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Troubling New Year Arrivals

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FROM A READER

Published: January 10, 2009

Editor:

I was troubled by the news account of the first babies of the New Year in Pasco, Hillsborough and Hernando counties.

If these stories had been written at any other time of the year they would have been a sad commentary on irresponsible – possibly criminal – behavior.

Like the two other new moms, the Hernando one was unwed. She looked to be a late teen but she already has a 4-year-old. The Hillsborough mom is 16 and her boyfriend is 18. I thought this was illegal. The Pasco mom has a 1-year-old and lives with her mother. The father doesn't know he has a son because he's in jail for aggravated battery on a pregnant woman.

Do any of these people have jobs or health-care coverage or are they collecting public assistance? These babies may be our responsibility.

It may be the New Year, but it sounds like the same old, same old.

Edward C. Johnson
New Port Richey

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