79 Kids Serving Life: U.S. Faces Growing Criticism
In the U.S., 79 children under 14 are serving life without parole, sparking outrage from human rights advocates. Many were convicted of serious crimes—some without using violence—and often come from troubled, impoverished backgrounds.
A key case is Lionel Tate, sentenced at age 12 after a fatal play fight. His story ignited national debate over life sentences for minors.
Despite a 2012 Supreme Court ruling banning mandatory life terms for juveniles, many of these cases remain unchanged. States like Florida, Michigan, and Pennsylvania still lead in issuing such sentences.
Experts and advocates say kids deserve hope and the chance to change, urging restorative justice and sentence reviews as more humane alternatives.
