When I started the day, I had a certain idea of what I was going to post as a blog. I was planning on ranting about the fact phones now have attachable camera lens’, however, that rant seems moot now compared to this.
A couple days ago, I saw an article CBC released about a child under 12 in Saskatchewan who was apprehended for beating a six year old boy, Lee Bonneau, to death. (Pictured Below)
I understand that our countries Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) doesn’t allow a offender under the age of 14 to be charge, but by the age of five, when most of us started kindergarten, we understand the difference between the right and wrong. Should this child not be held responsible for his actions?
“Because the person investigators believe is responsible for this homicide is under the age of 12, the child cannot be charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act,” RCMP Staff Sgt. Larry Brost explained to news reporters on Tuesday.
Now, that’s enough to start some really heated discussions and even arguments, but I’m not done yet.
Not even a week later, a 13 year old boy was charged with attempted murder of a 13 year old girl, also in Saskatchewan. Now, under the YCJA, the name of the boy was not published, but authorities say he will appear in court on Monday.
When asked about the procedures that will be taken for the young male, Andrea Brittin, an assistant deputy in the social services ministry, said that treatments will be put in place for the offender until he is old enough to be accountable for his actions.
“Those treatment needs are going to change as he grows older,”
As great as it is to find out that these kids will not be actually investigated until they are able to be tried as adults, these two accounts are much too close for comfort.
The way I see it, children by that age should know right from wrong, and they should be held responsible for their actions. Now, jail with sex offenders, murdered and rapists over the age of 25 might not be a good idea, but I believe they should get more than just a “Oh, you took the life of an innocent child? Let’s give you a slap on the wrist.”
