Brazil mom must attend class with truant daughter

SAO PAULO (AP) — An unrepentant teenage truant has a new classmate to keep her from skipping school in southeastern Brazil: her mom.

Judge Evandro Pelarin of the Children's Court in the town of Fernandopolis says the 14-year-old girl regularly skipped class and was frequently seen in town loitering and consuming alcohol.

Pelarin told the Globo TV network Friday that the mother will have to attend classes with her daughter until the school says the problem has been solved. He did not mention any penalties should the mother not abide by his ruling.

He said the girl's parents supported his decision and agreed that attending classes with the daughter could help keep her in school.

The mother has had to quit her job as a housekeeper.