Parents of Michigan school shooter jailed in historic case

The parents of an American school shooter have been sentenced to at least 10 years in prison for failing to take steps that could have prevented the killing of four students in 2021.

Jennifer and James Crumbley, from Michigan, are the first parents convicted in a US mass school shooting.

They were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter after prosecutors presented evidence of an unsecured gun at home and indifference toward their son’s mental health.

The shooting happened after Ethan Crumbley drew dark images of a gun, a bullet and a wounded man on a maths assignment, accompanied by despondent phrases.

Staff at Oxford High School did not demand he go home but were surprised when the Crumbleys didn't offer to take him during a brief meeting on November 30, 2021.

Later that day, the 15-year-old pulled a handgun from his backpack and began shooting at the school. Ethan, now 17, is serving a life sentence for murder and other crimes.

The sentence comes after parents of his victims asked the judge to sentence them to 10 years in prison, condemning them as failures whose selfishness led to four deaths and a community tragedy.

"The blood of our children is on your hands, too," said Craig Shilling, wearing a hoodie with the image of son Justin Shilling on his chest.

Nicole Beausoleil, the mother of Madisyn Baldwin, recalled simple things she enjoyed doing for her daughter, such as scheduling an oil change for her car or helping choose senior year classes.

"While you were purchasing a gun for your son and leaving it unlocked, I was helping her finish her college essays," Ms Beausoleil told James and Jennifer Crumbley.

The couple did not know their son was planning the shooting at Oxford High. But prosecutors said they failed to safely store a gun and could have prevented the shooting by removing the 15-year-old from school when confronted with his dark drawing that day.

In a court filing, defense attorney Shannon Smith said Jennifer Crumbley is "not a threat to the community," and she's even willing to put her up in a guest house at the lawyer's property, outfitted with an electronic tether.

"Putting Mrs Crumbley in prison does nothing to further deter others from committing like offenses," Ms Smith said. "There is no person who would want the events of November 30, 2021, to repeat themselves."

Ms Smith said "any gross negligence" were mistakes "that any parent could make."

Mariell Lehman, a lawyer representing James Crumbley, said the nearly two-and-a-half years spent in jail since the couple's arrest is enough time in custody. His wife, too, has been in jail, both unable to post a $500,000 bond before trial.

James Crumbley "did not believe that there was reason to be concerned that his son was a threat to anyone", Ms Lehman said.

Asked about Ethan reporting hallucinations months before the shooting, Jennifer Crumbley, 46, told jurors he was simply "messing around”.