In re Tad M.

OPINION OF THE COURT

Daniel D. Leddy, Jr., J.

The proper psychological and emotional development of a 14-year-old boy requires that he be afforded a reasonable measure of privacy within the family structure. Thus, where such a child is forced to sleep in the same room as his mother and three sisters, a person in need of supervision proceeding (PINS) brought against him by his mother will be dismissed and a neglect petition against his mother substituted.

The petitioner in the instant PINS proceeding is the mother of 14-year-old Tad M. She alleges, inter alia, that the boy refuses to obey her…