Mom found guilty of abuse for letting 5-year-old walk outside alone
Summary
A Virginia mother, Karyann Parkinson, was convicted of child abuse for letting her 5-year-old son walk alone to a pond. She received a six-month suspended sentence and will be on the state’s child abuse registry for seven years, which limits her ability to volunteer in school activities.Key Facts
- Karyann Parkinson allowed her 5-year-old son to walk half a mile alone to collect goose feathers.
- The gated community’s security guard stopped the child and called the police, saying children are not allowed to be outside alone.
- Parkinson was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and later convicted.
- She received a six-month suspended sentence, meaning she won’t serve jail time unless she breaks certain rules.
- Parkinson will remain on Virginia’s child abuse and neglect registry for seven years.
- Being on the registry prevents her from volunteering at her son’s school until he reaches sixth grade.
- Virginia has a law meant to protect reasonable childhood independence, but it did not prevent the conviction.
- Parkinson plans to appeal the conviction, with a decision expected in January.
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