Missouri Supreme Court Says Parents Can Be Jailed If Kids Miss More School Days Than Allowed

(Jefferson City) The Missouri Supreme Court has unanimously ruled in favor of a lower court’s decision to send two single mothers to jail because their children missed more school days than allowed.

A Laclede County Circuit Court sentenced Caitlyn Williams to seven days in jail for her 6-year-old daughter missing too much school.

Tamarae LaRue was sentenced to 15 days in jail for her 6-year-old son’s absence from school.

The high court says the State’s compulsory school attendance law is not vague like the parents argued in court.