Mom gets probation for truancy in son's absences

WARREN (AP) -- A suburban Detroit mother convicted of truancy after school officials say her autistic son was absent or late hundreds of times in recent years has been ordered to serve probation. The Macomb Daily of Mount Clemens reports a jury found 28-year-old Andria Black of Warren guilty last Wednesday and she was sentenced by 37th District Judge John Chmura. The judge told her that she'll go to jail for 90 days if her son has any more unexcused absences from school or unjustified late arrivals. Black fought the misdemeanor charge that was brought after school officials said the boy, now 10, was chronically absent without explanation or late. Her attorneys argued officials in the Fitzgerald Public Schools and the Macomb Intermediate School District failed to pursue an alternative school schedule. Published: Mon, May 21, 2012