My Findings on Body Art and Modification

Recently, two parents were arrested for giving their children tattoos with a homemade tattoo machine. They are being charged with illegal tattooing, cruelty to children, and reckless conduct . The children are ages 10-17 and all their own children. But they were children they two parents both had from former marriages. The mother of the children belonging to the man, the one who gave the children the tattoos, was the one who reported the couple to the police.

The machine was made from a power supply and electric motor, some wiring, an ink pen barrel and a sharpened guitar string used as a needle. This guitar string was used on all the tattoos given.  I did not see anything about any reports of infection yet but that is one issue I have with the situation. Also, that the mother of the man’s children did not agree with the tattoos being given. If she had agreed, then it would be fine I think.

I really do not think what the couple did is so reckless or cruel. This is not much better than their kids sneaking around going to some back alley tattoo artist. The tattoos given were small black crosses, nothing obscene or vulgar and the children wanted them.  The tattoos I saw on the man’s girlfriend, that he did, looked just as good as something you might get from a professional shop. Also, it was their children, not anyone else’s. But, I do think the other two parents should have been asked for permission if they have custody of the children. Also, the guitar string needle should have been changed between tattoos. But the report did not say if it was sterilized between tattoos.

Here is the video report