(InvestigateTV) — A landmark decision was made when Jennifer and James Crumbley were charged in connection with the actions of their son.

In November 2021, Ethan Crumbley shot and killed four students at Oxford High School in Michigan.

His parents each received a prison sentence of 10 to 15 years for failing to stop what the judge called “a runaway train.”

As communities grapple with gun violence in schools, legal experts believe more parents may face criminal culpability following the deadly actions of a child.

In 2024, U.S. schools faced over 200 shootings and 58 people were killed.

One of those incidents was at Apalachee High School in Georgia. Two students and two teachers were killed in a mass shooting at the school.

The father, in that case, now faces charges of his own.

Could these cases signal a fundamental shift in the way our justice system holds parents accountable when gun safety is lacking or red flags are ignored?

Investigative Reporter Heather Graf takes an in-depth look.

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