Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A Pierceton woman who was arrested Monday for her daughter's school truancy is out of jail today after posting $500 bond.
Norma Jean Brown, 22, of 19 EMS R4H Lane, Pierceton, was booked into Kosciusko County Jail at 7:30 p.m. Monday on charges of failing to ensure school attendance.
Her daughter, a student at Pierceton Elementary, reportedly missed 22 days of school as of March 3, and possibly more, said Molly Fishel of the Kosciusko County prosecutor's office. The number includes parent-excused absences and unexcused absences.
The truancy was reported by the school to the prosecutor's office, who sends letters to parents in such cases, said Fishel. The letters warn the parents that the county will press charges if the child's attendance does not improve.
After several weeks, the prosecutor's office calls the school to check on the situation. If the attendance is still bad, the school tells the prosecutor's office to file charges.
Kosciusko County Prosecutor David Kolbe said, "The schools are sending us cases where it's obvious that the parents are the problem, not the child."
Brown could not be reached for comment.
