However, I would also want to ask some pointed and direct questions if the parents were being belligerent, to discover why they appeared to be hostile. Perhaps they were embarrassed by their child's behavior and were acting defensively. In that case I would try my best to talk to them in a non-threatening manner, making sure they understood that we were not trying to persecute their son (or daughter) but rather, to correct deviant, anti-social, and harmful behavior. I would avoid arguing with them if the parents refused to believe that their child had done anything wrong.

We cannot tolerate stealing at school. Therefore, I would drive home the point that the next time the student is caught stealing that we might have to alert the authorities. I would report the misbehavior to the student's teachers and to the school administrators, so that they would know what was going on...
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