A 32-year-old Linton woman was arrested on Feb. 5 after her two children accumulated more than 50 uncertified absences each this school year. 

Linton Police Department Officer Jerrad Pirtle arrested Carrie Sue Crandell on a warrant for two counts each of neglect of a dependent – deprives dependent of education as required by law and compulsory school attendance law violation. The warrant was issued Jan. 30 in Greene Superior Court. 

According to a probable cause affidavit written by Brian Pilant, who serves as an officer with the Shakamak School Police Department, as of Jan. 23, Crandell’s children have 58 and 55 and a half uncertified absences. 

Per the probable cause, from Aug. 8, 2023 to Oct. 11, 2023, one child – who will be referred to as Victim 1 – had accumulated 9 and a half uncertified absences. Her second child – who will be referred to as Victim 2– had 10 uncertified absences. Pilant wrote in the probable cause that Crandell came to the school and advised him she was taking the students out of school in a few weeks as they were moving to Hawaii. Pilant informed her the kids would need to continue attending school until they moved or the absences would be counted against them.

On Sept. 22, 2023, Crandell signed the children out of school, stating they were getting ready to move. According to the probable cause affidavit, she informed the school office she had spoken to a lawyer and alleged she had seven days to enroll the children in a home school program in Hawaii. She advised she would enroll them in a home school program within that time. 

Pilant attempted to reach Crandell on Oct. 31, 2023, but was unsuccessful. On Nov. 2, 2023, per the probable cause affidavit, Crandell spoke with the school and provided information on the home school program and where records could be sent. The following day, a representative from the school office spoke with the home school program who alleged the students were not enrolled in their program. 

According to the probable cause affidavit, Crandell informed the school on Nov. 9, 2023 that she was moving back to Indiana in three weeks. When asked if she was going to educate the children, she provided no response. 

On Dec. 4, Crandell visited the school and signed attendance paperwork for both Victim 1 and Victim 2. 

At the start of the new year, Pilant attempted to reach Crandell regarding missed days without doctor’s slips. She returned the call and advised she would come in to sign home school paperwork. She alleged she sent an email to the assistant principal; however, the assistant principal advised an email was never received. 

As of Jan. 23, Victim 1 had 58 uncertified absences, while Victim 2 had 55 and a half uncertified absences. 

Crandell faces two counts of neglect of a dependent – deprives dependent of education as required by law, a Level 6 Felony, and two counts of compulsory school attendance violation, a Class B Misdemeanor.

She was arrested Feb. 5 and transported to Greene County Jail where her bond was set at $9,000 surety with 10% cash allowed. 

She is set to appear in Greene Superior Court on Feb. 7 for an initial hearing.