MY HEART goes out to the Paquette children (“4 children taken from ‘inhuman’ home: Mother, 27, held; locked boy in attic,’’ Page A1, Aug. 1). I am shocked at the statements made by the children’s grandfather and uncle. It’s understandable that this woman was under incredible stress and overwhelmed, but the fact that no one intervened earlier is the real crime here. I understand how one thing turns into another to make this horrible situation come about, but the denial about the treatment her children received is astonishing. All the adults around these kids are culpable. The house has been condemned, and they are perplexed about it? Wow.
How many other families are living like this? Way too many, I suspect.
Kevin McNamara
Cambridge
I CANNOT contain my outrage at the defense of his daughter’s mothering skills by Kristin Paquette’s father. He claims that the boy who was locked in the attic has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and that she could not control him. As a mother of four children, two of whom have ADHD, I do not appreciate the reputation he gives to this disorder. As much as these children are difficult, they are also creative thinkers, and their abundant energy needs to be properly channeled.
Yes, as a single mom, Paquette is overwhelmed. The boy may need medication, and she needs to learn some successful parenting strategies. Still, there are many easy ways she could have helped her son. Instead of being locked up, he could have run around the outside of the house, kicked a ball, or done jumping jacks. Proper food and sleep do wonders as well. If her father really wanted to help her, he could have taken the boy out every Saturday so she could get some respite. The boyfriend who left to play basketball could have taken the boy with him.
As it stands, she probably will lose custody. Don’t blame ADHD; blame the adults responsible.
Robin Lentz Worgan
Flourtown, Pa. 
