Virginia Mother Appeals 7-Year Abuse Registry Listing After 5-Year-Old Son Walked Alone
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 6
Virginia Mother Appeals 7-Year Abuse Registry Listing After 5-Year-Old Son Walked Alone
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 6
Summary
Karyann Parkinson is challenging both a misdemeanor conviction and her placement on Virginia’s child abuse and neglect registry after her 5-year-old son was stopped while walking alone in their gated neighborhood.
Security brought the boy home after finding him on a familiar path past a pond collecting goose feathers, and police plus Child Protective Services then became involved.
Parkinson received a suspended 6-month jail sentence for contributing to the delinquency of a minor, but the conviction remains and the registry listing is set to last 7 years.
That listing carries practical consequences: Parkinson said she will be barred from volunteering in her son’s classroom until he reaches sixth grade.
Parkinson argues the case reflects overly fearful parenting norms, while saying her son was initially shaken by the incident but has since recovered.