Mom and Dad in Trouble For ‘Free Range’ Parenting! [VIDEO]

Danielle and Alexander Meitiv are in trouble for letting their kids walk a mile from a park to home on a Saturday in December. They live in a Washington D.C. suburb - and the kids never made it home, because they were picked up by the police! 

This mess started when 6 year old Dvora and her 10 year old Rafi were walking on a busy street on their way back from the park when they got picked up by police after someone called about the kids. Their parents knew about the walk, and approved. Now they are in trouble with Child Protective Services.

The kids are allowed to be alone a lot. They say it's fun. They asked to be dropped off at the park a mile from home - their furthest adventure. Now their parents are being investigated for child neglect.

"They determined if there's an imminent danger of harm to the children, they are authorized to come and take the children," Alex said.

"And ask questions later," his wife Danielle added.

They could have an uphill battle. State law in Maryland says:

"A child under the age of 8 years old" cannot be left alone in a "building, enclosure, or motor vehicle" ... and they must be with "a reliable person who is at least 13."

Mom and Dad say that giving their kids freedom builds self-confidence and self-reliance. It's called "free-range parenting" and it's pretty controversial. But the Meitivs said they teach their children to be safe. Look both ways when crossing the street, always use the crosswalks and not go with strangers. Although, they can talk to strangers as most would help them...according to Mom and Dad.

How do the kids feel about this? They are annoyed. It's happened before when they were alone in a park back in October.

Right now, they parents are still under investigation.

I was a total free range kid - but that was also 40 years ago. Times are different. But are kids too coddled by helicopter parents? Can a kid learn to be self reliant without taking small risks?

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