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DrugScreening.org


 
Dad Mistakenly Buys Alcopop for Son, Loses Custody
May 2, 2008

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News Summary

A Michigan man temporarily lost custody of his son after mistakenly buying the 7-year-old an alcoholic Mike's Hard Lemonade at a Detroit Tigers game last month, the Ann Arbor News reported April 29.

Christopher Ratte, a University of Michigan professor, was looking for a drink for his son when he spied a sign at a concession stand advertising "Mike's Lemonade." He purchased the $7 drink and gave it to his son, Leo. Soon thereafter, a security guard at Comerica Park spotted the boy drinking the alcoholic beverage and alerted police.

The case was referred to Children's Protective Services, which took custody of Leo for three days because of the incident.

"Obviously, I made a mistake in buying this lemonade, which I didn't realize was alcoholic," Ratte said. "I probably should have read the label carefully, so I'm not critical of the police who were concerned. I just thought they overreacted terribly."

Leo was returned to his parents' custody after a court hearing.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Wanda H on 06 May 08 06:16 PM EDT
I think it was a terrible mistake. Obviously the man is not a drinker or he would have known it was an alcoholic drink. I applaud the secuirty guard for his actions but I think that he overreacted. I agree with Carol if the drink didn't taste swett the young man would have told his father. The alcohol industry should do better labeling thier products and the stadium with all the children thier should learn from this and be sure consumers understand what they are purchsing.

Posted by Carol Mawhorter on 05 May 08 07:09 PM EDT
I live in the Detroit metro area and read articles in several local papers about the incident. Not one raised the issue of how the drink tasted to the child. If the taste wasn't so pop like, the child probably would have told his Dad it didn't taste good. Toy guns are easily identifiable from real ones. It's time the same be done with drinks containing alcohol.

Posted by Jack on 05 May 08 04:19 PM EDT
At the risk of sounding harsh, if a college professor should be able to figure out that he's purchasing a beverage with alcohol in it, if he's buying it for himself or anyone else, especially a 7 year old. Parents need to be way less "unsuspecting" about what their children are consuming. Responsibility starts at home!!

Posted by Rose Vasquez-Colon on 05 May 08 01:32 PM EDT
This is a terrible example of how alcohol csn get into the hands of minors and how the industry sells alcohol with kid friendly labels that leave unsuspecting parents thinking thst they are alcohol-free. Lemonade and alcohol are usually not associated and I could see how this parent was "tricked". We in the prevention field have known for years that the alcohol industry targets our youth, parents will have to be just as vigilant now unfortunately.

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