Unlike the Failure to Ensure statute, the Neglect of a Dependent statute does not contain a notification requirement. Thus, we can affirm Hamilton's Neglect of a Dependent convictions to the extent that the State met its burden of proving the elements of that crime. In presenting its case, the State seems to have assumed that violation of the compulsory attendance law would also establish educational Neglect of a Dependent. We reach this conclusion because the only evidence of educational deprivation presented by the State was that K.W. had ten absences and E.W. had four unexcused absences during a six- month period. Although we have found no reported decisions in Indiana where an individual has been convicted of neglect for depriving a child of education, a plain reading of the Neglect of a Dependent statute reveals that the State is required to prove more than a person's violation of the compulsory attendance law in order to convict that person of felony neglect.
Education is more than merely attending school as required by law.
It is the receipt of knowledge which comes from engaging in a course of study. Here, the State made no effort to show that, due to their absences, K.W.'s and E.W.'s educations were harmed to such an extent that they were deprived of the acquisition of knowledge required of children their age. Although we can foresee circumstances where a parent's failure to comply with the compulsory attendance law could result in a child being deprived of knowledge and training, the State has failed to make the required showing in this case. Accordingly, we reverse Hamilton's convictions for Neglect of a Dependent.