The United States, which has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, is facing growing criticism over a deeply troubling fact: at least 79 children under the age of 14 are serving life sentences without parole.

This startling figure, reported by groups like Human Rights Watch and the Equal Justice Initiative, has reignited debate over how the U.S. justice system treats minors—and where the moral line should be drawn.

These cases vary widely: some involve minors convicted of murder during robberies, others were accomplices who never held a weapon. Many of these children come from backgrounds shaped by poverty, abuse, racism, and instability.

One of the most well-known cases is Lionel Tate, who was arrested at age 12 after a play-wrestling match led to the death of a 6-year-old girl. Though his sentence was later reduced, the case sparked national outrage and raised tough questions about trying children as adults.

At the heart of this issue lies a difficult question: Should any child be sentenced to die in prison?