What a surprise it happened in Texas.

lol, exactly. i was an only child, so it took me a bit to come to grips w/ sibling issues. but they are little kids, and if adults interfere and make it a big issue, THEN you have problems.

10 to 1 the person who reported this was a mom w/ 1 very young child who thinks she knows all about parenting and just how everyone else should do things (her way).

I am torn on this. On one hand I think people get way too much into other people's kool aid when it comes to disciplining kids and fighting siblings, but on the other hand I came from an abusive family and there are some instances I would have been grateful if someone intervened. When I was in 3rd grade some cops watched my sister beat the crap out of me on the way to school. When she was done and left they brought their squad car over to see if I was o.k. and find out who beat me up. When I said my sister they did nothing but gave me a lift to school to see the nurse.

My siblings and I fought but it never came down to anything physical. I don't see why it makes a difference if the person is a sibling or not, that because they are related it's okay to punch and kick. If it was the neighbor kid wouldn't people want the police involved? Why should it be any different because they're siblings?

I find this a tough one. Sure, if they're called or are witness to the incident, look into it. I don't think that arresting and charging the child will help unless it's an extreme situation involving serious physical harm. I see no reason why the cops can't have a discussion with those involved, but we all need to be realistic, siblings can be really brutal towards eachother. I do not condone this behavior but do understand it happens and why. I think the same sort of rules should apply as if it were a parents harming the child. It all needs to be taken seriously, but not necessarily to this extreme.

kia, I hope your life has turned around for the better! It's so sad that when people should stick their noses in it seems they don't, and when they should stay out, they're always in your business

That is so ridiculous! Don't the police have better things to do than charge a 10 year old??? I am not saying that people should ignore the fighting but talking to the kids would be better than arresting them...unless there was some real violence going on like stomping, kicking, punching ect.

"If it was the neighbor kid wouldn't people want the police involved?"

I wouldn't, no. I'd break it up the same as I would with my own kids and address it with the other parent. I wouldn't call the police on a neighbor kid shoving my child.

If the kid was down on the ground being punched or beaten, it's a different story. Even then there would be a LOT of factors that would go into whether or not I'd call the police.

I read this story to be that it was a pretty physical fight- one that lasted long enough for someone to call the cops and for the cops to get there, and that each girl walked away with injuries. Granted if it had just been a couple of shoves, then of course no police, but it sounds like it got a little brutal.

Is it really that normal for kids to fight like this? I mean, other than some light hitting or pushing?

I'm sure the police do have better things to do and I'm sure they thought of that too when they responded to this call as they were required to do. The law in that state mandates that the police have to arrest the aggressor. Don't get mad at the police for doing their job. I tell you I feel for the police - damned if they do and damned if they don't. Get mad at the law that tells them they have to arrest the aggressor.

And seriously "they fingerprinted my baby"... please. Perhaps if you taught your children a more sensible way to air their differences rather than resorting to (extreme) physical violence you wouldn't even have to say those words.
It's always somebody elses fault

While I think that the police helping out by breaking up the fight might be okay, handcuffing is just insane!

Breaking up the fight is one thing, but handcuffing the girl??? Maybe giving her a good scolding to scare her would've been enough, but I think she's going to be scarred from this incident.

i completely agree with Kimpossible.
i am sure if the sister had got hurt and the police had walked away the parents would be in the media with a whole new spin on things. people are ridiculous, siblings argue and fight but long enough for police to respond. teach your kids to take responsibility for their actions.

my sister backhands me for taking a pinch of her cookies she made and tried to break my watch