Parents Facing Felony Charges in Connection with Children’s Gun Crimes
Recent incidents have seen an uptick in parents facing felony charges linked to their children’s involvement in gun-related crimes. Legal experts note that this trend is driven by the growing prevalence of evidence and information, particularly on social media. In one high-profile case from 2021, James and Jennifer Crumbley, parents of the Oxford High School shooter, faced involuntary manslaughter charges in Michigan.
The prosecutor filed these charges after the tragic events that unfolded at Oxford High School. On November 30, 2021, 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley entered his school, attended classes, met with the school counselor alongside his parents, and then, shockingly, took a gun from his backpack and killed four students.
Prosecutors have presented a range of evidence, including journal entries, the parents’ social media posts, and text messages. For instance, Jennifer posted on Facebook that she and her husband had bought a gun as a Christmas present for their troubled son.
However, it’s important to clarify that the parents aren’t charged for merely being bad parents but rather for involuntary manslaughter. Their negligence in acquiring the firearm, failing to secure it safely, and ignoring concerning signs on the day of the shooting form the basis of these charges.
In a separate case, Robert Crimo Jr., the father of a Highland Park shooting suspect, faces felony reckless conduct charges for helping his son obtain a firearm three years before his son’s deadly attack at a Fourth of July parade in Illinois.
Despite a history of troubling behavior, Crimo Jr. sponsored his son’s application for a Firearm Owner Identification card, allowing him to legally possess a firearm. This case highlights the issue of legal responsibility in these situations.
Legal experts argue that the increase in such cases can be attributed to the availability of more evidence, often stemming from technology. Jennifer Crumbley’s social media post is cited as an example of this phenomenon.
In recent cases unrelated to mass shootings, a Virginia mother was charged with child neglect after her 6-year-old shot a teacher, and a North Carolina woman was charged with aiding a minor to possess or carry a weapon on school property. Many states have laws designed to prevent children from accessing firearms, with penalties that escalate if a child causes harm or takes a weapon to school.
The surge in these cases may be due, in part, to changes in firearm laws and legal requirements for obtaining permits. Parents are advised to familiarize themselves with their state’s laws before acquiring firearms to ensure responsible ownership.
This growing legal trend underscores the importance of parental responsibility and awareness when it comes to firearms in the home.