Well, the National Committee For Families and Children has a problem with that. They sent out a press release today condemning police for mishandling a case with a minor.

The NCFC says, that it quote, "condemns the recent report of a 13-year-old minor being criminally charged for alleged possession of a firearm in the absence of his parent(s), a Community Rehabilitation Officer or a Justice of the Peace" End quote.

The NCFC says that in the Juvenile Offenders Act, if an accused person is under the age of 14 years-old, the police have an obligation to warn the parents or guardians of this juvenile defendant, that the child will have to appear in the Magistrate's Court on a particular day. That parent must also attend.

The NCFC concluded their statement saying, quote, "We also call on the police department to conduct an urgent and thorough investigation into this case, given the differing views of the family and police officers." End quote.

Deputy Police Commissioner Chester Williams had a response to the NCFC release a few hours later.

While he agreed that the rights of the 13-year-old must be respected, he pointed out that the police properly followed the law when the 13 year-old was charged.

He statement says, quote, "...immediately after the incident the child's grandmother was on the scene and the father was immediately contacted. As is expected, the father would not accept what the child had allegedly did, and as such he refused to cooperate with the police. When the police were prepared to formally charge the child, the father was asked again to be present, and he refused. In keeping with the law, the police summoned the presence of a Justice of the Peace to witness the process."

He concludes his statement by saying, quote, "We are prepared to join forces with NCFC to develop a plan to address the issue of children who are involved in gangs and other criminal activities…Together let's work to preserve our children…" End quote.