A Virginia mother has been convicted of a misdemeanour after allowing her five-year-old son to walk unsupervised to a neighbourhood pond in their gated community.
Karyann Parkinson was found guilty of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a Class 1 misdemeanour, following an incident in June in which her son, Samuel, walked approximately half a mile alone to collect goose feathers.
The court sentenced Parkinson to six months in jail, suspended for the duration, and placed her on the state’s child abuse and neglect registry.
Parkinson said she had previously walked the route with Samuel and believed he was capable of making the journey safely. She explained that a security guard stopped her son en route to the pond, brought him home, and informed her that children were not permitted to be outside unsupervised.
When Parkinson questioned whether this was an official rule, the guard reportedly threatened to call the police. Officers and Child Protective Services responded that day, and Parkinson was charged roughly two weeks later.
The conviction has ignited debate over parenting decisions and children’s independence.
Speaking to multiple news outlets, including WAVY, Parkinson said: “I understand other people might find that uncomfortable or dangerous, and that’s okay. I’m not judging them for that. They are totally welcome to choose not to let their kids go down there. I just, I know [my son]. I knew what he was capable of. I didn’t have any concern that he would wander in, fall in, get too close, et cetera, because I knew why he was going, I knew what he was doing, and he’s obedient.”
Her solicitor has confirmed that an appeal is under way, with a hearing scheduled for 16 September.
