to do some parenting
That's not
their responsibility. Society is supposed to do that. The schools are supposed to teach them right from wrong - when differentiating right from wrong does not interfere with self esteem and self actualization. Churches used to be responsible for teaching that stuff, until enlightenment convinced us that the imposition of a value system that does not come from the government is some sort of violation of the child's rights.
Lately the prosecutors in my area have been throwing a child neglect charge on top of anything else there might be when a parent/caretaker commits some offense when children were with them at the time. A few drunken mommies who were out driving with the kiddies in the back seat have been charged with DUI and improper operation -- and child neglect. We've recently had a parent charged with shoplifting - and because their kiddie was with them charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and child neglect were tacked on. The shoplifting is a misdemeanor due to the dollar amount involved. Contributing is a misdemeanor because sex was not involved. Neglect is a Class Six felony - minumum of 5 years with the possibility of $25,000 also being assessed.
Even if tacking on the felony neglect charge in those cases is merely meant as a wake-up, it is a perversion of the elements of the offense. On the other hand, these three choirboy candidates seem to be suffering from some intentional ommission that meets the elements in Paragraph B:
§ 18.2-371.1. Abuse and neglect of children; penalty; abandoned infant.
A. Any parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the care of a child under the age of 18 who by willful act or omission or refusal to provide any necessary care for the child's health causes or permits serious injury to the life or health of such child shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony. For purposes of this subsection, "serious injury" shall include but not be limited to (i) disfigurement, (ii) a fracture, (iii) a severe burn or laceration, (iv) mutilation, (v) maiming, (vi) forced ingestion of dangerous substances, or (vii) life-threatening internal injuries.
B. 1. Any parent, guardian, or other person responsible for the care of a child under the age of 18 whose willful act or omission in the care of such child was so gross, wanton and culpable as to show a reckless disregard for human life shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony.
2. If a prosecution under this subsection is based solely on the accused parent having left the child at a hospital or rescue squad, it shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution of a parent under this subsection that such parent safely delivered the child to a hospital that provides 24-hour emergency services or to an attended rescue squad that employs emergency medical technicians, within the first 14 days of the child's life. In order for the affirmative defense to apply, the child shall be delivered in a manner reasonably calculated to ensure the child's safety.
C. Any parent, guardian or other person having care, custody, or control of a minor child who in good faith is under treatment solely by spiritual means through prayer in accordance with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination shall not, for that reason alone, be considered in violation of this section.
Letting your spawn go around doing stuff that will end them in prison for the rest of their life seems to me to be a gross, wanton, and reckless disregard for the outcome of said spawn's life. And besides, flogging was abolished.
stay safe.
