Human Interest Story

[David Lockmiller]

Police posted a photo of a man they say stole diapers from Walmart. Strangers across the country came to his defense.

For those who cannot access the story:

Images posted by the Winter Haven Police Department showed the man on Sept. 15 walking through Walmart with two young children, one cradled in his right arm and the other holding his left hand.

At a self-checkout, he tried to use two credit cards to pay for diapers — both were declined, police said. He left the store with the kids at one point but quickly returned on his own and wheeled out the items in a cart without paying, they said.

Fiedler, who is 16 and lives in Johnson County, Kan., said she felt sadness for the man in the photo and decided to leave a comment on Facebook.

“Doubt I will get a response, but I will pay for these items as long as you leave this man alone,” she wrote that same day.

Her comment was soon liked by more than 4,000 people. Fiedler wasn’t alone in her outrage.

[David Lockmiller]

There is a story on the same subject in today's New York Times:

Even a small price increase can put a strain on families, many of whom pay around $75 for a month’s worth of diapers for one baby, according to the National Diaper Bank Network. Many parents have to choose between buying diapers or other necessities, and some will leave their child in a soiled diaper because they can’t afford a replacement.

After the incident, which was previously reported by WFTS-TV in Tampa, Fla., the store asked the police not to prosecute the man, according to a waiver of prosecution the Winter Haven Police Department provided to The New York Times. Walmart and the man did not respond to requests for comment.

“When your card is declined and you try another one with the same result, that is NOT license to just walk out with the items anyway,” read the Facebook post [made by Winter Haven Police Department], which was later deleted.

[Gene C]

I remember those days, diapers have always been a bit expensive, but necessary.

Sometimes we forget how fortunate we are.
It's easy to be critical, but many times we just don't realize what other pressures people are going through.
I'm guilty of that at times.