A Texas mother named Ashley Pardo has been arrested for allegedly assisting her son in planning a violent act at his school. Prosecutors claim she knowingly helped him by buying ammunition and tactical gear in exchange for babysitting his younger siblings.
On the day of the incident, her son arrived at Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio dressed in a mask, camouflage jacket, and tactical pants but left shortly afterward. Concerned, his grandmother alerted the police, saying that Pardo bought a gun for her son.
The grandmother discovered alarming items in the boy’s room, including live ammunition and a makeshift explosive made from a firework. Disturbingly, the child had written the name of an individual involved in a tragic mosque attack in New Zealand in 2019 on that explosive. Reports indicate that Pardo took her son to a military surplus store where they purchased tactical gear like vests and helmets.
Before heading to school, the boy told his grandmother he was "going to be famous." He had been previously investigated for making threatening online posts. School officials had also found a map he drew labeled "suicide route." In April, he faced suspension for researching mass shootings using school computers.
Pardo is accused of supporting her son’s troubling behavior. Court documents reveal that she expressed approval of his violent drawings and showed little concern. Charged with aiding in terrorism, she was released on bail and is set to return to court later.
This case highlights a disturbing trend. Authorities are increasingly holding parents responsible for their children’s violent actions. Last year, the parents of a school shooter in Michigan were convicted of manslaughter for buying their son a gun, which he used during a deadly attack. In Georgia, a father has faced severe charges related to his son’s school shooting.
Experts in child psychology suggest that parental involvement is crucial in addressing violent tendencies in young people. Research shows that early intervention can significantly alter a child’s trajectory, underscoring the importance of nurturing a supportive environment.
As conversations around school safety evolve, many communities are taking a harder look at the role of parents in preventing youth violence. This incident serves as a jarring reminder that awareness and proactive action can make a difference in safeguarding our schools.
For further reading on this topic, you may refer to resources from Education Week and the National Institute of Justice on school safety and parental accountability.