Mother Jailed For Tattooing 11 Year Old Daughter

Unlike some states it is illegal to tattoo a minor under the age of 18, even with parental consent. This is how Odessa Clay, 30, of Greensboro, N.C., ended up in jail. The heavily inked mother used her own equipment to tattoo her 11-year-old daughter after she requested a small heart outline. Clay stated that she did not know it was illegal in N.C. to tattoo anyone under the age of 18. She is now facing one count of tattooing a person under the age of 18.

“She asked me to do it,” Clay told ABC News affiliate WCTI-TV, adding that she only drew a heart outline and did not fill in the shape. Clay also believes that an ex in-law turned her in because of a previous family dispute involving the daughter’s paternal grandfather.

Although it is the law in North Carolina, I personally don’t see the big deal. The only concern I would have deal with the sterility of the equipment used, especially since she’s not a licensed tattoo artist, but you don’t have to be licensed to purchase the equipment. Although a tattoo is somewhat permanent, that is if you don’t have the money to have it removed by laser, if it’s a simple outline of a heart in an inconspicuous area what harm could it actually cause? But, of course the law is the law and unfortunately changing laws just isn’t an easy thing to do.

What do you think? State law aside, do you think it’s ok for a parent to give a child permission to get tattooed?