Police arrested two parents in Bessemer City on Saturday because their children had been absent from school too many days.
Michael Christopher Harris, 31, and Kellie Juanita Harris, 31, of Bessemer City Road, were arrested after their four children each had over 10 unexcused school absences from September until April, according to warrants. One of the kids were enrolled at Bessemer City Middle and the three others attend Edward D. Sadler Elementary.
Parents in North Carolina are legally responsible for making sure their children regularly attend school, and they can be charged with a misdemeanor if the unexcused absences reach 10.
Police reports show employees at the school also properly attempted to contact the children’s parents about the absences.
Michael Harris has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of probation violation and one one misdemeanor count of school attendance law violation. Kellie Harris is charged with four misdemeanor counts of school attendance law violation.
Police held Kellie Harris in Gaston County Jail on $2,500 bond. Michael Harris is held in the same place on $51,000 bond.
