For a child, a parent being handcuffed and taken to jail is a terrible scenario to experience. Having a parent arrested can cause confusion and emotional trauma for the child.

According to a 2014 report from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, an estimated 809,800 people held in the nation’s prisons were parents of minor children. An estimated 1.7 million children in the United States had a parent serving time in the prison system.

These numbers do not take into account the number of parents serving time behind bars in local and county jails.

In a situation where a parent is arrested, a child may fear that their parent will be hurt. A child may feel the need to cling to their parent to avoid separation and the perceived loss of the parent’s protection.

There are in fact steps you can take to give a feeling of security to a child whose parent has just been arrested.

Acknowledge the parent’s significance to the child

This is especially important when dealing with children 4 years of age and younger. Saying something like, “I know you love your parents,” is an effective way to let the child know that you understand their feelings and care about them and what they are dealing with.

Letting the child know that you realize they are scared and assuring them that no one is going to harm their parent can also help put a child’s mind at ease.

Explain the basic facts to the child

For a child 4 to 5 years old, explain to them the process that has taken place around them.

Inform the child that the police are arresting their parent and reassure the child that they are not to blame for their parent’s arrest.

Be honest with the child

The child may have a lot of questions about what’s happening. Don’t pretend that you know all of the answers. If the child asks a question you don’t know the answer to, tell them you will find the answer for them.

Conclusion:

Protecting a child while also honestly informing them of a situation where they have a parent being arrested is a delicate balance.

For 20 years, Thad Moody Bail Bonds has served the families of Sequoyah County by providing 24-hour bail bonding service. Keeping families together and protecting the due process of the law are why we are in business.  

Written by Lance Montgomery

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