What did the Pilgrims do with mentally challenged children?

The Pilgrims, like many early European settlers, had limited understanding of mental health and disabilities. Children who exhibited signs of mental challenges were often marginalized, sometimes viewed as a result of sin or divine punishment. In some cases, they were cared for by their families, but there were also instances of abandonment or neglect. The societal attitudes of the time were largely shaped by religious beliefs and a lack of medical knowledge, leading to inconsistent and often harsh treatment of such individuals.