Parents Arrested for Giving Their Kids Home Tattoos

by Brett Singer (Subscribe to Brett Singer's posts) Jan 4th 2010 1:40PM

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How not to win a parenting award? Tattoo your child. Credit: Getty Images

Patty Jo Marsh and Jacob Bartels have tattoos. They decided that six of their children should have them as well. But tattooing children is illegal in Georgia, as is giving tattoos without a license, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The couple was arrested on December 28th and charged with tattooing and reckless conduct, both misdemeanors, and cruelty to children, which is a felony, according to the arrest report. They were released on December 29th on a $10,000 property bond.

According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the homemade tattoo machine Marsh and Bartels used is made from "electrical cord, spliced wiring and a guitar string for a needle." The Free Press reports that Marsh and Bartels used the machine on themselves the same day, all with the same needle/guitar string.

The couple has seven children in their care, ages 17, 15, 12, 11, 11, 10 and 7. The 7-year-old did not receive a tattoo because Marsh and Bartels decided he was "too young," Chattooga County Sheriff John Everett told the Free Press in an interview. Everett also said that he thought this case was "unusual," and that he has "never seen parents tattooing their kids like that."

The six children received their tats after Thanksgiving; Marsh said that the children wanted to get them so they could be like their parents, according to the Journal Constitution. Marsh is not the biological mother of all seven children (Newser.com describes the household as a "blended family"); Sheriff Everett told the Free Press that one of the 11-year-olds was visiting his biological mother after Christmas when the mother noticed the tattoo, described as "a small X," on her daughter's hand. The child claimed the tattoo was temporary, according to the Sheriff, and when the mother couldn't wash it off, she called Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services, who notified police.

The children were temporarily removed from Marsh and Bartel's custody and were quickly returned. Marsh is quoted in published reports as saying, "If I'm such a bad parent, then how come they brought the kids back right after I got out jail?" Marsh said that she didn't know that tattooing without a license is illegal in Georgia, nor was she aware that it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to get a tattoo.

Except that not knowing the law is not a defense, or as lawyers put it, "Ignorantia juris non excusat." The bottom line in this case is that laws were broken in Georgia, and there may be legal consequences. Bad parenting, however, is not illegal anywhere.

Would you let one of your children under 18 get a tattoo?

Related: How Risky Are Tattoos?, Parent Vs. Parent: Tattoos, Temporary and Otherwise

Comments (152)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)

Elizabeth 1-04-2010 @ 2:09PM

The thing about tattoos is that, while they are popular, people need to remember that for the most part they are PERMANENT! I have no problem whatsoever with people getting tattoos (I have three myself) as long as what they tattoo is meaningful to that person and they have thought about it and had the desire for at least a year. I don't think children as young as 12 should be getting tattooed because as everyone knows, what you like and are interested in as a 12-year-old may not necessarily be the same as what you like and are interested in as an 18-year-old, or even in some cases as a 13-year-old. To put something that permanent on your body just to be like someone else is just stupid, and probably a reason most places want you to be 18 before getting a tat.

That being said, if you're going to get a tattoo, for god's sake, don't get it from someone who isn't licensed and isn't using a proper tattoo gun! It's one thing to get a "garage tattoo" from a friend who does it professionally and just brought the gun home, it's quite another to use the same needle! That's a great way to spread diseases! I can see how the children were endangered from that, and why they were taken away. If you're dumb enough to use the same needle to tattoo seven different people, you should have your kids taken away. I don't have a problem with minors getting tattoos if that is their desire with their parent's permission. I do have a problem with people endangering their children's health because of their ignorance.

Al Schrader 1-04-2010 @ 4:17PM

I don't have a tattoo, but people can get a tattoo of me on them if they like. I'll even pay for it ! Al-

Al Schrader 1-04-2010 @ 4:19PM

(Adults only)

cap10m 1-04-2010 @ 6:32PM

Wow! That is one crowded trailer! You might be a redneck if.... Anyway.......Here's your sign!

Susan 1-04-2010 @ 4:40PM

These two parents are real prize packages. With parents
like this, do these children have a chance in life?

rocky 1-04-2010 @ 2:15PM

definate no no ! a tattoo is an adult cituation and decision. if the kids wanted to smoke because they want to be like everyone else, would those parents have condoned that? the old saying..... if your friends were to jump in a lake?..... besides, when those kids get older they may regret having the tattoo. it could also affect getting a job. the parents need a reality check. i say press the charges, fine them, throw the book at them. they should hv told the kids they might regret it later in life and that when they turn 18yrs old, they can make that decision on their own. and for them not knowing the law, well anyone knows that it is wrong to use the same needle on each person ... even if your related. those parents are stupid stupid stupid!!!!

MaximumJoe 1-04-2010 @ 2:16PM

I am covered in tats and think they are great if you want one, but this to young and very irresponsible of the parents.

bbearitall 1-04-2010 @ 2:50PM

Maximum - you are 100 percent correct!

CINDY 1-04-2010 @ 7:03PM

I think it's just another "PLOY" by the goverment to force adults to raise childen as THEY SEE FIT!! Parents used to be the "SOUL DECISION MAKERS", when it came to their kids!! Now parents can't even touch their kids, even when their kids DESERVE A SLAP!!!! Personally, I think that sucks!!!!

Karen 1-04-2010 @ 7:20PM

Cindy...........I do think parents are the "soul" decision makers for their children, but I also think you meant "sole" decision maker in your comment and for the most part I think you are correct, but not in this instance of unlicensed tatooing of underage children.

richard roney 1-04-2010 @ 2:35PM

i love the mom when she was on t.v. "i didn't do anything wrong"...duh...i'm not sure you are capable of being a mom..a child can't sign a contract or informed consent...there is a reason for that...

Patriots1167 1-04-2010 @ 2:41PM

These parents should've been mentally examined BEFORE they had children. What total rednecks to do this to their children. Dawin's Theory of Evolution proved these parents are dangerously STUPID and should have been spayed / neutered (10) yrs. ago!
Simply unbelievable folks....UNbelievable!

txgrl4lf21 1-04-2010 @ 2:55PM

This was bad parenting (and completely stupid) but the redneck reference was off base, I know lots of people who fit the description of a redneck (someone who works outside and therefore has a "red neck" - sunburn or permanent darkening on the neck) who would never do something so careless!

1hd_gurl 1-04-2010 @ 5:46PM

first of all, where did you learn to spell? i think you got "dawin" misspelled. i dont know where your from, but fyi it aint just a redneck thing to get tats. i'm a redneck hillbilly from back in the sticks and i have several tats as well as my 16 yr old kid,(all done by a pro), who seems to be way more mature about things than you are. I gave my consent to let my kid get inked because she took her time thinking about what she wanted and where she wanted them at, and all her ink is covered by her clothing and she did not have to get undressed to get any of the 10 tats she has, they are all small and concealed and they all have a special meaning to her. I think your comment is stupid, not all the rednecks. I have seen many people who aren't rednecks that have tats and i've seen many rednecks who don't have tats. Its a personal choice of each person whether to get inked or not, and you shouldn't judge people because they have tats. Also IF it came down to my kid getiing inked or going out with friends and take a chance on her being in danger i would much rather her get a tat, atleast ink can be removed, you can't bring them back if they get killed.

jessica 1-04-2010 @ 2:41PM

What the heck? I would be mad if someone gave my 10 year old a X tattoo. Heck it's not even something cool it's an X!!

I'm all for tattoos Heck I have two of them and plain on getting more, but I think they should mean something to the person getting them. Not with a homemade machine, by your stepmomhalfdadsisterscousinbrother

heidi 1-04-2010 @ 2:43PM

Tattoos are for adults if they want to do it,not for children. These children should be taken away from their parents. This is total neglect from the parents,put them in jail.

holly 1-04-2010 @ 2:46PM

Those kids should be taken from them and never given back.

trowgotn 1-04-2010 @ 2:48PM

No wonder they got arrested, even if they are your kids, you have the duty to protect them not tag them!! Impulse control needs to be advised to them and others before putting anything on your body for the rest of your life. Lets put it this way, when I was in grade school, none of us has tats...nuff said