Texas Honor Student With Two Jobs Jailed for Missing Too Much School

[A930Rocket]

What do you say about this?

I have to say my kids have missed school due to sports for school and year round swimming. Both are "A" students.

Texas Honor Student With Two Jobs Jailed for Missing Too Much School - ABC News

Diane Tran was ordered to spend 24 hours in jail for missing school. (KHOU11)

May 28, 2012
The Texas judge who jailed an 11th-grade honor student for missing too much school unfairly punished the teen who works two jobs to support her siblings, one of her employers says.

"I can understand if a child is staying out of school, running around, a bad kid, getting into trouble, taking drugs," Mary Elliot, Diane Tran's boss at her weekend job, told ABC News this weekend. "I can understand why he would slap them into jail for 24 hours. But Diane doesn't do that. All she does is work and go to school."

Tran, 17, had already been warned not to miss any more time at her Houston-area school, but when Judge Lanny Moriarty heard she'd skipped again, he sent her to jail for 24 hours Wednesday, according to KHOU 11 News.

It's unclear how many days she missed but state law allows for only 10 unexcused absences in a six-month period.

Diane Tran was ordered to spend 24 hours in... View Full Size KHOU11Diane Tran was ordered to spend 24 hours in jail for missing school.
In addition to working at Elliot's wedding-planning venue, Tran works full-time at a dry cleaners. She has been supporting an older brother and a younger sister since her parents separated and her mother relocated out of state, Elliot said. Her father often works too late to come home, so she sometimes lives with Elliot's daughter.

"She's a straight-A student," Elliot said. "She keeps her grades up, but sometimes she oversleeps, because she's been working."

Tran, who was working at Elliot's venue when Elliot spoke to ABCNews.com, declined o comment.

Tran's classmate Devon Hill told the New York Daily News that Tran takes Advanced Placement classes, goes "from job to job" and stays up until 7 a.m. some nights.

When those close to Tran suggested she switch to home schooling, Tran refused because she wanted to be named among the top-10 students in her class just like her brother, Elliot said.

Judge Moriarty told KHOU 11 News that he intended to make an example of Tran.

"If you let one run loose, what are you going to do with the rest of them? Let them go, too?" Moriarty asked the TV station.

Willis High School posts the state truancy law on its website.

"Texas law is clear that children must attend school," the site says before explaining that students can only have 10 unexcused absences in a six-month period before the school files a complaint in court.

[tweezers74]

I read about this. I understand where both sides are coming from but honestly? "If you let one loose"????? Let her loose to do what? Be more responsible? Pick up another job? Seriously? Make an example of her? What? Sending out the message if you work hard and support your family, you'll get screwed? Try to get good grades and not drop out of school to support your family and you too can get 24 hours in jail? Awesome.

Honestly? Spending one night in jail is probably the best night's rest she has had in a long time. But slap her with a fee as well? That's over the top. Seriously, why do good kids even try sometimes?

Sad. I hope she kicks butt and makes a ton of money when she grows older and is able to come full circle and go meet this judge again in 10 years and say,"remember when you threw me in jail and made me pay a fine when I was trying to support my family?"

[stomachmonkey]

What an *******.

[quicksix]

Someone should open a website for donations for this gal

[genrex]

There is no mention of where the parents are. The parents are separated, but for some reason the girl is not living with either one of them. The judge should've gone after the parents and enforced the parenting plan. Stupid judge.

And inept reporting. Too many unanswered questions.

_

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by quicksix

Someone should open a website for donations for this gal

There are a couple already.

[look 171]

Why don't they go after the young gang bangers who miss many half the semester? Are they worry about a riot? Pick on the good kids, knowing they ain't gonna do squat. Ruin their already f'up lives.

[mph911]

That will teach her! Nasty, lazy, unstudious girl.
Unbelievable!!!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

That judge needs a wedgie. Followed by a swirly.

[nynor]

Judge Moriarty told KHOU 11 News that he intended to make an example of Tran.

"If you let one run loose, what are you going to do with the rest of them? Let them go, too?" Moriarty asked the TV station.


what a tool. and exactly why i vote 'no' for every single judge every single chance i get.

[HardDrive]

Is there anything in Texas that doesn't suck?

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Is there anything in Texas that doesn't suck?

One of my ex-girlfriends.

[rnln]

Reading this article, I feel pissed. If the story is true, that judge should not be sitting at that position to make unreasonable decision to screw up other innocent people.
PS: I wonder how his kids are doing at school?

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

What do you say about this?

I have to say my kids have missed school due to sports for school and year round swimming. Both are "A" students.

Texas Honor Student With Two Jobs Jailed for Missing Too Much School - ABC News

Diane Tran was ordered to spend 24 hours in jail for missing school. (KHOU11)

May 28, 2012
The Texas judge who jailed an 11th-grade honor student for missing too much school unfairly punished the teen who works two jobs to support her siblings, one of her employers says.

"I can understand if a child is staying out of school, running around, a bad kid, getting into trouble, taking drugs," Mary Elliot, Diane Tran's boss at her weekend job, told ABC News this weekend. "I can understand why he would slap them into jail for 24 hours. But Diane doesn't do that. All she does is work and go to school."

Tran, 17, had already been warned not to miss any more time at her Houston-area school, but when Judge Lanny Moriarty heard she'd skipped again, he sent her to jail for 24 hours Wednesday, according to KHOU 11 News.

It's unclear how many days she missed but state law allows for only 10 unexcused absences in a six-month period.

Diane Tran was ordered to spend 24 hours in... View Full Size KHOU11Diane Tran was ordered to spend 24 hours in jail for missing school.
In addition to working at Elliot's wedding-planning venue, Tran works full-time at a dry cleaners. She has been supporting an older brother and a younger sister since her parents separated and her mother relocated out of state, Elliot said. Her father often works too late to come home, so she sometimes lives with Elliot's daughter.

"She's a straight-A student," Elliot said. "She keeps her grades up, but sometimes she oversleeps, because she's been working."

Tran, who was working at Elliot's venue when Elliot spoke to ABCNews.com, declined o comment.

Tran's classmate Devon Hill told the New York Daily News that Tran takes Advanced Placement classes, goes "from job to job" and stays up until 7 a.m. some nights.

When those close to Tran suggested she switch to home schooling, Tran refused because she wanted to be named among the top-10 students in her class just like her brother, Elliot said.

Judge Moriarty told KHOU 11 News that he intended to make an example of Tran.

"If you let one run loose, what are you going to do with the rest of them? Let them go, too?" Moriarty asked the TV station.

Willis High School posts the state truancy law on its website.

"Texas law is clear that children must attend school," the site says before explaining that students can only have 10 unexcused absences in a six-month period before the school files a complaint in court.

[Hard-Deck]

We homeschooled our daughter the two years we were stationed in TX. This is one reason....

[PorscheGAL]

In another article it states that she is living with one of her bosses. Both parents are gone. I think the judge is upset to see someone out perform him. The same article stated that he only worked Monday-Wednesday, Thursday until 1130 and Friday is off. Sure don't want a 17 year old showing you a real work ethic.

[Jim Richards]

Rules trump results.

[slow&rusty]

That judge needs to be disbarred. I hope there is recourse.

[dennis in se pa]

1. The judge is an ahole.
2. This is BS because she doesn't have to be in school after 8th grade in most states.

[cashflyer]

Work hard, get good grades, go to jail.
That will certainly teach her a valuable lesson.

[RWebb]

the irony is that b/c of this judge, she has had over $50k raised for her on a web site someone set up to support her

you can contribute at

HelpDianeTran

Help Diane Tran | Facebook