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15 Feb ’12
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Anyone else disturbed by this?
A Kentucky “off-grid” family had their 10 children seized this week by authorities, and their supporters say they were targeted “simply because the government disagrees with their lifestyle and their educational choices.”
An anonymous tip sent sheriff’s deputies Wednesday to the 26-acre rural Breckenridge County home of Joe and Nicole Naugler, who document their “back to basics” lifestyle on social media.
They believe the complaint was lodged by an acquaintance who threatened to report the family to Child Protective Services during a Facebook feud with Joe Naugler.
The father was away with eight of the couple’s children when deputies arrived, and Nicole Naugler – who is five months pregnant – tried to drive away with the couple’s two oldest sons, according to a fundraising page set up by the family.
Investigators attempted to question the teens away from their mother, and she was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest when deputies said she interfered.
“I am a free range human, not meant to be caged,” Nicole Naugler said. “But I will stand up for my rights.”
Authorities ordered Joe Naugler to hand over all the children Thursday morning or face felony charges, and the family believes they were removed due to their “unschooling.”
The Nauglers follow the so-called unschooling method that allows children to learn through natural experiences – including play, household chores, travel, and personal courses of study.
A family friend said that’s the way all children learned before public schooling.
“You let your kids decide the curriculum,” said family friend Pace Ellsworth. “In unschooling, education doesn’t take a backseat. It’s listening to what they’re interested in and fascinated in.”
Kentucky, like all states, sets minimum standards for child education that all families must follow — even if they are educated at home – and it’s not clear whether the Nauglers met those requirements.
Child abuse or neglect investigations operate in something of a legal gray area, because records are kept sealed to protect the child’s privacy and because their caregivers are frequently the target of authorities.
The investigations can be launched by a single anonymous complaint, and parents are often reluctant to assert their constitutional rights out of fear they could lose their children – even for a day.
Authorities have not commented – and likely will not – on the reasons the children have been removed from the home.
The Nauglers will be told why the children were removed during an upcoming family court hearing, and they will likely be ordered to comply with certain guidelines before the children are returned to their custody.
12 Oct ’12
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Saw this yesterday... For the life of me, I have never understood why people who choose to live outside the status-quo or society's pre-proscribed "normal", but are causing no harm to others, can be subjected to this sort of treatment. It's sad and discouraging to see.
19 Feb ’12
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I'm actually a little on the side of CPS/state in this. From what I've read a big part of the reason for them doing what they did is because of the home schooling. It's not an approved state program/curriculum. It seems to me the media has blown this up with a bias against the state, and is making it seem like it's just because this family is "off the grid".
For the life of me, I have never understood why people who choose to live outside the status-quo or society's pre-proscribed "normal", but are causing no harm to others, can be subjected to this sort of treatment.
Regardless of how you choose to live, you have to send your kids to school or provide the minimum requirements for education. And on the surface, it sounds like they're "harming" their children with the lack of education they're receiving.
4 Mar ’12
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"Investigators attempted to question the teens away from their mother, and she was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest when deputies said she interfered."
children do not know they have the right to remain silent. Arresting the mother because she "interfered' is BS. If the kids were underage, the parent has every right to interfere.
4 Mar ’12
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easytapper said
I'm actually a little on the side of CPS/state in this. From what I've read a big part of the reason for them doing what they did is because of the home schooling. It's not an approved state program/curriculum. It seems to me the media has blown this up with a bias against the state, and is making it seem like it's just because this family is "off the grid".
For the life of me, I have never understood why people who choose to live outside the status-quo or society's pre-proscribed "normal", but are causing no harm to others, can be subjected to this sort of treatment.
Regardless of how you choose to live, you have to send your kids to school or provide the minimum requirements for education. And on the surface, it sounds like they're "harming" their children with the lack of education they're receiving.
serious question, how can this be any worse than what public schools are doing now?
there are no wrong answers in public school tests.
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jonathco, K12 Oct ’12
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easytapper said
I'm actually a little on the side of CPS/state in this. From what I've read a big part of the reason for them doing what they did is because of the home schooling. It's not an approved state program/curriculum. It seems to me the media has blown this up with a bias against the state, and is making it seem like it's just because this family is "off the grid".
For the life of me, I have never understood why people who choose to live outside the status-quo or society's pre-proscribed "normal", but are causing no harm to others, can be subjected to this sort of treatment.
Regardless of how you choose to live, you have to send your kids to school or provide the minimum requirements for education. And on the surface, it sounds like they're "harming" their children with the lack of education they're receiving.
I was homeschooled and my parents practiced a very loosely organized "curriculum" while I was growing up - very similar to unschooling movement today. Sure, it's non-traditional, but it works for some people. I am college educated, have a great job that pays well, and I support my family without government assistance - it worked fine for me and no harm came my way. 🙂
15 Feb ’12
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There seems to be a lot of conflicting reports, if it as bad as one side is saying, I agree with ET, not as far as education, but the way the kids were raised. There is someone commenting she gave birth in -30 this past winter.
If it comes down to education requirements, the state can pound sand up their ass sideways as far as I am concerned. The education system is a joke. My daughter is graduating top of her class with high honors and can't even tell time.
We just have to wait and see what happens in the next few weeks.
Looking at their facebook page, the kids seem pretty happy to me.
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jonathco, JSW
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