Parents share daughter's detention

PEARLAND, Texas -- Susan and Steven Manis say it was their fault their daughter was late for school so they shared her punishment -- spending an hour with her in detention.

The couple says their 13-year-old daughter, Jessica Dunkley, was being unfairly punished for being late six times in October and November when the family's van wouldn't start.

So when administrators insisted the Pearland Junior High School East seventh-grader would have to spend an hour in detention, they decided to go with her.

"We're more at fault than she is," said Susan Manis, who had appealed the administration's decision.

After the punishment was over, Jessica said it was "a little embarrassing" to have her mom and stepfather in detention with her. But, she said, "I'm proud of them for sticking up for what they believe in."

During the hour, the trio copied two pages from a school handbook about pillars of good citizenship.

The first one, Susan Manis pointed out, is "stand up for your convictions."