Child Crime Wave Sweeps Big Cities: ‘Wayward Girls’ and ‘Boy Bandits’ Terrorize America

In the sweltering autumn of 1921, a chilling child crime wave spread its dark tentacles across the nation’s major cities. Federal agencies, including the Department of Labor, took notice, and President Harding considered a drastic measure: deploying the Army to tackle the problem. The plan, however, was met with skepticism and concern. Behind the scenes, officials were grappling with the reality of juvenile delinquency on an unprecedented scale. In Washington D.C., Baltimore, and New York, over 100 boys and girls under 20 were facing trial for a litany of serious crimes, including burglary, banditry, and automobile thefts. More than a dozen youths were awaiting court action on charges of murder and manslaughter, a stark reminder of the violence and desperation that lurked in the shadows of urban America.