Reader: Overreacting to an innocent kiss can turn kids into sex offenders

Our followup post about Hunter Yelton, a six-year-old suspended for kissing a classmate, focused on the girl's mom, Jade Masters-Owney, a teacher who felt the boy's actions fit the definition of sexual harassment. (The school has now dropped that label.) This contention fired up plenty of readers, including this one,...

By Michael Roberts

December 13, 2013

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Our followup post about Hunter Yelton, a six-year-old suspended for kissing a classmate, focused on the girl's mom, Jade Masters-Owney, a teacher who felt the boy's actions fit the definition of sexual harassment. (The school has now dropped that label.) This contention fired up plenty of readers, including this one, who strongly disagrees.

Ana Micaela Garcia writes:

no...just no...this is y kids grow up to be sexual offenders...people overreacting for things like this. making them feel like they are sick-os at age 6. i understand punishment but the label sexual harassment is taking it too far. wtf?

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

For more memorable takes, visit our Comment of the Day archive.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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