LAWRENCE CO. – Two Springville parents are facing educational neglect charges after their elementary school children accumulated numerous unexcused absences and tardies since the start of the 2024-25 school year.
Matthew S. Frazier and Heather N. Collins were charged with neglect of a dependent after their children, ages 8 and 11, missed substantial classroom time at Dollens Elementary School between August and November 2024.
Frazier was arrested on a warrant on Friday, December 13, 2024. Collins was arrested on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
Frazier is scheduled to appear for his initial hearing on January 14, 2025, in Lawrence County Superior Court I at 1:30 p.m.
Collins is scheduled to appear in Lawrence County Superior Court I on March 13, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. for a pretrial conference. Her jury trial is scheduled for June 11-13.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by School Resource Officer Corey D. Housel, the 11-year-old fourth grader has only been present “bell-to-bell” for 6 out of 67 school days, accumulating 17 unexcused absences and 33 unexcused tardies.
The 8-year-old third grader has recorded 14 unexcused absences and 34 unexcused tardies during the same period.
A Community Chronic Absenteeism/Truancy Panel, comprising representatives from various agencies, including United Way, Department of Child Services, and Lawrence County Juvenile Probation, attempted to intervene. The panel offered support services to the family, but according to court documents, these services were declined, and the child’s attendance declined further.
“The panel was of the opinion it was not the children’s fault for them missing school,” Officer Housel noted in his report.
The case was referred to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office after multiple attempts by school officials to address the attendance issues, including home visits and parent meetings, proved unsuccessful.
The charges were filed under Indiana Code 35-46-1-4(a)(4), which addresses the deprivation of education as required by law.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
