UPDATE: NJ dad who named kids after Nazis decries removal

This story is just fascinating for all of its implications for parents’ rights. So much of what we do with our own children is up to us; how they learn, what they eat,what they watch on TV. It’s tempting to think they are under our complete control, like little pets. But in reality, we are only custodians for several years and for good, and sometimes bad, the State watches how and what we do as parents.

This story appears to be more complicated than just the naming part, but it’s always hard to know what goes on inside a family and what is really happening. As much as I think naming your children after genocidal historical figures is completely stupid, I would hope that they were not removed solely because of the father’s irresponsible choice of names.

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The father of three children who have names associated with Nazis is accusing the state Division of Youth and Family Services of taking his children under false pretenses and says one of the kids appeared neglected when he saw them last week.
Heath Campbell told The Associated Press on Saturday that he and his wife, Deborah, have been allowed to see their children once since state child welfare workers removed them from the family’s home on Jan. 9.
Campbell said his 2-year-old daughter, JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbell, appeared sick and had a runny nose and dirty diaper when he and his wife visited the children last week under the supervision of state social workers.
DYFS has not said why JoyceLynn and siblings Adolf Hitler Campbell, 3, and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell, who will be 1 in April, were removed. Kate Bernyk, a DYFS spokeswoman, said Saturday that confidentiality laws prevent the agency from commenting on specific cases.
Campbell said the agency told him the children were taken because they were in “imminent danger,” but he believed the removal was spurred by publicity surrounding the children’s names.

[From The Associated Press: NJ dad who named kids after Nazis decries removal]