USA Today reports that an Ohio father, Brian Gegner, was sentenced to six months in jail after his daughter failed to get her GED. Two years ago, he was ordered by a judge to make sure his chronically truant daughter, Brittany, passed the exam. She still hasn't, so he's stuck in jail on grounds of contributing to the unruliness or delinquency of a minor. You can watch a video of the teenager explaining why she should be punished, not her father, here on CBS.
But the whole judgment seems ridiculous. Brittany is now the mother of an 18-month-old and engaged to be married. Does she necessarily need to have a GED right this second? She could always go back to school later if she wanted to. We're not really seeing the urgency.
And it definitely seems cruel and unusual to lock up her father, who's now in danger of losing his job of 15 years.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 2)
16. So what are we saying here Ada, a little to much Government intervention in our lives? Well, soon enough, Big Brother will give us state sponsored health care, and then we'll all love him.
Willet at 6:36PM on May 14th 2008
17. Makes no sense to jail the father. As someone said what was he supposed to do, go sit in class with her. I had to take my step-son to school one day. Let him out across the street as he had a soda & cigarette that were not allowed on school grounds. Watched him walk to the school and about 3 hrs later got a call wanting to know why the kid wasn't in school. Until we stop treating these kids like they will break if you stand up to them, the adults are going to get walked all over. I agree, anyone smell tea in the harbor. Isn't it time we took this country back??
CJ Walter at 6:39PM on May 14th 2008
18. MAT - Who should be jailed for your education? Or lack there of. Your English is so atrocious, even Mr. Ghetto fabulous himself can speak better than you!
Jay at 8:32PM on May 14th 2008
19. For more crazy headlines like this in education, check out http://detentionslip.org! It's a leader for school house news.
sweetchuckd at 8:46PM on May 14th 2008
20. I hope everyone calls their officials to complain about this misuse of justice and waist of tax payers money. we have no space in jail for killers and rapists but we do for innocent people. this is OBSCENE. The judge should be removed from the bench. disgusting!
annmarie at 2:26PM on May 28th 2008