Kid Breaks $132K Statue, Should Parents Have to Pay Restitution?

If you have young children, you should always keep an eye on their whereabouts and what they're getting into. Until they become adults, you are not only responsible for their safety and well being, but also for their actions.

But, should the parents for a Kansas five-year-old have to pony up over $130,000 after the child climbed on a display and broke a valuable sculpture at an Overland Park community center?

Parents of the child say that's what they're being asked to do.

The child's mother told KSHB-TV in Kansas City that the family was at a wedding reception at the Tomahawk Ridge Community Center last month when the child caused an expensive accident:

“My children are well supervised but all people get distracted,” she said.

The family has also raised concerns about the safety of the art display.

Goodman said the sculpture should have had more protection and markings around it due to its expensive price tag.

“It’s in the main walkway. Not a separate room. No plexiglass. Not protected. Not held down,” she said. “There was no border around it. There wasn’t even a sign around it that said, ‘Do not touch.’”

The report quotes a spokesperson for the City of Overland Park:

“It was a piece that was loaned to us that we are responsible for. That’s public money,” spokesperson Sean Reilly explained. “We are responsible to protect the public investment.”

Reilly defended the display at the Tomahawk Ridge Community Center and said the sculpture was never meant to be touched.

The family says they'll be speaking with their insurance company and their attorney.