Letter: What about the child?

I have a very difficult time understanding why you found it necessary to publish the story of the 6-year-old who the Collier County Public Schools and Sheriff’s Office found it necessary to arrest on a felony charge.

In New York, a child under the age of seven cannot be prosecuted at all. Nor can a child under the age of 16 be identified in any way unless he or she has committed the crime of murder, rape or first-degree robbery.

There is a very good reason for this.

I fail to see how the complete identification and picture of this child is anyone else’s business, in view of the fact that this negative event will stick with her for a very long time and certainly will not benefit her. Why couldn’t she simply be referred for counseling without being arrested, and her story published on the front page?

These things happen all over, and teachers deal with them quietly. I realize this is Naples and not New York, but if this is the most newsworthy item available, and it is detrimental to a small child’s future, perhaps the laws in Florida regarding minors are seriously flawed, and those who would take advantage of this situation need to examine their collective consciences.

Suzanne E. Dossinger/Naples