School shootings in the United States have a rapidly multiplying effect. One murderous act ripples out and ruins countless lives – victims, relatives and, often, the rest of the community.
When school shooter Ethan Crumbley killed four Oxford High School classmates in November 2021, people again raged: how can this keep happening? What can we do to stop it?
Two separate Michigan juries have stepped into the breach and acted in a more impactful way than any other entity in the United States has done to try and stop this madness. Jennifer and James Crumbley were convicted by their peers for involuntary manslaughter and will be held to account for their kid’s actions.
These actions to convict the Crumbley parents have received global attention. Our culture of throwing up our hands when school shootings occur horrifies people.
Since these two groundbreaking convictions, many in the national media have raised the issue of whether it is fair to mete out consequences to the parents for their children’s actions. They ask: What if your child lies, or is sneaky? After all, what can a parent do?
While the manslaughter convictions are new, Michigan parents live in a state where they are already legally responsible for what their teenagers do. In Michigan, a parent can be penalized if their child is convicted of a minor in possession of alcohol charge if their child hosts a party where underage drinking occurs – whether the parents are home or not.
In the Grand Traverse Juvenile Probate Court, Judge Jennifer Whitten oversees the direct line from juvenile offenders to their parents’ awareness and conduct: “It is really important. Kids are more successful the more their parents are engaged.”
There is a parental component to two county probate-mandated programs – Multisystemic Therapy (MST) and Juvenile Treatment and Support Court (JTSC). In other words, the parents of juvenile offenders can’t opt out. They must participate in court sessions every two weeks and join in the multi-pronged MST.
There is no way a parent can claim they didn’t know what was happening with their child.
The net must be cast wider to stop – somehow – the horrifying rhythm of gun violence in the U.S.
According to The New England Journal of Medicine, “Gun violence has become the leading killer of youth in the United States, rising by nearly 30% between 2019 and 2020.”
Let that sink in.
It is a good thing and a proud moment for Michigan citizens to act as an interrupter to the ridiculous narrative that there isn’t a lot we can all agree to do to end gun violence.
Two juries of men and women from different walks of life found common ground on the issue and sent a strong message to parents: You better know what your kid is up to.
Judges in Grand Traverse Country are teaching parents parental responsibility for their children’s negative actions.
These are encouraging signs. Thank you, Michigan. It is a good start.
Let that sink in.