Mom of chronically truant boy arrested, faces jail time

Golden Gates single mom Amy Pullella she could lose her freedom later this month because her son, Kevin, missed 83 days of the 180 days he was required to be in school in the 2009-10 school year, reports the Naples Daily News. This mom was arrested and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor because she failed to require her child to attend Gulfview Middle School in Naples. Collier County has Truancy Court for students who have attendance issues. Parents also can be affected by the court if they are aware that their child is habitually truant and they fail to get involved. If they fail, they can be convicted of a second-degree misdemeanor and serve up to 60 days in jail, reports the Naples Daily News. Pullella was arrested in July on a charge of refusing or failing to require her child to attend school. Then, in November, a second charge was added: Causing, encouraging or contributing to the delinquency of a minor was added, according to the Naples Daily News. Pullella told the Naples Daily News that she was offered several pleas by the prosecutor’s office, but turned them all down. “I am not going to take a conviction on something I am innocent on,” she told the Naples Daily News.

Pullella also lost her job along the way. She filed suit against the Collier County circuit judge, the schools superintendent, and a district representative, contending that Truancy Court proceedings and daytime court proceedings would deprive her of employment and income, the only means of financial support, according to the Naples Daily News. Mom admits there were other problems: Her son once got into an open bottle of wine in a cabinet after she was asleep. She also said he once attacked her and was sick, which prompted her to call 911, reports the Naples Daily News. In August, the Department of Children and Family Services removed Kevin from his mom’s home and placed him in Youth Haven, a shelter. Pullella has supervised visits with her son once a week, according to the Naples Daily News. “If I go to jail, who is going to take care of my son? The taxpayers,” Pullella told the Naples Daily News. “If I can’t find a job because I have a record, who is going to pay for that? The taxpayers. It’s sickening. It’s not helping. They never gave us a chance.” Photo: Collier County Sheriff’s Office / Naples Daily News More FloriDUH

Original post:�
Mom of chronically truant boy arrested, faces jail time

Leave a comment

Name (required)

E-mail (required)

URI

Your Message