Girl Fails GED, Dad Sent to Jail
An Ohio man who was ordered by a juvenile court judge to make sure that his daughter passed her GED exam has been sentenced to six months in jail because the teen has yet to pass the test. Brian Gegner was given the jail sentence even though his daughter Brittany doesn't even live with him, she lives with her mother.
The story began when Brittany ended up in juvenile court in 2007 for school truancy problems. At the time, the judge ordered Gegner to make sure that Brittany received her GED. As of this month, she still has not passed the General Educational Development test.
Stephanie Gegner, Brian's wife, said they did everything they could to keep Brittany in school. "You'd take her to school and she'd go out the other door," Stephanie Gegner told reporters.
Not Dad's Fault
Brittany, who lives with her fiance and 18-month-old daughter in her mother's home, also said her dad should not be punished for her failure.
"It was my wrongdoing, not his," said Brittany Gegner. "He shouldn't have to go to jail for something I did."
"Brittany is almost 19 years old now and I think it's unfair to put her father in jail," said Brittany's mother, Shana Roach. "She's an adult now, and it's not right to rip an innocent man from his home."
Brian Gegner's attorney Tamara Sack plans to appeal the sentence at a hearing later this week.
See Also:
Man Jailed When Daughter Fails to Get Diploma
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Comments
Obviously the apathetic little twit of a duaghter doesnt care about her future, or her family even though thats all shell have in the end, an i speak with experience coming from someone with the same past. Youll never get anywhere without it believe me and if it takes the state locking up your whole family that would be a shame and a burden on your concious if you have one. so Come on pick up a book, and read it dont just use it to roll your spliffs up ok, cuz books are good for many things but reading is the most beneficial.
-p.o.t.
I disagree with the method this judge is using. It is clear that the judge in this case wants the girl to understand that education is essential to a positive future, however the father here didn’t do anything wrong. The girl is legally an adult, and obviously has a family of her own to think about. It doesn’t seem that she failed her G.E.D test on purpose, nor did she mean for her father to be placed behind bars. However, it isn’t his fault that she has other priorities. Not everyone agrees with the path she has chosen, but it is still her choice to make. An innocent man should not be imprisoned because of a decision made by another person that isn’t agreeable to a third person. That is the most ridiculous think I have ever heard of!
Mrs. Paris