DADADEL
A 14-year-old boy caused dismay for an Arizona couple when police informed them he stole the family car, a Range Rover, for a joyride. Seeking to discipline him, they crafted a punishment.
Angel Martinez, a 14-year-old from Arizona, likely believed he could slip away with borrowing his parents’ Range Rover for a joyride while they were away, as reported by the NY Post. However, his unauthorized drive quickly turned perilous, attracting local police attention, and leading to a downhill spiral.
“I just wanted to drive, but I don’t have a license, so I just took it. I can wash the car, and I was like I don’t have anything to dry it, so I’m gonna take it for one spin until it dries,” he recalled.
However, that explanation didn’t cut it when the cops caught him speeding and notified his parents. Nevertheless, his explanation fell short when he was caught speeding, prompting the authorities to inform his parents.
Angel’s reckless antics in his North Phoenix neighborhood drew police attention, prompting a call to his vacationing parents, Ramon Martinez, and his wife, celebrating in Las Vegas. Ramon, irked by the news, returned home to lay down the law with his son.
Facing their son’s recurrent misbehavior, Ramon and his wife crafted a unique disciplinary measure. With Angel’s history of trouble and limited options, they opted for a drastic approach: cleaning the house, as reported by Fox 10.
“We got back to the house,” his father recalled. “We took all his stuff out, his room is 100% empty, and we’re just giving all his stuff away,” he added.
Angel found his possessions laid out in front of the house, free for others to take. Additionally, his parents compelled him to sit outside with his belongings and an apology sign for hours.
According to The Blaze, the cardboard sign read, “Sorry I stole my parents’ car and was speeding.” Angel’s belongings disappeared swiftly, mirroring the speed of the Range Rover he had driven. Consequently, the 14-year-old faced the prospect of sleeping on the floor or a couch for the foreseeable future. This experience offers Angel firsthand insight into having personal property taken without consent, a lesson his father hopes he learns from.
Ramon explained the rationale behind the unique punishment and sign, citing it as a gesture of apology to their neighbors for Angel’s reckless actions. Concerned about potential harm, he stressed, “He could’ve run someone over. Something really bad could’ve happened.”
Expressing his disappointment, the father emphasized the importance of making the right choices, hoping it would resonate with the 14-year-old as he grows older. He underlined their commitment to responsible parenting, stating, “Hopefully, you know, you do what’s right, and you’ll be able to tell later in the years. For now, you know we’re just trying to do our best to keep him out of trouble and make sure he understands that things like this will not be tolerated.”
Angel’s parents donated his clothes, bed, and TV to strangers. Surprisingly, the 14-year-old accepted it as fair punishment, though its effectiveness remains to be seen, as his dad noted. Time will reveal its impact on deterring similar behavior.
