NBC News reports on the disturbing trend of women using small children to panhandle in New York City streets and subways. Founder and President of The Doe Fund, George McDonald, published the following letter, urging all New Yorkers to stand up and speak out against this practice.
Dear Friends,
Last night, NBC4 aired an investigative report filed by Melissa Russo about a terrible and disturbing trend among panhandlers: an organized “ring” of women begging on city streets and subway platforms, using children and babies as props to attract sympathy and, of course, money.
As New Yorkers and as Americans, we must stand together against this practice.
New York City has the best and most generous social services in the country, especially for single mothers and women in need. But these women don’t want assistance for their families. They want a hand out, for themselves.
Caught in the middle of this despicable scam are innocent children: too young to speak for themselves and utterly helpless.
For hours on end, these children are exposed to every conceivable danger. They are unnaturally docile, even as these women exchange shifts and locations–even on hot, crowded subway platforms.
What is being done to these children is outrageous. It is abuse, it is exploitation, and it is directly related to the crimes of child labor and trafficking.
We must respond to this unspeakable form of child endangerment.
If you see a woman begging on the streets or subways with a child, don’t call 311— CALL 911. Intentionally putting a child in harm’s way is an emergency by any measure, and we must insist that the police address the matter accordingly and deliver these children to safety.
With my thanks,
George McDonald
Since the story’s original airdate, NBC’s Melissa Russo filed the following update in which city officials vow to take the necessary steps to protect children involved in these activities.