Boy, 11, Left Alone, Dies in Coney Island Fire

An autistic 11-year-old boy died on Tuesday from a fire that investigators believe he set himself after his grandmother left him home alone in Coney Island, Brooklyn, according to the authorities.

His grandmother, Melinda McLain, 59, has been charged in the case with reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child, the police said.

Firefighters found the boy, Tavon Turpin, 11, shortly after noon unconscious and unresponsive inside their 15^th-floor apartment at Ocean Towers, a large residential high-rise at 2970 West 24th Street, the authorities said. Tavon was pronounced dead at Coney Island Hospital, the authorities said.

Fire investigators believe that the fire started in the hallway closet of the apartment, according to the law enforcement officials. The fire took nearly an hour to bring under control. The investigators believe the boy was playing with matches or a lighter, the officials said.

The investigators found no evidence that someone else had started the fire after Ms.McLain left the apartment. It was not known how long she had been gone before the fire began.

Tavon and his grandmother were well known around the building. Neighbors said they would often see her walking him to the bus stop each morning before school.

“They weren’t very wealthy,” said Natalie Pou, who lived on the same floor, adding that Ms.McLain had difficulty breathing and sometimes had to carry an oxygen tank. “He was always happy. He would smile at you, or his grandma would tell him to smile at you.”

Donna Clarke, 44, a local cook, said she would often see Tavon when she stopped by the building to visit relatives. Ms.Clarke said that he was always in good spirits and appeared well taken care of, but that she could not imagine someone’s leaving him alone.

“You never leave your child alone at 11 years old, especially if he’s autistic,” she said. “He can’t help himself.”

 

TEST 16

Read what Janey and Silvio write about their parents. Are the sentences true (T) or false (F)?

My parents are great. They are very fair and they always discuss things with us. Dad worries about his little girls but Mum likes to give us enough freedom to learn from our mistakes. The only rule is that I must tell them where I'm going and who I am with. I think my parents have got it right: they are interested in us but they don't want to control us.

Janey 16

My parents were too careful – they worried about me and my two brothers all the time. Our parents both had terrible childhoods so they wanted ours to be perfect. Every minute of our lives was spent doing expensive things – we never got time to be kids just playing on our bikes in the street. What they don’t undestand is that we didn't want our childhood to be perfect – we wanted it to be normal. We were spoilt and I don’t think they taught us the value of working for things. I learnt that when I left home and started to spend my own money!

Silvio 21

1. Janey likes her parents.__

2. She's got a brother..__

3. Her parents listen to her ideas..__

4. Her parents have lots of rules.__

5. Her parents give her enough freedom.__

6. Silvio's parents gave him enough freedom.__

7. He's got brothers.__

8. His parents had happy childhoods.__ 

9. His childhood was always busy.__

10. His parents spent a lot of money on their children.__

11. His childhood was perfect.__

12. His parents didn't teach him the value of things.__

 

TEST 17

Read the letters and the advice. Answer the questions.

Letter A. We're having terrible problems with our fifteen-year-old son. He’s stopped doing his school work, he won't talk to us, and he stays in his bedroom for hours listening to music. He doesn't have any friends and I think he's very unhappy. What's the best thing to do?

Sue

 

Letter В. My daughter finished university last year and came back to live at home. I thought she would find herself a flat after a few months but she seems to be very happy living with me again. She has a good job and she gives me money each month. I love my daughter and I enjoy her company but I don't want her living in my house now. Any suggestions?

Jim

 

Readers' Advice

1. You should be happy that your daughter wants to live with you. Don't complain, you won't like it when she leaves you and you have to live alone.

Helen

2. Get help for your son as quickly as possible. You must speak to his school and take him to see your family doctor. You must try to talk to him even if he is rude or doesn't answer.

Daphne

3. You should ask your daughter to leave. You have a good relationship so you can say this kindly. You must give her enough time to find a new home – and perhaps you can help her.

Norah

4. Why are you worried? Your son is growing up and he has to make his own mistakes. Why shouldn't he stay in his bedroom? You should give your son the freedom to grow up.

Bill

Match the letters and the advice.

Letter A: __, __.

Letter B: __, __.

 

Which letter did Sue (S), Jim (J), Helen (H), Daphne (D), Norah (N), or Bill (B) write?

1. is a worried parent? __

2. likes being with their child? __

3. suggests getting help immediately? __

4.wants their child to leave home? __

5. doesn't know how to help their child? __

6. thinks Jim shouldn't complain about his daughter? __

7. thinks Sue's son is normal? __

8.has a successful child? __

TEST 18