Third Grade Threat?

The nightly news never fails to shock and awe. Yesterday's news is no different. The absurdity of the following story should be a lesson to parents and politicians. There is no excuse for such behavior.

A group of third graders from Waycross, Georgia, plotted to kill their teacher after one of them was reprimanded for standing on a chair. Nine boys and girls from Center Elementary School were involved in the plot, and some came to school carrying a steak knife, duct tape, handcuffs and other items. According to Chief of Police, Tony Tanner, the students planned to knock out their teacher with a glass paperweight, handcuff and bind her with duct tape and stab her with a broken steak knife.

It has been said that three of the nine students were ringleaders and may possibly face prosecution. Consequently, according to Georgia law, children cannot be charged unless they are at least 13. Some students were assigned roles in the attack: one student would cover the windows, one would clean up after the attack.

Officials learned of the plot before the school day began when one of the students told authorities of the planned attack. The class, made up of special education students, was reported to have never been any such trouble prior. Some of the students have conditions such as Attention Deficit Disorder, delayed development and hyperactivity. Yet, parents are outraged and are calling for immediate expulsion of the students.

The fact that this has truly come to pass is incredible. The fact that such young minds can devise such an intricate scheme should be a wake up call to parents as to what they show their children. Hopefully we can all learn from this.