What do you think of the eleven year old girl who got arrested for bringing a steak knife to school?

Question

A 10-year-old Florida girl faces felony weapons charges after bringing a small steak knife to school to cut up her lunch, according to a report on WFTV.com.
School officials say the Ocala 5th grader had brought a piece of steak for her lunch, and had brought a steak knife. According to the report, a couple of teachers took the utensil and called authorities, who arrested the girl and took her to the county’s juvenile assessment center.
"She did not use it inappropriately. She did not threaten anyone with it. She didn't pull it out and brandish it. Nothing of that nature," explained Marion County School Spokesman Kevin Christian, who added that it made no difference what the knife was being used for, they had no choice but to call police.
"Anytime there's a weapon on campus, yes, we have to report it and we aggressively report it because we don't want to take any chances, regardless," Christian said.
The girl now faces a felony charge for possessing a weapon on school property.

Can you believe this? What is happening to our schools? What can be done?

Oops I put eleven year old girl in the question she is ten sorry

The answers from the people who have had careers in law enforcement are really interesting. All of you said the proper procedure was followed. I have a serious question for you. Is it standard procedure to handcuff ten year olds? Is there a cut off age for handcuffing or are there rowdy six year olds out there getting cuffed?

Answer 1

Very poor judgement on her part and even poorer judgement by school authorities. She should have known better, but it was not meant to be a weapon. She should just have detention or something like that.

Answer 2

Well I was convicted of a felony for possessing a knife. But I also threatened a feller with it...and I am a lot older.

I used to bring a pocket knife to school with me...but it wasn't any big deal back in the 1980's in a small hillbilly town.

Yeah, I think it should be on a case by case basis. And if all the facts you have presented are true, it should be dismissed without charges. Maybe a two day in school suspension from class...put in a study hall or something, might be appropriate. But a felony, and all that goes with it isn't for an 11 year old that has not threatened anyone.

Answer 3

I don't think the school should have had the girl taken in the back of a police car to juvi but should rather have educated her and her idiot guardian about the rules and regulations and fear about bring what could be deemed as a "weapon" onto campus. On the other hand, you can't be too sure about what even a ten year old child is capable of. In this case the poor thing was innocent but I do volunteer with troubled kids and even the youngest can be insanely violent.

As in this case, it is mandated by the state to charge the girl, but most likely she will not be convicted. It is pretty ridiculous though what our world is coming to: 1) we have to worry about violence at school and, 2) we have to arrest a ten year old for innocently bringing a steak knife to school to cut up her leftover steak.

Like I have said before, it's time to pull our children out of the public school system. It's not safe in so many ways.

Answer 4

I would guess her probably her mother packed it, and why would she put a knife in? C'mon it's been ages since I've been in school, and I know better. The food should have been cut up first.

Maybe she wouldn't use it as a weapon, but what about another kid who saw it in her lunch and grabbed it?

Of course it's silly that they had to call the police, and obviously they aren't going to 'charge' her, but they are trying to get the message out: nothing that can be used as a weapon. Zero tolerance. And also you have no idea what this school system has gone through in the past, and why this policy was made. This story is out of context.

The elementary school I went to had some freaks that would leave toys filled with acid around the playground. So we weren't allowed to play with any toys.

See the headlines:
"Kids aren't allowed to play with toys during recess!" But they had their reasons.

Answer 5

I think the school did what they should- so the other kids know that a steak knife will be taken just as seriously as a switch blade. As far as felony charges go, that's just for show. She didn't use the knife as a weapon or a threat in any way, so she didn't break any laws. A judge will dismiss the case 20 minutes after he meets the girl.

Don't worry, she won't do any hard time for bringing leftovers to school. Facing charges isn't the same thing as a conviction.

Answer 6

Of course I can believe it! What I can't believe is what kind of parent/guardian would think it would be OK to send any kind of knife to school with a kid? What are they thinking?! Even if the kid does use it appropriately, who's to say that another student, who isn't particularly fond of his or her fellow students or teacher or even him or herself, couldn't get a hold of the knife and use it inappropriately?

I take it the last time you were in a school was the day you graduated. I've taught for 16 years. Even in a Catholic school, I had a girl who folded up a piece of paper to form a ring around three fingers, stapled it, pried the staples open so the pointy ends were sticking straight out, and went around punching other students with it. Imagine what she could do with a knife? If you aren't in these schools, don't assume that the schools are over-reacting when they take a knife away from a student and have her arrested for bringing contraband onto school property. You'd be the very same person who'd sue if another student got a hold of that knife and stabbed your kid because the school didn't act and take that knife away from the student who brought it.

Further, for you people who think that all ten year olds or younger are such innocents, you don't have a clue as to what you're talking about. I dare any one of you to volunteer in an inner city school for just a week or even a day to see just how sweet and cuddly those kids can be.

Answer 7

The school did what they had to do by law. Had they not, and someone got hurt with the knife, they would be liable. The school handbook gives the specifics on the handling of potential weapons in school, including nail files on clippers. She is automatically expelled from school. Bet the parents here who are saying the school was wrong would be the first ones to sue if their kid got hurt by a steak knife in school.

Answer 8

I think it was a knee jerk reaction. I think it was partially the parents fault for allowing the kid out the door with the knife. It is also partly the schools fault. They over reacted big time. All they had to do is take away the knife, and handle the situation themselves. Why get the police involved if the girl wasn't threatening anyone. I think it is typical making a bigger deal then it was.

Answer 9

Eating utensils are supplied in the cafeteria. If she was arrested for the knife, what happened to the fork, or didn't she have one?. The steak could have been cut up before bringing it to school, or a sandwich could have been made. The authorities followed the proper procedure.

Answer 10

Did you read the article? Her parents were unavailable by phone. Police cannot sit there and wait around all day. They simply took her to a place she could wait and be evaluated, which would happen eventually anyways. We must turn a child over to a parent.

Don't blame the police in this. Blame the society that has let it go this far.