It seems like more kids are killing kids nowadays, but is life without parole really the best solution?

Calvin Lowery: Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments for a case that will determine if defendants who committed a non-homicidal crime when they were under the age of 18 can be sentenced to life without parole (Graham v FL; Sullivan v. FL). This case follows the Supreme Court's recent decision that determined executing defendants who committed a crime when they were under the age of 18 was cruel and unusual punishment (Ropers v. Simmons). These cases exemplify an increasing issue in America, "What the hell is wrong with our youth and how do we address it?"

While these cases may not directly be impacted by the Supreme Court's upcoming opinion, they can serve as an example to the crimes being committed by today's youth.

For example, yesterday Alyssa Bustamante -- 15 years old -- was charged as an adult for the murder of 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten. This young innocent girl (Elizabeth) was murdered because Bustamante "wanted to know what it felt like." Bustamante reportedly planned this crime out in cold blood. Planning that consisted of digging graves prior to the offense.

Additionally, a couple of weeks ago, momlogic readers expressed their dismay to the CNN article, "Teen Drowned 4-Year-Old to Hide Horrible Secret", where the 14-year-old defendant has been charged with special circumstances including: 1. murder, 2. child molestation, 3. kidnapping, and 4. preventing testimony. This case states that the 14-year-old drowned the 4-year-old in order to prevent the 4-year-old from notifying others that the 14-year-old was molesting the him.

Please do not forget about three minors in Florida who have been charged as adults for an attack on their "friend." This case involved three defendants who are now being charged as adults, after they doused the victim with rubbing alcohol and set him on fire.
Some parents take the law into their own hands, just today Jamar Pinkey Sr. was accused of killing his son, after allegedly forcing his son strip down out of his clothes, marching his son to a vacant lot and shooting his 15-year-old son to death, because his son may have sexually abused a toddler.

There are two approaches to address the concern: 1. try them as minors and they will be released at a predetermined age that can range from 21-25, depending on the state where the crime was committed, or 2. try them as adults where they can receive sentences that (for now) can include up to life in prison without chance for parole.

It appears that the first option is not effective -- we take minors out of the public sector, cage them up with other minors who apparently have committed crimes as well and say, for the next eight years, you have to do what you have to do to survive. Then we release them back into the community with their newly acquired social skills.

But, the alternative allows the state to look at a 13-year-old, say that you have committed a crime and you will never see the outside of a prison as long as you live.

The best approach may be to seriously attempt to reach these minors before they commit crimes that rise to his level. In almost every case, there were some warning signs. If that fails, those who have not committed heinous crimes should be placed in an environment where the sole purpose to prepare this minor to become a contributing member of society. Lastly, for those body burning, child molesting and the "I'll kill because I'm curious," murders we should ensure that the public is not exposed to undue risk, simply because someone was under the age of 18 when the crime was committed.

So I ask, "what the hell is wrong with our youth and how do we address it?"

Please tell me ...

Calvin Lowery has been married for ten years to momlogic's Keira Lowery, has four kids, is a U.S. Military Veteran (Operation Iraqi Freedom) and is currently a law student. He is all about informing people of their rights and ensuring that we all raise a responsible generation of future leaders.