Parents of Michigan Shooting Suspect Willfully Ignored Signs Their Son Was a Threat, Prosecutors Say

(CNN) – Prosecutors say in a document that the parents of Ethan Crumbley, suspected of opening fire at Oxford High School in Michigan, have a “higher flight risk” today than when they were charged with manslaughter charges earlier this month. In addition, prosecutors note that the couple “intentionally ignored the needs and well-being of their son, as well as the threat he posed to others.”

Ethan Crumbley, 15, was charged as an adult in the November 30 shooting at Oxford High School, that claimed the lives of four students. The attack also left seven others, six students and a teacher, injured.

Crumbley faces a charge of terrorism, four counts of premeditated murder, seven counts of assault with intent to murder and 12 counts of possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony. During the arraignment, the judge pleaded not guilty at the request of Crumbley’s attorney.

The charges against Ethan Crumbley’s parents

James and Jennifer Crumbley were arrested on four counts of manslaughter, each. They pleaded not guilty.

“The defendants were in a better position than anyone else in the world to prevent this tragedy. But they did not,” the document states.

CNN has reached out to the couple’s attorneys for comment.

The prosecutors ‘document is a response to the Crumbleys’ request to modify the bond against them. In that sense, the file details how the couple owes more than US $ 11,000 in their house payments, has sold their horses and “has already shown that they will flee if they get the chance“The document also indicates that the parents had four cell phones at the time of their arrest and” attempted to destroy “one of them.

In the text, prosecutors said the bail was “correctly set” at $ 500,000.

“The facts in the brief we are filing in court today speak for themselves,” said David Williams, Oakland County, Michigan, deputy chief prosecutor. “And based on those facts, we strongly believe that bail for James and Jennifer Crumbley was properly set.”

The document maintains that when the Crumbleys left their son’s school on November 30, a little over an hour before the shooting began, they knew Ethan was depressed and “fascinated with guns.”

The prosecutors’ text details Ethan Crumbley’s state of mind in the six months leading up to the shooting. In that sense, he maintains that his parents knew that he was “sadder than usual.” Also that his only friend had moved away. And that he was sending disturbing text messages to his mother about his state of mind.

“They focused on their own problems”

Prosecutors say that while their son was struggling, his parents spent several hours a night – three to four nights a week – in a stable caring for their horses. They also record that one of the parents was having extramarital affairs.

The document emphasizes that the defendants focused on their “own problems,” including “substance abuse problems.”

Prosecutors also point out that Ethan Crumbley had been torturing animals. And that he had the “head of a little bird in a jar on the floor of his room.”

“Instead of paying attention to their son and providing help, they bought him a gun,” the record says.

Prosecutors say his case against Ethan Crumbley’s parents is “stronger”

Prosecutors indicate in the document that, after the shooting, the Crumbleys hired lawyers for themselves, but not for their son. They add that Jennifer Crumbley told a co-worker in a text message that “her son’s fate was already defined and that she had to take care of herself.”

Prosecutors accuse the Crumbleys of “willfully ignoring” clear evidence that their son posed a serious risk to other students on the day of the shooting. Hence they argue that all parents had to do was tell the school that they had recently bought Ethan a gun, ask where the gun was, open his backpack “or just take it home.”

Prosecutors said their case against the couple is strong and “even stronger” than it was when they were indicted.

The document attached two versions of a drawing Ethan Crumbley allegedly made in a geometry test on the day of the shooting. Which included a picture of a gun and the words “The thoughts don’t stop. Help me.” Prosecutors now contend that Crumbley made “modifications” to the drawing after it was discovered.

“In school shootings, it is not unusual to find evidence of intent and planning after the shooting. What is new about this case is that the defendants were informed, graphically, of the serious risk that their son represented before the shooting,” he says The document.

A teacher found the drawing on Crumbley’s desk, according to prosecutors. That prompted school officials to meet with Crumbley and his parents. The latter were instructed to help seek counseling for their son within 48 hours, school officials said.

The parents refused to take their son from school that day. And Ethan was allowed to return to the classroom, according to prosecutors.

Oxford Community Schools Superintendent Tim Throne has said that since the suspect had no prior disciplinary actions on his record, school counselors decided to allow him to return to class. Instead of sending him to what they thought would be an empty house.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSAhas a national helpline, 800-662-HELP (4357), which provides free, confidential treatment information and assignment in English and Spanish 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Everyday of the year.

CNN’s Carolyn Sung contributed to this report.