July 31, 2009

7 Year Old Driver Gets Out of Going to Church


See the video below. Thanks goodness this little boy made it back home safe, so we can treat this as a peculiar story instead of a tragedy! He must be quite a little driver to have pulled it off, but hopefully he has learned never to try it again. Automobile safety is no joke, and his parents' car insurance might be no laughing matter either after this.

It's probably best for this kid if he is allowed to keep his private life, and not paraded out in front of the medua, but I can't resist thinking it'd be cool to see him paired up with Latarian Milton, the other endearing young boy who got into a similar predicament last year.

7 Year Old Driver Gets Out of Going to Church
source



"A 7-year-old boy who stole his parents car in order to skip church, might need to head back to Sunday School to learn the Ten Commandments, especially "Thou Shalt Not Steal." The boy from Plain City, Utah, ran a stop sign and almost hit another driver before leading officers in a low-speed car chase..."

7 Year Old Driver Gets Out of Going to Church

Posted at July 31, 2009 3:49 AM
Comments

Why are we celebrating this type of behavior? Would it still be funny if he had hit and killed someone? So this child is being rewarded for the negative behavior of being disobedient to his parents. Come on people,

Posted by: Ann at July 31, 2009 9:49 AM

I read the child is grounded for 4 days due to his joy ride. However, letting him go on the Today Show seems to wipe out the grounding. Letting him appear on a show is like giving him the royal treatment for something that could have killed him or others.

Posted by: marietta at July 31, 2009 9:50 AM

I agree with the other two people...4 days not nearly enough punishment and to be allowed celebrity status utterly ridiculous. The parents need to take away the video games and the tv for the rest of his adolescent life.

Posted by: vgoshen at July 31, 2009 9:58 AM

why is this kid on tv? he did something WRONG and his PUNISHMENT is going on a television show? its not CUTE, FUNNY or newsworthy! What if he had injured/killed someone? Would he still be sitting on stage with his family and laughing about it? RIDICULOUS and stupid parents!

Posted by: disgusted mom at July 31, 2009 9:58 AM

my son did this, while going on a golf outing with his grandfather; my son is now nearly 23 yrs old, but when he was 6-7 his grandfather had to stop for gas and when he went in to pay for the gas, the idiot left the car running, and my son thought that he was PLAY driving but he put the car into drive and drove out of the gas station and across 4 lanes of traffic onto the other side of the road before putting the car back in park; when my son told me what happened - he was NEVER allowed to ride with my fatherinlaw alone again!!

im going to mention this to him, and see if he recalls his experience!

Posted by: crazydi at July 31, 2009 10:02 AM

The kid is not on any tv show talking about this- his family is keeping very quiet raps- get your stories strait!!! I heard an interview with this kids dad (they didnt say his name though) and he explained it all and talked about his trouble he was in- they just didnt laugh it off like it was nothing! Before you go off on people get the whole story and if you do not know all of the facts then do not comment on anything!

Posted by: Space at July 31, 2009 10:12 AM

Seriously people, he is SEVEN (7) years old, yea, this was a huge mistake on his part and he definitely should be punished and reminded of his mistake for a while so that it never happens again, but criticizing his parents for his punishment not being harsh enough is not right, he is still a child and children at that age don't have a lot of common sense - I know, I have a seven year old son. You can't scold them and lock them away for the rest of their child hood, you teach them right from wrong!

Posted by: momof3 at July 31, 2009 10:16 AM

I agree with digusted mom. All is funny and a 7 yr old and parent become celeb's based a child's joy ride. I can't help to wonder where exactly where the parents, where was the car taken from when the boy jumped behind the wheel for his joyride. I watch a lot of cop shows and the only laughing matter was when the boy jumped out the vehicle, threw it into park and ran leaving the door wide open. It was a scene straight out of COPS. Not to make this a racial matter but anyother mom or dad would have been taking off to jail for child endangerment and the child(ren) would be put into foster homes for a simple joyride in the hood. I thank God that no one was hurt, but I find nothing cute about the incident...I bet if someone was hurt, property damage occurred or for that matter the child himself was injured...no one would be laughing. The boy is 7 yrs old and nowadays these kids are to grown for their age, he should have known better. I still want to know where were his parents and how is it that they had no clue that the child and vehicle were gone. There maybe other stories online that I have yet to read about this incident, but I the ones that I have read only mentioned a dad at home asking the child what happened as he ran through the doors into his home. Well this is my opinion.....

Posted by: myob at July 31, 2009 10:17 AM

I agree with digusted mom. All is funny and a 7 yr old and parent become celeb's based a child's joy ride. I can't help to wonder where exactly where the parents, where was the car taken from when the boy jumped behind the wheel for his joyride. I watch a lot of cop shows and the only laughing matter was when the boy jumped out the vehicle, threw it into park and ran leaving the door wide open. It was a scene straight out of COPS. Not to make this a racial matter but anyother mom or dad would have been taking off to jail for child endangerment and the child(ren) would be put into foster homes for a simple joyride in the hood. I thank God that no one was hurt, but I find nothing cute about the incident...I bet if someone was hurt, property damage occurred or for that matter the child himself was injured...no one would be laughing. The boy is 7 yrs old and nowadays these kids are to grown for their age, he should have known better. I still want to know where were his parents and how is it that they had no clue that the child and vehicle were gone. There maybe other stories online that I have yet to read about this incident, but I the ones that I have read only mentioned a dad at home asking the child what happened as he ran through the doors into his home. Well this is my opinion.....

Posted by: m.y.o.b at July 31, 2009 10:18 AM

This kid will be in jail by the time he's 15.. Hopefully he will die of an overdose before that..

Posted by: Val at July 31, 2009 10:25 AM

You're a horrible person to say you hope he will die. Obviously you have no one that matters to you.

Posted by: val is a jerk at July 31, 2009 10:28 AM

yeah ... most children don't have common sense and in this case we speak of a 7yr old. How about the common sense of the adults. They usually say they are 2 sides to a story but as we with common sense know that there is urs, mine and the truth. How did this kid get the keys to the car. How is that a person who saw the child / driver of the vehicle run thru a light or stop sign whatever it was call it into the police and not the parents that there child was missing.....Like I said there are many sides to a story and usually more than the average urs, mine and the truth....But I have a child and if at 7yr of age ur child does not know that he is not allowed to drive or for that matter that is wrong to take the vehicle for a "joyride" because of the danger then there is something wrong......

Posted by: response at July 31, 2009 10:33 AM

Yes, I know it was wrong for the little boy to so this. As long as he didn't get hurt or anyone else, his parents and others should be thankful. Knowing me I would have punished him in many ways, but we don't know he probably didn't know any better. The child is really smart if he knew what to do and how to do it.

Posted by: Ms. Pretty at July 31, 2009 10:33 AM

that comment was stupid on your part.....now that statement comign from a so-called adult is what happens when you don't use COMMON SENSE....u are just horrible

Posted by: val that was uncalled for at July 31, 2009 10:38 AM

i would've done the same thing, not to go to church when I was that age

Posted by: highinzion at July 31, 2009 10:47 AM

It's horrible to see that this 7 year old did this and everyone is talking about what could of happened but didn't. I'm a mother of 2 and I can't imagine either one of my kids doing this but that doesn't mean it can't happen to me. Everyone is blaming the parents for not watching their kid but anyone that has kids knows that not everything their kid does is in their control. Thankfully nothing happened people!!! And you can't lock up the kid forever for one mistake!!! He's 7. Whoever said kids now grow up faster and that he should've known doesn't realize that not all kids are the same and they don't grow up the same. As for punishment, 4 days for a 7 year old is fine. No TV no video games no going outside and a reminder every so often of the occured is good. This incident doesn't mean the kid is going to be a delinquent when he grows up nor that his parents are doing a bad job raising him. Think about all the things everyone has done while growing up and then you'll realize that no one is perfect and you aren't anyone to judge this boy or his parents. And Val I hope you don't have kids nor do you ever have any because that comment was just uncalled for. And you're supposed to be an adult?

Posted by: mothermyself at July 31, 2009 10:52 AM

No wonder this doesn't happen more often when the Mormons, make kids even younger than this sit through 3 HOURS of church every Sunday!!! Good Grief!!

Posted by: RLS at July 31, 2009 10:54 AM

Val obviously you don't have kids and by the way it sounds no one would even want to have kids with someone like you!!! Ya kids do stupid things........ummm but they are kids are you seriously telling me that you didn't do anything stupid well then god you are one in a million!!! The comment you made was ridiculous actually that is the stupidest comment i have ever heard wanting a seven year old to die. No wonder your country has gone all to shit because of people like you!!!!

Posted by: josh at July 31, 2009 10:57 AM

When I was 6 years old, my father and I drove to a local convent in the dead of winter to deliver home made pies to the nuns. I stayed in the car (engine running, brake on) as my dad and one of the sisters chatted on the sidewalk. For reasons unknown even to me, I slid over into the driver's seat, released the brake, and rolled down a hill, with my father and the habit-clad nun in hot pursuit. I didn't get very far or hurt anyone, thankfully - and I had no interest in driving or in getting drivers license after that until some 30 years later!

Posted by: Nick52 at July 31, 2009 10:58 AM

This story is sad and the only great thing from all of this is that no one was hurt. I see the situation several ways. We cannot blame the parents for having their keys in a place that he was able to get them as normal seven year olds don't drive so it's not like hiding them from a driving teenager. Think back to growing up and your parents had their keys hanging in the same place everyday the difference is you were taught what to do and not to do. In other words we knew the boundaries and the limits on things. The parents of this little boy apparently are a little linient hince the 4 day punishment. Let's be realistic here four days is just that fours days and not even a week. So for four whole days he is on restirction but you he is able to attend the Today Show and get the grandiose feeling as if he is a celebrity. The punishment must fit the crime on all occassions and the punishement he recieved definitely does not fit waht he did. The parents are setting themselves up for trouble if they are not cracking the whip with tighter rules and restrictions. So when he robs a bank, steals from a store, or hi-jack a car at the age of eleven will he get five days of punishment or a whole week. God forbid if he murdered someone he just might get two weeks. In closing the parents has been given a taste of what their child is capabe of and will do on impulse so in turn they showed their child that no matter how severe it is we will just slap you on the wrist. Wake up mom and dad...check your basements for the making of bombs and guns....Open you eyes and realize times have changed and we as parents must be in tune with our children more now then ever...Lastly get a backbone and play your role as the PARENTS.......PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Tammie at July 31, 2009 11:02 AM

So, if a child gets behind the wheel of a car and goes for a joyride, we reward him by letting him go on the TODAY show? And then punish him with no TV or video games for 4 days? Wow, you'd think he'd have a better punishment and his parents would be held accountable!!! He could have seriously hurt someone else or himself!

Posted by: Jenny Gonzales at July 31, 2009 11:06 AM

a child will be a child. Very true that children do not have the same mentality as other children their age may have....it just amazes me how if this was anyother parent especially from my neighborhood both the child and parent(s) would be thrown into jail....but thankfully the child is safe, no one was injured and the parents may have learned a lesson from this. And, true we can't keep our children locked up but we can when it comes to our car keys, cars, guns, weapons of any sort and etc...Accidents do happen and as parents we try our best to make sure to keep our children safe and teach them right from wrong.....but also in never falls to how lax people and can be when living in quiet rural areas opposed to living in the big city....

AS FOR VAL - u are just special...and I don't mean that as a compliment...

Posted by: myob at July 31, 2009 11:15 AM

Yes these people were on National television lauging about it, even the reporter was bothered by their attitude when she asked about the punishment, 4 days? w/e but what can you expect from ignorant white trash? The parents should be held responsible and I believe no one finds humor in this you idiots.

Posted by: Rhonda at July 31, 2009 11:23 AM

Why is it that so many people in our society is so quick to judge and pass judgment all the time on everything. I really did not know this world had so many perfect people in it. Get REAL!!!

Posted by: Ieather at July 31, 2009 11:33 AM

Hey Val u better hope that your comment doesn't come back and bite you in the rear you nut case!

Posted by: Ieather at July 31, 2009 11:37 AM

I don't know where you live, Space, but in the Eastern Zone, the kid had already been on the Today show by the time your comment was posted. You need to follow your own advice and get the whole story before you comment. And learn the difference between "strait" and "straight."

Posted by: Grammar Guide at July 31, 2009 2:18 PM

I don't find anything funny about this incident.The child does not deserve to be treated like a celebrity after the BIG MISTAKE he made,he could have killed others or himself.The parents need to give him more punishment like taking away video games,cleaning his room till he turns 18,not allowed to go out alone for months or whatever,so he will only learn from his mistake.Nobody is perfect,but if you cannot be a responsible parent,DON'T have kids until you can take care of them and keep them safe.Don't ever bite more than what you can chew.I LOVE kids,but it's a 24x7 JOB and I feel I'm not responsible and mature enough because of all these incidents.I feel the parents should be punished severely,so it will be a wake up call for all parents to be alert and watch out for their kids.This kid ran away to avoid a church service,it SAYS alot about his priority.It's SAD........Hope he will accept JESUS as Lord and saviour when he grows up and run to God not away from God.

Posted by: Joseph at July 31, 2009 2:19 PM

pertaing to previous comments made. Yes we can blame the parents. I believe that the parents are to blame for what their son did. I have 2 Children myself and I hate when people use the excuse: we cant be watching them all the time. So,untrue because I always know where my children are and what they are doing when they are in my presence. No matter what I'm doing or how busy I am always checking on them.

Posted by: SDiaz at July 31, 2009 2:24 PM

Val are you available to babysit this weekend???

Posted by: HERMAN at July 31, 2009 2:28 PM

Ya'all are taking life too seriously. I did the same thinw when I was 10. No harm no foul!

Posted by: Curly at July 31, 2009 2:30 PM

Ya'all are taking life too seriously. I did the same thing when I was 10. No harm no foul!

Posted by: Curly at July 31, 2009 2:30 PM

I blame the media in part, they are the ones who wanted to put him on the Today Show. I bet the parents didn't call up and ask to be on tv.

Posted by: Carol at July 31, 2009 2:46 PM

Children are very curious especially young ones. I think the parents should keep an eye on their children because things can happen. It is also very hard to constantly keep a watch on your children especially if you think they are in their room playing. I just lost my grandson driving at 13. Things have changed in my family and this was a tragedy. Explain to the child what could happen. He may not understand but you can try.

Posted by: Annie at July 31, 2009 2:52 PM

AT Lease He Knows How To Drive Than Most People

Posted by: bryan at July 31, 2009 3:20 PM

Oh my God, seeing this video left me speechless. I have a 4yr. old and I can't imagine if he ever did that to me. I'm still in schock. Where were the keys when he took them? They should now store them in a higher and safer place.

Posted by: Ilia Lamboy at July 31, 2009 3:27 PM

He wa curious? Doubt it...I would never had done that at 13. This is just another spoiled little a-hole who does whatever he feels like it when he can't get his way ("boo-hoo, i don't want to go to church..i think i'll take the car and show everyone who's boss"). He needs a good f*****g slap like most spoiled, disrespectful kids today. 4-day punishment? What a f*****g joke. Meet a future jail bird, folks.....with idiotic parents.

Posted by: Southpaw at July 31, 2009 3:28 PM

He was curious? Absolutely not. This is just another troubled, little a-hole who does whatever he feels like it when he can't get his way ("boo-hoo, i don't want to go to church..i think i'll take the car and show everyone who's boss"). He needs a good f*****g slap like most spoiled, disrespectful kids today. 4-day punishment? What a f*****g joke. Meet a future jail bird, folks.....with idiotic parents.

Posted by: Southpaw at July 31, 2009 3:29 PM

I think we are all being to judgemental of the parents. I can remember taking my parents car keys at the age of 10 and driving our family car in and out of the garage. Never did tell my parents, and I'm glad that I never went further than the garage and I'm glad that I never went through the garage. I bet everyone has a key ring hanging up somewhere in their house our just leave them on the kitchen counter or in your purse where they are at arms reach. We all know also that parents are not with their children 24 hours a day. Kids are courious little spirits and sometimes they have no fear. This place where this family lives at, is in the country out on a farm where many children drive tractors at a very young age. Please try not to judge the parents. This will be a great teaching moment for all and we can truley be greatful that no one was hurt or killed. I hope we can all learn not to jump the gun as did our current United States President who the media thinks walks on water. Let us all learn the facts before we point our fingers. As for Val, you are a very sick man... I hope you are not a father....

Posted by: The Z... at July 31, 2009 3:30 PM

i;m impressed, the kid isa a descent driver,,i;m 44 and don;t drive, never really did,,

Posted by: michaeltaso at July 31, 2009 3:54 PM

This child should be punished for what he did. He deliberately took the car and drove it endangering the lives of those around him. It is a miracle itself that he did not hit or kill people. This is an example of even small children knowing right from wrong choosing to do what fancies them. The media is NOT to make this a sensational story out of this but to become a whole lot more mature in what and how they publicize and treat such behavior(s).

Posted by: TMR at July 31, 2009 4:07 PM

I've seen that video several times and you cannot convince me that the father hasn't already taught that kid to drive. Seriously, he was taking normal street corners at 20-25 mph, while new 16 year old drivers creep through as they learn to handle a steering wheel. This is a plot, no doubt about it, to create a news story that the media will pay for. I can see right now, in front of thousands of red-neck mobile homes, dads with their six-year olds in their laps, saying "Billy Bob, jest take this truck through town and we might get a trip to New York City!!!"

Posted by: Herb at July 31, 2009 4:12 PM

Val, why would you want the kid to die? You are truly a horrible person to make a statement like that. I hope you don't have any children. I guess if you did you would put a hit out on them if they did something out of the norm.

Posted by: Bri at July 31, 2009 4:16 PM

how ridiculous, he does something that could've gotten himself and others killed and he get to go on TV, fucking ridiculous, rewarding bad behaviour with this bullshit, idiots!

Posted by: John at July 31, 2009 4:19 PM

how ridiculous, he does something that could've gotten himself and others killed and he get to go on TV, fucking ridiculous, rewarding bad behaviour with this bullshit, idiots!

Posted by: John at July 31, 2009 4:19 PM

wow. this kid is 7 years old. he does not deserve any type of praise for what he did. it is obvious that his dad tought him how to drive and they planned the whole thing out. its rediculous. the kid could have killed somebody. then ya'all wouldnt be laughing now would you?

Posted by: maggie at July 31, 2009 4:23 PM

The fact still remains the same the child took his fathers car and went for a ride and did not follow the rules of the road ran stop signs, could hve caused a collision with another vehicle or a pedestrian. Hmmm what did he do wrong? EVERYTHING ! In my day a belt to the butt and a month of no tv or extras.
Im not saying hit your kid but in my day we were fearful of our parents and we had respect for them we did has we were told. In this case the kid was the boss and he did what he wanted. What happened to punishment fitting the crime?

Posted by: Anonymous at July 31, 2009 4:25 PM

Nobody ask the one questions I am wondering. Why was he left alon at 7 years old. Why didn't someone stay at home with him. You don't leave a 7 year old at home alone and go off somewhere. Gee what is the world coming too?

Posted by: Brenda at July 31, 2009 4:30 PM

THIS IS HILARIOUS WITHOUT A DOUBT AND ANYONE WHO SAYS SEEING A LITTLE KID RUN OUT LIKE A FUGITIVE INSTEAD OF A GROWN MAN ISN'T CRAZY FUNNY DOES NOT HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR OR A VERY DRY ONE. IT IS WRONG BUT THAT DOES NOT MAKE IT NOT FUNNY AUTOMATICALLY. I AM JUST GLAD HE'S NOT MY KID! BUT THERE ARE LITTLE BRATS OUT THERE THAT HAVE BEEN SPOILED AND OTHERS THAT ARE JUST BRATS.

Posted by: DEE at July 31, 2009 4:31 PM

what was going through his head?

Posted by: Gaby at July 31, 2009 5:17 PM

To Space: Yes, he was on TV this morning, I saw him on the Today Show!

Posted by: fort worth woman at July 31, 2009 5:35 PM

probably was thinking about something he saw on tv. who knows i can't remember why i did any of the stuff i did when i was 7 i just know it wasn't all good. but i have definetly matured. now i just make sure there are no cops around when i run a red light/sign(joke for all the seriously uptight people who were probably perfect 7 yr olds)

Posted by: DEE at July 31, 2009 5:47 PM

what a baller

Posted by: bnix at July 31, 2009 5:59 PM

All I can say is Thank God this little bright eyed fellow didn't hurt himself or anyone else

Posted by: JB at July 31, 2009 6:28 PM

Glad the child is safe and didn't cause anyone else to get hurt. SDIAZ take note: NO parent can watch their child or children at all hours of the day and or night...NO PARENT!!! Anyone who would make that statement is ignorant and arrogant. Your inexperience is showing!!! Does there really exist a parent whose child has NOT (YET) done something that has escaped their attention!!!! Keep your eyes open and maybe you'll see what you've already missed. All any parent can do is do their very best to raise an obedient child who understands and respects boundaries 'cause nobody can watch their child at all times......Don't you sleep!?? Go to the bathroom!?? Blink!??

Posted by: Mommy at July 31, 2009 6:33 PM

Wow! All of these different perspectives. No one is perfect. Kids are just what they are....KIDS! All parents have "accidently" taken their eyes off of their kids for a second or two. It is called being HUMAN! No it is NOT funny, someone could have been hurt, but, they weren't. Hind sight 20/20. Unless you are a parent and have NEVER done anything wrong parenting, give the parents a break..GEEZ!!!

Val- Are you even HUMAN?

Posted by: mom of 2 at July 31, 2009 6:50 PM

Stupid christian parents.
Trying to brainwash their kids.
Parents are stupid enough because the kid somehow got the keys and went out.
Seriously?
Someone needs to give these parents a reality check, starting with that fictional book they read.

Posted by: Tiana at July 31, 2009 6:54 PM

Everyone seems to be very opinionated on here and many of your are very hurtful. It happened. The end. Hopefully the parents, and other parents, will learn from it.

Posted by: Tippy at July 31, 2009 6:58 PM

Get over it, you all are just jealous you weren't smart or clever enough to do it let alone have the nerve to do it. He needs a good spanking, no tv and drivers ed. the more fuss you make the bigger deal this becomes.

Posted by: Jeff at July 31, 2009 7:06 PM

He should be grounded and have tv and video games taken away and he should not have been on a tv show. Shame on the parents for making light of this incident that could have been very tragic. He will make other children think it's okay and fun to do what he did. Honestly, get real.

Posted by: Shirley at July 31, 2009 7:13 PM

Val, you are a sad person and for you to say somethng like that about another human, and a kid is just pure evil. Hopefully you won't burn in hell for that one. Or not.

Posted by: Shirley at July 31, 2009 7:19 PM

Kids do the darndest things. Everybody is so apt to pass judgement to the parents. They are punishing the child and like every other parent punishes their children their way, that is their perogative. Why are people being so rude? Shit happens and it happened to this family like all families, it happens. The boy isn't getting celebrity high; it's the NEWS! That's why people watch it, to hear what's goin on in the world. So he took the parents car got caught and is getting punished for it as the parents sees fit. He's too young to go to jail so, you can't fit the punishment to the crime.

Posted by: Sandra at July 31, 2009 7:59 PM

My only question is what kind of action the police are taking . I remember a year or two ago a little blck kid tok his fathers car and drove to his mother's job becuase his father had fallen ill. The people took criminal action against both the little boy and his family. So while they are laughin this off about this current litle boy let just keep in mind the severity of his actions and not just dismiss it as kids will be kids , regardless of his age some one could have been harmed if the people hadn't gotten behind him. And as a final note , he ran like he was a criminal after he got out the car , which makes me feel like he was up to no good anyways.

Posted by: AkAttitude09 at July 31, 2009 8:44 PM

Nobody cares what anybody thinks. Read the other comments, they are all the same.

Posted by: Tye at July 31, 2009 9:26 PM

i guess he really dident want to go to church hahaha this video is funny

Posted by: bay at July 31, 2009 9:55 PM

Shame on the TODAY SHOW for presenting this story as cute and funny. They're nothing but enablers!!!

Posted by: robbie84 at July 31, 2009 10:59 PM

I remember when I was seven or eight, my best friend and I decided to spray paint their clunker station wagon that they had in the yard. We might have gotten away with it, if we hadn't been dumb enough to put our names on the car.
Last I checked, though: Yes, kids are smarter now than they have ever been, but even smart ADULTS lack common sense. Anyone who had kids or who has helped raise them should know that all you have to do is go to the bathroom for one minute and they could have the entire house torn apart. I don't agree that he should have gone on the TODAY show, but why are people wishing death upon a SEVEN-year-old, or choosing the judge the character of his parents?
How I long for the days when we didn't have every piece of news and information at our finger tips. How I miss the days when people weren't so cruel to one another, when we had some tact left within us. When a child could make a mistake and parents could discipline them PRIVATELY, without the entire nation knowing about it. Perhaps the World Wide Web isn't so wonderful.

Posted by: kshal at July 31, 2009 11:38 PM

All I can say is damn. The kid drove perfect and actually put the car in park before he ran. He did better than the idiots on cops! All i can say is he may be the next Dale Ernhart with those skills!!!!! Dont blame the parents for what they did not know, if I knew my kid could drive like that I'd be happy. At least I'd know they could handle a bad situation, stay calm and come out alive!!!

Posted by: dj at August 1, 2009 12:17 AM

what the hell is this a critique page

Posted by: yonal at August 1, 2009 1:25 AM

He drove to well to have this be his first joyride.

Posted by: johnna at August 1, 2009 1:38 AM

He drove to well to have this be his first joyride.

Posted by: johnna at August 1, 2009 1:39 AM

people calm down. I bet when you saw this video you laughed. you just post comments to look like you care. yeah he messed up but all is done no one got hurt and it gave us all a good laugh. was it right no but calm down.

Posted by: jr32 at August 1, 2009 2:04 AM

I woulds have drove away but luckily i dont go to church

Posted by: pie eater at August 1, 2009 2:47 AM

The parents should be arrested for child abuse. Any parent that subjects a 7 year old to church for 3 hours is a flaming nutbag who should be put in a state hospital for the criminally insane. People, let your poor kids enjoy their childhood and grow up to be THINKING HUMAN BEINGS. If you want to listen to mythical BS for 3 hours, go ahead. But leave the innocent alone.

Posted by: Dyann at August 1, 2009 5:20 AM

If he was black I can only wonder what you people would say, and yes I brought up race because I'm black and no matter what, it is how I am recognized. I am a teacher and believe me none of you really know how bad kids are today. In years to come you all will see. I you don't beat your kids and raise them right the "police" sure do it for and their fellow inmates.

Posted by: Ben at August 1, 2009 7:37 AM

If I had been this kids mom he would not have sat on the couch laughing, because he would not have been able to sit any where.He gets by with this now what comes next?? When he doesn't want to do something, why should he worry about punishment? The Today show should be ashamed of itself for putting this brat on their show and treating him like a little hero. What were they thinking???

Posted by: Tnlady at August 1, 2009 8:15 AM

This kid is a typical 7 yr. old who evidently has been taught how to drive somewhat and at too early an age, he didnt want to go to church so bad that when the parents werent in sight he grab the keys,jumps in the car and figures he'd go somewhere else. Kids will find ways out of doing something if they want to bad enough. No he shouldnt have done it, Yes maybe if the parents had kept keys out of sight or what ever maybe this wouldnt have happened, but this dont make him a bad kid or them bad parents, its one of those things you learn from both as a parent and a child. As for punishment,well he definitly would have gotten a little more than a 4 day grounding, but he is their child and maybe there are things not bein written also. Leave the kid alone and I hope the parents are thanking God that he didnt get hurt or hurt any one else.

Posted by: jalyn at August 1, 2009 10:27 AM

To: RLS, Tiana, and Dyann
As an African American member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I can attest that we do not subject our children to three hours of "church". We grant them the opportunity to renew vows to our Heavenly Father. This part lasts approximately an hour. The next hour is Sunday School. Sunday School is not church.
The third portion of our services consists of age appropriate games and activities. Again, held on church grounds, but not exactly "church".
There is nothing either immoral or satanic about teaching small children how to pray or/and give thanks to Heavenly Father for blessings. We teach our children to give compassionate service to people in need whether they are members of our church or not. When there is a crisis, we are among the first to show up to help. We don't do this to recruit members, we do this because we know that when we are in the service of our fellow man, we are in the service of God.
Our children also learn how to compose and conduct music, plan activities, and they learn to treat their bodies as God-given temples
and not mere man-made structures.
In addition to the Book of Mormon, we read and study the King James Version of the Holy Bible. If you can discount The Book of Mormon as a work of fiction based on hearsay, YOU have been brainwashed. Read it and study it for yourself. Think of it this way; there are seven continents. Those times, when His disciples did not know Jesus' whereabouts, He was visiting his other sheep. Simply put, when you are in your home, you cannot personally witness what is going on inside your neighbor's house, the next town over, another state, another country, or another continent.
As for the video, I personally thought it was funny. I am thankful that no one got hurt or killed. I guess you would call that a blessing.

Posted by: Donna at August 1, 2009 10:31 AM

I saw a young man smiling on TV.
If he were older and drove like that, with
maybe more serious consequences, it would not be funny.

This incident will definitely encourage other kids to do the same or "up the ante" to be on TV.

Parents & media need to be more responsible.
I understand kids do stupid things,
but the parents should have been seen or heard along with their son on TV expressing their displeasure and consequences of his actions.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 1, 2009 11:33 AM

Look up the other 7 yr old who did this about a year ago...he was black and got charged with "grand theft auto". This kid though gets celebrated on TODAY show.

Posted by: Jonus at August 1, 2009 2:32 PM

STUPID !!! If when i was a child if i had even thot of something so stupid as this i would at
age 75 still be in a body cast.. my parents would
have thrashed me so bad... that what is wrong here
any more no disaplin ..

Posted by: Anonymous at August 1, 2009 3:18 PM

Children are children, they are suppose to make mistakes and learn from them. Some are just more serious than others. As parents and a society its our job to teach our children right from wrong. Not all us parents think to tell our 7 year olds they arent allowed to drive the car, seriously, how many children at that age actually take thier parents car for a ride? Not many that i know of. So people think before you comment!...and Val, please for the sake of us all, dont have any children!!!!

Posted by: Laura at August 1, 2009 3:46 PM

Come on people, we don't know the situation, so it is stupid to say he will probably be in jail by the time he is 15. He's a little kid who did something stupid. You can't hold this over him for the rest of his life. Blaming the parents won't help either. How many of YOU watch your children 24/7? They are sneaky and don't know why they do half the things they do.

Posted by: JR1221 at August 1, 2009 4:14 PM

all you idiots get over it!!!! just cuz you fuckers cant drive as good as him

Posted by: mike at August 1, 2009 4:58 PM

Wow, a lot of people here seem to act as if he actually hurt someone. Yeah it would have been a tradegy if he had hurt someone or destroyed property or something...but he didn't. Therefore, let it be a lesson learned and laugh about it a little. I mean honestly, it's kind of funny. It wouldn't be funny if something bad happened, but it didn't. Loosen up a little bit people, take a lesson from this kid and let go of the brakes a bit.

Posted by: Athan at August 1, 2009 5:11 PM

Heres the thing would he got his butt whooped at my house... heck yea but theres so many idiots out there who would raise hell about a kid being popped if they went on tv and the kid said" yea my mommy grouded me for 4 days and my daddy took a belt to me" thered be 50 people outside the studio protesting spanking kids what prolly happened was he got grounded and then when he got home got the whooping of a lifetime. as far as him knowing how to drive, yea he looks like he lives out in the country a lil bit theyve prolyl let him sit in there laps and drive. i remember the first time i set in my parents lap and drove i was 4 and thought it would be fun to go off roading in a lil nissan car. As far as him not being watched he may have just went to get some water from the waterfountain or asked to sue the restroom. he may have been in sunday school or going to sunday school. you cant watch kids 24/7 theyre a big responsiblilty. Do you really think all he got was 4 days grounding? or do you think he got the spanking from hell and either was told if he said anything about it hed get it again or they waited till after the tv thing to do it.

Posted by: Anonymous at August 1, 2009 5:30 PM

If anybody has had kids. I'm sure you didn't know every thing that they did. I am sure the parents took care of the matter the right way.

Posted by: Guy at August 1, 2009 6:37 PM

Obviously, none of you are Mormom. I can guarantee he is not the first to swipe the car to sneak out of church in Utah (I did the same thing at 13... and in Utah) and you can not truly appreciate how boring and fruitless spending a Sunday at a stuffy Mormom church can be. Most parents are in daydreaming/snooze mode most of the time and for the most part, do not spend the time with their children during most of it. With so many kids around, not noticing that one of your kids sneak out with the keys is not really that surprising!

Posted by: justme15 at August 1, 2009 9:08 PM

Shame on your parents, only 4 days and a prime time interveiw to boot. I had to pick my own switch, maybe you should consider parenting classes on what you should teach your children to do at the right age.

Posted by: Kristin H. at August 1, 2009 9:43 PM

Thank you mike for putting everything in perspective I totally agree with you. As for the rest of you I'm 14 and yet I'm smart enough to know that a 7 year old boy would be no where near phycologically advanced enough to comprehend what he did and why it endangered others. So instead of critsizing the parents and talking about giving the "spaking from hell" lets try to teach the kig why not to repeat his actions.
PS: Beatings of any kind can severely hurt a child potentaily causing brain damage and phisical trauma not to mention emotional damage in the future.

Posted by: P Dawg at August 1, 2009 9:58 PM

Thank you mike for putting everything in perspective I totally agree with you. As for the rest of you I'm 14 and yet I'm smart enough to know that a 7 year old boy would be no where near phycologically advanced enough to comprehend what he did and why it endangered others. So instead of critsizing the parents and talking about giving the "spaking from hell" lets try to teach the kid why not to repeat his actions.
PS: Beatings of any kind can severely hurt a child potentaily causing brain damage and phisical trauma not to mention emotional damage in the future.

Posted by: P Dawg at August 1, 2009 9:59 PM

no that boy should have been beaten until he was black and blue or until his mom or dad got tried thats what should of happned and take tv and gemes

Posted by: cinnamon at August 1, 2009 10:56 PM

no that boy should have been beaten until he was black and blue or until his mom or dad got tried thats what should of happned and take tv and gemes

Posted by: cinnamon at August 1, 2009 10:56 PM

YOU PEOPLE ARE CRAZZZZY!!!!!!

Posted by: lovely at August 2, 2009 12:09 AM

I definitely agree that this child should not have been on tv for this incident nor should anybody be worried about his punishment either. I am a mother of one and I do tend to be a little strict with my child but that is because I have seen how much respect most children have nowadays. I have seen many children at age 10 running around the streets late at night getting into who knows what kind of trouble. It all comes down to how you talk to your children and the decisions they make. You are not always in charge of their decisions no matter the age you just hope that they keep your advice in mind. Children do lots of stupid things and it isn't always in a parents control to stop them and so what if he did learn to drive at an early age. I do have to say that any other child and/or parent would be in trouble with the law had this happened to them. I honestly would have that kid grounded for at least a month with no tv, games,etc but thats how I am and everyone is different when it comes to their children. I am not a religious person and have nothing against those with religion so I don't think it's the churches fault for him not wanting to be there he is just a typical kid and the truth is church is not that interesting to most kids. And Val how could you ever wish death upon anybody, even my worst enemies don't have that wished upon them. He is just 7 years old and if it turns out he does end up being a criminal it is his problem and not mine I have my own child to worry about.

Posted by: Jamie at August 2, 2009 12:27 AM

All I have to say is wow. I agree, it was wrong of the kid to take the car. Yes, he could have been killed, but he wasn't. And yes, if I were a mother, I would punish him a little bit harder. But you need to understand that he is seven. Making kids sit in church for three hours or more is torture to them. Don't blame the parents because they didn't know.

Posted by: that girl at August 2, 2009 12:31 AM

i would make the kid go to church every single day.. if possible!!! most of the time grounding kids doesnt work anymore anyways

Posted by: dede at August 2, 2009 12:50 AM

I agree 100% with the criminally insane comment never a truer word spoken.

E

Posted by: E at August 2, 2009 1:01 AM

is this is very bad bt hes a child things will hape hisparent wasnt aware even tho they shld have been they werent child are gong to be child and there are very curious little people yes my son would have gotten in lost of trouble but at the same ime i would have been laughing not in his face so that he could thinkthis kinda thing was funny but behind his back so that me and his father and laugh and talk abt his punishment and for the lady that said he going to die.... yea ur going to hell ha that one....

Posted by: cant touch dis at August 2, 2009 1:06 AM

I agree 1oo% with the criminally Insane comment never a truer word spoken


E

Posted by: Anonymous at August 2, 2009 1:06 AM

I agree 1oo% with the criminally Insane comment never a truer word spoken


E

Posted by: Anonymous at August 2, 2009 1:06 AM

If I had a child who did this, I'd whup him. While it is funny, the child should've gotten the belt.


It still is funny.

Posted by: D at August 2, 2009 2:05 AM

If I had a child who did this, I'd whup him. While it is funny, the child should've gotten the belt.


It still is funny.

Posted by: D at August 2, 2009 2:06 AM

In my town in Fontana Ca. young kids were killed when chased by law enforcement because they were driving eraticly which caused them to run into a wall of a home. While this kid is rewarded and seen on TV, because he is caucasion, not of color. Many minorities kids are treated with pit manuaver or spikes laid down to stop them, but no not this kid in Utah. Nice to be white.

Posted by: j c at August 2, 2009 7:03 PM

How come the parents are not suspect of not monitoring their child? Child services would pounce all over a black family or hispanic one, stating that the parents neglected or showed no awareness of the where abouts of the child. If he set a fire would not the parents be responsible? If he stole in a store, would not the parents be liable? What has become with the difference of a minority child (black, hispanic, asian) than a white child? How come they are not looked at for their son's wreckless car driving endeavor? Oh yeah, nice to be white I see.

Posted by: wonder why at August 2, 2009 7:14 PM

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