wrote:

There are appalling parents out there who abuse their
kids daily. I don't wan't such misfits determining the kids welfare.

Yes - this is why children should never be considered the subjects of
one particular adult or *set of adults*.

And so who decides if the 18 month old who's suffering neglect stays
with his parents?

A jury of the parent's peers.

Define "neglect" while you are at it. Are the Amish
neglecting their children? Too bad Koresh didn't get
his day in court -- they killed the childred in order to
save them (from what turned out to be nothing).

--Ted