Charleston , Kanawha County , West Virginia

A Kanawha County judge is cracking down on parents who are allowing their children to miss more than five days of school.

Seven of the eight adults who stood before Circuit Judge Duke Bloom in his courtroom Wednesday for their adult truancy cases received sentences. Six of the eight parents pleaded guilty. One was represented by an attorney and was found guilty. The other was dismissed. The adults who received sentences, all first offenders, were given 90 days of probation, five days of community service and $210.80 in fines and court fees.

Bloom warned the adults that a second offense could land them in jail. He also reiterated the importance of children attending school regularly and the hardships ahead if they continue to miss school.

Kanawha County Assistant Prosecutor Fred Giggenbach said he hopes the penalties will help hammer home the judge's message.

"Kanawha County is taking truancy cases very seriously," Giggenbach said. "Studies show that if kids don't go to school they're likely to become criminals and be incarcerated."

Kanawha County students are allowed five unexcused absences for the school year. Schools are required to document any additional missed days and bring them to the court's attention.

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