The mother of convicted school shooter Ethan Crumbley has been found guilty for her role in his crimes.
According to NBC News, Jennifer has now become the first parent of a school shooter to be held criminally responsible for the murders committed by their child. A jury convicted her on four counts of involuntary manslaughter, one for each of the victims in the tragic attack at Oxford High School in November 2021. Authorities have long pointed the finger at her and husband, James, for gifting Ethan with a semi-automatic handgun in the days leading to the shooting. Neither parent properly secured the weapon. James and Jennifer also failed to mention the gun when they were called to the school on the same day as the mass killing over a troubling drawing created by Ethan. They also didn’t remove Ethan from the school after that meeting, which may have prevented the murders.
Jennifer has long pointed the finger at James, who she claims was responsible for securing his weapons and the one given to Ethan. The teen ultimately accessed the case where the guns were stored without issue and killed four classmates: Justin Shilling, 17; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; and Hana St. Juliana, 14. Ethan, who was 15 at the time, wounded six other students and a teacher during the rampage. He was sentenced to life in prison in December 2023.
Shilling’s father, Craig Shilling, slammed Jennifer for failing to be more involved with Ethan and ignoring multiple red flags.
“Do your due diligence with your child. You cannot choose to take your own interest over your child, especially when it comes to mental health.”
Now, Jennifer faces up to 15 years in prison on each charge. James will stand trial next month on the same involuntary manslaughter charges.
