receive a quick trial, be convicted and then quickly killed without any emotion or drama, like you would a cockroach or a mouse. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-torture-what-the-fuck-is-wrong-with-these-people/288442.md?page=3)