Complaints are plentiful from parents in Baltimore City after police arrest a second and third grader who are accused of stealing from a neighbor's backyard with one of their friends.

Parents are angry that officers not only handcuffed the boys but also placed them behind bars with other and much older juvenile offenders.

The boys, range in age from 7 to 11, and were arrested Friday night for attempting to steal a scooter, a go kart and some bike parts out of a neighbor's yard in the Medfield community.

The parents of the children agreed their sons should have been punished but are outraged by the way the police handled the situation.

The police department defends their actions and said this was not the first time they have arrested someone so young.

Officials did not charge the boys but are ordering them to take part in mediation.

The neighbor who was robbed supports the police department's actions and is waiting on the return of his stolen belongings.
Police Arrest Young Children - Joy Lepola