Posted by tonya askin on 10/04/03

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I am not sure if this is the appropriate venue for this
question. If
not, I deeply apologize and can only say I am at my wits
end and
terribly afraid for my child. This is the situation. My 11
year old
son is a A, B and rarely but sometimes a C student. He has
never had
any serious trouble at school, is a good student and causes
no
problems aside from the norm at home. Since age 6 he has
been
teased, harrassed and abused on the bus. I cannot transport
him to
and from school. Every year I take this issue to the
school, his only
referrals from school occurred on the bus. Last wensday he
was
caught with (my husbands) boot knife in his pocket at
school. An
officer and both the principal and vice principal
questioned him then
called me. He had lied numerous times because he was
scared. What
it comes down to is he only had it in hopes that if the
high
schoolers who were tormenting him knew he had it they
wouldnt beat on
him or call him horrible names. I know that this is bad
enough. I
truly do. I have heaped punishments on him and have had
long
discussions about it as well as am contacting a doctor to
refer him
to a pshychiatrist. The principal knows he is a good child
but
understandably cannot have him back in school. The options
are
expelling him or sending him to alternative school (which
he is
leaning to) I do not want my child, who is terribly
suseptable to
peer pressure around "bad kids", so have opted to home
school him.
Im sory Im rambling in trying to tell the whole story. The
officer
was angry that my son had repeatedly lied to him.
(understand he is
an 11 year old child...they do lie when scared) Now he is
pressing
dangerous weapons at school charges. I was not present when
my child
was questioned and at no time did the officer explain to
him that
what he had done was criminal. My son repeatedly
incriminated himself
before I told him when I finally was notified that what he
had done
was illeagal. Im terrified if they take him and put him in
junvinile
detention he WILL GO BAD! He is not a "bad kid" I know
parents
always say this but I swear to you the child has never
before caused
me concern nor worry, is responsible with his 4 younger
siblings,
always does his work and when asked why he hardly fights
back on the
bus he says "I dont want to get in trouble" He made a
horribley
terribly wrong choice, but doesnt deserve to be sent away.
Is there
any advice as to anything I can be doing between now and
court to
prove both he and I are working to ensure this never
happens again?
And was his civil rights violated? He was not allowed to
leave while
he was being questioned and was effectivly in police
custody. I
apologize for the lenght of this post and beg your
indulgence. any
information would be helpfull and thank you in advance for
your time.

Re: legal questions for an 11 year old child, 10/19/03, by sharwinston.

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