Prolonged childhood characteristics are a hallmark of many domestic species
and are termed "neotany" or "juvenilization".  Yes, ferrets, DO exhibit many
kit characteristics throughout life.
 
Sounds like it's time for a friend to speak with Jean again about two
things: spreading the ferrets around in some safe-houses, and having the
police run a safety check on her home so that she can make security changes.
[Posted in FML issue 2260]