ROCKVILLE, Md. — A 12-year-old boy in Maryland has been linked to over 20 thefts but hasn’t been charged because of state juvenile laws.
Police say the boy has been involved in a series of crimes for months. Recently, he was caught with a stolen car, but he was quickly released due to his age. In Maryland, children under 13 cannot be charged with property crimes.
This situation is frustrating for the police. We’re not trying to put a child in jail; we want to change their behavior, said Victor V. Brito, Chief of the Rockville Police Department.
Starting November 1, Maryland will require that children under 13 caught stealing cars be automatically sent to a program to address their behavior. However, some, including Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy, doubt this will solve the problem.
The plan is to send these kids through a diversion program, but that program still doesn’t exist, McCarthy said.