How many of you agree/disagree with labeling a 10 year old as a sex offender?

He probably did know what he was doing was wrong because he asked your son to leave and then locked the door. As for being labelled a sex offender, I am torn because he is so young and lives have been irreparably damaged by this label, on the other hand not labelling him as such might allow him the chance to re-offend.

As is usual in cases like this the problem is more the parents than the child in my estimation based on the information you have provided.

I am referring to the ten year olds parents not you. Apparently there is no dispute about what happened. I once would have said a ten ;year old could not know what he was doing but I can't say that any longer. Children are learning more at an earlier age than ever before.

I really feel for you. I really do. You are in a tough situation. I am 65 years old and am raising my ten year old grandson. I just do not know what I would do if I were faced with the situation your neighbors are faced with.

You have asked for advise and I will give you some. This matter that both of you parents are facing is too tough to be solved on an anonymous internet site. I suggest that both families get professional help fast. Please see a counselor who specializes in this area. I am sure your doctor can recommend someone. This is just too tough to handle without professional help.

Good luck to you and my prayers are with you and your neighbors.

A three year old can't be considered a reliable witness. Too much is jumbled up in a child's mind at that age, and it is very easy for an adult to (accidentally or on purpose) pressure a child to say something is true, when it isn't.

Regardless of whether he really did this or not, I don't think a 10 year old has the same concept of sexual assault an adult has. Generally, 10 year old abusers are themselves victims of sexual assault; so this boy may well need extensive psychiatric help, but should not be labeled a sex offender.

I am disturbed to hear you would even allow a 3 year old to play out of sight of an adult - these days, you simply can't take that kind of chance. (This doesn't in any way excuse the 10 year olds actions, if he did what he is charged with doing).

From your description, it would appear that the 10 year old knew full well that his conduct was not acceptable (hence the asking your son to leave, shutting & locking the door, etc.). Accordingly, the boy should receive counseling and discipline, in that order. As for being labeled as a sex offender, any such label would be sealed in the juvenile record upon the boy reaching 18, so the impact should be nominal. The greater issue is reaching the boy NOW so as to prevent this course of conduct from 1) being repeated, and 2) leading to greater problems.

WOW this is hard question

but my point of view is

FIRST.. We parents NEVER have to teach our kids those "tee-tee" or others words

we dont have to be ashamed of saying penis or vagina

we adults don't go to doctors and say "I have a problem in my tee tee" or I gave birth from my tee tee.

if the children go to the judge it is more substancial the use of the right words.

well I am sure that a 10year old knows what he does this 10 year old boy knew what he was doing because it was premeditated he asked your son to leave him alone with your daugther so he knew that what he will do was not right,

but if a child is on sex offender list all of that will be erased when he is 18 .

Yes he is a future sex offender.

you should contact child services and tell them that may be there is some kind of abuse towards him at that house.

he had to have learned that somehow...

good luck and think wisely

Yes he should be labeled. It doesn't seem fair for him to have to live the rest of his life labeled as a sex offender for something he did when he was 10 BUT it is necessary.

I am a foster mother and 2 of the kids in my home were molested by an 11 yr old foster child who wasn't labeled before or after his time with me. He was sent to another foster home with a 3 yr old and a 1st grader (same age as the boys he molested in my home) And the new home probably wasn't informed. I know my 11 yr old will molest again. And it sounds like this 10 yr old will too.

You are in my prayers. I was molessted as a little girl. First a neighbor - a little boy age unknown told me to lay down on the ground and he climbed on top of me and the person who stopped it later became the one who molested me ( an adult). Although you are angry about what has happened to your baby please ask for God's help in forgiving him. Yes, he knew what he was doing, but remember the time we are living in and learn how to pray for them and the parents who have exposed their chidren some thing unnecessarily. I have a nine year old son who knows plenty about some things but still knows that you do not touch anyone inapproprately. Hug your children, forgive yourself( you are a good mom). Now is the time for you to teach your children especially your daughter how special her body is and that she doesn't have to be afraid to talk to you about anything. I have a little girl and she has been told ever since she was little the proper names for genitals so that there would be no confusion. And I still talk to her about it every now and then. Also, you should make it a rule that they are not to go into anyone's house without you being there, or you knowing the parents, and their values fully. Please teach them both how to forgive as well. May the Lord bless you.

Not to sure if he should have to register for the rest of his life on that, I dont have kids and havent been in that situation, I do think though that when kids molest other kids, it is because it happens to them, maybe that boy was molested to. You are strong for taking him to court I hope the boy does get help and I hope your daughter is ok. it is just so sad that kids do these things at a young age, they ruin their life and someone elses. He sounds like he is a potential molester for the rest of his life, I don't think kids have the knoledge to realize what their doing is bad, he probably thinks it is normal and wont ever change.

I have a problem with labelling a 10 y.o. as a sex offender because at that age, a person really does not understand sex or the consequences of sexual actions. They understand basic right v. wrong - stealing, lying, murder, etc - but 10 y.o.s were never meant to understand sex.

He also needs counseling, as he has obviously been overexposed to sex, and it has affected his psyche.

But labelling him with that label at 10? No, that's just wrong.

Hey hon, I totally understand and am so sorry for you little one.

My ex-stepson who was 12 did same thing to my 6 yr. old at the time. They do know better and he admitted so yah. It is sad, but remember they have had it done to them if they are doing it. 99 out of 100 times this is the case. Just remember she won't let it go if mommy doesn't. I made that mistake. If she wants to talk that is cool but don't force because could cause more damage than the act itself. hang in sweetie.