HikeArizona.COM

A situation of an arrest of a grandfather for child abuse along the Bright Angel Trail / Grand Canyon was reported in the Arizona Daily Sun:
http://azdailysun.com/news/local/crime- ... b1c92.html

The arrest has drawn national attention with a Sept. 1 update at both the AZ Daily Sun and at MSN News:

http://azdailysun.com/news/state-and-re ... ee850.html

The original discussion on the issue was under 'How Not to HIke the Tanner' and as per Azbackpacker's suggesiton, I have opened a second dedicated posting.

The grandfather is a 44-year old man, not the image of a 'grandpa' that comes to mind for most. Note the slight differences in this version of the story compared to initial newspaper reports. Looks like a spin on the NPS response---check out the defense attorney response.

http://azdailysun.com/news/local/crime- ... b1c92.html

Now that I got a chance to finally read that entire affidavit, it seems clear that Mr. Carlson is a gratificationist. The sad thing is that those kids will probably never want to go outdoors again.

Convicted!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... abuse.html

did I read that right? 45 yr old grandfather and the middle grandchild is 10? I'm just gonna keep quiet about the decision making abilities of this family.

Mother and the imprisoned Grandfather interviewed on the Dr. Phil show on Monday April 30th. Highlights here:

http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/1840

Full show will be rebroadcast on May 1, 2012 at 1 pm.

Wonder if Dr. Phil's staff reviewed the previous criminal convictions by the Grandfather? Dr. Phil concludes that the Mother should have the children returned to her custody.

This whole situation was prominent in my mind when I took the Hiking Club kids to the Grand Canyon last weekend.

"Dr Phil"? I wonder what Dr Angus recommends?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-99xcQ0F6Cw

Rob del Desierto wrote:This whole situation was prominent in my mind when I took the Hiking Club kids to the Grand Canyon last weekend.

The Boy Scouts have developed a 'Youth Protection Program' to prevent abuse. Some of their reccommendations are available here:
http://www.scouting.org/Training/YouthProtection.aspx.

You can also log on and take the course (not required to be a member of the Scouts):
https://myscouting.scouting.org/_layout ... Source=%2f

What constitues physical abuse is a matter of individual perception. My uncle was my mentor regarding all things outdoors and taught my cousins and me how to hunt, fish, track, and survive outdoors. When I look back on some of his tactics, he certainly challenged us---and we loved every minute for what he was teaching---but he could have easily been accused of abuse. Especially after we jumped in an ice cold stream and then munched down on a meal of grubworms.

Also, adults now have to be very careful in regards to perceived sexual abuse/inappropriate behavior. No more skinning dipping, no more urinating along the trail in view of the kids, etc. It is worth going over the guidelines with the kids before a hike.

Sentencing today - 27 months in prison
http://azdailysun.com/news/state-and-re ... ee850.html

3 kids at 9 months each - hmmm???

I can't help but feel like somewhere this poor, misguided fool went horribly wrong with what was almost certainly a good intention. It's clear that something needs to happen in this family to break the cycle but he sure went off the rails in his designs toward that end...that, or he's a gratificationist.