Parents who tied their child to doghouse face fine, deprivation of parental rights

The parents who used to tie their children to a doghouse will pay a fine of up to 500 lei or will perform community service, running the risk of losing their parental rights as well, Vlad Ursu, deputy sheriff of Soldanesti district, has told Info-Prim Neo. The case of a 2-year-old child in Soldanesti who was left home alone locked inside for two days was reported by Children's Ombudswoman Tamara Plamadeala. The ombudswoman, who alerted the district prosecutors, says this was not the first case that the child was left home alone, chained to the bed or the doghouse. The child, otherwise physically sound, is now receiving treatment for a minor cold at the district hospital. Meanwhile, the mother returned from work in Soroca town. “The parents will be deprived of parental rights and the child will be placed in a foster home”, Tatiana Rosca, senior specialist for child care in Soldanesti district, has told Info-Prim Neo. The district police are handling the case. Three years ago, a similar case occurred in Soldanesti, where a girl was chained to a doghouse by her aunt. The police reported the girl was mentally unhealthy, and the aunt claimed she had troubles handling the child all alone as the girl's parents were left abroad in search of a job.