The Parents Paying for Their Children’s Crimes

By Jamiles Lartey

themarshallproject.org

April 13, 2024

In a thought-provoking article from The Marshall Project, titled "The Parents Paying for Their Children’s Crimes," Jamiles Lartey discusses the recent and novel legal consequences parents face for the criminal actions of their children. This discussion has gained urgency following a landmark legal decision involving Jennifer and James Crumbley, who were sentenced to 10-15 years for involuntary manslaughter after their son conducted a mass shooting (source: themarshallproject.org).

The Crumbleys' case is significant as it marks the first time in U.S. history that parents have been held criminally responsible for a mass shooting committed by their child. Prosecutors argued that the Crumbleys had missed several warning signs and negligently provided their son access to the firearm used in the tragedy. This case could potentially set a precedent, raising concerns among legal experts about the "slippery slope" of expanding parental criminal liability. Evan Bernick, a law professor, expressed skepticism about the selective application of this legal standard, suggesting that it might lead to broader prosecutorial reach.

The implications of such legal actions are worrying, particularly for minority and low-income families. In Tennessee, for instance, legislation has been proposed to fine parents if their child commits multiple criminal offenses, further complicating the issue of parental responsibility.

Another dimension of this issue surfaced in Newport News, Virginia, where a school shooting by a 6-year-old led to the unprecedented criminal charging of a school administrator for felony child neglect. This charge stemmed from alleged negligence in handling prior warnings about the child possessing a gun. Deja Taylor, the mother of the shooter, was also sentenced for neglect and federal crimes related to the firearm.

These cases highlight a broader debate about the age at which children should face criminal charges. Virginia Governor Glen Youngkin recently vetoed a bill that would have prohibited charging children younger than 11, arguing it compromised public safety. This decision was countered by prosecutors and legal experts who advocate for treating young offenders in ways that emphasize rehabilitation over incarceration.

Maryland is experiencing related legal shifts, with new legislation allowing for the prosecution of children as young as 10 for certain crimes, lowering the previous threshold from 13. This change is part of a response to a perceived increase in violent crimes, such as carjackings, committed by youths. Critics argue that such measures may lead to more harm than good by increasing juvenile involvement in the criminal justice system, which can perpetuate criminal behavior rather than curb it.

The article concludes with a caution from Baltimore’s State’s Attorney Ivan Bates about the future of "parental accountability," signaling a potential increase in charges against parents linked to their children's criminal actions.

This complex legal landscape presents educators and policymakers with critical questions about balancing public safety with the developmental needs of young people and the fairness of penalizing parents for their children's actions.

The full article can be found on The Marshall Project's website: [The Parents Paying for Their Children’s Crimes](https://www.themarshallproject.org/2024/04/13/the-parents-paying-fo...).

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com