ÿWPC}  ,š3f~Ôá6B¶ø—@²!ÿ°òýÀJz´ìqKä' Bû… rŠÎ=­ù]8²¥ß{ ήì}I«2¤:k ÆÙØþÉô35”\úe—2,;ó¡ú&ÎFh)Ž]•zx\b~9Y§6®B$È ”U«‚JVåÖy:.x4áÖ9£üþJ-ÏœbÒ®? ’P¡v¤iŸ²Ñ¤Ì¨`•K÷âžÃûød™mä’0dcÕ"D‡…Ë°òÞ]mv[ßsCßálÇ=¤5¢cëÆù)zt}½gd4Š–,ÈNÉû­`ŽPÜ%Ïu¨éf*# LUNW %¥ 0(«bÓw@Û4/>FU <F‚U:†ÀU:ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ AQþÆO 0D 0DY 0D D/á B B- D3J ˜HP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLhÎ(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡- ù- >E>E>P>>E> >D!>U">Ó€,>ê‚_#3|x.>ô\  `$Times NewRoman úÝ ƒ"¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€ X:1XXXÔÔ€ ¥X X:1ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€ X:1X ¥ÔÐ  ÐÌSeptember€3,€1998ÌÌCecil€W.€CrowsonÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular úÝ ƒ"¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€X:1XXXÔÔ€¥XX:1ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€X:1X¥ÔÐ  ÐÌSeptember€2,€1998ÌÌCecil€W.€CrowsonÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular!"#$&Cþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó(('÷ÿ dxd düÿP Pd'''''ÿÿdxdÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  Ýñ">ñ›ñ">ñÑ°ÑÒ°ÒÒ„°ÒÑTR[  AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÑ€ÑÑ7€¦#XXdìdÈ7ÑÑ  ÑÑ  Ñò òñ,>ññ">ñßr€ )<,(j 8` `€€@Eô ` 8ttxP,ð  rßñ">ññ,>ññ,>ññ,>ññ">ñ›ñ">ñADOLPH€C.€LAVIN€and€JEAN€LAVIN,à  à)Ð  Ðsurviving€parents€of€TROY€JAMESà  à)Ð ôì Ðñ,>ñœßt€ )>.*jxä8` `€€@EØ ` 8ttxPàœ 8 tß›ñ,>ñLAVIN,€Deceased,€and€ADOLPH€C.à  à)Ð àØ ÐLAVIN,€in€his€capacity€as€Administratorà  à)Ð Ì Ä Ðof€the€estate€of€TROY€JAMES€LAVIN,à  à)Ð ¸ ° Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àDavidson€CircuitÐ ¤ œ Ðà ` àPlaintiffs/Appellants,à À àà  à)à p àNo.€€96C„1475Ð  ˆ Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àÐ | t ÐVS.à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)Ð h` Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àÐ TL  ÐROSS€JORDON,€SUSAN€JORDON,à  à)à p àAppeal€No.Ð @8  Ðand€SEAN€JORDON,à h àà À à€à  à)à p à01A01„9709„CV„00455Ð ,$  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)Ìà ` àDefendants/Appellees.à À àà  à)Ð ü  ÐÌÌà@C C ®àIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÌà@¼¼(®àAT€NASHVILLEˆÌÌà@  ®àAPPEAL€FROM€THE€CIRCUIT€COURT€OF€DAVIDSON€COUNTYˆÌà@;;#®àAT€NASHVILLE,€TENNESSEEˆÌÌÓ  ÓHONORABLE€BARBARA€N.€HAYNES,€JUDGEÌó óÓ¨ÓÌÌÌCharles€R.€Ray,€#3188à h àà À àà  àà p àVincent€E.€Wehby,€#2288Ð ø Ð211€Third€Avenue€Northà h àà À àà  àà p à501€Union€Street,€Suite€500Ð ìä ÐNashville,€Tennessee€37219„8288à À àà  àà p àNashville,€Tennessee€37219„2305Ð Ø Ð ÐATTORNEYS€FOR€PLAINTIFFS/APPELLANTSÌÌÌJohn€L.€Norris,€#6007ÌHOLLINS,€WAGSTER€&€YARBROUGH,€P.C.ÌSuite€2210,€424€Church€StreetÌSunTrust€CenterÌNashville,€Tennessee€37219ÌATTORNEY€FOR€DEFENDANTS/APPELLEESÌÌÌÓ  Óò òREVERSED€AND€REMANDED.ó óÐ è+à$( ÐÌÌÓ ÓÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àHENRY€F.€TODDÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àPRESIDING€JUDGE,€MIDDLE€SECTIONÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌCONCURS:ÌBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€JUDGEÌWILLIAM€B.€CAIN,€JUDGEÐ ”;Œ49Š Їò òADOLPH€C.€LAVIN€and€JEAN€LAVIN,à  à)Ð  Ðsurviving€parents€of€TROY€JAMESà  à)Ð ôì ÐLAVIN,€Deceased,€and€ADOLPH€C.à  à)Ð àØ ÐLAVIN,€in€his€capacity€as€Administratorà  à)Ð Ì Ä Ðof€the€estate€of€TROY€JAMES€LAVIN,à  à)Ð ¸ ° Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àDavidson€CircuitÐ ¤ œ Ðà ` àPlaintiffs/Appellants,à À àà  à)à p àNo.€€96C„1475Ð  ˆ Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àÐ | t ÐVS.à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)Ð h` Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àÐ TL  ÐROSS€JORDON,€SUSAN€JORDON,à  à)à p àAppeal€No.Ð @8  Ðand€SEAN€JORDON,à h àà À à€à  à)à p à01A01„9709„CV„00455Ð ,$  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)Ìà ` àDefendants/Appellees.à À àà  à)Ð ü  ÐÌó óÌà@88(®àòòò òÔ‡„럄XXÔO€P€I€N€I€O€NÔ#†X¦#X„„ëŸò#Ôó óóóˆÐ ÈÀ ÐÓÓÓ  ÓÌÓoÓÓ  ÓÓ  ÓœÓ<( ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#°œX<ÓÔ‡ XT[XXX¦#Ôà ` àThe€plaintiff,€Adolph€C.€Lavin€and€wife,€Jean€Lavin,€surviving€parents€of€Troy€JamesÐ ø ÐLavin,€brought€this€action€against€Ross€and€Susan€Jordon€and€their€son,€Sean€Jordon,€for€theÏwrongful€death€of€Troy€Lavin,€who€was€shot€and€killed€by€Sean€Jordon.€€The€Trial€Judge€enteredÏan€interlocutory€partial€judgment€on€the€pleadings€limiting€the€recovery€from€the€parents€of€SeanÏJordon€to€$10,000.00€pursuant€to€T.C.A.€ðððð€37-10-101,€102€and€103€which€read€as€follows:ÌÒ` „ÒÒ¸ Òà  àÓ<(¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#€%Ø'` ‹X<Óò òÔ#†X¦#XX XT[á#ÔÔ‡ XT[XXX¦#ÔÓÓ37-10-101.€€Property€damage€by€juvenile€-RecoveryÐ `"X Ðagainst€parents€or€guardianó ó.€-Any€municipal€corporation,Ð P#H Ðcounty,€town,€village,€school€district€or€department€of€thisÏstate,€or€any€person,€or€any€religious€organization,€whetherÏincorporated€or€unincorporated,€shall€be€entitled€to€recoverÏdamages€in€an€action€in€assumpsit€in€an€amount€not€to€exceedÏten€thousand€dollars€($10,000)€in€a€court€of€competentÏjurisdiction€from€the€parents€or€guardian€of€the€person€of€anyÏminor€under€eighteen€(18)€years€of€age,€living€with€theÏparents€or€guardian€of€the€person,€who€maliciously€orÏwillfully€causes€personal€injury€to€such€person€or€destroysÏproperty,€real,€personal€or€mixed,€belonging€to€suchÏmunicipal€corporation,€county,€township,€village,€schoolÏdistrict€or€department€of€this€state€or€persons€or€religiousÏorganizations.€[Acts€1957,€ch.€76,€ðð€1;€1969,€ch.€170,€ðð€1;Ï1976,€ch.€408,€ðð€1;€1981,€ch.€161,€ðð€1;€T.C.A.,€ðð€37„1001;ÏActs€1985,€ch.€439,€ðð€1.]ÌÌà  àò ò37-10-102.€€Limitation€on€amount€of€recoveryó ó.€-TheÐ @38,/ Ðrecovery€shall€be€limited€to€the€actual€damages€in€an€amountÏnot€to€exceed€ten€thousand€dollars€($10,000)€in€addition€toÏtaxable€court€costs.€[Acts€1957,€ch.€76,€ðð€2;€1969,€ch.€170,€ððÏ2;€1976,€ch.€408,€ðð€2;€1981,€ch.€161,€ðð€2;€T.C.A.,€ðð€37„1002.]ÌÒ¸ ÒÒ„` òÒÐ  ð7è04 ÐÒ¸ ÒÒ` „Òò ò€37-10-103.€€Due€care€and€diligence€as€barring€recoveryó ó.€Ð  Ð(a)€€A€parent€or€guardian€shall€be€liable€for€the€tortiousÏactivities€of€a€minor€child€that€cause€injuries€to€persons€orÏproperty€where€the€parent€or€guardian€knows,€or€should€know,Ïof€the€child's€tendency€to€commit€wrongful€acts€which€can€beÏexpected€to€cause€injury€to€persons€or€property€and€where€theÏparent€or€guardian€has€an€opportunity€to€control€the€child€butÏfails€to€exercise€reasonable€means€to€restrain€the€tortiousÏconduct.€ÌÌ(b)€€A€parent€or€guardian€shall€be€presumed€to€know€of€aÏchild's€tendency€to€commit€wrongful€acts,€if€the€child€hasÏpreviously€been€charged€and€found€responsible€for€suchÏactions.€[Acts€1957,€ch.€76,€ðð€3;€1981,€ch.€161,€ðð€3;€T.C.A.,€ððÏ37„1003;€Acts€1985,€ch.€439,€ðð€2.]ÌÒ¸ ŒÒÒ„` šÒÌÌà ` àÓ<( ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#¸ ‹X<ÓÓÓThe€plaintiffs€have€appealed€and€presented€the€following€issue€for€review:ÌÔ#†XV/XX XV/Ê#ÔÔ‡ XV/XXXV/Ôà ` à1.à ¸ àWhether€T.C.A.€ðð37-10-101,€et.€seq.,€limits€the€plaintiffððs€recovery€against€theÐ ˆ Ðparent€of€a€minor€child€to€ten€thousand€dollars€($10,000.00)€where€the€plaintiffs€allege€that€aÏparent€failed€to€control€his€or€her€child€when€the€parent€knew,€or€should€have€known€in€theÏexercise€of€due€care,€of€the€childððs€tendency€or€propensity€to€act€in€such€a€way€as€would€naturallyÏresult€in€an€injury€to€plaintiffsñ>ñ.ñ>ñÌÌà ` àThe€appellees€present€the€same€issue€in€the€following€form:ÌÓÓÓÓà ` àÓ<(¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#€%Ø'` ‹X<Ó1.à ¸ àWhether€the€Trial€Court€correctly€ruled€that€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€Secs.€37-10-101Ð x%p! Ðto€37-10-103€limit€any€liability€of€Ross€and€Susan€Jordon€for€their€allegedly€negligent€failure€toÏsupervise€and/or€control€their€minor€child€to€ten€thousand€dollars€($10,000.00).Ìà ` àÌÓ Óà ` àÓ<( ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#¸ ‹X<ÓÓÓThe€essence€of€the€partial€judgment€is€that€the€complaint€fails€to€state€a€claim€for€moreÏthan€$10,000.00.ÌÌà ` àThe€material€of€the€allegations€of€the€complaint€are€as€follows:ÌÒ¸ ÒÒ` „ÒÓ<(¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#€%Ø'` ‹X<ÓÓÓà  à6.à h àOn€or€about€June€4,€1995€Defendant€SeanÐ 840-1 ÐJordon€was€observed€around€the€home€of€Mrs.€Francis€V.ÏGarrison,€at€4305€West€Hamilton€Road€in€Nashville,ÏDavidson€County,€Tennessee€at€approximately€1:00€p.m.€inÏthe€afternoon.€€Upon€returning€to€her€residence,€Mrs.€GarrisonÏdiscovered€that€she€had€been€the€victim€of€a€home€burglaryÏand€after€having€inventoried€her€personal€belongingsÐ À9¸27 Ðdiscovered€among€the€items€stolen€were€two€(2)€rifles€and€twoÏ(2)€shotguns.€€Upon€learning€that€the€Defendant,€Sean€Jordon,Ïwho€had€access€to€a€key€to€Mrs.Garrisonððs€home,€had€beenÏseen€on€the€premises,€Mrs.€Garrison€confronted€theÏDefendants,€Ross€Jordon€and€Susan€Jordon€and€advised€themÏthat€she€had€information€that€their€son,€Defendant€SeanÏJordon,€had€entered€her€home€and€stolen€rifles€and€shotguns.€ÏThough€the€Defendants,€Ross€Jordon€and€Susan€Jordon€wereÏboth€aware€at€the€time€of€the€conversation€that€Sean€JordonÏhad€a€history€of€anti-social,€and€criminal€behavior,€and€that€heÏaspired€to€be€a€ð ðgangster,ðð€and€actively€associated€with€aÏviolent€gang,€Sean€Jordon,€had€burglarized€Mrs.€GarrisonððsÏhome,€stolen€the€guns,€and€retained€the€guns€for€further€andÏfuture€anti-social€criminal€conduct.ÌÌ7.à  àShortly€after€the€burglary€of€Mrs.€GarrisonððsÐ ÜÔ  Ðresidence,€and€after€Mrs.€Garrison€confronted€the€DefendantsÏwith€her€knowledge€about€Sean€Jordonððs€participation,ÏDefendant,€Susan€Jordon,€overheard€a€telephone€conversationÏbetween€her€son€and€his€friends€where€they€admittedÏburglarizing€the€Garrison€residence€and€hiding€the€guns€closeÏby€the€home€of€Sean€Jordon.€€Defendant,€Susan€Jordon,€evenÏafter€having€knowledge,€based€upon€Sean€Jordonððs€admission,Ïover€the€telephone,€that€Sean€Jordon€had€access€to€weaponsÏthat€he€could€utilize€for€future€anti-social€and€criminalÏactivity,€took€no€steps€to€ensure€that€Sean€Jordon€would€notÏmake€use€of€the€weapons.ÌÓ  Ó-€---ÌÓ  Óà  à8.à h àOn€June€29,€1995€the€Pizza€Hut€on€ClarksvilleÐ Ø Ð ÐHighway,€Nashville,€Davidson€County,€Tennessee€received€aÏtelephone€order€from€the€telephone€number€876-1318Ïdirecting€that€a€pizza€should€be€delivered€to€4213€HallmarkÏDrive.€€Troy€James€Lavin€agreed€to€deliver€the€pizza€to€thisÏaddress.€€Sometime€prior€to€1:35€p.m.,€on€that€date,€TroyÏJames€Lavin€arrived€at€the€residence€of€Sean€Jordon€at€4213ÏHallmark€Drive€whereupon€Troy€James€Lavin€was€shotÏmultiple€times€with€a€.22€caliber€rifle€by€Sean€JordonÏresulting€in€the€death€of€Troy€James€Lavin.€€The€murderÏweapon€utilized,€which€was€part€of€the€weapons€stolen€fromÏMrs.€Garrison,€was€retrieved€by€members€of€the€MetropolitanÏDavidson€County€Police€Department€at€the€exact€spot€whereÏSean€Jordon€advised€them€that€they€would€find€the€weapon.ÌÓ  Ó-€---ÌÓ  Óà  àThe€Defendant,€Sean€Jordon€is€liable€to€the€PlaintiffsÏfor€compensatory€and€punitive€damages€for€the€loss€of€TroyÏJames€Lavinððs€life€at€the€hands€of€Sean€Jordon€as€permittedÏby€T.C.A.€ðð€20-5-113.ÌÓ  Ó-€---ÌÓ  Óà  àDefendants€failed€to€exercise€a€reasonable€means€ofÏcontrolling,€policing€or€restraining€the€violent,€assaultive,Ïanti-social€propensities€of€Sean€Jordon€in€any€fashion.€€Thus,Ïthe€Defendants,€Ross€Jordon€and€Susan€Jordon,€were€grosslyÏnegligent€and€are€liable€to€the€Plaintiffs€in€an€amount€to€beÏdetermined€for€both€compensatory€and€punitive€damages.Ìâ âÓ  Ó-€---Ð Ð8È16 ÐÓ  Óà  à14.à h àThe€senseless€and€wanton,€wicked€andÐ  Ðâ âdepraved€nature€of€the€Defendantððs€Sean€Jordon€killing€ofÏTroy€James€Lavin,€is€the€culmination€of€a€history€ofÏassaultive,€violent,€anti-social€criminal€conduct€wellÏdocumented€and€known€to€Defendants€Ross€Jordon€and€SusanÏJordon.€€Prior€to€these€events€Sean€Jordon€was€declared€to€beÏa€delinquent€child€for€having€assaulted€a€minor.€€Sean€JordonÏwas€declared€to€be€a€delinquent€child€for€having€assaulted€andÏraped€a€school€mate€at€Pearl-Cohn€High€School.€€ÌÌÒ¸ ½"ÒÒ„` Ë"ÒÌà ` àÓ<( ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#¸ ‹X<ÓIn€òòÔ#†XV/XX XV/»#ÔÔ‡ XV/XXXV/ÔSmith€v.€Salvaggioóó,€Tenn.€Civ.€App.€1914,€ñ>ñwherein€ñ>ñthe€Court€said:Ð ,$  ÐÌÒ` „ÒÒ¸ Òà  àÓ<(¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#€%Ø'` ‹X<ÓThis€action€was€instituted€by€the€defendant€in€error,ÏCharles€Salvaggio,€by€his€next€friend,€Joe€Salvaggio,€againstÏthe€plaintiff€in€error,€Dora€smith,€in€the€Circuit€of€ShelbyÏCounty,€to€recover€of€her€damages€growing€out€of€injuriesÏinflicted€upon€him€by€the€son€of€the€plaintiff€in€error,€whoÏwas€a€minor€of€tender€years.ÌÌà  àThere€was€a€verdict€in€the€Court€below,€where€the€caseÏwas€tried€before€the€Court€and€a€jury,€in€favor€of€theÏdefendant€in€error€for€$800,€from€which€the€plaintiff€in€errorÏappealed€to€this€Court,€after€her€motion€for€a€new€trial€hadÏbeen€overruled.ÌÌà  àThe€declaration€alleged€that€the€plaintiff€in€errorððs€sonÏwas€a€minor€of€very€tender€years,€and€that€some€time€prior€toÏthe€injury€inflected€upon€the€defendant€in€error,€which€wasÏJanuary€16,€1911,€plaintiff€in€error€purchased,€or€permitted€toÏbe€purchased,€by€or€for€her€said€son,€and€to€remain€in€hisÏpossession€and€control,€and€in€the€possession€and€control€ofÏone€Ernest€Nelms,€also€a€boy€of€tender€years,€and€a€playmateÏof€the€plaintiff€in€errorððs€son,€a€certain€.22-caliber€rifle;€andÏthat€on€or€about€the€16th€day€of€January,€1911,€and€forÏsometime€prior€thereto,€with€the€knowledge,€consent€andÏpermission€of€the€plaintiff€in€error,€said€boys€were€shootingÏthe€said€rifle€in€and€around€their€homes€and€the€home€or€theÏdefendant€in€error€on€Rayburn€avenue,€in€the€city€ofÏMemphis,€which€fares€in€the€city€of€Memphis,€when€the€saidÏboys€either€negligently€or€accidentally,€or€on€purpose,€shot€theÏdefendant€in€error€in€the€back€and€side,€seriously€andÏpermanently€injuring€him.ÌÌà  àThat€the€defendant€in€error€was€upon€the€premisesÏsurrounding€his€home€at€the€time€of€the€shooting,€and€thatÏsaid€shooting€was€wholly€without€fault€upon€his€part;€that€theÏplaintiff€in€error€was€guilty€of€negligence,€in,€that€she€put,€orÏcaused€to€be€put,€in€the€hands€of€said€boys,€or€allowed€andÏpermitted€said€rifle,€a€dangerous€instrument,€to€be€used€byÏsaid€boys€of€tender€years,€both€of€whom€were€inexperiencedÏin€the€use€of€such€an€instrument,€and€lacked€the€properÏdiscretion€necessary€for€the€handling€of€the€same,€which€factÏwas€well€known€to€the€plaintiff€in€errorñ>ñ.Ìñ>ñÌÒ¸ D4ÒÒ„` 64Òñ>ñÌà ` àñ>ññ>ñà ` àà ¸ àñ>ñThe€plaintiff€in€error€filed€a€plea€of€not€guilty.Ð ¼9´27 ЇÒ „ÒÒ¸ Òà  àThere€is€evidence€tending€to€show€that€the€plaintiff€inÏerror€was€running€a€public€resort€on€Rayburn€avenue,€in€theÏcity€of€Memphis;€that€she€had€been€married,€but€was€divorcedÏfrom€her€husband,€and€had€one€child€-a€son,€who€was€aboutÏnine€years€of€age€at€the€time€of€the€injury€to€the€defendant€inÏerror;€that€this€son€did€not€stay€at€the€home€of€the€plaintiff€inÏerror,€but€stayed€at€the€home€of€Luella€Williams,€who€livedÏabout€a€half€block€from€the€plaintiff€in€error.€The€reason€for€theÏson€staying€at€the€home€of€Luella€Williams€was€on€account€ofÏthe€character€of€house€kept€by€the€plaintiff€in€error.€€TheÏplaintiff€in€error€paid€Luella€Williams€$5€per€week€for€keepingÏher€son€at€her€home,€though€the€proof€shows€the€son€was€at€theÏhome€of€the€plaintiff€in€error€daily,€and€sometimes€severalÏtimes€per€day;€but€remained€at€the€home€of€the€WilliamsÏwoman€at€night.ÌÌà  àThere€was€also€evidence€offered€by€the€plaintiff€belowÏtending€to€show€that€sometime€prior€to€his€injuries,€theÏplaintiff€in€errorððs€son€had€secured,€in€some€way,€a€gun€-a€rifleÏof€.22-caliber,€and€had€been€shooting€said€rifle€around€theÏpremises€of€the€plaintiff€in€error,€which€was€only€two€doorsÏfrom€where€the€defendant€in€error€lived,€and€had€also€beenÏshooting€on€the€street€in€the€vicinity€of€his€home,€and€theÏplaintiff€in€errorððs€home.ÌÌÔ#†XV/XX XV/³3#ÔÔ‡ XV/XXXV/Ôà  àOne€witness€testified€that€he€had€seen€the€boy€comingÐ   Ðout€of€the€plaintiff€in€errorððs€house€with€said€rifle,€and€there€isÏother€evidence€in€the€record€tending€to€show€that€he€was€seenÏon€several€occasions€about€the€plaintiff€in€errorððs€homeÏshooting€the€rifle€at€birds€and€targets.ÌÌà  àOn€the€16th€day€of€January,€1911,€while€the€plaintiffÏbelow€was€standing€upon€his€premises,€he€says€that€theÏplaintiff€in€errorððs€son€and€a€companion€was€shooting€the€rifleÏnear€him,€and€that€the€plaintiff€in€errorððs€son€said€to€hisÏcompanion,€ð ðI€want€to€kill€a€dago,ðð€and€took€the€rifle€out€of€hisÏcompanionððs€hand€and€fired€upon€the€defendant€in€error,Ïshooting€him€through€the€body,€the€ball€entering€his€sideÏpassing€clear€through€the€body.€€There€is€evidence€tending€toÏshow€that€the€defendant€in€error€suffered€great€pain€and€mentalÏanguish€from€the€wound€inflicted,€and€was€confined€in€theÏhospital€for€about€a€month€from€the€injury.ÌÌà  àThe€plaintiff€in€error€testified€that€she€did€not€know€ofÏher€son€having€the€gun€in€question;€that€he€secured€the€gunÏwithout€her€knowledge€or€consent;€and€did€not€learn€of€her€sonÏhaving€the€gun€until€she€learned€of€the€shooting,€which€wasÏthree€days€after€it€occurred.€€ÌÌà  àThe€boy€testified€that€he€purchased€the€gun€at€a€store€onÏMain€street,€paying€$1.50€for€it,€and€that€he€purchased€it€withÏmoney€that€he€had€earned€in€selling€newspapers€on€Sundays.€ÏHe€says€he€bought€the€gun€on€his€birthday,€and€carried€it€to€theÏhome€of€Luella€Williams,€where€he€kept€it€concealed€under€theÏbed.€€He€says€he€did€not€shoot€the€defendant€in€error,€but€thatÏErnest€Nelms,€his€companion,€did€the€shooting.Ð ¼9´27 Їà  àIt€is€insisted€by€the€first€assignment€of€error€that€thereÏis€not€evidence€to€support€the€judgment.Ìà  àWe€are€of€opinion€that€this€assignment€of€error€is€notÏwell€taken.€€While€the€plaintiff€in€error€testified€that€she€didÏnot€know€that€her€son€had€the€gun,€and€was€in€the€habit€ofÏshooting€about€her€premises€and€on€the€street€near€theÏdefendant€in€errorððs€home,€we€think€that€there€are€facts€andÏcircumstances€in€the€record€tending€to€show€that€she€did,€andÏthat€the€jury€was€warranted€in€inferring€from€the€facts€andÏcircumstances€proven€that€she€did€know€it.ÌÌà  àWe€think€it€is€the€well€settled€law€that€a€parent€whoÏpermits€his€or€her€child€to€have€possession€of€a€deadly€weaponÏwhen,€on€account€of€the€childððs€youth€and€inexperience,€he€isÏincompetent€to€be€intrusted€with€it,€and€the€parent€knows€theÏdanger€that€might€happen€to€others€from€the€use€of€suchÏweapon,€or€in€the€exercise€of€reasonable€care€should€know€it,Ïis€liable€for€injuries€inflicted€upon€others€by€the€childððsÏreckless€use€of€such€weapon.€€In€other€words,€the€parent€isÏchargeable€with€negligence€in€such€cases,€if,€from€all€the€factsÏand€circumstances,€he€should€have€known€of€the€probableÏdanger€and€injury€that€might€result€to€others€from€permittingÏthe€child€to€have€the€weapon€in€his€possession.€€òòÔ#†XV/XX XV/SC#ÔÔ‡ XV/XXXV/ÔMyers€v.Ð PH ÐMcDowellóó,€53€L.€R.€A.,€789;€Pollock€Torts,€page€33;€Am.€&Ð <4 ÐEng.€Ency.€of€Law,€Vol.€21,€1057,€1058;€òòBinford€v.€Johnsonóó,Ð (  Ð82€Ind.,€427;€òòCarter€v.€Towneóó,€98€Mass€567;€96€Am.€Dec.,Ð   Ð682;€òòHoveron€v.€Nokeróó,€50€Am.€Rep.,€381;€òòPalmer€v.€Iversonóó,Ð ø Ð117€Ill.€App.,€535;€29€Cyc.,€1666;€22€Am.€&€Eng.€Ann.€Cas.,Ï1582.ÌÌà  àThe€rule€for€such€liability€upon€the€part€of€the€parent€isÏnot€founded€upon€the€relation€of€parent,€but€upon€the€groundÏof€the€negligence€of€the€parent€in€permitting€the€child€to€haveÏpossession€of€the€dangerous€and€deadly€weapon,€when,€fromÏhis€youth€and€inexperience,€it€might€be€reasonably€anticipated,Ïthat€in€the€use€of€such€weapon€the€child€would€inflict€injuryÏupon€others.ÌÌà  àThe€question€of€the€parentððs€negligence€in€such€casesÏis€always€one€for€the€jury.€€The€question€of€the€defendantððsÏnegligence€in€the€case€at€bar€was€fairly€left€to€the€jury€by€theÏCourt€in€the€following€instruction:ÌÌà  àð ðSo,€with€reference€to€the€particular€facts€of€this€case,Ïthe€Court€charges€you€that€if€you€find€by€a€preponderance€ofÏthe€evidence€in€this€case,€that€the€defendantððs€son€is€a€boy€8€orÏ9€years€of€age,€and€if€you€further€find€from€a€preponderance€ofÏthe€evidence€that€said€boy€had€a€rifle€and€was€shooting€at€birdsÏand€targets€about€his€home€in€the€city€of€Memphis,€and€youÏfurther€find€from€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€that€saidÏboyððs€mother,€the€defendant,€knew€that€he€had€said€rifle€andÏwas€so€using€it,€and€if€you€further€find€from€the€preponderanceÏof€the€evidence€that€said€boy€was€incompetent€to€be€intrustedÏwith€a€deadly€weapon,€and€the€defendant€knew€the€danger€orÏshould€have€known€it€by€the€exercise€of€ordinary€andÏreasonable€care,€and€if€you€further€find€from€a€preponderanceÐ ¼9´27 Ðof€the€evidence€that€it€was€negligence€on€the€part€of€theÏdefendant€to€allow€said€boy€to€have€and€use€said€rifle,€and€youÏfurther€find€from€the€preponderance€of€the€evidence€that€saidÏboy€was€engaged€with€the€companion€in€shooting€said€rifle,Ïand€while€so€engaged€he€or€his€companion€shot€the€plaintiffÏand€wounded€him,€then€you€should€find€for€the€plaintiff.ððÌÌÔ#†XV/XX XV/~O#ÔÔ‡ XV/XXXV/Ôà  àð ðOn€the€other€hand,€gentlemen,€if€you€find€from€theÐ | t Ðevidence€in€this€case€that€the€defendant€didnððt€know€that€herÏsaid€son€had€said€rifle,€or€if€you€find€from€the€evidence€thatÏsaid€boy€was€competent€to€be€intrusted€with€a€dangerousÏweapon,€then€you€should€find€for€the€defendant.ððÌÌà  àBy€the€fourth€and€fifth€assignments€of€error€certainÏportions€of€the€Courtððs€charge€are€complained€of€as€error.€€ÌÌà  àWe€have€examined€the€portions€of€the€charge€referredÏto€in€the€assignments€of€error,€and€have€reached€the€conclusionÏthat€when€they€are€read€in€connection€with€the€entire€charge,Ïthere€is€no€error€in€them.ÌÌÒ¸ Ý=ÒÒ„ Ï=ÒÌà ` àÓ<( ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#¸ ‹X<ÓÓÓPlaintiffs€argue€that€T.C.A.€ðð€37-12-102€and€which€limits€the€ð ðrecoveryðð€refers€only€toÏthe€words€ð ðshall€be€entitled€to€recoverðð€in€the€preceding€Ô#†XV/XX XV/X#ÔÔ‡ XV/XXXV/ÔòòSection€37-12-101óó,€and€not€to€the€words;Ð (  Ðð ðshall€be€liableðð€in€the€succeeding€Section€37-10-103.ÌÌà ` àIn€òòBocock€v.€Rose,óó€213€Tenn.€195,€373€S.W.2d€441€(1962),€the€Trial€Court€sustained€aÐ °"¨ Ðdemurrer€to€the€declaration€(dismissed€a€complaint€for€failure€to€state€a€claim).€€The€SupremeÏCourt€reversed€and€said:ÌÓ °ÓÒ` „ÒÓ?+ ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#` ‹X?Óà  àÓÓThe€plaintiff€sued€defendants€jointly€and€severally,€forÏ$25,000.00€damages€as€a€result€of€an€alleged€assault€andÏbattery€made€upon€the€person€of€plaintiff,€without€cause€orÏprovocation,€by€the€minor€sons€of€defendants.€€TheÏdeclaration€alleged€defendants€had€a€duty€to€discipline€theirÏminor€sons€when€they€have€knowledge€of€said€sonsððÏpropensities€to€assault€others;€that€defendants€knew€or€shouldÏhave€known€their€sons€had€such€propensity€to€assault€andÏbatter€others;€that€defendants€having€such€knowledge€hadÏfailed€to€restrain€their€sons;€that€plaintiffððs€injuries€andÏdamages€were€due€to€the€assault€upon€him€by€defendantsððÏsons;€and€that€as€direct€result€of€defendantsðð€failure€to€restrainÏor€discipline€their€sons€plaintiff€was€injured.ÌÓ  Ó-€---ÌÓ  Óà  à[1]à h àThe€question€for€decision€is€whether€thisÐ  5.2 Ðdeclaration€states€a€cause€of€action;€or€more€particularlyÏwhether€defendants€owe€plaintiff€a€duty€to€supervise€andÏcontrol€their€minor€sons€under€the€circumstances€alleged.Ïâ âConstruing€the€declaration€in€its€most€favorable€light€suchÐ Ð8È16 Ðwould€appear€to€state€a€cause€of€action;€if€there€is€such€a€dutyÏas€alleged.€€Otherwise€the€declaration€will€fail.Ìâ âÓ  Ó-€---ÌÓ  Óà  àAlthough€the€present€case€is€apparently€one€of€firstÏimpression,€two€cases€have€been€cited€in€the€briefs€which€areÏsaid€to€be€controlling€in€Tennessee.€€An€analysis€of€theseÏcases€indicates€they€are€not€controlling.€€€òòHighsaw€v.€Creechóó,Ð  ˆ Ð17€Tenn.€App.€573,€69€S.W.2d€249€(1933)€and€òòSmith€v.Ð | t ÐSalvaggioóó,€4€Tenn.€Civ.€App.€727€(1914),€the€cases€reliedÐ h` Ðupon,€are€situations€involving€parentsðð€negligence€forÏallowing€minors€to€possess€weapons,€an€air€rifle€in€HighsawÏand€a€.22€rifle€in€Smith.€€These€cases€are€not€in€point€with€aÏsituation€involving€a€parentððs€negligence€in€failing€to€restrainÏa€minor€who€has€a€known€propensity€to€assault,€except,€asÏperhaps,€as€an€indication€there€may€be€parental€liability€inÏsome€instances.ÌÌà  à[4]à h àWe€find€and€so€hold€parents€may€be€held€liableÐ ´¬ Ðfor€the€dangerous€habits€of€their€minor€children€causingÏinjuries€and€damages€to€others,€when,€(1)€the€parent€hasÏopportunity€and€ability€to€control€the€child,€and€(2)€the€parentÏhas€knowledge,€or€in€the€exercise€of€due€care€should€haveÏknowledge,€of€the€childððs€habit,€propensity€or€tendency€toÏcommit€specific€wrongful€acts,€and€(3)€the€specific€acts€wouldÏnormally€be€expected€to€cause€injury€to€others,€and€(4)€theÏparent€fails€to€exercise€reasonable€means€of€controlling€orÏrestraining€the€child.ÌÓ °ÓÌà ` àÓ<( ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#ŒX<ÓÓÓThe€complaint€in€òòBocock€v.€Roseóó€was€for€$25,000.Ð Ø Ð ÐÌñ>ñÓÓÓÓñ>ñà ` àñ>ñÓÓñ>ñIn€òòM.C.I.€Communications€Corporation€v.€Bonnellóó,€Tenn.€App.€1989,Ð ˆ$€  Ðunpublished,€this€ñ>ñÌÌñ>ñCourt€said:Ìñ>ñÓjÓñ>ññ >ñÌñ >ñÒ¸ Òà  àÓ<(¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#€%Ø'` ‹X<Ó€A€telecommunications€corporation€filed€this€actionÏagainst€a€juvenile€and€his€father€for€damages€arising€from€theÏjuvenileððs€use€of€computer€equipment€to€invade€the€plaintiffððsÏtelephone€system€and€obtain€confidential€authorization€codesÏassigned€to€the€plaintiffððs€customers.€€This€appeal€presentsÏtwo€issues:€(1)€the€amount€of€damages€recoverable€against€theÏjuvenile;€and€(2)€what€liability,€if€any,€the€father€has€for€theÏconduct€of€his€minor€son.ÌÓ  ÓÔ#†XV/XX XV/ \#ÔÔ‡ XV/XXXV/Ô-€---Ð ˜/(, ÐÓ  Óà  àUsing€an€inexpensive€computer,€the€proper€softwareÏprogram,€and€a€telephone€modum,€sixteen-year-old€AndrewÏBonnell€had€identified€at€least€seventy-six€operational€MCIÏcodes;€these€codes€would€allow€Andrew€Bonnell€to€make€longÏdistance€calls€and€have€them€billed€to€MCI€customers.ÌÓ  Ó-€---ÌÓ  Óà  àAndrew€Bonnell€entered€a€guilty€plea€to€the€charge.€ÏThe€juvenile€court€placed€him€on€probation€and€ordered€himÏto€pay€restitution€of€$600,€the€maximum€amount€that€could€be€ñ!>ñÌâ âÐ Ð8È16 Ðñ!>ñordered€by€the€juvenile€court.€€The€$600€was€subsequentlyÏâ âpaid€to€and€received€by€MCI.ÌÌà  àOn€November€12,€1989,€MCI€filed€this€action€againstÏAndrew€Bonnell.ÌÓ  Ó-€---ÌÓ  ÓRichard€J.€Bonnell€was€sued€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€Sec.Ï37-10-101€(Supp.1988),€which€makes€the€parents€of€a€minorÏliable€under€certain€circumstances€for€the€damages€caused€byÏthe€minor.ÌÓ  Ó-€---ÌÓ  ÓMCI€contends€that€òòÔ#†XV/XX XV/Sm#ÔÔ‡ XV/XXXV/ÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€Sec.€37-10-101óó€should€beÐ ,$  Ðinterpreted€to€make€custodial€parents€strictly€liable€up€toÏ$10,000€for€the€acts€of€a€child€who€willfully€or€maliciouslyÏinjures€another€person€or€property.€€Under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð ðè  ÐòòSec.€37-10-103óó,€according€to€MCI,€a€parent€or€guardian€would€Ð ÜÔ  Ðbe€liable€to€an€unlimited€extent€for€negligently€failing€toÏcontrol€a€childððs€known€tendency€to€commit€wrongful€acts.€ÏWe€are€persuaded,€however,€that€the€two€sections€should€beÏread€together;€thus€òòSec.€37-10-103óó€provides€a€defense€ofÐ Œ„ Ðreasonable€care€to€the€liability€imposed€in€òòSec.€37-10-101.óó€€Ð xp ÐÌà  àThe€legislatureððs€first€departure€from€the€common€lawÏrule€of€non-liability€of€a€parent€for€the€torts€of€a€child€came€inÏchapter€76€of€the€Public€Acts€of€1957.€€That€act€provides:ÌÌà  àSection€1.€€Be€it€enacted€by€the€General€Assembly€ofÏthe€State€of€Tennessee,€That€any€municipal€corporation,Ïcounty,€township,€village,€school€district€or€department€of€theÏState€of€Tennessee,€or€any€person,€or€any€religiousÏorganization,€whether€incorporated€or€unincorporated,€shallÏbe€entitled€to€recover€damages€in€an€action€in€assumpsit€in€anÏamount€not€to€exceed€three€hundred€dollars€($300.00)€in€aÏcourt€of€competent€jurisdiction€from€the€parents€or€guardianÏof€the€person€of€any€minor€under€the€age€of€18€years,€livingÏwith€the€parents€or€guardian€of€the€person€who€shallÏmaliciously€or€willfully€destroy€property,€real,€personal€orÏmixed,€belonging€to€such€municipal€corporation,€county,Ïtownship,€village,€school€district€or€department€of€the€State€ofÏTennessee€or€persons€or€religious€organizations.ÌÌà  àSection€2.€€Be€it€further€enacted,€That€the€recoveryÏshall€be€limited€to€the€actual€damages€in€an€amount€not€toÏexceed€$300.00€in€addition€to€taxable€court€costs.ÌÌà  àSection€3.€€Be€it€further€enacted,€that€no€recovery€shallÏbe€had€if€the€parent€or€guardian€of€the€person€shows€due€careÏand€diligence€in€his€care€and€supervision€of€such€minor€child.ÌÌà  àWe€think€it€is€clear€that€section€3€of€the€original€actÏprovided€a€defense€of€due€care€and€diligence€to€the€liabilityÏimposed€in€section€1.€€The€legislature€amended€section€1€andÏ2€in€1969€by€raising€the€amount€recoverable€to€$2,500€andÏchanging€the€cut-off€age€for€liability€to€twenty-one€years.€Ï1969€Tenn.€Pub.€Acts€ch.€170.€€In€1976,€the€amountÏrecoverable€was€increased€to€$5,000€and€the€cut-off€age€wasÐ ¼9´27 Ðreduced€to€eighteen€years.€€1976€Tenn.€Pub.€Acts€ch.€408.€€InÏâ â1981,€the€legislature€passed€an€amendment€of€a€moreÐ Ð8È16 Ðsubstantial€nature.€In€the€caption€to€chapter€161€of€the€PublicÏActs€of€1981,€the€legislature€termed€its€action:Ìâ ââ âÌà  àAn€act€to€increase€the€amount€of€recovery€against€aÏparent€or€guardian€for€the€act€of€a€minor€child;€to€modify€òòtheÐ  ˆ Ðdefenseóó€to€such€a€suit;€and€to€amend€Tennessee€CodeÐ | t ÐAnnotated,€Title€37,€Chapter€10.€€(Emphasis€added)ÌÌà  àThe€substantive€part€of€the€amendment€raised€theÏamount€receivable€to€$10,000.00€and€replaced€section€3€of€theÏoriginal€act€with€most€of€what€is€now€òòTenn.€Code€Ann.€Sec.Ð   Ð37-10-103óó.€€The€only€other€amendments€to€òòTenn.€Code€Ann.Ð ü  ÐSecs.€37-10-101--37-10-103óó€came€in€1985€when€theÐ ðè  Ðlegislature€included€personal€injuries€caused€by€the€minorÏchild€in€addition€too€the€property€damages€that€had€previouslyÏbeen€covered.€€1985€Tenn.€Pub.€Acts€ch.€434.ÌÌà  àò ò6ó ó.€€Contrary€to€the€position€of€MCI,€it€seems€clear€thatÐ Œ„ Ðthe€legislature,€from€1975€to€the€present,€has€considered€òòTenn.Ð |t ÐCode€Ann.€Sec.€37-10-103óó€as€relating€back€to€òòTenn.€CodeÐ h` ÐAnn.€Sec.€37-10-101.óó€€Not€one€of€the€amendments€we€haveÐ TL Ðcited,€in€the€caption€or€the€body€of€the€act,€has€mentionedÏimposing€strict€liability€on€the€parents€of€a€minor€child€forÏharm€caused€by€the€child.€€The€reference€in€the€caption€of€theÏ1981€amendment€to€ð ðthe€defense€to€such€a€suitðð€can€only€referÏto€òòSec.€37-10-103.óó€€We€think€that€a€dramatic€shift€away€fromÐ ðè Ðthe€common€law€rule€of€non-liability€of€the€parent€for€theÏtortious€conduct€of€a€child€and€away€from€the€prior€statutoryÏtreatment€given€to€the€same€subject€would€have€been€attendedÏby€some€signal€of€intent€from€the€legislature.€€Since€MCI€didÏnot€allege€that€Richard€Bonnell€knew€of€his€sonððs€activities€orÏpropensities€and€did€not€furnish€any€affidavits€or€other€proofÏfrom€which€such€an€inference€could€be€drawn,€the€trial€judgeÏwas€correct€in€granting€summary€judgment€to€the€father.Ìñ>ñÒ¸ ÍkÒñ>ññ>ñÌñ>ñÌÔ#†X¦kXX X¦kbr#ÔÔ‡ X¦kXXX¦kÔà ` àÓ<( ` ¸ hÀpÈ xÐ (#¸ ‹X<ÓÓÓThe€complaint€in€this€case€alleges€that€the€defendant€parents€wereÐ * #& Ðaware€that€their€son€had€a€history€of€anti-social€and€criminal€behavior,€that€heÏaspired€to€be€a€gangster,€and€actively€associated€with€a€violent€gang.€€€TheÏcomplaint€further€alleges€that€said€parents€negligently€failed€to€investigate€theÏinformation€received€or€to€take€any€action€thereon.€€ÌÌà ` àDefendantsðð€motion€for€judgment€on€the€pleadings€adds€nothing€to€theÏstatement€of€the€complaint,€and€is€the€equivalent€of€the€demurrer€in€òòÔ#†X¦kXX X¦kV…#ÔÔ‡ X¦kXXX¦kÔBocockÐ ü6ô/4 Ðv.€Roseóó.Ð Ô8Ì16 Їà ` àThis€Court€concludes€that€the€complaint€states€a€common€law€causeÏof€action€against€the€parents€of€Sean€Jordon€to€which€the€limiting€statute€isÏinapplicable.Ìñ>ñÌÌñ>ñÌà ` àAccordingly,€the€judgment€of€the€Trial€Court€is€reversed.€€Costs€ofÏthis€appeal€are€taxed€against€the€appellees.€€The€cause€is€remanded€to€theÏTrial€Court€for€further€proceedings.ÌÔ#†X¦kXX X¦k ˆ#Ôñ>ñ›ñ>ñÓÓÓTÓ›ÌÓŠÓò òÓ  ÓREVERSED€AND€REMANDEDó ó.Ð ÈÀ ÐÓAŠÓÓÓÓÓà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àÌœñ>ñÌ›à ` à›à ` à›à ` à›à ` à›à ` à›à ` à›à ` àñ>ñ›œñ>ññ>ñà ` àà ` àà ` àñ>ññ>ññ>ñà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àà  à¼à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àñ>ññ>ñ__ñ>ñ_________________________________›Ìœñ>ñà ` à›à ` à›à ` àñ>ñ›à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àHENRY€F.€TODDà p àÐ ld Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àœñ>ñà À àñ>ñ›œñ>ñà  à›à p àñ>ñPRESIDING›€JUDGE,€MIDDLE€SECTIONÌÓ‹ŠÓÓ›ŠÓÓÓÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌCONCUR:ÌÌÌ_____________________________ÌBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€JUDGEÌÌÌ_____________________________ÌWILLIAM€B.€CAIN,€œJUDGE›