Mother arrested over MySpace clip of toddler trying to smoke

I'm really surprised no one has posted a link to the Will Ferrell video this woman was apparently making fun of. If you haven't seen it, here it is:
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/74
"The Landlord"

Wow.That could have been white paper rolled into nothing. WOW. Virginia Government is SAD.SAD SAD SAD SAD.Nothing better to do than this. Wow. Wow. Thats all I can say. I would rather live in Russia 50 years ago than deal with these Bull headed officers in Virginia..I forgot thought. its a "Commy-Nist" State.

For the record, she is out of jail. She was there for only 24 hours. Now she's back home with her kids. They were so lost without their mommy. She would never hurt her kids intentionally. It's all a funny joke gone bad.

This was a stupid, irresponsible and reckless thing to do. I think the family should be investigated and CPS should monitor them. But jail with no bond? That's ridiculous. I know a woman in Norfolk whose daughter was completely ignoring her baby and doing crack...CPS sent a 22 year old case worker to their home, where the grandmother was raising the child, and the mother and CPS worker would just go shopping together, calling it their "home study", so she got off fine, the grandmother is still raising the child, and the mother gets all kind of federal assistance. I just think there are many other people they could be making an example of. It was a stupid, idiotic lame dumb thing to do. But I'll bet what the little girl is more upset about is spending Christmas without her Mommy.

The funny thing is some 7 years ago photos of asian kids in asian countries went around the internet... the kids were actually smoking though. If I'm not mistaken some of our large corporations have swarms of homeless children in other countries addicted to huffing their industrial chemicals and they turn a blind eye to it (the kids actually die).

With a mon like this who needs enemies

It's hard to comment based on the content of this story because it really lacks specific information. I tried to find the video, but I should have known I wouldn't. This story has made the news as far away as the UK and every report I read said something a little bit different. No news account has reported whether the cigarette was ever lit when it was in the child's mouth or even how she was trying to light it. So whether this woman was breaking the law or not, I wouldn't know. No matter what, IMO it was an incredibly stupid thing to do and she should be fully investigated by CPS. Who knows what really goes on in that home?

The trick is going to be in proving that it was a real cigarette. She could say that it didn't have any nicotiene or whatever. It would be like having a video of some people rolling green leafy material into the shape of a joint. Who can say what it really was?

I don't agree with her actions; it just seems that the prosecution is going to have to prove that it was really a cigarette if they want to prove underage smoking. Of course, letting a toddler hold a lighting device could be neglect. I dunno.

Has anyone seen the video? It could be that a babysitter did the whole thing and put it on myspace.

These are the burdens of proof that the prosecution will face. Whatever the outcome for the mother, I hope the toddler ends up in a safe, nurturing home.

I'm guessing that there is more to this story. Maybe the mother is on probation or parole. Maybe they found something else when they went to investigate. It just seems strong to get no bond on a charge like this.

If this video is so harmless where is it? Was it taken down by "myspace" or did the mother take it down? If the mother removed it then it does make me think it was bad and what the police saw she didn't want the news cast to get and show the rest of the world. Mom was coaxing her to light it? If so maybe arresting her was what needed to be done. After all now the child thinks it is ok to pick up a lighter and cigarette and light it up. That is so scary. If the mother takes her eyes off that child for just a minute the child could light the lighter and catch him/herself on fire. When you become a parent your job is to protect your children not allow them to do things that could get them hurt or killed. I did hear the news cast on channel 10 news and they said they spoke with neighbors but the neighbors did not want to go on camera because of retaliation. What is that saying about her character? I have to ask myself is there more to the story?

I agree, locking this woman up in jail and removing her child based on what little evidence is contained on some crap like MySpace is crap. Further, who reported this situation? The ex-wife. How classic. I see that this may be grounds for evaluation and counseling, but not this what has transpired! I'll have to say, the only experience with CPS I had was regarding My child. The child's mother did something while living with me. She was shopping with out me being present and got into trouble. After being "investigated", I had to sign something saying I'd never do it again..... What? I was a work. I would never consider doing that crap, and i have to admit to doing it by stating in writing to the state that i'll never do it again? Who checks these people and their On High attitude..?

What in the world. I hope there is a lot more to the story not being told here since she is not getting bond. That's just nuts. While yeah, it was a bad joke that has gone worse.But No bond????

When I was growing up you could buy candy & bubble gum looking cigarettes. I am not a smoker, but think this has been taken to the extreme. I don't know this Mom but give her a break. We are not perfect, she is human too and is probably truly sorry. All of you condeming her, are probably worse parents than she is. Get over it, let her be with her child, I truly feel it will not happen again as she has been through enough and I am sure she has learned a lesson.

You have taken another dangerous criminal off the streets. My Higher Power (politically correct) the child was probably bottle fed also. Born on the bottle and die on the bottle is my motto. I hope you used all the resources of the ATF & DEA. Regardless the cost we have a mother whom was spending time with her daughter hooked up. Now if it presents no problem, think we can use some of these resources to get the mom‘s and dad‘s that abuse children. You know the one’s whom come to school black and blue, hungry, tried, dirty clothes, living with no heat or electricity and such. Warning this may require people to do their jobs. Not everything is on a computer including the pictures we took of our children running naked 20 years ago when they were 2 or 3.

I am disgusted by the people who think this woman should be in jail. This is crazy. We did silly things like this all our lives with mom and dad. There just weren't video cameras recording it.
NO this woman is not the sharpest tool in the shed but taking her daughter away? One idiot on this board said she should never see her child again. HUH?
Is there a way to charge the auhtorities with child endangerment? Yanking this girl from her home probably will have more a lasting negative effect than the fun these folks were having with an unlit cigarette and a naughty word.
Very scary.

.....that trailer trash had access to computers. The comments backing the mother up are a joke. Yes, that 'mother' is a breeder and the child is better left with guardians to raise her properly. Leave momma alone so she can smoke and drink and cuss with no kids around.....she deserves it. LOL!

There are countless preteens and teens smoking all over town, and nobody bats an eyelash. Most kids have the foulest mouths, and nobody says a word.

Why is that?

It was STUPID to do what she did. But the authorities have gone a little to far on this witch hunt. The child I bet is suffering far worse for not having her mommy day after day. THAT is traumatizing.

I'm with "cigim". This is absurd. She wasn't letting the child smoke, she wasn't hurting the child. She was making a joke and imitating one a popular comedian recently released with his own child. I think she should be compensated for even being arrested unless there's something serious that was found when the case was being investigated that I don't know about yet. I think what this tells everyone else who has ever done something foolish for the sake of a joke to run far, far away from Virginia because the Commonwealth will prosecute you for it.

A bad judgement call; and yes, the overreaction is incredible. Wow, the wonders of a scorned ex-wife; some know no limits!!

To arrest a woman who is suspected of endangering the health of her child is prudent. To hold her without bond is nothing short of ridiculous. To all of you bloggers who support her never seeing her child again, you are absolutely perfect and should go on tour to display your perfect child rearing skills.