Troubled teens

School shootings, particularly when those pulling the trigger are teenagers, are horrific news. These tragedies have, in recent years, occurred as close as Paducah, Ky., and Jonesboro, Ark. Now authorities in Stoddard County believe a Puxico High School student recently threatened to kill her classmates. Guns and a list of intended victims were found in the girl's home.

News reports provide a glimpse into the home life of the young girl. Authorities executing a search warrant found terrible living conditions that included trash and animal feces and urine. The girl's brother was removed from the home by juvenile authorities.

All of which makes us wonder about the adults in that home and what they might have known about the girl's problems and her plans to shoot students at her high school.

Parents of teenagers know about the many challenges of rearing children in that age group. Parents of happy, well-adjusted teens know that a good deal hinges on keeping open lines of communications about their children's concerns and worries as well as their individual triumphs.

Other family members and friends need to act when they see a teenager struggling to cope. Parents and school officials need to be told of these situations.