Sins of the Child

On November 30, 2021, when Ethan Crumbley opened fire on his classmates at Oxford High School killing four students, the reactions to this modern American phenomenon were sadly familiar. The events that unfolded in the aftermath of the Michigan shooting, however, were anything but. The teenage assailant’s parents, Jennifer and James, were thrust into the national spotlight, when, in an unprecedented turn of events, the two were charged in connection with their son’s acts of violence. Raising questions about parental responsibility, agency and what could have been done to prevent the heartbreaking tragedy, Law and Crime presents the most in-depth analysis to date – exploring these complex questions and more by taking you behind the scenes of the historic trials of Jennifer and James Crumbley in SINS OF THE CHILD. 

Binge all episodes of Sins of the Child ad-free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/sins-of-the-child/ now.

AVAILABLE NOW: LUIGI by Law&Crime
Mar 24, 2025 – 00:05:39
Reckoning: 7
Sep 25, 2024 – 00:59:12
Playing Oblivious: 6
Sep 18, 2024 – 00:48:40
Gross Negligence: 5
Sep 11, 2024 – 00:59:15
The Impact and The Fallout: 4
Sep 4, 2024 – 00:57:15
Life Without Parole: 3
Aug 28, 2024 – 00:54:01
Wanted: 2
Aug 28, 2024 – 00:31:19
Fifteen Minutes of Terror: 1
May 22, 2024 – 00:25:21
Introducing: Sins of the Child
May 7, 2024 – 00:02:12

Recent Reviews

linnygrissle

Couldn’t make it through two…

Sorry, Charlie Langton is too animated for this. Barely Got through the first episode. If I didn’t already know this case really well, this would have been confusing. Jumped from one unidentified recorded voice to another with no context.
martinritter

Not a real podcast

I’m on the fourth episode and while I am interested in the story, the podcast itself is nothing more than a string of recorded comments from many unidentified people, strung together with minimal robotic narration, and there is certainly no investigation or compelling storytelling. The first couple of episodes are particularly all over the place. The podcast is basically just playing public record testimony and comments from other reporters. I also do not like the narrator because she sounds like she’s happy and smiling while she talks about this horrific story. And to jump on someone else’s comment, there is not a word said about the school’s negligence in this situation. This could’ve been a great podcast if it was done by someone else who is an actual journalist.
Jessiesue1612

Irrational & Lacking

Love me some Law & Crime, however this couldn’t be more biased. Neutral and concise is the best approach, but this is so different from the others. Hate the Crumbley’s but can you just be neutral and accurately tell the COMPLETE story.
AJR835333

No actual reporting. Very thin.

Court proceedings are interesting, and there are a few things that you may have learned if you hadn’t read already. But you hear that WE NEED THE TRUTH without context to what the speaker means. There is one interview with a firsthand source — and it literally comes in the last ten mins of the series. It’s a tremendously sad story, and this tells you nothing you don’t already know, while avoiding many important issues.
kristi821

sad story, well done podcast

i liked the way this podcast was done. i thought it was very well presented. i saw a lot of complaints about the local reporter but i think that kept my interest, rather than just our host. this story is awful. i wish something was done to prevent it. many parents need to do better. be a better, more-aware parent to your kid. know what is going on, or at least try to, and do something to help them, especially if you’re seeing signs. the school also should have done better.
PW from GR

So well done

I live in Michigan and followed the crime and trial. I still learned much more from this well-made, written and delivered pod.
L. R. D. 2

Just ok

Interesting story. I liked the narration, didn’t like the male reporter interjecting randomly at times. I enjoyed hearing the courtroom tapes, but agree with everyone else about the story missing another perspective- from the school and the school’s negligence. Adding this would’ve been real reporting, not simply reporting what’s already been reported.
Rmbrun

Can’t stand the guy

This podcast would have been at least 4 stars if the male reporter wasn’t in it. I had to stop listening because he irritated me and didn’t add anything to the podcast.
masher1983

What about the school officials

Coverage seems biased, nobody is talking about the FACT that school administrators knew this kid was a problem and allowed him to remain in school that day. He should have been removed. Yes the parents are culpable but so is that school and it’s downright disgusting that they aren’t being called out more for it.
kjrybolt

Kind of annoying two story tellers

Kind of annoying and unnecessary to have guy jump in randomly to repeat what woman says or add a five word additive to the story that really was not important…..
Dbejjdjej

Decent podcast, can’t stand the reporter’s voice

The local male reporter who is often interjecting on the podcast has the most annoying voice in the world. Should have considered that when making something that people can only listening to/no video to distract from his super intense inflections.
dhutch312

Just a replay of court proceedings

There is no work done here
composeyourself

Powerful

This is an important look at how and when parents can be held responsible for their child’s terrible deeds. The parents in this situation were held accountable for their wrong doing. The victim impact statements were very moving and a deeply important part of the story.
Mobssummer

Great work

Not confusing at all . Also professionally written and discussed. Parents should be responsible for what they buy their children while the child is under 18 years of age. It is no different than a parent being responsible for a child’s DUI, as it open up the family to civil liability and lawsuits from car insurance policies. No one wins . Sad story .
Ree ree ree

Pretty good

I enjoyed listening to the legal arguments. It’s a little redundant at times but generally a well made podcast.
helen007!

Sensationalized without any substance.

Entertaining for those who have no interest in crime and law and just want some salacious entertainment. Completely biased towards the Good Vs Evil narrative, discounting any genuine consideration of the mental health crisis in this country. School shootings are inherently an American problem for a reason. Gruesome details over and over victims impact statements over and over and very little genuine attempt to understand the full picture.
Sarag0621

So many questions…

This is such a sad story. Tragedy upon tragedy. I don’t understand why the school was not implicated in the negligence. Why were the police not called? With the school shooting epidemic in this country there should have been more action by the school. They should have suspended the student or at least put him in detention. As far as the podcast goes I think the commentary by the host is often overly dramatic and tries to make a bigger deal of things than is necessary. Overall it’s a decent podcast.
nixfinity

More Trump

Too confusing. Less story and more Trump
Diego42326

Heartbreaking story very well told

Great job dealing with the subject matter in a sensitive way. The host is awesome. Will subscribe to Wondery for this one.
CrackedV

Why so short?

This trend toward 20 to 30 minute podcast episodes has got to go. I’m not subscribing to anything that doesn’t give me enough story to hang onto from episode to episode.