What’s wrong with this picture? **UPDATED**

Ok, not a picture, but a news article. There is so much wrong here. See if you can spot all the absurdities.

Woman arrested after disabled teen left at SeaWorld

By Barbara Liston
ORLANDO, Florida | Tue Dec 21, 2010 6:58pm EST

(Reuters) – A Miami woman on Tuesday posted bail and was released from jail following her arrest for allegedly abandoning her severely disabled 18-year-old son at SeaWorld theme park.

Rosa Pou, 44, was arrested on charges of neglecting a disabled person and resisting arrest at the theme park late Monday afternoon.

Other guests and a ride operator reported that her disabled son was left unsupervised for more than an hour, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s arrest report.

Officer Kelly Jockin wrote that the teenager, Rafael Soto, had the physical appearance of an 8-year-old and was so disabled that he could not speak or communicate in any fashion. Jockin said he found Soto playing in a sand box.

The operator of a roller coaster told Jockin that he had to stop the ride several times because the teen kept wandering into a restricted danger zone.

Jockin reported that he carried the teen to a vehicle for a ride to guest services and that he could feel Soto’s cough and chest congestion. Jockin had a video made of Soto to document the extent of his disability.

Pou subsequently was located by SeaWorld employees. Neither Pou nor her family could be reached for comment Tuesday after her release from jail. Soto was turned over to his father, Carlos Rodriguez, who also was at the park, the report said.

Pou arrived at guest services “smiling and laughing about the victim being lost,” according to the report. She refused Jockin’s request to have a paramedic examine the teen, stating “this is ridiculous.”

Pou was arrested after refusing to answer questions and resisting the officer’s attempt to handcuff her, according to the arrest report.

UPDATE!

Some of my problems with the article …

Woman arrested after disabled teen left at SeaWorld

By Barbara Liston
ORLANDO, Florida | Tue Dec 21, 2010 6:58pm EST

(Reuters) – A Miami woman on Tuesday posted bail and was released from jail following her arrest for allegedly abandoning (here the reporter says the charge was “abandoning”) her severely disabled 18-year-old son at SeaWorld theme park.

Rosa Pou, 44, was arrested on charges of neglecting (“neglecting”? I thought it was “abandoning”) a disabled person and resisting arrest at the theme park late Monday afternoon.

Other guests and a ride operator reported that her disabled son was left unsupervised for more than an hour, (so the ride operator, a park employee, did nothing for an hour, how bad could the situation have been?) according to the Orange County Sheriff’s arrest report.

Officer Kelly Jockin wrote that the teenager, Rafael Soto, had the physical appearance of an 8-year-old and was so disabled that he could not speak or communicate in any fashion (small and no obvious communication, the reporter calls this “severely disabled”). Jockin said he found Soto playing in a sand box. (Playing in a sand box, not eating the sand, bothering others, no, just playing. What’s the problem? He’s 18, an adult.)

The operator of a roller coaster told Jockin that he had to stop the ride several times because the teen kept wandering into a restricted danger zone. (“kept wandering” so we know he is fully mobile AND the operator of that ride did not think enough call security or do anything, obviously s/he did not think the adult was “severely disabled,” neglected nor abandoned.)

Jockin reported that he carried the teen to a vehicle (“carried” the same person who “kept wandering into …” Either he can walk (ok, “wander”) or he can’t and needs to be carried) for a ride to guest services and that he could feel Soto’s cough and chest congestion. Jockin had a video made of Soto to document the extent of his disability. (Just scary. Where was Jockin’s magic hands to feel chest congestion. A video will document the “extent” of the disability?)

Pou subsequently was located by SeaWorld employees. Neither Pou nor her family could be reached for comment Tuesday after her release from jail. Soto was turned over to his father, Carlos Rodriguez, who also was at the park, the report said. (Note the “also” at the park, hence BOTH mother and father were at the park. Where is the “abandonment” and “neglect”?)

(Also note at this point, that the Miami Herald reports “Pou told deputies that she had left her son under the supervision of her daughter. The daughter told investigators that she left her brother at the playground because he refused to go with her.” Something this Reuters’ report conveniently omits.) (Thanks Christy)

Pou arrived at guest services “smiling and laughing about the victim being lost,” according to the report. She refused Jockin’s request to have a paramedic examine the teen, stating “this is ridiculous.” (Why on earth would a paramedic examine an 18 year old for no apparent reason?)

Pou was arrested after refusing to answer questions and resisting the officer’s attempt to handcuff her, (the reporter leaves out that the “resisting” charge was “resisting an officer without violence”) according to the arrest report. (So the reporter saw the arrest report. Well, was it “abandonment” or “neglect” or both?)

What would happen if a mother left a “normal” 5 year old boy in a sand box with his older sister, and the sister left him, and the kid was found and brought to the “lost and found,” or whatever, and they found the parents and re-united everyone, and the mother laughed it off knowing the kid was fine? ARREST THAT WOMAN!!!

I don’t know who is the worst here, but the Reuters’ reporter, Barbara Liston proved herself to be a fool of a reporter. All the park personnel were fools, the officer and paramedic seem to be lacking as well.

I would LOVE to have Mrs. Pou respond, anyone out there know her? And if you know the reporter, I’d love to hear her defense of this joke of a report. Feel free to email a link to either of them!