Dad has son atone for theft on Denver curb

[March 29, 2012]  DENVER (AP) -- A Colorado father who discovered his son took $100 from a relative's wallet has settled on an unusual punishment.

The Denver Post reports (http://bit.ly/H0orUM) Joseph Gonzalez is having 12-year-old Jose spend hours of his spring break standing on a corner in downtown Denver with a bright yellow sign that says: "I am a thief. I took money from a family member."

Jose spent five hours on the curb Tuesday, with the elder Gonzalez keeping an eye on him from his nearby pawnshop. Gonzalez says the boy could be back on the curb Thursday.

Florida psychologist James Huysman, whose practice has included treating children publicly humiliated by reality-TV shows, contends children don't gain insight from such a public atonement.

[Associated Press]

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