Parents Get Probation for Truant Kids

Moms and dads jam packed truancy court in Downtown Mobile.

90 parents were ordered to be in court for not sending their kids to school in Mobile County.

So far in 2008, almost 1000 parents have been sent to court for their children's attendance problems at school.

Some parents had to explain why they let their kids stay home for 20, 50 and in one case...100 days!

Juvenile Judge Edmond Naman admits that most parents end up with a year of probation. "Yeah, probation is a great first step. If it doesn't work, is sending them to jail enough? I don't know. Whatever it takes, we're gonna try. We gotta get people making responsible decisions and make decisions not to have children and then forget about em. Too often, people just don't care about their children. For them, having children is a biological function only."

17 parents were also tested for drugs and ten failed. The drugs ranged from cocaine to marijuana.