THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Kent Pantry, wantsparents to be held accountable for children, involved in sexual cases, who failto turn up for court.

Mr. Pantry noted last week that there have been several cases involving children who have sexual relations with bus drivers and taxi operators. He said he was concerned about, what he considered, the absence of parental care of the affected minors.

According to the DPP, the parents need to be held legally responsiblefor the actions of the children.

"It would appear that some mothers have been hiding their childrenand collecting money from the persons who get them pregnant,"� he said. Ibelieve that it"s time for some of these mothers to come within the ambitof the Child Care and Protection Act. �

Mr. Pantry was speaking at a meeting of the Rotary Club of New Kingston, held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, last Friday.