Ogden suit targets parents

OGDEN — If you live in Ogden and your child puts graffiti on public property, you may find yourself in court.

Prosecutors have filed a series of lawsuits against the parents of five teenagers who defaced city property with graffiti.

City officials are citing a state law where parents can be held liable when their children intentionally damage publicly owned property.

The parents could be charged $2,000 for each incident where their child was caught spray painting city property.

Ogden City Attorney Mike Junk says the five teenage boys targeted in the lawsuits are all gang members caught doing graffiti. He says the lawsuits are an attempt to put parents on notice that they can be held liable for their child's conduct.