School - How can I force my child to attend school to avoid being charged
with neglect?
Question
How can you "correct" education neglect? I have a 14 year old child
who is nearly as tall as me and is stronger than me. He is bipolar
and suffers from ODD. Some days I cannot physically get him
out of bed and now the assistant principal is telling me that I may go
to jail because of this. (My son has missed 4 days since August 26).
What steps can be taken? I really need to know. I can't seem
to find any information on this. I looked into "boot camps" for my
son, but those cost approximately $40,000 for an 8 week session.
That's $15,000 more than I make in a year.
Answer
The parents' obligation in a situation such as the one you describe is
to go to the authorities and try to seek help. You could ask
them to charge the child with truancy or incorrigibility. Another
possibility would be to contact the Michigan National Guard in your area
about trying to get your son into their Michigan Youth Challenge Academy.
While the child may very well be stronger than you and you can basically
do nothing to get the child to school or to obey you, you would still be
under an obligation to try to find some help. To stand by and do
nothing would probably be parental neglect.
Return to Citizen Questions Menu
Return to Calhoun County Courts Home Page
Last Updated: 10-1-03
Send your comments, questions and suggestions to Phil Harter at 161
E Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, Michigan 49014 or e mail to pharter@calhouncountymi.gov