However, national statistics show a decline in firearms-related deaths among children in the same time period. Malcolm, a sixth-grader at Pleasant Ridge Elementary School, also is known as Malcolm Allen in school and Hamilton County records. The discrepancy in names could not be explained by officials Wednesday. Mary Gentry, a neighbor who has lived in Kennedy Heights for more than 20 years, said Malcolm's aunt ran to her house Tuesday night and started banging on the door. But if parental responsibility does become an issue, prosecutors won't have many options.
Few laws address the legal responsibility of parents or guardians.
Ohio law allows a charge of child endangering or contributing to the delinquency of a minor if parents are found to be negligent. Both are misdemeanors. The charge carries a possible fine but no jail time. Mindy Good, spokeswoman for the county Department of Human Services, said the boy had been the subject of a children's services case, but that it was closed in 1998. We stepped in and gave her that help.