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Purcellville woman found guilty of childrens constant tardiness | LoudounTimes.com

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Purcellville woman found guilty of childrens constant tardiness

Thursday, Mar. 1, 2012 by Laura Peters | 43 comments | Email this story

25 A Purcellville mother charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor in connection with her childrens constant tardiness to school was found guilty Feb. 29 by Judge Pam Brooks. Maureen Blake, 42, was found guilty of three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, Class 1 misdemeanors, and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine for each of her three children. She was also ordered to pay $3,000 in court fees, which can be waived if she pays her fines on time from now until March 2013. Blake was served a warrant on Jan. 21, informing her to appear in court on Jan. 25. She was released on a $3,000 bond the same day. Her three children attend Lincoln Elementary in western Loudoun, close to where the muchpublicized Denicore familys children attend and have been cited for excessive tardies. Mark and Amy Denicore appeared in court Feb. 6 after they were summoned for their daughter Sophies excessive tardies to school. The Denicores three children have been tardy 85 times since September, but have only missed less than three hours each of school. Mark Denicore, a lawyer, said he could potentially lose his license to practice if he loses the case and could pay up to $3,000 in fines for his childrens tardiness. The couple will go to trial March 14. In Blakes case between Sept. 10, 2011, and Jan. 19, 2012, her 7-year-old was late 11 times, her 9-year-old was late nine times and her 10-year-old was late 10 times. Blake first got notice of the excessive tardies in 2009 and was later brought to court in 2010, where she pleaded no contest and paid $1,850 total in finds for her four children one which is now in middle school. After she was arrested in January, her children have only been late twice. Blake defended her childrens tardies, saying she has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which effects her daily life. She said that her husband bought her an electric teapot because she had burned six teapots in one year by placing them on the stove and forgetting about them. I have outsourced the driving which is helpful as the driver is less prone to misplace things like glasses and keys and purse as I am prone to do at times, Blake said. I hired a life coach two years ago, as well as have had therapists and counselors over the years both individually and for my children to work on family issues, she continued. I currently have two doctors I work with to manage my own medical issues in conjunction with my life coach, medication and support of medical care and friends who are supportive in assisting are essential for me to remain organized and successful. According to the Commonwealth Attorneys Office, Blake was in violation of Virginia Code and the Student Rights and Responsibilities Act that says students should be in school the same amount of hours each day. According to Wayde Byard, Loudoun County Schools public information officer, Loudoun County Juvenile and Domestic Relation judges have asked the school system to report excessive absences or tardies to them.
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The judges have asked for the reports from the schools for a year. But, according to Byard, the school system tries to work out constant absence and tardy problems with the parents directly before taking the next step. This is not a position we want parents to be in, Byard said. The schools do everything in their power to help families who encounter difficulties in getting their children to school, Byard said. But if the family isnt receptive, the schools need to take it to the next level. All we do is report to the court intake officer and from there its the legal system, Byard said. The judges ask to see all of the excessive absences of tardiness. We dont issue summons, we dont send out deputies. Thats up to the court to do that. Byard also said that in the beginning of each year, parents sign a Student Rights and Responsibilities packet that addresses their attendance policy.
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Under the Students Rights and Responsibilities, after 15 or more consecutive absences or excessive tardies the Virginia Administrative Code requires the student be dropped from the attendance rolls. Its then up to the principal to discipline the child. If any student gets a minimum of five unexcused absences, a parent or guardian is required to provide the school with documentation from a licensed physician in regards to their absence. 25
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Mon, Mar 05 at 12:27 PM by What about the kids... | Report this comment

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Show a little compassion and you know this because????? I would suspect social services checks in with her weekly if not daily. Burning 8 teapots in 1 year shows she has major issues. If something were to happen to 1 of her kids while in her care, many on here defending her would cry foul to the govt for not doing more.
Mon, Mar 05 at 12:18 PM by common sense in loudoun | Report this comment

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Perhaps this woman shouldnt have any kids, or the husband should stay at home with the kids. Seems like there are more issues at play with this mom. To the folks out there that think this is excessive, youd be the first to complain about the schools not doing their job(or social services), if these kids wound up hurt/dead. If theyre tardy to school, perhaps the mom forgets to feed them? or when theyre sick, forgets to take them to the doctor. Perhaps the kids should be moved to foster parents???
Mon, Mar 05 at 11:02 AM by Rick | Report this comment

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WOW ! ALL MY YEARS GOING TO SCHOOL AND I WAS NEVER LATE. GOOD THING FOR HOME SCHOOLING.......
Mon, Mar 05 at 09:14 AM by Busy Loudoun Mom | Report this comment

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Ive got 8 kids (ages 2-14), I work full time, Ive got a husband that travels extensively and my kids have never been late for school. This woman has no legitimate excuse for her lack of being a responsible parent.
Mon, Mar 05 at 08:24 AM by mom with children | Report this comment

WOW first off - I do not know the families involved, but until you walk in their shoes dont pass judgement. The fines are excessive, the better fine would be community hours - for the parents - alot of hate on here - She is fined $3000 and other real criminals like Diane Atari get off scott free - WTH is wrong