Man Jailed for Daughter’s Truancy to be Released
An Ohio judge has agreed to release a man jailed for his daughter’s truancy if if his daughter Brittany attends a GED preparatory class and schedules the test before the next court date. Brittany Gegner, now 18, has a history of skipping large amounts of school since she was in fifth or sixth grade, according to Butler County Judge David Niehaus. The problem continued after she became pregnant and bore a child, officials and relatives said. Records show she had 31.5 unexcused absences and was tardy 27 times in 2005-06 alone.The father, Brian Gegner, was ordered months ago to make sure his daughter passed the GED test. Due to the failure to do so, Gegner received a 180-day sentence for contributing to the unruliness or delinquency of a minor. Gegner must return to court July 16. Judge Niehaus has ruled that he will go back to jail that day unless Brittany attends the classes as arranged. Under Ohio’s truancy law, parents and legal custodians whose children repeatedly fail to attend school can receive punishments including mandatory parenting classes, community service, fines and jail time. In 2007, 11 people were jailed in Butler county alone for failing to send their children for school. Judge Niehaus stated that Brittany’s mother wasn’t charged because Brian Gegner was the parent with legal custody and the responsibility in this case.
Source: http://news.findlaw.com/ap/other/features/1120//05-16-2008/20080516113503_10.html
