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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

About the parents of the boy who fell in the gorilla enclosure?

76 replies

user1463172942 · 31/05/2016 14:33

Sorry, I know there are other threads about this but I have just been shown the Daily Fail's latest bit of 'reporting' on this.

They have dug up the fact that the boy's father had a drug dealing conviction a decade ago. This is pointed out in a huge headline. About 100 lines later, in tiny print, they note that since then he had been college, held down a normal job, married and had a family. For a DECADE!

They have stalked his Facebook account and say that all the photos are of his wife, kids and work.

They have interviewed a load of randoms blaming the parents and insisting that they categorically KNEW the gorilla would not hurt the boy. Hmm

That poor family... For all I know they could be neglectful parents but nothing I have seen or read provides any evidence of this. They were looking after a baby and for all it seems were distracted when the 4 year old fell. I have 3 kids and could easily see how this could happen.

I can't help wondering how different the reaction would have been if it was the child of a middle class white couple ( and I say that as someone who is middle class and white).

I really feel for them. Their little boy will probably be completely traumatised long after he has physically recovered. The whole family will probably suffer as a result of his previous conviction being made public.

OP posts:
Owllady · 31/05/2016 23:01

There is nothing to suggest it was anything other than an accident
Yes, it's a real shame but I don't think all this blame culture is necessary :(

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