Mom leaves two kids alone while she works at strip club

Police went to her apartment at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday after a neighbor called and said one child -- a 5-year-old girl -- was on a balcony. The other child, a 4-year-old girl, was ill and lying on a couch. The mom said the babysitter didn't show up. (Orlando Sentinel)

Comments

[sometimesilie]

someones getting a wittle pouty!

[twerp]

Well, of course she left them at home! Would they rather she took them to work with her? I know some sick pervs out there would love that!

Seriously though, kids shouldn't be left alone. The minute your back is turned, bam, there they are lurking on the edge of a balcony or robbing a thrift store.

[kee]

You don't take your daughter to work at the strip club until she can make proper change - at least another year!

[bowling for twinkies]

Likely she had 'em for welfare chump change anyway, so she probably regards them as expendable...being a stripper, she shouldn't be too hard pressed to get herself knocked up by some anonymous babydaddy again, and then she can collect FMLA during the pregnancy.

[MidtownCoog]

Another east side chola.

[Dick C. Normas]

A Ho's gota work.

[DCer]

Actually I find this story pretty tragic. The worst part about it is that it's highly likely that the baby's father's mother is going to sue for custody and just trying to keep her family together is going to bankrupt this woman. why? Because she is dumb, uneducated and wanted to keep the kids she got through whatever reason.

Regarding the imbecile above making the welfare comment- due to the fact you're illiterate you probably didn't know that people who work as strippers have a job and don't qualify for welfare.

[jdotglenn]

Hey, say what you really mean.

Assholes. Americans hate the poor.

[bowling for twinkies]

The only 'imbecile' I'm seeing here is you, DCer. "Illiterate" pertains to being unable to spell, read or write. See anything misspelled up there? You're pretty 'imbecilic' yourself if you don't realize that many strippers get paid under the table, and thus qualify for welfare *as long as they don't get caught*. Also, I was implying that she likely subsisted on welfare *before* picking up the stripping gig (when she had the kids), and would likely suck up FMLA monies during another pregnancy...probably enough to buy herself a new and enhanced pair of chesticles in the meantime, at the taxpayer's expense. I don't feel sorry for the tramp, I feel sorry for the kids. The only thing 'tragic' about her is that she'll walk away from this with her ovaries intact.

[Anne]

"Hey, say what you really mean.

Assholes. Americans hate the poor."

I don't 'hate the poor'. I hate the bums and the cheats who rip off the rest of us, 'the poor' included. You really are an asshat if you think that just because someone is working, they're rolling in wealth. What are you doing, yourself, jdotglenn? Living on your parents dime while you get that college degree that'll allow you to join the wealthy elites? Who are the ones who REALLY hate the poor. And all the rest of us, in fact.

[Wolf]

Isn't FMLA unpaid leave?

Ans where the hell has troschne been lately?

[earthmother7]

I hate defending strippers but here I go. Do any of you know how much that profession pulls in, on average? I know a few and welfare is NOTHING compared to their nightly tips. Most take pretty strong measures to not get pregnant.

[Krash]

Hey!, we need another sandwich to throw here!
WTH, this is where the "tradition" started, right?
It's Florida thing, no?
Anyone know if she's even legal?

[Bluntfacts]

"Under Florida statute in this particular case neglect of a child constitutes a third-degree felony punishable by a maximum of 5 years in prison."

Excellent. A little jail time would be good for this mother, since it seems obvious her spawn are not her top priority. That is a shame, since mothers should tend to the nest above all other considerations.

[Charles Brobst]

I would say her children are DESPERATELY her only priority, in that she would strip to support them. She isn't doing it for nothing. Young people make short sighted and ill conceived choices. Rather than wasting tax money for five years in stir and messing these kids worse with foster care she needs help, job training and reliable babysitting.

[Wolf]

I looked up FMLA and it is indeed unpaid leave. From the Labor Department web site:

Family and Medical Leave Act

Overview

Covered employers must grant an eligible employee up to a total of 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period for one or more of the following reasons:

* for the birth and care of the newborn child of the employee;
* for placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care;
* to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition; or
* to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition.

[American Veteran]

@ bowling for twinkines:
"many strippers get paid under the table"
That's only midgets.
Screw the politically correct height challenged.

[featherwoodangel]

I don't think she should have left her kids at home alone, HOWEVER I'm curious if she would have been so vilified if she perhaps worked at a hospital or store etc rather than as a stripper? Perhaps she felt she didn't have a choice, calling in to work she might have been fired, forcing her onto the welfare that she's already being accused of receiving. Maybe she was working as a stripper (night job) so she could be home during the day with her kids. Really poor lapse of judgement, but without knowing more circumstances, it seems like a lot of people are making a lot of assumptions.

[thomas]

She resembles Jackie on 'that 70s Show'.
Coincidence?

[dorkster]

I don't know what to say about this. I mean she clearly needs money because shes a single mother with 2 kids and works at a strip club so who could blame her if she was trying to cash in on some welfare? although I wouldn't say shes the best mother for leaving her 2 children at the ages of 4 and 5 before the babysitter showed up. Because most people wait till the sitter shows then they leave. But truly all this women needs is a loving man to take care of her and her children and just a little bit of money.

[Wolf]

These are some of the most idiotic statements I've ever seen here, and believe me, I've been here a while:

I don't think she should have left her kids at home alone, HOWEVER I'm curious if she would have been so vilified if she perhaps worked at a hospital or store etc rather than as a stripper?

Stupid i stupid, regardless of career choice.

truly all this women needs is a loving man to take care of her and her children and just a little bit of money.

"The love of a good man..."

Grow up. There's no cure for stupidity. And what man with any sense is going to get involved with someone like this?

[dorkster]

geez lois wolf are you really so stupid that you can't even come up with anything to say about this thing other than trashing other peoples comments? ugh don't you get it if she had a HUSBAND she wouldn't NEED to leave her children alone because her husband would work and she would stay home with the kids! and what kind of guy would get involved with her? A nice you really need to think more before you go and comment on things like that.

[Wolf]

First, what does "geez lois" mean?" Besides nothing.

And as for this:

her husband would work and she would stay home with the kids!

you're living in a Ward and June Cleaver world. Grow up. People have to work to survive. Get a clue, marry someone not rich, and wash a dish now and then.

[bitplayer]

You know I'd have a lot more respect for anti-abortion types if when these kinds of situations came up they'd come forward to step up and help the mom and plead for mercy on her behalf. If she wasn't working she'd be a welfare queen. As someone else said she could have just as easily been working at a meat packing plant on second shift and this happened. It's very hard to get nighttime or second shift babysitters. I wonder if that neighbor, who was totally in the right for calling the cops, even said one word to her neighbor or would have watched her kids for her.

[Douchebags]

Once again the Obscure Reading posters are just so so angry about all those terrible poor people who have the nerve to not afford a nice new BMW. Poor posters. My heart weeps for you and the horrible life you have to endure.

[thomas]

Douchebags;
Very appropriate moniker.
May I buy you a couple shots of vinegar??

[Tamaya]

THis is sad. Mot everyone can afford a babysitter. What if she had worked in a factory or as a waitress? Would that be any different. Many places you don't show up for work you loose your job, no excuses. That night of work could mean the difference between her family eating or not eating. But because she was a stripper that automaticly makes her a bad mother/ person.
I know men don't want to think about the lady stripping for them as possibly having kids but many do. Why else would they be there? It isn't like they grew up wanting to be strippers, something lead them to that point, it is 99% of the time a last resort. Do you thnk they want to have men gawking at them like pigs?
Why didn't the neighbour who was so quick to call the cops because a kid was on the balcony offer to watch them?
It is time for people to get off thier high horses and think. What lengths would you go to to feed and house your family? What crap job would you take if meant either they had shelter and food or were on the street?

[Sigh]

I am not sure of the 99% of the time statistic. I prefer to think that most of the women (in this country) who chose to be strippers do so for the same reason other people take jobs. Last resort? Nah. Best option? Probably. But, if you are working a job that isn't what you percieve to be your best option (you know: given the compensation, hours, work involved, benefits, social status, legality, etc.), then you aren't acting rationally.

I certainly don't judge them for showing their bodies to people for pay, anymore than I judge other people for doing things for money. But, I also don't kid myself that 99% of them couldn't get other work, as I don't think being pretty disqualifies you from many jobs-- while being ugly does. Being pretty (and free from shame) gives them additional options.

[RockyMtnMac]

Geez Lois = Holy Crow
Now that we got that straight, You guys are all kinds of grouchy over this story. Is this what happens when I am not here to be your punching bag? lol - Sorry I missed it!
Wolf - Troschne is super-slammed at work. He sends his regards to all of you, and will hit here when he can.
American Veteran - LOL!
Dorkster - ease up there! And btw, do you know the definition of "Dork"? I'm just curious.

[Navy Chief]

et al: I believe the phrase is Geez Louise. Geez Lois sounds like something Clark's friend Jimmy would say.

[pattiman]

no matter what you don't leave your kids home alone ever

[Zoot]

RMM - nice to have someone who's not totally grumpy on board! Everyone's knickers got twisted on this story.

[me]

While I despise that she is a stripper, honestly it's no worse than any other parent leaving their children alone. The thing is though, "Mom left kids home alone to work at Walmart" doesn't sell as many papers.

[james]

Speaking of stupid statements....."what man with any sense is going to get involved with someone like this?"

It's amazing how everyone seems to know alllll about this woman's life from a short news article. Somehow everyone here knows all about the father of her kids, her career choice, how she gets paid, what her education level is, what her priorities are, whether or not she has ever benefited from welfare....wow, we truly have a bunch of FBI level investigators.....or maybe just ignorant judgemental people.

For all you idiots know this woman has a bachelor's degree in a profession that she can't find a job in, was widowed by her children's father and left with debts and no money, and was forced to work as a stripper or live on the streets and have her children taken away. Maybe, maybe not, but the fact is, you DON'T KNOW!....but if it makes you feel better about yourself to trash her, please continue.

[vksjk]

She's a hottie.

[dorkster]

@ rmm yes I know the defintion of Dork. and sorry its just irks me when people act like they know every little freakin thing in the entire world! that part was @ wolf

[dorkster]

THANK YOU JAMES!!

[thing1]

Don't lie! You would all hit that!

[sarah]

Anybody defending this chick is an idiot. She stripping so she must be working hard to try and make money for her kids! She probably doesnt make very much! She just needs counseling, job training and reliable babysitters! Are you freaking kidding me? First of all most the strippers out there do it because they make good ass money, and a lot of these women LOVE the money they make. Secondly, there are PLENTY of strip clubs around her area so if she isnt willing to suck it up and POSSIBLY lose her job to find a babysitter for her kids, well thats just straight up neglect. Who even knows if she would lose her job, she was just worried about being "late"...Why is everyone trying to support her or "plead for mercy"? How do you know this chick doesnt go out all the time and party and neglect her kids? Cause anyone with the mindset to leave them alone like that is most likely a really bad mom to begin with.

[james]

sarah - "How do you know this chick doesnt go out all the time and party and neglect her kids?"

.....how do you know she does? Oh, I forgot, you're one of the all-knowing. So, when you're late for whatever job you have, do you just figure "there are plenty of low end retail stores around that I can work at, so if I'm late so what?" Yeah, there ya go, how does it feel to be judged by someone that doesn't know you?

[dorkster]

again thank you james

[memeforfree]

Typical of morally dead Americanos to defend this trash. The kids deserve our sympathy. The slut deserves a boot up her ass and a tubal ligation.

[ellen]

Sometimes, James, it actually IS possible to know (or at least have a damn good idea of) people by their actions...