Illegal Things Parents Are Caught Doing

Being a parent should be an indication that a person is mature and responsible for themselves as well as capable of caring for another human being, but just because they’re all grown up doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re grownups. There are plenty of adults out there that have taken on the task of parenthood, only to still find themselves in handcuffs. You’d like to think adults should know better, but that’s not always the case. Here’s a list of reasons that parents get arrested, ranging from relatively minor to downright disgusting.

1. Drugs – There are all sorts of illegal substances out there that are available to those who are in the market for them. Some parents may find themselves getting hauled off to jail for not properly caring for their children as a result of their substance abuse or for more nefarious abuse stemming from the use of mind-altering substances. These days, the problem is no longer reserved solely for street drugs. Parents can get arrested for the abuse or illegal possession of prescription medications as well.
2. Alcohol – Public intoxication and driving while under the influence are a couple of common alcohol related reasons that parents get arrested. The ultimate hope is that children aren’t present when the crimes are being committed, but the sad truth is that far too many are.
3. Child Abuse – Whether it is sexual abuse, physical abuse or child neglect, parents may find social services knocking at their doors after a concerned adult reports their suspicions. Their children will be taken into custody of law enforcement officials until the appropriate authorities have come to take them and, in many cases, the parents will find themselves behind bars.
4. Child Missing School – Parents are responsible for making sure their children attend school. Believe it or not, in some states, if a child misses too much class time, the parents may have to do some time of their own as a result of their kids’ chronic truancy.
5. Violence – Adults are faced with aggravated assault charges when they find themselves out of control and involved in violent acts with another adult. Domestic assault is a violent act committed against a spouse. There have also been accounts of parents getting arrested for encouraging their child to fight with other children.
6. Homicide – As heinous as the act is, it still occurs, and at alarming rates. News reports in major cities may carry multiple reports of homicide in the area, and some of those perpetrators are parents.
7. Theft and Larceny – Whether the result of compulsion or desperation borne of poverty, parents can get arrested for theft, burglary and related charges just as easily as a perpetrator without progeny.
8. Contributing to Minors – Cigarettes, alcohol and drugs are off limits to kids for good reason. If they’re found to be in possession of them and confess that they were presented by an adult with the misguided idea that providing illicit substances to their kids keeps them from trying to procure them from less savory sources, it’s not uncommon for the parent in question to be arrested.
9. Embezzlement – Embezzlement is the “fraudulent conversion of another’s property by a person who is in a position of trust.” In lay terms, it’s skimming money from an account that is not yours. Typically, embezzlement is committed by someone who does not have a prior criminal record and holds a respected position within the company or community, meaning it’s usually upstanding parents trying to keep up with the proverbial Joneses.
10. Tax Evasion – No one really wants to pay taxes, but as a law abiding citizen it is a duty that cannot be shirked. Some parents don’t hold themselves to the same regard and skip this step each year in hopes of saving a few bucks on the bottom line. If they’re caught, however, they could and sometimes do face arrest and conviction.

Parents are supposed to be role models and set good examples for their children. Children look up to their parents and watch the behavior they model for them on a daily basis. Even in the case of minor infractions that end with no more jail time than the initial arrest, the idea or the sight of a loved and trusted parent being carted away in cuffs can be a traumatic one. If you’re not ready to give up your illegal activities, it stands to reason that you’re also not ready to parent.

Source: (http://www.aupairjobs.com/articles/10-illegal-things-parents-get-caught-doing/)