Government Pursues Laws Holding Parents Accountable for Children’s Actions

By Aabigayle McIntosh

The passage of laws to hold parents accountable for the actions of their children is still a top priority for the government.

Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjam said they are now in the process of consulting with the relevant stakeholders.

“It’s when we have our consultations, we get feedback from the public and we look at what they think and recommend would be a reasonable punishment in the circumstances we shall do that,” Benjamin.

The draft act will also include penalties that may be quite expensive for parents, however, will include some level of compensation for victims.

“Whereas someone is injured during an altercation the judge normally requests and asks whether or not the person desires compensation that happens sometimes and if that is so then the evidence is lead as to what the damage is what the expenses are and other considerations for compensation for pain and suffering and loss and so on is considered,” Benjamin said.

The AG also stated that every case will be treated with its merit.

“In every case, all the factors will be considered on the merits in that situation itself. so, one brush will not apply across the board. each case will be looked at separately and each incident will be thoroughly examined before any charges are made”.

The considerations by the government follow a recent court case in the United States where a mother, Jennifer Crumbley, was held criminally liable for the actions of her son, Ethan Crumbley, who was 15 at the time of his crime.

The now 17-year-old was the perpetrator of a 2021 mass school shooting at the Oxford High School in Michigan, killing four students and injuring seven others. He is now serving a life sentence.

His father, James Crumbley, is currently on trial, following reports that he had taken his son to a gun shop days before the attack, and purchased the gun used in the shooting as well as buying 100 rounds of ammunition at a gun range.