A few years back, a New Jersey family was in the news because a bakery didn't like their kid's name and wouldn't put it on his birthday cake. It sounds outrageous ... until you learn that the little boy's is Adolf Hitler Campbell. Then the store's refusal makes a whole lot of sense, as does a court decision today that denied the boy's parents custody of him and his two siblings -- JoyceLynn Aryan Nation and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie.
The question is whether Heath and Deborah Campbell have lost custody of their children just because of the names they bestowed upon them or because of something else. The children have been in foster care since the incident, and the courts say there is evidence of abuse or neglect (details can't be released due to a gag order). The Campbells, however, contend it's just because of the names, and that their freedom of expression has been thwarted. Heath told NBC 10:
Actually, the judge and DYFS told us that there was no evidence of abuse and that it was the names. They were taken over the children's names.
Honestly, even if it was just over the names, I'd almost say that's grounds enough for those children to be removed. I'm a passionate proponent of free speech, even when I don't like it, but bestowing a name that evokes such hatred and violence is just cruel and I think perhaps a form of abuse.
Yes, there's a lot of subjectivity when it comes to what is and isn't an acceptable name for a child, but there's really no gray when it comes to Adolf Hitler. Plus, you know that anyone who would name their child something like this is very likely mentally unstable and filled with hate.
Still, taking children away from their parents just for a distasteful name? I'm not sure I could fully support that, but I bet there are few cases in which a parent who chooses to name their child something like that wouldn't have other issues as well. So while it's disturbing to think the children were subjected to treatment worse than their names, at least they have been removed from it for now. And in a way those horrible names saved them, because no one may have been wiser to the abuse if they hadn't had them.
Do you think these parents should lose custody of their children because of their names?
Image via simononly/Flickr
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Comments 182
Also to add to my previous comment...just cuz u hate the name and it yes it after some guy we all hate, doesnt mean u can take it out on the kids. they didnt pick the name the parents did and u being somewhat prejudice about a kids name shows ur hating the kid for something He in turn had no choice in doing. If anything change the kids names legally and be done with it.
I don;t give two shits what their names are. You don't drag children out of their homes just ecause their names are offensive. Granted your childrens names aren't a place to make political and idiotic statements, but if itb's based soley on the names, thats bullshit. I know PLENTY of BLACK AND WHITE RACISTS who still have custody of their children. Yes, these parents are idiots for their belief systems, but ripping the children from their homes and put in a shitty foster care system like ours is totally wrong.
I have to wonder what is going on in someone's mind to name their children something like that. Those names are associated with hate, cruelty and violence and to me, that isn't a sign of a stable mind.
I have to say, I'm extremely happy the kids were taking away from them. I've seen their house and all the Nazi shit they have in there. They are Breeding hate.
No, I do not. The foster care system is probably been far worse to them then their parents. Taking a child away from his parents just because of his name seems pretty ridiculous. I mean, this is America. They are free to raise their children however they like so long as they treat them well, keep a roof over their head, food in their bellys and cloths on their backs. Unless they found actual abuse, they need to give the kids back.
I'd like to add that I think Adolph Hitler is probably the worst name ever.
A child should not be able to be removed from a home purely based on a the parents' poor judgement when naming them. Adolf Hitler is a horrible name. But calling that abuse is a far stretch in my mind. I hope that was not the only reason the parents lost custody. As someone else said, that sounds to me like a great way to ensure that twenty years from now we all have to get clearance on the name of our child before we sign the birth certificate. Picture this:
First Choice: Clara Bella
Second Choice: Zoe Michelle
Third Choice: Lilly Ann
Then you get to wait patiently while the government sends you notice of the name that has been approved for your daughter. Hmmm....I don't like it.
I think that if these children were removed soley because of their, all be it horrid, names then it is a very sad day for this supposedly free country.
I don't think Adolf Hitler is okay to name ur child, but wouldn't it be GREAT if this child named Adolf Hitler grew up to do real good things..just saying it would be nice to see a whole 360. thing plus its not the name that make the person
I remember when this story came out that there was more to it then just the names.