SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Monday, September 23 that on Thursday, September 19, 38-year-old Faustina Santana of Soledad was sentenced on a violation of probation for failure to ensure minors attend school every day and arrive on time. The violation of probation was found true by Monterey County Superior Court Judge Heidi K. Whilden.
The probation violation occurred from May 10 of 2018 thru May 31 of 2018 as her daughters failed to attend school. One of her daughters had 9 full days of absences and three partial days of unexcused absences, while her other daughter failed to attend school from May 10 of 2018 thru May 30 of 2018 and had 7 full days of absences along with 3 partial days of unexcused absences.
On Thursday, September 19, an amended criminal complaint was filed charging Santana with a misdemeanor violation of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The victim in this case is one of her daughters who accrued 24 unexcused absences during the 2018-2019 school year. Santana also has a son who had accrued 28 unexcused absences during the 2018-2019 school year. Santana pled guilty to the new charges. The court continued sentencing on that matter until October 2019.
Santana was sentenced to three years of formal probation, 90 days in jail stayed pending a review hearing on October 31, 2019, and was ordered to participate in and complete a parenting class as approved by the Monterey County Probation Department and provide proof of completion to the Court within 6 months, ensure all 4 of her children attend school every day and arrive on time, and complete and turn in their homework assignments.
It is illegal to fail to ensure your children attend school every day and arrive on time. Monterey County District Attorney’s Office Truancy Abatement Unit handles all students within the county experiencing school attendance issues. Our office strives to work with the children and families without involvement of the court system.
What parent doesn't want something better for their children and education is a key but when the law fails which in this case the McKenzie veto act failed because the parent did seek support not only to the Soledad School district but also to the courts and if you can't go to them to hire educate your children then where does a single parent seek support!!
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