MADISONVILLE, Ky. —  A judge in western Kentucky has sent a woman to jail because her son wouldn't go to school.

Samantha Kinney of Earlington pleaded guilty to failing to keep her son in middle school classes. The court in Madisonville sentenced Kinney to a week on jail on her second offense. She had pleaded guilty to a like charge in December.

Records show the boy had 16 unexcused absences this school year, besides medical absences.

Hopkins County Attorney Todd P'Pool said sending a parent to jail is the final alternative in a chronic truancy case. He said the case marks the first time it's happened in Hopkins County.