i personally know one of the parents involved in this situation and words cannot express how upset and shaken she was by this ordeal.....do not judge someone until you know everything in the matter. at some point in life, you have to start trusting your children, she gave him that opportunity, and hard lesson learned for the young man, but some people dont have the option like in the good old days to be a stay at home mom, some of us have to work, and her hours may not be those of a typical nine to fiver......so for all you bashers out there, know that she is a good woman, she is very responsible and dedicated to her kids, and she took a chance on allowing him to be a young man, my gosh, he didnt rob someone, he didnt beat someone, he was being a boy, and im sure each and every one of you even if you wont admit it, did something in your childhood that was not "the best thing to do"

There's a difference between running wild and giving freedom to your kids when you know they're not going to get into trouble. Not EVERY student at those HS football games or the mall, or Frostie Freeze is a hooligan. But that's not to say that there AREN'T kids running around unsupervised that shouldn't be. But let's face it, not all parents are grade A material in everyone's eyes.

But i would hope that parents would be extra vigilant when it comes to the floodwaters in the area and warn their children to stay well away.

This just in:

It has been disclosed that just before boarding the paddleboat, one of the boys tricked the other into whitewashing a fence!

Sorry SarahB, both those kids and their parents were reckless. It reminds me of those clowns who do daredevil stunts like rock climbing or mountain climbing and then need to be rescued. Reckless behavior, pure and simple.

Also face it, there are too many kids running "wild" in this city. Go to any HS football game, go to the Mall, go to Frostee Freeze, the movies. You can see it first hand. The concept of a curfew does not exist in Janesville.

Joker: I would not term what I, my siblings, and friends did as children as "running wild." But we were allowed to enjoy life as children and not have an adult with us 24/7. And, my parents must have done something right. I am one of their six children ... now six successful adults, all of whom earned college degrees (including five of us with master's degrees). None of us has ever been arrested or caused harm to another person (as far as I know). I don't have any children but do have nine nieces and nephews who are also doing well in their own worlds. And, yes, maybe the world has changed but I was glad to have been raised by a mother whose response to the statement, "Mom, I'm (we're) bored!," was always, "Then go find something to do." And, "exploring" we would go. The world some of you subscribe to for children today would have bored me, my siblings and our friends to death.

MikeF Really I thought it was from the waters edge no matter how high. No kidding I knew that did not know I needed to explain common sense. Thanks for taking care of what I thought people would know. I can see from the comments it was needed to be explained. I just want to say really glad boys are ok. Hard lesson I am sure learned.

Sarah B, sounds like you were unsupervised as well when you were a child. This is exactly the problem I am talking about. Parents who let their children go "wild" around town and then shrug their shoulders and say, "it is only kids being kids" This behavior has to stop.

After digging my way through these comments, I now wonder how in the world I ever survived what many of you would call "an unsupervised childhood"! Good grief! These kids did exactly what most of my friends and I would have done at that age. In fact, I remember vividly spending a good deal of my time by the Rock River in Beloit imagining myself as Huck Finn and building fishing poles from tree branches. It was all part of an activity called "exploring"! I guess if I had children today, I would hope we lived on a huge piece of land out in the country. That way they could "explore" all they wanted and not have to drag Mom with them just in case they fell down and skinned a knee or got a sliver in their hand. By the way, I agree with BUSDRIVER 100 percent.

Why was this boat just floating around? Where were the parents?!

They ought to make the 2 boys wash the firetrucks for a month so they can learn their lesson.

I'm sure everyone involved is grateful these boys weren't seriously hurt, especially the boys. Yes, there is more trouble for kids to get into now days, but to read some of the negative messages on here it's like you condemn the children for one mistake. Yes it could have been HORRIBLY tragic and nothing anyone would wish on a soul. But I have no doubt these children are paying for what they did both in the scare they got, the police who had to get involved plus their family dealing with them. None of us know how this happened and the boys could have slipped away from the yad for a moment while Mom or Dad had their back turned stirring supper on the stove. No doubt rules and regulations have been gone over and will be reinforced after this incident, I hope.
To those of you so quick to condemn and judge, think of all the stupid things you did as a child. How close you came to hurting yourself or your friends doing something impulsive you thought would be cool. I'm not excusing the boys, but maybe have a bit of understanding instead of spouting righteousness and condemnation of them and their parents. I myself am a parent and a diligent one. But I know personally things happen (which they will) and when it's a near miss, you just are thankful everyone is ok. Then reassess what went wrong and what needs to be done to prevent it again...a lesson learned.
Put aside your judgement and instead offer up thoughts of thanksgiving, and hope that these children and parents hug each other a bit tighter and reassess rules/obeying them in the home.

wcm4life- Just a correction on your statement. The division between private and public property along a river is defined by the Ordinary High Water Mark, which in 1914 the Wisconsin Supreme Court defined as "the point on the bank or shore up to which the presence and action of the water is so continuous as to leave a distinct mark either by erosion, destruction of terrestrial vegetation or other easily recognized characteristic."
With the current high water levels, that point is actually somewhere under the water right now in most places along the river.

4cmforlife- so if the water level is in somebody's livingroom 5 ft of that is public property? Again fine but the BOAT ISNT public property!!! keep off!!!!!

Yes a am a bit negative on this subject because as I mentioned kids in my yard and told to stay out and dont listen. Parents need to teach these kids to LISTEN to them and OTHER adults. A kid shouldnt be telling adults what to do or do as they wish when they feel like it or out on the town at ages 2-10. I takied to a lady once whos kid was out on the town wreaking our pond he exact comment was "what am i suposed to watch him all the time??"" I said YYEEESSSS!! he is only 5. The irony was she DIDNT even have custody of him and another on the way.

I deleted my own comment- i see now where the boat was found washed onto shore. That is written strangely too I think.

avid reader- said the article said"BTW, it said the boys found the boat washed on to shore" I keep reading it over and over and nowhere does it say where this boat was!! Did it used to say something like that and was edited out?

It is not private property five feet from the river bank. Just like in town it is not your property three feet from the roed. You still have to care for it but it is not private. some little FYI.

OMG can't you pessimists just be happy that the boys are ok and we are not reading about 2 young bodies washed up on shore after spending countless hours searching for them. Please grow up, hug your own children and be thankful that at least yours are perfect. My children are not perfect and while I would like to think that I always know where my 14 yr old is, even with him having a cell phone, that just doesn't happen all the time. In which case he gets grounded and we move on. IF the JPD did their job they talked to the parents and the parents will take keeping an eye on their boys more serious next time. LET'S ALL MOVE ON!!!!!

BTW, it said the boys found the boat washed on to shore. With all the flooding, that boat could have came from any where, even miles up stream. So I guess we need to blame Mother Nature for this incident. Makes as much sense as blaming the boat owners anyways.

copper, are you serious? If the child is still in the young learning stage, then they should not have been unsupervised. And if the boat was stolen, who says the owner even knew it was stolen yet? Both boys and parents learned a valuable lesson here. The owner of the boat does not even factor in unless they gave the boys permission, which they DID NOT!!! And what idiot leaves a loaded gun lying on a picnic table? At least use comparisons that make sense.

along the river is private property to many homes. BTY most homes that are private property are accesible to people. like i said do we need to put up barriers w keep out signs up stating the obviuos that it is private property and you dont belong on it?

Well they are wrong for being on private property.

the article doesnt state where the boat was. Still would assume that it was private property. Who is going to leave a boat on public property?

dw--you didn't insult me or hurt my feelings. Asking a personal question to another user here that has nothing to do with this article is simply off topic. Read one of the comment rules below: Stay focused. Keep on the story's topic. Thus, the reason to contact you off post. Smile and have a nice day.

Coppertop--I apparently insulted you since you saw it befitting to contact me off-post regarding my questioning you being an attorney. I will now make a public apology to you for hurting your feelings. Are we better now?

Hannah--"accessible to the public" and talking about one's own "private property" are two different things. I never said that the boys are wrong for being on private property even though the article never stated they were, only that the "The 8 and 9 year old boys found a paddle boat along the river."

opper said"only stating examples that safety should always considered when you leave property accessible to the public." as i mentioned before now my back yard is PUBLIC property??!! DONT THINK SO

coppertop- nice now it is the owners of the boats fault. exactly what i was talking about in a previous post. keep your brats out of my yard you dont belong there. does everyone need a locked fence to keep people out becuase they think it is okay to come in a yard that isnt yours if there isnt security there????

Coppertop--Are you an attorney?

teacher2b--what are the odds of locked paddle boats, rafts, canoes, and whatnot get stolen and left to wash up on shore? Aside from that, once a boat is supposedly stolen, don't you think the owners should report it stolen. This article didn't say the paddle boat was stolen, only that it was found washed ashore. Would you say that a parent that leaves keys in the ignition of their car should not be accountable for anything that could happen, say a child drives off with it? Or a parent that leaves a loaded gun on a picnic table should not be accountable for anything should somebody use it and injure or even kill somebody with it? I'm only stating examples that safety should always considered when you leave property accessible to the public.

I'm not going to argue with you about teaching kids respect as I agree on that issue 100%. It's just that you cannot always hold the child accountable for something they are still learning what is right from wrong. Sure, I agree there should be a form of punishment on the children who done wrong but to an extent that they understand what they did wrong. As I mentioned as well that kids are always going to dare whether they are taught respect or not.

Coppertop--you can't be serious...you are going to blame the owners of the paddleboat for the boat being stolen??? That's absolutely ridiculous. There used to be a time when people taught their kids to respect the property of others.

It's not the kids fault that this nearly came to a tragedy. I say shame on the owners of the paddle boat for not taking safety into consideration. Canoes, paddle boats, rafts, and whatnot should've been locked up regardless whether there is flood stage or not. This is just asking for disaster to all the children that love to do a little daring. This would be the same as leaving a gun on a picnic table in your backyard, or leaving your car keys in the ignition.

Those are some scared boys and some relieved parents. It's a scary story, but I'm sure lessons were learned on all sides. They are young and we all did stupid things that were impulsive and not thought through. This was one that could have ended in tragedy and I'm sure a life lesson. No doubt they'll be telling their kids and grandkids about the time they took a paddle boat that was washed up. In a way that's what childhood is about, but also could definitely have ended badly. Good job to everyone involved.

"'They paddled their little fannies off,' he said." I had to laugh reading this! I bet they did...and I bet they hung their heads when those parents showed up. Listen to your parents, children.

Browneyes--You hit the nail on the head dead on. Many adults are not responsible for themselves in any way shape or form. They feel they don't have to. Society is supose to take care of them and their children. I, too, have seen and experienced it first hand at my job has a childcare provider for over 20 years!!!

And yes the parents are to blame for this. They should not have "thought" or "assumed" that they were at each others homes. The parents should have KNOWN by talking directly to each other where they would be!!!
Remember what it means when you assume something!!!! And yes sometimes when you think you know something you are assuming it.

If I was a parent of one of those boys they would have been showered with lots of love for being safe. But they would be paying *** for doing what they did and for lying about where they were going to be. And it would be longggggggg time before they would be allowed to play together again.

I am very glad those two little boys are safe and at home where they belong... I myself have lived here in Janesville for 4 years and have seen alot of very young kids playing outside alone with no supervision, dashing out into the street and don't even bother to look to see if any cars are coming...
In todays society you do need to keep them in close eye range and explain to them about the dangers in life...
Yes kids will be kids but it is very, very important to know their friends and their friends parents like you know your own.
And like one other comment stated in so many words "DON'T JUDGE THE PEOPLE YOU DON'T KNOW AND LISTEN TO THE WHOLE STORY IF IT IS OFFERED."
I am not blaming the parents at all because I don't know what happened except for one side of the story and sometimes the news can get a litte mellow dramatic
P.S. I do have one little girl who is 7 years old and believe it or not I am very, very strict with who she call friends...

I myself make it a point when my 10 year old says he is going to a friends, I talk to the parent myself, to make sure that is what is happening, and to make sure an adult is going to be there. If a friend comes to my door, I call the parent and make sure they know their kid is at my house. I am not saying the parents of these boys have any blame, but being summertime, kids off school, and parents still having to work, I just always make the call, to make sure an adult is close by where ever my son is. I remember being a child, and everytime my friends and I were out doing something we probably shouldn't have been doing, that is axactly what we told our parents, that we were at each others houses. I am constantly telling my kids there is nothing they are gonna try, that I haven't already done, and I am going to be one step ahead of them.

If these boys were 8 & 9 years old, than I can honestly say, yes, I always did know where my daughter was when she was that age. Children that young do not have the reasoning skills to look ahead to what might be the consequences of their actions. I wouldn't have 'thought' she was a friend's house playing, I would have KNOWN because I would have spoke with the friend's mother/father.

Yes, kids get into trouble. But there is a lot of trouble that can be avoided if you always know to the best of your ability where your kids are.

Children that young need their parents to watch over them. Even more so now than in the 80's when my daughter was young.

Just saying.

Amen

I agree that kids will be kids and boys certainly will be boys...however, there is a certain thing called teaching kids responsibility and respect. There are a lot of kids out there these days who think they can do whatever wherever and even if things don't belong to them...and running around in other's property....call the cops, that's ridiculous! Maybe these boys' parents are wonderful,and accidents do happen, but obviously they don't teach about responsibility and respect, etc. Oh wait, that's right people expect the schools to do all that these days because heck, they aren't responsible themselves (I see it hands-on as a teacher!!)

I don't even want to read these comments because I bet someone is blaming the parents.
Kids will be kids. You live, you learn. Now they know better.
Move on.

How many of those who think the parents are at fault were with your kids 24/7, or beleived they were where they were suppose to be and didn't do something they shouldn't have. Were you such a perfect parent that your kids didn't get in trouble,ever for doing something they were not suppose to. Were you watching them when they did get in trouble? I don't think any parent can watch all of there kids 24/7 going off into different directions. I know as a parent and now grand parent watching all of the kids at one time, knowing what they are doing, or where they are at is at best most of the time a guessing game. They are quicker than I am even running outside in the yard with adult supervision. But because some bloggers think that all people should be perfect, and never make a bad choice, and our children should be perfect and always listen and do as they are told, I will be sure and tell my 2 kids they need to be with there children or have another adult with them at least until the age of 18 so that no one can tell them they are not watching there kids. This way there children that become adults will not know how to function in life because there parents watched them all of the time, and won't know how to do anything on there own as adults, because they no longer have there parents telling them what to do or not to do, then we can all blog about what irresponsible adults they are because now they have made such a bad choice because they were never left on there own as a child to learn right from wrong.

I understand many people are saying "boys will be boys", and all that. But I beg to differ.
My children would never 'borrow' someone else's boat and take it out on a flooded river. I have discussed with them the dangers of the river, whether or not it's flooded.
Perhaps these children and their parents need a little more eduation about the area around them.

wcmforlife- i never said i was perfect- and the parents that let these kids runabout not knowing or caring where the kids are are far from it and shouldnt have kids.

edgewater- sorry for the spelling I know it is bad. I was still able to read what you wrote haha. what do you mean wear a hat?

Hannah -

Yuu hav a good poynt - just ware a hat and nobodee wil notis.

By the way, you really need to check the spelling in your posts before you submit them.

I am glad the boys are ok. That was a tough lesson to learn. Being a Mother of two boys. I know how very easy they can get into trouble. It only takes two seconds. Children are getting very independent these days. I do not blame the parents. These boys like all children saw an opportunity and took it. Right or wrong the parents I'm sure were not to far from knowing where they were. As far as the river goes how do any of us know where they found it,do they live along the river. All should be glad the boys made it. Use this to teach others and do not judge. IT IS NOT YOUR JOB!!! Glad Hannah you are so perfect. Good thing some of us learn from our mistakes or we would not need the fine people we have to help others. OMG not perfect I will have to work on that. I do know where my children are. I do have to trust. I also check up from time to time to make sure they are where they are to be. Yes I was a child once I know temptation. We have all given in one time or anonther. GIVE IT A BREAK!!! To the parents glad all is well with the Boys. I would bet they were very upset after all was done.

People have survived Niagra in a barrel, I'm sure the rock dam in a paddleboat wouldn't be that bad.

Yes whoever spotted these boys out on the river and called 911 the parents are very thankful that they did and they are very thankful that the JPD and JFD were able to resuce these boys before the boat overturned or reached the dam.

hannah-

I'd give the kids a note to take to the parents that say...
'Dear Parent:

Thanks for letting your two kids run all day. They have a swell time playing with my fish and hose. However, they have an even better time with our rehabilitated sex offender neighbor! He gives them candy and takes them into his garage. He's so nice to your kids!

Or start giving them free puppies and kittens to take home.

Or do the responsible thing.... call the police and have the parents charged with neglect.

I am not placing blame on anyone but the kids 1 because they were told to stay away from the river repeatly and 2 both parents thought that the kids were at each others house. I know these boys and the only thing the parents are thankful for is that the boys are ok they are not looking to blame the public or place blame with anyone but their own kids. These kids were both grounded for their actions. Once they got out on to the water they realized that they were in trouble not only with their parents but not being able to get back to shore. I am glad that they didnt panick and try to jump out to swim to shore. This was a serious situation that turned out good and both of these boys have learned a great deal from what they experianced yesterday.

I'm not going to automatically blame anyone. None of us here knows how well supervised these children were. When I think of what I used to get up to in my own youth ... Let's all just commend the rescuers and whoever called 911.

they should have been told by the parents also DONT GO IN THE RIVER!!!!!it still isnt safe. I would say " no play, no tv, no games, for rest of the summer" maybe they wont run off next time.

just so you know i dont dislike kids. I just dont like being told what to do by a 5 year old in my own yard!! If I am out there and I am watching it is fine- except they have lost the privilage to come over any more because they dont listen to me. We had boys last year that we told the limits and I caught them when we werent there standing on our waterfall and wreaked it and surrounding areas of pond. They could have fallen and cracked their head open and guess whos fault then- sure mine even though they were told to stay out and i wasnt there.

I will blame the parents for letting their kids just go wander and be home by dark. Again I have mentioned before poeple dont blame the people who should be blamed. Must be societies fault again right??!!I have kids wondering in my yard. I keep repeatidly telling them to STAY OUT.They say to me "no it is okay were just watching the fish" I said "NO IT ISNT GET OUT" they repeat to me again " no it is okay were not touching anything" I say AGAIN"DID you HEAR me get out of my yard" then they finally get a pout on their face and leave only to show up again climbing on my trellis and turning on my water to play with hose and trying to run off with my waterering can saying"it is my watering can" "I said I dont think so".Then throwing it down in the drive and running away. I am tired of it and they DONT listen and I am sure the parent wont listen to me if I can ever find out where they belong. I dont want to be sued either by parents that dont watch their kids or have any idea where they are.Ages 5 and 7 is my guess. I dont know where these kids live and if I did and told parent to keep them out I am sure it wouldnt help.

When I was young my parents knew exactly where i was and for how long i was to be gone. I didnt go walking threw ANYBODIES yard that I wasnt invited too and still had to go ask first if I was invited .

I know both of these boys, it is not their parents fault for what happened. I am just glad that they are safe and the JFD and JPD were there when we needed them. These boys both learn a life lesson yesterday. Dont blame the parents until you know the whole story because this article does not tell the whole story.

armyof3-

Yep, that's why i give my kids guns when they run
unattended in the street. Gotta learn em sometimes, ya know?

The parents of those boys are SO fortunate. No lifejackets on either of them. Children should learn no lifejacket, no boat. No lifeguard, no swim.

However, had they drowned, I am sure the fine parents would have sued the owner of the paddleboat to replace ther loss of their little darlings.... children so special and dear to their heart they DON'T WATCH THEM...

my question is where were them parents then should have been watching them boys alot closer then could have died if it wasnt for someone seeing them then are very lucky. and i know boys will be boys. But maybe this parents will watch there kids closer. good job JFD

kids will be kids... a parent can't always be there to save the day when kids at that age are becoming even more independant, let alone baby them when they fall... without trial and error, how will they learn... great job JFD on the rescue...

*dam haha

Well at least they didn't make it too the damn!

Boys will be boys... I know many 8 & 9 year old boys and girls who would think nothing of taking a paddle boat out, and would be ok, and able to handle it. They just got in over there heads, and didn't know how strong the current was. Let's say kudo's to the kids for getting outside, and not sitting in front of the TV. Cut them some slack.
Doing things like this and having problems will teach them a lesson, and to be more cautious, you can't koddle them all there lives.

Boys continue to be boys. Not very unlike what I, and many of my friends, would have thought of doing at that age. Remember, the temptation (with no thought of maliciousness) of that boat on a hot day, with a willing pal, mmm, mmm, mmm......can you say 'Tom and Huck'? Kudos to the JFD. Turtle Fire Dept had a similar incident last Sunday in Turtleville, which also turned out well. I am very proud of all our Police and Fire Departments, whether paid or volunteer. God bless you all.

What were an 8 and 9 year old boy doing playing by the river without parental/adult supervision? I hope the parents had a nice chat with JPD on this matter. That is absolutely rediculous that they were there on their own. The boys were very lucky that they were spotted! Nice job JFD.