What was so wrong a child had to be taken?

To the editor:

You know, I used to get peeved about how we as Alaska/American Natives were forgotten on many things like the land and who we are as aboriginal peoples of this land. But then I see families fighting over the kids, bringing the kids in the middle of this.

All this does is bring on more hard feelings. I don’t think the Christensens even thought (past their nose) of what happens to kids when things like being stolen from the mother happens. What do you suppose Traves will think when he’s older? How do you suppose Traves will think of them as grandparents? They stole him. There is no other way (to put it).

If Mr. Christensen was abusive when he was younger, not only shame on him, but to steal his grandchild? The mother is doing what she can to better her life. I was in an abusive relationship as well. My parents or his parents didn’t do this. Kids have to live their own lives, make their own mistakes. Maybe they should have been there for her and Traves instead of stealing a child.

As for the police in this story, shame on them! I think they are here at their own convenience, not the public’s. When they are called for things that happen at the home, they say, “I’m sorry, nothing’s happened yet,” or, “there’s nothing here for me to do yet.” And they walk this person in to take a child and get in the mother’s face. Was she threatening in any way? Did she yell or scream, “This is wrong!?” I would have.

I may not have the whole story, but when a mother is going to school and reported her man in to the police to protect her and the child, what was so wrong that the child had to be taken? When did we as a society start allowing this to happen? Is it because Mr. Christensen has money and she doesn’t? That’s (bunk). If that’s the case, half the state would have their kids taken.

Jo Noble

Wasilla