What if your 16-year-old kid got thrown into prison? | PennLive Editorial Updated Mar 05, 2021; A child should not be treated as an adult. That’s been the consensus of American society since America was founded. Children aren’t allowed to drink. They aren’t supposed to smoke. And they can’t vote. But in Pennsylvania, they can be sent to an adult prison, with the very real prospect of being turned into just what our society doesn’t need – another bitter, vengeful person angry at the hand they’ve been dealt in life. Christine Vendel’s story about a 16-year-old being sent to adult prison for stealing a gun and shooting at one of his relatives should make us ashamed. Yes, someone could have been killed, but no one was. And there’s no argument, the kid needs to be held accountable for his actions.