Hawaii man gets probation for making son walk 1 mile

Associated Press

LIHUE, Hawaii

A judge sentenced a Hawaii man to one year of probation and a $200 fine for making his son walk a mile home from school as a form of discipline.

Judge Kathleen Watanabe called the punishment “old-school” and no longer appropriate, the Garden Island newspaper reported Thursday.

Robert Demond of Kilauea said he picked up his son from school and asked about a matter that had been brought to his attention. When the son didn’t respond, Demond made him walk home to think about his actions.

The age of the boy is unclear. Demond’s attorney and a prosecutor didn’t immediately respond to a request seeking comment from The Associated Press.

Demond also was ordered to attend a parenting class after being convicted of endangering the welfare of a minor, a misdemeanor. Demond pleaded no contest and said he would handle the situation differently now after the case went through two courts.

Demond told Judge Watanabe in court Wednesday that he didn’t think the punishment was morally wrong or criminal. He said it was a common form of punishment when he was growing up.

Judge Watanabe said times are different today, given child predators and traffic.

Demond’s attorney Margaret Hanson argued Demond had no criminal history and isn’t a risk to the community.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Gary Nelson said the punishment was inappropriate but Demond did it to teach his son a lesson, not out of anger.