Parents of minors arrested in city bar may face imprisonment
Parents of 230 minors arrested at a city bar may spend up to three years in prison for child neglect, a children’s officer said on Monday.
The children’s officer, based at the Milimani Law Courts, told the parents that the court will decide whether to send them to jail or recommend probation.
The officer made the revelation while handing over the last group of 26 children to their parents.
The fate of the parents will be determined by reports that will be filed by the children’s officers pursuing the matter.
CHILD NEGLECT
“If the children’s officers establish that the parents failed to take care of their children, they will be prosecuted for child neglect,” the officer told Nairobi News.
The parents will consequently answer charges of child neglect and “ will be handed a jail term between 1 year and 3 years if found guilty”
“It will now depend on the reports which will be compiled and then handed over to the senior resident magistrate,” the officer elaborated.
The officer directed the parents to take their children to Children Officers in their respective residential areas.
“ You are required to turn up for the mention of the cases against all the 230 children on December 9, 2015,” the officer directed the parents.
Senior resident magistrate Faith Munyi will be furnished with the reports before pronouncing her verdict for each of the 230 children.
PERSONAL BOND
Each parent signed a personal bond of Sh150,000 before being handed their child.
The magistrate directed the parents to ensure that they show up in court on December 9, 2015 for further directions.
The 230 children were arrested at Jerry City Club along Dubois Road while dancing, drinking and smoking bhang.
“ Hear me loud and clear. All the 230 children and their parents are required to be in court December 9,2015. The schools will have been closed. Ensure you attend court that day,” the children’s officer explained.
