At first I was outraged when I read the first few lines of the story. But then I started thinking. This is Arkansas. Most people in Arkansas are not pro-government and believe children should be raised the way the parents see fit. But someone called.
The sheriffs office, according to the statement, responded to possible child abuse and neglect allegations from
concerned citizens that are familiar with, and friends of, the family. The sheriffs office noted that upon arrival, and after an extensive on site investigation, it was determined by investigators the minor children living at the residence were at risk of serious harm due to a number of different factors. Investigators, the statement said, felt they had no choice but to intervene in the best interest of the minor children.
Stanley said he has been accused by authorities of spanking his children. But, he noted, if spanking constitutes child abuse, most families would be guilty.
Any parent in America would identify with me when youre dealing with rebellious teenagers, he said.
He does believe, however, that his two oldest children living at home ages 16 and 14 played a part in the raid.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...ts-over-the-dangerous-miracle-supplement-mms/
I note that the original call may have been for something different, which the parents have been trying hard to explain away with various excuses, ever since:
Michelle Stanley said an anonymous caller reported last month that the couples children were running around barefoot in the winter cold, but she explained to police that they had shoes but liked to go outside to photograph their footprints in the snow.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/01/...-familys-home-over-use-of-bogus-miracle-cure/
This is rural Arkansas. I'ts going to take a lot of persuading for me to believe some nosy neighbor out there called CPS because kids were running around in the snow a bit, barefoot. And that rural sheriffs there snatched the kids away after storming the house because they found a supplement.
The excuses the family has given and the stories as to how this went down have changed repeatedly:
1. They stormed the home and found a supplement. But I don;t give it to my kids. I just take it myself. But I do add it to water in the garden.
2. One of my kids took aquaponics chemicals to a friend's house where they inhaled it [and said it was MMS]. They don't want to be homeschooled anymore.
3. My kids ran barefoot in the snow for a moment so we could take pictures of the footprints but they removed the kids because an anonymous caller reported it.
4. They took my kids because I "spank" them. But anyone with rebellious teens would understand.
Hmm. There's a lot more going on in that house, I would bet, than meets the eye.
Again, this is Arkansas. Rural Arkansas. For neighbors, friends and family to be concerned, for rural sheriffs to get involved and remove the kids, something is up. IMO.