Prosecuting the Parents

Should parents face criminal charges for the violent acts of their children? On this episode of the Discovery podcast, we feature a thought-provoking conversation with assistant professor of law Shirin Bakhshay from UCLA Law. Centering on the landmark People v. Crumbley case, Bakhshay explains why the convictions of the parents of school shooter Ethan Crumbley represent a major — and potentially dangerous — expansion of criminal liability. Bakhshay unpacks the legal theory behind involuntary manslaughter charges against parents and why she believes the prosecution misunderstood both criminal law doctrine and modern parenting realities. Drawing on her psychology expertise, she also explores why parents are often poorly positioned to predict adolescent violence, especially amid rising youth mental health struggles, social isolation and widespread access to guns. Bakhshay also advocates for prevention-focused responses rooted in schools, mental health resources and community support rather than punitive prosecution after tragedy strikes.