I feel horrible for her and the parents too... but what I want to know is why a 10 year old is allowed to go to a park without an adult at 6pm? 25 years ago when I was a kid that was safe... today it is not. Damn shame... two senseless, preventable deaths....

I know tg, it's a much different world.

tuffgirl...25 years ago little kids were drowning too...nothing is different today except everything gets reported now...the world is no more dangerous to little kids now than 25 years ago

Such a sad poignant story. For the boys, I am split as I believe we are spiritual beings having a physical experience, I'm content that they were and are still enjoying each other's company and are now free of the struggle here. They had short but hopefully joyful passes this time. For their parents and the witness my heart breaks because theirs have. The potential lost is monumental. Life is a gift, use it in a way that you will be proud of when you drop your robe.

I agree Tg and Lisa. It is a good question, and one that needs some answers. Why were these kids at the park by themselves in the first place, at night??

Right now it isn't dark until after eight along the eastern coast.

Agreed on many points made by those above me. Our world is just as dangerous now as it has ever been. Back then you just didn't know the news until you read it or watched it on tv when you got home, it's ALL over the place now a days.

Plus in certain neighborhoods, parents let their kids roll out and do whatever they want thinking they will always be fine, which isn't always the case. I would NEVER let me kids around water without me or some other adult there.

Very sad story, hate to see two young kids pass like that (or in any way for that matter). I feel for the parents, but most of the the poor lady who talked to them. Guilt like that will be hard to let go of. Sad story, but since it ended that way at least they were together, I wonder if one had trouble farther out and the other boy went to help out or something?

Ugghhhh, really pulls at the stings reading stuff like this :'(

The lady who talked with the boys needs mental health services quickly. the guilt could lead to an early death for her also.

6pm in the summer evening is late? That's such a stupid question or statement. People like you posters are always trying to justify their pedestal by finding fault in every little insignificant details.

I remember being able to run loose at 10 and 11...my parents trusted me, but that doesnt mean I wasnt capable of making a bad decision. just got lucky I guess.

I feel incredibly awful for the lady that saw them and continued on. She shouldnt feel guilt, but I understand why she does...even if those kids were great swimmers, a river can sweep you away.

the kids made a bad choice and it went horribly wrong, no one to blame here - not even the parents of these kids.

sometimes, crap happens...and we just feel crappy about it, but no reason to sling mud.

It often amazes me when people first blame the parents as though they are great parents. I live in the suburbs of Atlanta and I allow my kids to go out and play. I do not watch over them to make sure they constantly however in a minute I do not something may happen. Do this make me a bad parent? No the reality is that something bad can happen to our kids in the very places that we feel are safe for the. As the parents of Columbine, ask the parents of the VT students or ask the parents who took their kids to see the Batman movie. As parents we try our best to raise our kids right and to be honest it is sometimes a crap shoot if we have done everything right.

We cannot be blamed for everything that happens while parenting. We can not always play in the yard with our kids like the TV shows. We cannot always go to the park with them so we teach them what to do and not to do. I remember what it was like being a kid and I sometimes did the very things my parents said not to do. I was lucky in most instances as were most of you. Growing up I wanted to reinvent the wheel because I knew everything. I never thought my actions may lead to my or anyone else demise. Being a parent is hard enough without someone without first hand knowledge of the situation second guessing what you did or did not do. This parent is probably suffering enough without the help of these perfect parents on blogs.

Esprit De Corps.

Please excuse my typos on the post above I was trying to convey something before it left my mind.

The woman who talked to the boys needs to remember that their parents trusted them to make good decisions while they were outside playing and did not see any need to watch over them every minute of their lives. If the parents trusted the boys, then she has no reason to feel guilty. She is not responsible for every child she sees who is not with his or her parent. Besides, most people would not think that being ankle deep in water in a river would be dangerous. It might be in the ocean due to rip currents, but generally not in a river.

Kids that are 10 and 11 years old are at an age when they need some independence to explore on their own, especially when they are in their own neighborhoods and are familiar with the surroundings. Those are fun times for kids, when they can get away from parents and act on their own...times they will remember fondly the rest of their lives. They can't and shouldn't be kept under constant surveillance. Sometimes, things just happen.

Everyone makes bad decisions, and occasionally there are unfortunate results. When I look back on the things that I did when I was a kid, I wonder how I lived to adulthood. I grew up in Florida. My friends and I were fascinated by any body of water with which we came into contact, and were constantly scrambling along river banks covered with dense vegetation. As an adult, I wonder how the heck we were never bitten by water moccasins or gators. I guess we made so much noise coming that everything got out of our way.

ABCzyx: That is exactly my point. We raise our kids and try not to make every decision for them. I teach my kids to think for themselves so when they get out on their own they can do just that. Even when I am not with them they can do just that and be able to avoid peer pressure. I do not want my child to think like me or do the stupid things I did. I taught and raised my kids right therefore I trust them not to have to watch them at every minute of the day. A 10 year old is a lot different than a 10 year old was when we were younger. I feel they are far more advanced and desensitized to the world than we were. With the internet they are far more savvy and knowledgeable of the world than we were 30 years ago. So why not trust you kid to play outside. The parent above who made the comment comes across as being over bearing and too involved in her kids every move. They may grow up to resent the smothering when she thought she was showing affection and care. Allow your kids to grow up and hope you did the majority of the things right because they may have to take you in one day and boy will they remember.

Esprit De Corps.

Thank you, Punisher...

There is nothing negligent on the parents' part for letting two 10 & 11 year old boys go to the park at 6pm.

There's nothing here to even remotely hint at negligence. At all. It was a horrible accident and kids can and will do things they think they can do when in reality they can't.

My condolences to the family and to the woman who feels she's responsible for this.

@Rick-546746-You responding to tuffigirl by saying that kids were drowning 25 years ago as well missed her point. I'm sure tuffigirl's point was why were they out unsupervised at that hour PERIOD-that's why she mentioned that things are different now than they were 25 years ago. The point wasn't that they drowned because of being out unsupervised at that particular hour but the fact that all kinds of other bad stuff could have happened to them-they could have been kidnapped by a perv, for example. That was the point she was making-that it's not as safe now as it was back then.

We had to be home when the street lights went on.

Lori-227098

@Rick-546746-You responding to tuffigirl by saying that kids were drowning 25 years ago as well missed her point. I'm sure tuffigirl's point was why were they out unsupervised at that hour PERIOD-that's why she mentioned that things are different now than they were 25 years ago. The point wasn't that they drowned because of being out unsupervised at that particular hour but the fact that all kinds of other bad stuff could have happened to them-they could have been kidnapped by a perv, for example. That was the point she was making-that it's not as safe now as it was back then.

And you missed his point when he said kids have never been safe, it is just overloaded on the media at this period of history. 25 years ago there were drownings, molestations, rapes and murders. ( a lot) It just wasn't always in your face. And why can't kids play outside at 6 o'clock in the middle of summer, isn't the media constantly reporting about the obesity epidemic, and kids need to get out and not be so sedintary.

Wow! You're actually standing there wagging your finger at people and lecturing? You would think that you would show at least some minimal amount of compassion for these families and everyone involved - you know, like a human being.

What a nightmare for these poor families. Every parent's worst fear. God bless.

packinp - really?

compassion, not your strong suit eh?

Don't see how anyone in their right mind could blame a passerby, who had no idea of the identity of these boys, for doing anything wrong. This is a tragic accident. But that lady surely didn't have anything to do with it.

packinp40 - how many times have you stopped and called the parents of children you encounter who are doing something of which you do not approve? What is that you said? NEVER? So, how can you point a finger at someone else, Einstein?

packinp40

The lady that questioned the boys did more than many people would do. She shouldn't feel guilty about anything. At least we know the boys were there on their own accord and not taken there by force. No, the boys should NOT have been there on their own without adults but it's too late for lectures and hopefully others will learn from their mistake.

Wow, I see kids in my neighborhood everyday playing on the sidewalks right next to where cars are using the street.....per packinp40, I better rescue them all from their fate. Call the parents, call the fire department, call the police.

***rolling eyes*** at pack

I don't know why everyone is criticizing packinp40-s/he has a point. Maybe it's a bit much to say that the passerby should have contacted the parents, but I would have very firmly told them to get themselves out of that river. Americans do things differently, I guess-in my country we have a 'it takes a village' mentality and look out for each other's kids-out there it seems that nobody gives a damn. If she had told them to get their butts out she might have saved them-even if they did go back at least she wouldn't have to feel guilty.

BTW-I don;t know how saying these things shows a 'lack of compassion.' We have to discuss these things because it could possibly save someone else in the future. Besides, no-one is attacking the victims so where does the lack of compassion come in to play? packinp40 didn't badmouth the parents or call the boys foolish or anything like that-now THAT would have been callous. By saying the passerby should have done more, how is that showing a lack of compassion to the family...they're probably saying the same thing and also wish that someone would have intervened so the comment is actually supporting them. The lack of common sense and rational thought by the posters here boggles my mind!

News98 - Undoubtedly you never played without your parents watching over your shoulder. When we were growing up, we played outside until after dark. What happened to these two young boys is a very sad accident. If these two young boys were loose their lives, there is nothing their parents could have done. When you serve the purpose God put you here for, then he will take you home. To the parents of these boys - I want to extend my deepest condolences.

Absolutely nothing "proud" about your comment. You should crawl back from where you came from and the people that voted for you as well.

Proud took what would have been a good reply and made it idiotic. But other than the nonsense mention of Al and Jesse, he's right. It was not the responsibility of the woman to do anything. She asked if they could swim, which is more than many people would do. If she had tried to do more, I will bet the kids would have accused her of something. It is society today.

Agreed TFNJ!!!! Nice to see you btw...hope all is well

Hey there, all is good. Good as can be I guess is more correct. lol

Just got back from a long weekend at the shore, and I'm burnt crispy.

proudamericanveteran

I see you're still trying your damnedest to get your "Homer of the Year" award.

rush, it varies state to state. In MI kids can be left alone at 11 and at 12 can babysit siblings. Accidents happen even to adults and even in pairs. Don't call other's dumb until you know the basic, elementary difference between "then" and "than." My mom would have beat my butt for not knowing that... back in third grade. Yes, it does count and is a valid gauge of intelligence. Where were YOUR parents?

What is wrong with YOU besides onset blindness? Not one comment YET concerning color!

Nice try, tuffigirl. The "Al and Jessie" comment from "proudamericanveteran" unnecessarily made it about race. Many black people don't have access to pools and never learn how to swim. The ones that do, aren't strong swimmers because swimming is a skill that takes time and practice to master. The sad part is when Cullen Jones, the black olympic swimmer said that he wanted to work to teach more young black kids to swim he was accused, probably by some of the people reading this now, of being racist.

That post hadn't appeared yet when I wrote mine. And the idiot who made those comments still should not have directed their comment at everyone here.

Excuse me but that was the post I was responding to at 8:08 am and the one about a hate crime. Are you starting to feel the heat or what tuffgirl?

Feeling the heat? Give me a break... fact is you still directed your comment at everyone who had posted when it was just one person.. most of the comments here are more worried that they're children and could care less what color they are!

Cappy, LOL!! Many black people DO have access to pools in big cities and swimming holes in the rural South! What books have you been reading? Been to a city pool lately? Hundreds of black kids come to city pools on a monthly basis and MANY have their own pools too and/or have friends/neighbors with pools--you know, there is a 65% black middle class--they certainly are all over my suburban neighborhood in nice houses and cars here in Atlanta AKA 'chocolate city'. :) Anyway..... *sigh* SMH And I would imagine most kids learning to swim in a pool regardless of race would have problems swimming in water that isn't man-made--the currents and environment is totally different. So, once again my main point is RACE had nothing to do with this tragedy!

MasonandDixon - while Cappy's statement may not be 100% accurate, he is on the right track. NBC just did a story on Cullen Jones (an African American swimmer who just won Gold for the US) and it was stated that 65% or more of blacks in the US cannot swim. And when Cullen tried to put programs in place to help remedy this, he found that the issues were very cultural. Initially, the thought was that blacks do not learn to swim due to finances but he found that there was a great fear of the water and also that many women did not learn to swim because of their hair. It sounds silly but it is a fact. The interviewer, who is a well known African American reports (her name escapes me at the moment) was one of those who never learned to swim and as an adult has a bit of fear of the water. She pledged to learn how to swim by September and even discussing it made her tremble.

MasonandDixon

Cappy, LOL!! Many black people DO have access to pools in big cities and swimming holes in the rural South! What books have you been reading? Been to a city pool lately? Hundreds of black kids come to city pools on a monthly basis...

Just so you know, there are no public pools in the city of New Brunswick where kids - white, black, brown or purple - could learn to swim.

Around here in the New Brunswick area most people have a pool within their little planned community, or outside of that, join a pool club, and sometimes that is just out of reach for many people.

The neighborhood in which these families live in are made up of homes like small side hall colonial houses, many of which are broken up into apartments - no community pools there! The Raritan River was too tempting to these adventuresome boys, and unfortunately, they paid with their lives.

Just so you know, there are no public pools in the city of New Brunswick...

Well, now, C NJ Mom...that is the fault of the city of New Brunswick, not MasonandDixon. The fact of the matter is that many, many towns in all sections of the country have public pools that are available to everyone. Don't blame MasonandDixon for making a statement that is true simply because your little section of the world won't fund public pools. Besides, the boys said that they knew how to swim.

Yeah, I was going to say the same about that article. I read it too. One thing I can agree with MasonDixon is that this isn't a race issue and never should have been. There have been a few racist comments made, and I was completely flabbergasted to see them. I'm also appalled at the people saying that the parents and passersby should be sued/charged. GIMMIE A BREAK!

So you sit on your children 24-7? do you follow them everywhere, or do you simply keep them locked up in the house? Maybe leave the computer/TV/Video games on all the time so they don't wander off? Or perhaps you don't HAVE children? In which case, you don't have any idea of what you're talking about.

The world is unsafe, it's true, but you can't lock someone up forever. Eventually they'll break away and they'll be totally unprepared for the real world. You can't keep them safe by keeping them tucked away, wrapped in bubble wrap like a porcelain doll! You do all you can to teach them the dangers they'll run into, but eventually, you have to let them get out into the world and experience it for themselves. If you don't you end up with a lot of dysfunctional adults that can't cope, can't take care of themselves, and can't pull it together enough to take care the families they start, simply because mommy and daddy have always taken care of everything for them. They find real life boring, too hard, unfulfilling, etc., because they've never had to experience real life before. You do them a disservice by coddling them too much, and condemn them to a life of depression and dissatisfaction.

Please educate me as to what program Christie could have invested in to save these children? Should every child in NJ have a guardian appointed to them to monitor their movements 24/7, or should their parents do that? Maybe he should expand the school day till bedtime? The teachers' union wouldn't like that. Mandatory swimming lessons, or maybe mandatory swim vests to be worn at all times.

If only we raised taxes and spent a little more, nothing bad would ever happen again, right, Bill?

Instead of twisting yourself into knots trying to find a way to blame Christie for everything, whey don't you focus instead on Mayor Nutter who's doing such a bang-up job keeping Philly safe from marauding thugs?

This is not a problem that you can throw money at to fix. Most of the problems we have today have little to do with funding and more to do with people doing the right thing as human beings. Too many people think that money is a solution. To some problems it is, to others it isn't.

One of the most bizarre comments I have read on a bizarre vine! What a strange world you inhabit.

billfromphilly

maybe if New Jersey's Governor invested more in the children of his state, rather than his cheesesteak for lunch this wouldn't have happened.

How so? Would you please elaborate?

Was about to say same thing..they entered the water ankle deep at first (seen by a eye witness)..guess they tried to swim some to cool off..possible one had trouble and the other tried to save him.

No editing anymore, right. God bless their families such a tragic story.

What?!? That's CRAZY!! Kids on bicycles, skateboards, etc!! What is this world coming to. These kids should be kept inside at all times, playing mind numbing video games or watching TV, getting fatter by the moment. Seriously get a clue. What kind of childhood did you have?

"Todays' parents could care less about their kids and where they are, much less at what they are doing, as long as the kids are OUT of the parent(s) hair and not bothering them."

Do you even know what you are talking about? As a kid we were out from mid-morning till dusk durring the summer break. You mean today's parents have locked up their kids inside and sat them in front of tv and video games. I bet you don't even have kids, since you are making such an ignorant comment like that.

Apparently a very sheltered one

I dont know how this is a new thing with parents. I grew up in the 70s in louisville ky. Kids then roamed all over gods creation. I do remember having some close calls. I guess i was lucky. I think the big difference is that events like these get more press now. However i can say when I had my own kids I was too afraid to allow them to roam the same way I did. Maybe all the press now on missing and exploited children is a good thing. I also taught my kids about strangers at a young age and they learned how to swim at 3 years old. I wonder if this river had a strong current and they were swept away. We hear about drownings every year and probably always will. I bet they didnt tell MOM where they were going or just decided they were going to the river while they were out. Kids do this. Lets try not to blame mom so much since we dont know everything.

I taught my kids early to swim. I don't mean expert, but enough to swim for a while, and if not float slowly. Enough to keep them safe for the moment. I agree its important.

Though I live not 10 minutes from this river, I guess I don't understand how they got into deep water from the shore, if they walked in slowly. It doesn't have a strong current. If they walked in then they would stop before getting too deep. Maybe one or both swan a little, and underestimated how tired your arms get when swimming too long.

Sad story.

I doubt if you taught them to swim in a RIVER---totally different my dear.

You know that how???

.

This was closer to Rt 27 than Rt 18, but yeah I don't get it either. They walked in from shallows, but drowned. The fact that they were there is not surprising, since one probably talked the other into exploring by the river.

OK Now I got it My grandparents are the Basilone's They have the big house at the circle and we would walk past the BonJovi funeral parlor to get to the park, cutting through residental area to get there. I had a wonderful childhood there. It was close to all the bowling allys Toys R Us and the park and the italian ice ice cream parlor on Main street I believe if memory serves. I don't think I have been to NJ since 1999 or 2000 so it's been 12 yrs. My Poppy is gone and all that are left in the house are Uncle Bill and MomMom

I just did a Google search of public pools in New Brunswick, and couldn't find any mentioned. Perhaps St. Anne's not there any longer.

The area in New Brunswick around Rt 18 is completely different now than it was in 2000. They fixed it up quite nice, and no more projects. I think there used to be a public pool there, and another down the road close to St Peters. I think they are gone now though.

ashleyaddams - This is not about you and your reminiscing on you wonderful childhood. It's about two boys who died. Get back on topic. You are talking about structures that you have no idea whether they still exist. No one cares.

You may need to call a hotline

MedicinBoxes, maybe you need to speak with someone close to you and let them know how you feel.

You should have seen the things I did as a kid. If my mother only knew. Kids love exploring, and these two kids were simply doing that. A tragic ending.

Jim, do you have any children? If you do are you with them 24/7? Did your parents COMPLETELY supervise your entire childhood? Kid's do really dumb things, I know I did and I'm lucky that I am around to know how stupid it was at the time. These 2 kids could have been me and my buddies years ago and no my parents could not COMPLETELY supervise me and my brother and sister all the time.

JIM-2326159!!!! When children are sleeping they are "COMPLETELY UNSUPERVISED", You put your 2 cents worth in and you should have just kept your mouth closed...by opening it you just showed how ignorant you are...

everyone said the same about me when my children were young. But i was not about to let them run loose in walmart or walk home from school alone. This is where children at that time were taken. Now they take them right out of thier bedrooms. I dont know that the moms of these 2 boys were actually negletful. We dont know all that happened. Just what the article said. Kids like to explore thier enviroment. Which is probably what they were doing. They were being kids. This is a tragic accident. And stop saying that black kids dont know how to swim. Thats absurd. None of you all know that. Theres alot of white kids that dont know how to swim.