IS KLEPTOMANIA A REAL PROBLEM

Does there really exist a disease of Kleptomania

or is this just an excuse for someone to be able to 

blame stealing on a true disease.

Why am I thinking this so early this morning?

A few weeks ago, coming home from DTB

I stopped at a small chain store.

There were a few patrons but it was pretty quiet.

I noticed a very young mother who was about

8 months pregnant with another baby sitting in the basket

who seemed to be about Bean's age.

Of course, I stopped to admire the baby

and then went on with my shopping.

Not long after I hear the young mother at the register

realizing as she tried to check out that she had

lost a 10 dollar bill. It's hard not to notice what is going on

as the store is small and not many people are there.

The cashier begins to help her search the store.

There is another employee, who seems to be

the manager, there but she not only 

does not help in the search, but she stands behind

the counter with arms crossed just watching the young mother.

Finally the young mother states that she won't be able to purchase

her wares, will have to go home and get more money.

The manager places herself in the exit door

and will not allow the young mother and the

basket sitting baby out the store.

Instead, she states loudly,

"Go over there, right now and remove my merchandise

from your purse before I call the police"

Oh, my heart starts palpating. I feel very uncomfortable

yet I can't stop staring.

The mother starts saying she doesn't know what she is talking

about. The manager does not let up, calls her by name,

"My blood pressure is up and you will not leave

this store with my merchandise, go and remove my things 

from your purse. And with a baby with you,

how ashamed you should be.

Then the shocking part for me,

the young mother, goes to the corner of the store with the

cashier and begin pulling clothes out of her purse.

She is crying begging the manager not to tell her

boyfriend. The manager only says for her to leave right now

and never let her see her in this store again.

Silly mother is crying saying, "But I love this store,

please don't tell my boyfriend..."

I am thinking, Woman just go, really, I am embarrased for you.

Finally she does leave, she looks like she can't be a day

over 19 with two babies. Stealing. In front of her baby.

I've thought about this incident a lot since it happened

on Mothers Day weekend. What makes someone steal.

Later the 10 dollar bill is found. She had money to pay

yet chose to steal it anyway. 

I wonder how many times she has done this in the past.

I feel sorry for the children. I am not sue what causes a person

to do this. Still can't grasp the whole situation.