Should parents be guilty for their children’s crimes? In a historic first, the parents of American school shooter Ethan Crumbley have been sentenced to at least ten years in prison.
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Killer's mum and dad face decade in prison
Should parents be guilty for their children's crimes? In a historic first, the parents of American school shooter Ethan Crumbley have been sentenced to at least ten years in prison.
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What's happening?
In 2021, Ethan Crumbley shot dead four students at his school in MichiganA state in the northern USA., USA. He was 15 at the time.
Now, his parents have been told that they will each spend at least 10 years in prison.
In two separate trialsWhen the facts of a crime are put in front of a jury or judge, who decides whether or not someone is guilty. , jurorsOrdinary people who are chosen at random to decide whether someone has taken part in a crime or not. found both parents guilty of involuntary manslaughterThe crime of killing another human either without meaning to, or in circumstances that are not as serious as murder. . They bought him a gun even though there were clear signs his mental health was getting worse.
Gun violence is one of the biggest issues in American society. In 2023 there were 82 school shootings, the highest number in recent history. But it is very unusual for a parent to end up in prison.
Should it be a crime to raise a criminal? Research has linked poor parenting to youth crime - so some say putting responsibilityWhen you have a duty to look after or deal with something or someone. on parents could be a key tool in the battle against school shootings.
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Some think if parents knew they could end up in jail, they would keep closer eyes on their children and get them more help for their mental health.
Others are less convinced by this solution. They say that gun violence is really a systemicSomething that is deeply rooted in a system or society. problem, not down to individual parents. Instead of blaming the parents, the USA needs more gun control laws.
Should parents be guilty for their children's crimes?
Yes! Parents need to take responsibility for the actions of their children. They should act if their children need help with their mental health, and try to stop them from accessing harmful content.
No! The USA needs more laws controlling guns, not punishment for parents. And sometimes poor mental health or violence are nothing to do with the way a child has been raised.
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Keywords
Michigan - A state in the northern USA.
Trials - When the facts of a crime are put in front of a jury or judge, who decides whether or not someone is guilty.
Jurors - Ordinary people who are chosen at random to decide whether someone has taken part in a crime or not.
Manslaughter - The crime of killing another human either without meaning to, or in circumstances that are not as serious as murder.
Responsibility - When you have a duty to look after or deal with something or someone.
Systemic - Something that is deeply rooted in a system or society.
Killer’s mum and dad face decade in prison
Crumbling down: James and Jennifer Crumbley were convicted after their son shot dead four students. Glossary
Michigan - A state in the northern USA.
Trials - When the facts of a crime are put in front of a jury or judge, who decides whether or not someone is guilty.
Jurors - Ordinary people who are chosen at random to decide whether someone has taken part in a crime or not.
Manslaughter - The crime of killing another human either without meaning to, or in circumstances that are not as serious as murder.
Responsibility - When you have a duty to look after or deal with something or someone.
Systemic - Something that is deeply rooted in a system or society.