Boy carries 'homeless' sign as punishment

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WALDORF, Md., June 20 (UPI) -- A Maryland man said he made his 12-year-old son carry a sign proclaiming him to be "homeless" because he failed to call home as instructed.

Kevin Burks of Waldorf said he made his son, Kenny, carry a sign up and down his street Monday reading, "Homeless, Won't Listen to Parents," because he failed to call home as instructed when spending the night at a friend's house, WRC-TV, Washington, reported Wednesday.

"All he has to do is check in at 8:30," Burks said. He said Kenny did not call until 9 p.m.

"I pay for his clothes, his shoes, the roof over his head, his safety and everything he has," Burks said. "My thing is if you want to be your own adult, you'll sit outside and be your own adult."

Burks said he supervised his son during the punishment, which lasted from 9:15 a.m. until 5 p.m., and gave him meals and breaks every 2 hours.

A police officer responded when neighbors complained, and Burks said the officer complimented him on his creative discipline.