CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) -- Lakesha Cheatham, age 38, was arrested for failing to send her children to school, according to Chesterfield Police.
Chesterfield Police said the criminal complaint was filed by a truant officer and the investigation indicated that Cheatham's three children each had at least 50 absences from school over the course of nearly two years.
"You have to go the adults in charge, because it's not the young people," said education expert, Dr. Bill Bosher.
Dr. Bosher does not know the details on this specific case, but said this kind of situation happens after schools have exhausted all other methods.
"A social worker can do a social history, attempt to go into the home to try and work with the family, try and find the cause," said Bosher.
CBS 6 went to Cheatham's home on Wednesday. A friend said she was not there at the time and did not want to comment on the complaint filed.
A spokesperson for Chesterfield County schools said the division will not comment on this specific court case.
For Bill Phillips, education is a top priority for his children. The father of two said his children want to go to school everyday.
"We rarely have occasions where my kids wouldn't attend school," said Phillips. "That's surprising to me, why a parent wouldn't place a priority on their kids being in school."
According to sources, Cheatham has a home address listed in Richmond.
CBS 6 also contacted Richmond Public Schools. A spokeswoman said the school system is also looking into the case.
