Poverty no excuse to neglect child

Being a parent is one of life's privileges.

There is nothing more satisfying than loving and nurturing a child and knowing that you've tried your best in every respect.

And to me, being a parent means putting children first no matter what.

Of course, not everyone would agree.

Take Sian Corbett-Pitman for example.

Instead of loving and nurturing her child and being a role model, she has woefully neglected her daughter so badly it makes me sick.

Why would a mother allow her child to become smelly, hungry, riddled with head lice, suffering open sores, scratches and scabies?

Corbett-Pitman did exactly this - and as we report on page A2 today it's rightly landed in her trouble.

She appeared in Tauranga District Court this week and the 23-year-old pleaded guilty to a charge of neglecting her 5-year-old daughter in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering.

The child's school noticed the shameful list of problems and with the help of a public nurse tried to sort them out but to no avail.

The girl kept turning up to school with sores, lice and scabies.

Once she even told the teacher she had not had dinner the night before.

I realise that some parents do struggle when it comes to looking after their children.

Not everyone is blessed with stable income and can provide food and this may well be the case with this woman.

This newspaper's Christmas Appeal 2011 recognises some families struggle to feed themselves and is helping raise goods and money for the Tauranga Community Foodbank.

The foodbank does a fabulous job and is there for people who genuinely need it. So far we've raised $15,734.27.

But struggling to put bread on the table I understand; allowing a child to be so badly neglected that they have a host of infections, I don't.

There are plenty of agencies that can help set people in the right direction, such as the Salvation Army, or Budget Advice.

Somewhere along the line the issue of basic human kindness comes into force, no matter what your intelligence, socio-economic circumstances or personal circumstances.

Allowing a child to get into this state goes against all parental instincts.

Corbett-Pitman's lawyer says the woman recognises she needs help and is attending classes with Child, Youth and Family and has also signed up to a parenting course at Merivale Community Centre.

In my view, parenting classes are a good idea for parents of all ages and income levels.

The judge in this case says it is clear from the pre-sentence report that Corbett-Pitman has not fully grasped the serious nature of her offending and warned her unless she changes her ways the child is likely to be taken from her.

I agree that a child belongs with their mother and/or father.

But sometimes you have to draw a line.

CYF must closely manage this case and ensure this woman's other child is cared for properly.

Corbett-Pitman should be given a chance but if she blows it then someone else must look after this girl until her mother can prove she has changed her ways.