The parents of a teenage school shooter in Michigan were sentenced to at least 10 years in prison by a judge, who criticized their missed opportunities to prevent the tragedy, Associated Press reports.
Jennifer and James Crumbley were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in connection with their son Ethan Crumbley’s attack on Oxford High School, which claimed four lives in 2021. Despite not knowing their son had a gun, prosecutors argued they failed to secure it and ignored signs of his deteriorating mental health.
Victims’ families expressed outrage during the emotional hearing, criticizing the Crumbleys for their parenting failures. Despite pleas from defense attorneys, the couple received a 10-year prison term and could be held for up to 15 years if parole is denied. The Crumbleys’ claims of normalcy and blame on the school were rejected by the judge, who highlighted the repeated missed chances to intervene and prevent the tragedy.
Ethan Crumbley, serving a life sentence for the shooting, had exhibited troubling behavior, including violent drawings and expressions of despair, which went unaddressed. While the Crumbleys expressed remorse, victims’ families viewed it as an attempt to evade accountability.
