Arrested at 12 for 57th Time, ‘Crime Boy’ Never Had a Chance

Juvenile Justice

Arrested at 12 for 57th Time, ‘Crime Boy’ Never Had a Chance

Posted Apr 8, 2008, 01:49 pm CDT
By Martha Neil

Now an adult facing yet another criminal charge, Percy Campbell, as a preteen years ago, got the full benefit of all the services the juvenile system could offer.

Arrested in 1993, at age 12, for the 57th time (it was his 39th felony charge), Campbell's case attracted media attention and put him on a fast track for special attention from local authorities and church and community groups in the Miami area. Despite all they tried to do for him, though, including a stay at Last Chance Ranch, one of the best juvenile rehabilitation programs in Florida, it was already too late, writes a Miami Herald columnist.

Among the strikes against Campbell, who was known as "Crime Boy" because his name was withheld at that time because of his age: Being born to an 11-year-old mother, who had been raped (his own mother also had been born under exactly the same circumstances) and growing up in a neighborhood in which, according to his grandmother, a 5-year-old could buy crack cocaine just about as easily as going to a community store to buy candy.

"Nothing about Percy Campbell's family would engender hope," the newspaper writes. "When one of the church elders asked the 12-year-old if he wanted anything, Percy answered, 'I would love to have a mommy and daddy.' ''

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Posted by TSJ - 4 months, 3 weeks, 6 days, 9 hours, 27 minutes ago

Wow! No one and I mean no one should have to go through life like that. Especially, a twelve year old kid.
Posted by Sarah - 4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days, 7 hours, 30 minutes ago

Nobody SHOULD, but they DO. It is hard to tell what we can do to try to help people not have to experience life like that. And even if we do figure it out, do they really want to be helped?

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