If I were in their place, my instinct would be to protect my child—but protection doesn’t mean shielding them from consequences. It means guiding them through those consequences with honesty, support, and growth in mind.

Would I call the authorities? Maybe.
Would I go directly to the school first? Possibly.
But either way, I wouldn’t cover it up.

Why? Because this is a pivotal moment. A quiet, private conversation might avoid embarrassment—but it might also send the message that silence and secrecy are better than owning up. And I’d rather raise a child who learns from one hard moment than one who gets used to running from them.

That said, I’d also fight for restorative justice—not just punishment. Let them clean up the damage. Let them apologize face to face. Let them see the human impact of their actions. Juvenile records can follow a kid for years, and not all mistakes at 12 should carry lifelong labels.

Ultimately, the goal isn’t to ruin their lives—it’s to make this the moment that changes their lives.