Mother Shackled And Arrested Because Of Son’s Unexcused Absences From School

Fox News has reported that a Georgia mother and substitute teacher says she was placed in shackles and arrested because of her son’s unexcused absences from school. Julie Giles wrote on her Facebook page that after she received a warrant the day before Mother’s Day, she turned herself in because her fourth grade son had 12 unexcused absences from school.

“Giles was arrested because the total is six more absences than her son’s school district allows.”

Screven County school district allows only six absences without a doctor’s note. Giles believes her arrest was unfair because her son’s doctor did issue a note for three of the absences. So, she believes she was arrested for only three unexcused absences instead of six.

Giles doesn’t think she should not have been placed in ankle shackles and arrested, even though police say it is normal procedure. She was released, but she has to appear in court on July 14. It will be determined then if she will be jailed.

The mother says 10-year-old Samuel often misses school because of illnesses. Because of her insurance’s high co-pay, she cannot afford to always take him to the doctor. She keeps him home without seeing a doctor. Besides, she says her son is an A and B student.

WTOC-TV reported that Giles’ arrest is not unusual. The school board was just abiding by the law. Screven County Schools Superintendent William Bland said arresting a parent is a last resort.

“Several parents have already been convicted in these situations this school year, after not being able to work out a solution with school officials. It’s important for these children to be in school, and I think the courts recognize that. Parents are granted multiple opportunities to work with school officials to avoid a case going to the court system.”

The mother and substitute teacher at her son’s school said she was not fingerprinted on the day of her arrest, but she was shackled, and they took her mug shot, which was in the local newspaper. In the meantime, she has reportedly spoken with officials in surrounding counties and was told they do not handle truancy cases in that manner. Giles said her family is planning to move out of Screven County.

The school district was acting within the law, even if the law seems a little harsh. A mother being in jail could potentially cause the child to be absent even more because there might not be anyone available to get him there. When Julie and Samuel were interviewed, Samuel says he feels guilty and blames himself for his mother going to jail.

Do you think Julie Giles will have to spend time in jail because of her son’s unexcused absences?

[Image via Fox News]