OCALA, Fla. (WFLA) — Two Marion County, Florida, parents were recently jailed for not ensuring their children were attending school.
According to a release, Truancy Court Judge Brad King, who oversaw both cases, sentenced one parent to six months behind bars and another to 90 days for failing to guarantee their children were showing up to class regularly and in a timely manner.
One of the cases involved a student who had been absent for 120 days since the start of the school year in August 2024.
Attendance average highest it has been in 5 years at Marion County
Marion County Public Schools said it looks to the Truancy court as a last-ditch effort to hold parents accountable for their children and make certain their school-aged children are participating in school.
The daily attendance average for Marion County currently stands at 91.28%, the highest it has been in five years. This statistic supports the positive impact of Truancy Court on the attendance rate.
So far in Marion County this school year alone seven parents have been jailed for disobeying court orders and 26 truancy cases have been dismissed for improved attendance.
Truancy cases are inclusive of all grade levels and students aged 6-17.