A precedent in parental responsibility
On November 30, 2021, 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley broke into the Oxford Institute in Michigan, in the United States, armed and committed a shooting that killed four teenagers and injured seven others , including a teacher. The Michigan Court has sentenced Ethan’s parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley, to a sentence of up to 15 years in prison for their involvement in this tragic event, this being the first case in the country where a parent has been found guilty of ‘involuntary manslaughter for the crime committed by his son.
Parental responsibility
This sentence marks a legal precedent in the responsibility that parents have in the violent acts committed by their minor children. The court determined that the Crumbleys allowed Ethan to have access to the gun used in the shooting, which had been purchased by his father just four days before the incident. In addition, it was appreciated that the parents overlooked their son’s mental health problems, despite the obvious signs of emotional conflict that he had shown before the event.
The defense and apologies of the parents
During the trial, the Crumbleys’ defense tried to argue that the parents could not have foreseen their son’s violent acts. However, both Jennifer and James Crumbley apologized to the families of the victims, acknowledging their possible shortcomings in preventing this tragedy. The couple had already been arrested since the day of the events, awaiting the court verdict.
Other cases and the impact of the sentence
The United States has already seen other cases where parents have been found guilty of their children’s reckless behavior, particularly in relation to incidents involving firearms. Nevertheless, the resolution of the Crumbley case represents a significant step in the responsibility of parents for the acts of their minor children. This ruling may have significant implications for similar cases across the country, opening up a debate about gun ownership and the role of parents in preventing violent crimes committed by their children.
