CRIME Pines first-grader accused of using knife to rob classmate

Altura Ct.

Veteran Member
By Macollvie Jean-François | South Florida Sun-Sentinel 6:21 PM EST, December 2, 2008 PEMBROKE PINES -

A knife-wielding 7-year-old first-grader robbed a 6-year-old classmate of one dollar, in a school bathroom, authorities said today.

The schoolhouse stick-up happened Nov. 26 at Pines Lakes Elementary, 10300 Johnson St., district spokesman Keith Bromery said.

The boys were in a bathroom when the older child held a kitchen knife to the other's nose and demanded his money.

The younger boy complied.

Police said the 7-year-old made off with $1. "This is by no means normal," Bromery said. "This is a very unusual occurrence to see kids that young acting out that way."

The victim's nose started bleeding during the encounter, which has been classified as an armed robbery, schools police operations supervisor Craig Kowalski said.

It is not yet clear whether the blade drew blood or if the victim suffered a nosebleed, Kowalski said.

The victim's mother reported the incident to school officials Monday, when classes resumed after the holiday break, Bromery said.

The boy did not have any visible injuries at that time, school officials said.

The 7-year-old likely brought the weapon from home, Bromery said.

He is serving a 10-day suspension and will likely be expelled to an alternate school for children with discipline problems, Bromery said.

This incident of children bringing weapons to school is the latest of several reported since a Dillard High School student fatally shot her classmate on Nov. 12. Both were 15-year-old girls.

"We've seen an up-tick and I'm not sure what it's related to," Bromery said.

"Unfortunately, we're finding that a lot of these contraband and weapons are coming from people's homes. Usually, when kids bring contraband to school, it's for show and tell -- to show it to other kids. And when someone sees that and they don't feel comfortable, they report it."

School resource officers are interviewing the children to determine whether any charges are warranted, police spokesman Deputy Chief David Golt said.

Further details were not available, he said.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/news/pembroke_pines/sfl-1202pinesrobbery,0,377632.story
 

Siskiyoumom

Veteran Member
Sadly, most public schools do not have available "alternative school placement for discipline disordered students". As a public school teacher I have witness very bizzare, dangerous and dysfunctional behaviors in my primary classroom. Trying to get the school district to cough up the funds to pay for interventions, counseling, and help is nigh on impossible. And who is held accountable if something dangerous occurs in school? The teacher and then the district. It seems to me that parents are never held responsible for the acts of their messed up children, for the financial costs of repairing damage to school property, and that the school is the nanny and supposed to provide clothes, medical care, food and counseling all the while trying to teach students. :boohoo:Is this a rant? You betcha! :sht: Do I love my job, students and community? You betcha! I do know that I am serving my class to the best of my ability and I find much joy in seeing students learn to read, do math and learn how to be kind and respectful to one another. Sis
 
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