Parents Should Be More Responsible for Their Kids Actions

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – With an Abaco pre-teen facing charges over a deadly boating accident and a Bimini pre-teen accused of accidentally shooting his little brother, concerns have been raised about parental accountability.

Former Cabinet Minister and attorney Algernon Allen Sr. is weighing in, insisting parents must be held more accountable.

In May, an 8-year-old boy was injured in Bimini after he was accidentally shot by his brother.

Weeks later, in June, a 15-year-old Abaco student was killed during a fishing trip near Nunjack Cay. Police said a 12-year-old was operating the vessel.

The incidents have left some asking: Should parents be held accountable when children are involved in criminal incidents?

Former Cabinet Minister and attorney Algernon Allen Sr. believes they should.

We caught up with him on the sidelines of the Small Home Repairs Contractors’ Workshop at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium.

Allen says parents should bear some of the responsibility.

Algernon Allen Sr. – Former Cabinet Minister
“As a parent, and as someone who has observed what has been happening in relation to charges involving juveniles, I do think that parents should bear more responsibility for the negligence or criminality of their children. I know what the law says, and we all must act within the law.”

According to Allen, the law is very specific on the issue.

Algernon Allen Sr. – Former Cabinet Minister
“The law doesn’t say you can’t charge the parent. In fact, the law says that the parent can be charged, and so I leave it at that.”

In relation to the Bimini shooting, the pre-teen and his 40-year-old father were both charged last month. The father faces one count of cruelty to children and one count of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.