Parents outraged by accusations of child neglect

The parents of ten-year-old Rafi and six-year-old Dvora  have spoken out about their shock at having been accused of child neglect because they allow their children to walk around the neighbourhood unaccompanied.

The children's parents, Danielle and Sasha Meitiv, who currently reside in Maryland are stunned by the accusation, saying: "They're very proud of their independence. They understand that they need to hold hands when they cross the street, they need to look both ways, make sure the light is with them."

The accusations of neglect were made when two separate people notified police and Child Protective Services upon seeing the children making their way home from local parks, which were located between one block and one mile from the Meitiv home.

The children were since questioned by police in their home and asked whether they understood the potential dangers of walking the neighbourhood unaccompanied.

An official from the Child Protective Service told the stunned parents that if they failed to sign a safety plan the consequences would be devastating.

Recalling the incident, Sasha said " When I said I couldn't sign the illegal paperwork before our attorney looked at it, she said if you don't sign we will take your kids right away and she called the police."

As the law stands, children under the age of eight must be supervised in a dwelling or car, but neglects to mention the regulations regarding the outdoors.