I am very disturbed by the news stories I’ve seen this morning (April 28). Linda Tuttle is looking at a felony for wire fraud and this couple in Dexter who chained up their children are only looking at misdemeanors?

I also read a story on CNN where a 19-year-old killed four baby ducklings by running over them with his Hummer and is looking at a felony charge. Is money and animal life that much more important in our society than human life? We’re talking about 8- and 5-year-old boys. Part of the future of America and their parents MAY be looking at felony charges if they are convicted on all seven charges against them. This is wrong!

The children of our society deserve better than this. Thank you to the teacher who alerted authorities to this situation, but I have to ask, where were the grandparents or aunts and uncles to these children? Where were this couple’s friends? Didn’t anyone else see this happening? I’m extremely disturbed by this entire ordeal, and I feel worst for these little innocent boys who have a very rough road ahead of them. There should be a tougher penalty against these parents for their treatment of their children!

Melissa Carroll

Albert Lea