(a) The parent or legal guardian, other than the Department of Human Services, having custody of a minor less than 18 years of age, shall, if such minor wilfully, maliciously or unlawfully damages or destroys real or personal property owned or maintained by another be held liable for such damage or destruction in a civil action brought in the Superior Court if it can be shown that the parent or legal guardian knew, or by the exercise of reasonable care should have known, that the activities of the minor would be likely to result in damages to another, or was otherwise negligent, and that such negligence was a proximate cause of the damages suffered. In no event shall liability under this section be in excess of the sum of $10,000. It shall be an absolute defense to any action brought pursuant to this section that restitution has been made pursuant to section 2506 of Title 5 of this Code. The provisions of this section shall not be deemed to impair or diminish any rights or remedies existing under the laws of the Virgin Islands.
(b) Any minor who willfully cuts, defaces, damages, destroys or otherwise injures in any way any property, real or personal belonging to the Department of Education may be referred to the Department of Human Services for child welfare services or the Department of Education may file a complaint with the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Division of the Superior Court of the jurisdiction in which the minor resides. The parent or guardian shall also be liable for the amount of any reward paid pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, provided, that the maximum liability of such parent or guardian, as fixed by subsection (a) of this section, is not exceeded thereby.
(c) The Commissioner of Education may offer and pay a reward, not to exceed $1,000, for information leading to the determination of the identity of, and the apprehension of, any person who willfully damages or destroys any property of the Department of Education.
(d) Any person who has willfully damaged or destroyed property of the Department of Education shall be liable for the amount of any reward paid pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and if he is a minor his parent or guardian shall, subject to subsection (b) of this section, be liable for the amount of the reward.
(e) The provisions of this section shall be in addition to any other penalties or provisions of law pertaining to the damage or destruction of public property and shall not be deemed to impair or diminish any rights or remedies existing under the laws of the Virgin Islands.