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Subscribe to RSSA grandfather in Jacksonville, Fla., believes his grandson was removed from his care after taking him to get a tattoo. WTLV's Kaitlyn Ross reports.
Jerry Garrison says it's a family tradition to have your initials in ink on your body.
So he says he saw nothing wrong when his 10-year-old grandson wanted his initials tattooed on his leg, NBC station of WTLV of Jacksonville, Fla., reported.
The Florida Department of Children and Families visited Garrison's home for another matter, spotted the tattoo and told him, yes, that was a problem.
The agency removed all of the grandchildren who were in the home and placed them in foster care, the station reported. It was unclear how many children were involved.
But Department spokesman John Harrell told WTLV that other allegations -- not the child's tattoo -- were the reasons for removing the children.
"When you get into cases like this, is the child being abused? Is the child at risk? Are the actions of the parents putting the child at risk," he said.
The station reported that Garrison thinks the the tattoo played a role in the children's removal.
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"I ain't never been in pain like this, it's the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. In my whole entire life," he told WTLV.
Under state law, a child under 16 years of age cannot be tattooed unless it's for medical or dental reasons.
WTLV reported that the tattoo artist can be charged with a misdemeanor, not the parent or guardian.
Children ages 16 to 17 can get a tattoo with parental consent. Once a person turns 18, the choice is up to them.
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Leave a Comment:
I hope you never get them back! Fool!
The tattoo reads: "My Grandpa Is An Idiot"
Yup, looks like white trash to me.
Why do these crazy stories always seem to come out of FL?
They're all over the place. Idiot.
I don't see a problem with this - wasn't that kid shipping off with the merchant marines the next day?
Tell me you didn't see this coming when idiots started piercing babies ears?
Had to be Florida...
They put the 'F' in WTF
To each their own, these aren't your kids. This could also just be a very good learning opportunity for the child. By no means should the state be able to take the kids and give them out to foster families because they don't agree with this families way of life. STAY OUT BIG BROTHER.
Why is CPS taking time and money to remove children from a home over a tattoo when there are children being beaten, neglected, and starving to death in other homes? CPS repeatedly visits these homes, knows what is going on, and yet the children remain in their homes. If a baby gets an ear piercing its ok but if a child gets a tattoo its criminal? I don't want the government telling me what I can and cannot do with my life. I have rights, these parents have rights. It may not seem ok to others, but it isn't criminal.
If the grandfather is in trouble, what about the tattoo artist, he should have refused the job.
Gpa did the tattoo. But, I don't have a problem with it. The kid seemed to be happy. Let it go.
I don't normally agree with the government taking children away from their parents/guardians, but I would have to agree on this one. I can just image what would happen if a gang member would want to tattoo a gang sign on one of their kids. And this speculation would not be unreasonable. No tattoo grandpa, should have waited another 6 years.
That's exactly what happened in Fresno a couple of years ago. Just saw a minor with piercings in both ears of the large inserts type. Not sure what's up with that other than an extension of the parents lifestyle.
He is a idiot.
He probably shouldn't have done it, but... is this really such a big deal that it warrants this? If it is continuing problems and the tattoo is just one of them then maybe I can see it, but tattoos aren't a big deal, particularly since this doesn't sound like a hateful or offensive one. They can be removed (even if it's usually painful), our culture is finally starting to accept them, and if it's done safely the risk of infection isn't that great.
I'm not advocating tattooing children because I think tattoos are something best thought out and planned ahead and I don't think children can really make such permanent decisions (though I'd probably still like any tattoos that child-me wanted), but I don't think it's something worth having your kids taken away over (unless you cover your kids in political or hate propaganda and gang symbols or something equally dangerous because that obviously threatens their welfare; initials not so much).
"But Department spokesman John Harrell told WTLV that other allegations -- not the child's tattoo -- were the reasons for removing the children. "
^^^There's the answer to your question.
makes you wander why the media headlined the artical to make it sound that way
People have tatoos across the spectrum of society,and have been getting them as part of their culture for thousands of years.That being said-yeah,kinda trashy.This is the white version of a hood rat in the making
You should know.
Yeah this seems like a legit idea....
thanks
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The State of Florida is now ahead of California in stupid laws that stick the noses of so-called child welfare agencies in people's homes where they don't belong. I wouldn't have a tattoo if you paid me. I wouldn't tattoo my child. I'm not fond of tattoos on my adult children. But that's my preference. If it's a tradition in that family to tattoo the initials on males, that's nobody's business but the family's. If the boy didn't want it, that's another matter. Maybe the boy should have shot his grandfather. I hear that's another popular "law" in Florida.
If it's about body modifications that can't be easily undone when the child grows up, maybe the state needs to look into other things, like circumcision.
@kountryking "But Department spokesman John Harrell told WTLV that other allegations -- not the child's tattoo -- were the reasons for removing the children."
I think you missed that part of the article. The tattoo just added fuel to the already burning fire.
Only animals should be referred to as "male" or "female" it's trashy otherwise. Most people seem to have missed that point DebS, while I agree with kountryking's point that they need to start minding their own business. They are at least half of the reason so many kids are growing from little monsters into big bastards. The government has taught them that their parents are wrong to discipline them and parents are rightfully afraid.
Why were the kids removed from the home?
Oy! Does ANYbody read the article?!
"But Department spokesman John Harrell told WTLV that other allegations -- not the child's tattoo -- were the reasons for removing the children. "
When I was a kid you could not get pierced ears until after the age of 13 and had to be accompanied by a parent.
For years now new mommies and daddies have pierced the ears of months old babies. Thats right, poking holes through their littles baby girls! The horror!
I do not live in a "white trash" environment, so please don`t anyone say that I must, but for petes sake talk about making a mountain from a mole hill, the kid got initials on his leg, grandpa screwed up. Unless the home situation is a real danger to the kids (garbge and rat infested etc...)let the kiddos go back home.
@Mrz Diz "The Florida Department of Children and Families visited Garrison's home for another matter, spotted the tattoo and told him, yes, that was a problem. "
"But Department spokesman John Harrell told WTLV that other allegations -- not the child's tattoo -- were the reasons for removing the children. "
Did you read the article before posting?
I don't know when you were a kid but when I was a kid, in the 70's kids could get their ears pierced at any age including babies as long as their parents signed.
YEA! YEA! I want my Foreskin BACK! WhattaboutME! Talkbout gettin RIPPEDOFF!
OMG!
Studio Steve may have a point.
Ok all Helmet Heads out there, stand up and let it out!
"I, broke, the, Law, ...... and, ... the Law, ... won!
"I, broke, the, Law, ...... and, ... the Law, ... won!
"I, broke, the, Law, ...... and, ... the Law, ... won!
May, be, ....... That! ..... should Tattooed, ..........
Somewhere, .......... Oh, say, ... on the GrandPa's, ... Butt
OK maybe he should not have had a tatoo if it is against the law, but what about all the gang banger out there with their tatoos. I bet a great many of them are under 17 when they get their first tatoo.Oh wait a minute those are Obama supporters so the laww does not apply to them...........
Ya just couldn't resist bringing politics into it, could ya? smh
Having been a victim of many states "idea" of a proper home, and been "removed" from my "bad" home, I can tell you that whatever the reason is they gave for removing the children, it was NOT the truth. The qualifications for being a social worker imbued with this power are minimal. Most of them shouldn't be trusted with a houseplant more or less have the power to determine a good home from a bad one. A parent should have EVERY right to discipline, correct, and raise their child however they deem fit. This grandpa, perhaps seeing himself a bit in his grandchild, saw no harm in a small tattoo that he already said was a family tradition. Perhaps this grandpa s thinking he may not be around long enough to his grandkid grow old enough to get the tattoo at a legal age. And no. I DON'T think gang tattoos qualify as a tradition that needs to be tattooed on children. The grandpa clearly stated a family tradition of initials... not hate insignia.
Obviously, there was more going on that was not reported, however, it isn't the tattoo itself that it is the real issue. It is the extreme lack of judgement on the part of an adult responsible for several children that is the problem.
I think that anyone who circumcises their son before the son is old enough for consent (such as 16-17) is even more lacking in judgement. Just because it used to be considered the normal thing to do does not mean we shouldn't do better now that we know better. There is no reason to hack off part of a normal person's genitals. Over 100 babies die every year in the US alone from being circ-ed, and that is only based on the reported cases. You can read about a death this week in the UK here: http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/queen_s_park_baby_bled_to_death_two_days_after_being_circumcised_1_1419367
The US is well behind the rest of the world in ending this barbaric practice. Between 80-90% of males in the world are intact. Luckily, the US rate for newborns is now down to approx 50%, but we need to get that to 0%. If you wouldn't circ your daughters, why would you do that to your sons?
Umm - cuz "Female circumcision" is totally different - it's meant as a means to keep women from enjoying sex. Male circumcision does not cause lifelong harm to the male - if you ask most guys with a sex life, it is not hampering it in the slightest. As far as the tatoo grandpa - c'mon - what's next, taking the kid to a whorehouse - cuz "boy - gotta make ya a man now" is a "family tradition"? Yep - let's ink a 10 YO, then heck - let's ink him again - by the time he's oh, 15 or 16 and wants to be full sleeve with his neck covered too - yep - that'll make him MORE EMPLOYABLE! Get him some ear guages and what gal could resist? Let's hinder ALL of his potential adult life choices and tell him he's "Cool". Way to go gramps.
Or maybe judgmental pricks can just stop trying to force their views onto others. If you take offense to something that has no effect on you, such as a tattoo or piercing on another, you have the problem, not them. If everyone were as boring as you this would be a sad world.
Sounds like no one on here knows anything about circumcision. I have been a Nurse for 18 years and can tell you first hand that uncircumcisied men have a host of problems, more so than someone that has had a circumcision. Bacterial infection or the glans penis swelling before the skin is pulled back are the top two that come to mind. A lot of men who are not circumcisied have to be when they get older due to medical problems related to not properly taken care of their (member). It is hardly barbaric and I don't know of any child that can remember their own circumcision when done at birth.
That's what happens when grandpa is an ex con.
What were the other concerns which brought the child welfare people to his house? J-E-R-R-Y S-A-N-D-U-S-K-Y comes to mind.
Did he get his granddaughter a tramp-stamp?
Well I don't need to say a word. Except will the tattoo artist lose his license and he should pay a years wages fine and pay to have the tattoo removed. The grandfather is clearly unable to make good choices when it comes to these children. What were the other reasons for removing the children if not for the tattoo although that would be enough for me. If its not this its about the 9 year old rounded up in the prostitution ring. What is wrong with people? Then you see young girls from affluent and poor families running around with their hind ends showing and painted up like a whore and nothing is thought about that. There is no such thing as childhood any more. You presumably pop out a self sufficient baby now. Whats wrong with the world?
Like foster care is the greatest place to send a child, I had a friend who was in foster, that's only because his parent's were killed in a car accident. He told me how they used to treat him. It was awful. Unfortunately, this Grandparent was a Damn fool and needed to have him taken away, but I think they should have placed him with other family. A ten year old boy in foster care with a tattoo, yeah like someone would adopt him. I'm not saying all foster cares are bad, but once you turn 18 and they stop receiving that check your out on your ass.
What's the deal with some parents these days? First we hear about Will Smith's daughter getting her tongue pierced and now this?? SMH!!!!
The news reader in the video said that kids could get tattooed for medical or dental reasons. What does that say about the law in Florida. Where on your body would you get tattooed for dental reasons.
And for the person that feels that the public is just being judgemental about tattoos, there is a reason that we don't let ten year olds make decisions.
It is this part that is really @!$%#ed up: "WTLV reported that the tattoo artist can be charged with a misdemeanor, not the parent or guardian. "
What terrible reporting! What were the other allegations? If the tattoo was not the reason or even the main reason, then what was?
Moreover, a tattoo might be stupid but it is not child abuse. This is an example of why people rebel against government involvement in family issues.