What would you have done if a child pulled a knife on your 7-year old daughter?

Question

I live in a very safe area (about 2 hours North of NY City). At least that's what I thought until my daughter came home from school & told me that another 7 y.o. threatened her with a knife on the bus. I reported it to the Sheriff's Office, who, in turn, went and spoke with the boy that pulled the knife on her. Also reported it to the school, the school superintendent, and spoke directly with the Asst. Principal, who informed me the boy would be put in the front seat of the bus. This boy has been harassing her since Kindergarten (she's in 1st). Last yr, he punched her, threw backpack at her head, exposed herself to him. School said, get this, every year they start fresh with the kids and what he did last yr doesn't matter now. At what point will it matter? It took everything I had to keep my husband from going to visit this little boy's father. Told them the neighbors knew it was this boy, school told me not to tell the other parents. I screamed & yelled like a lunatic.

Answer 1

Yes  !  Talk  to  the  sheriff  AND  talk  to  the  boy's  parents .  You  should  also  talk  to  a  lawyer  and  see  what  your  rights  are .  Don't  let  the  school  faculty  tell  you  not  to  do  anything  !

Answer 2

I would continue the process with the sheriffs office. If there is nothing done by the school try going to the local news station. They'll probably recact better to you once its known they are basically siding with the knife carrying boy.The question is how did he get into the school with the knife? I thought most schools had a zero tolerence policy on this stuff. Your daughter is in danger, especially if he is just targeting her. You may need to take your child out of this school if the school doesnt protect her. I found a news report where a kindergarten student brought a knife to school to hurt another child. In this case the child was suspended for 5 days. But police said it was unlikley that a child that young would be charged with a crime. Heres the link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/june...

I would ask where exactly the police are with the investigation, and if they arent getting anywhere, and the school doesnt budge, go to the news station and/or switch your childs school.

Answer 3

Probably about the same thing that you did.  If possible I would insist on pressing charges, also I would begin calling the police each time an incident happens since the school doesn't seem to care much.

Answer 4

I would file a police report for sure and start driving my child to school if that is possible.

If this little monster lays a finger on her in the future file assualt charges on his little self and let juvi take over.  I don't understand what's wrong with parents these days that they let their kids act like this and do these things thinking it is OK or excuse it saying "kids are kids" or "boys are boys".  Makes me mad!

I can guarantee that if someone ever did that to my child there would be big trouble for them in more way than one- I'd make it my personal mission! Hope your daughter is OK. It's horrible that kids do these things. What happened to society when you could send your child to school on the bus and not have to worry about them being hurt in school?

** just reread some things here, and summer has a good idea. Go to your local news station. Make a huge deal of it and they will have to do something. The school doesn't want you telling other parents because they don't want the bad publicity or parents getting outraged about the lack of safety issues from the school.   It's like a kidnapper telling you "don't scream or I'll hurt you".  Do what you would want your child to do in a case like that- scream your head off. Call local newspapers, news TV stations and anyone else who will listen- including your local police department to file a complaint if not charges.

Answer 5

I would file a police report and follow up with the police to make sure you've done everything you to document this situation with the authorities.  Since it happened under the supervision of the school (on a school bus), I would demand that the school do something about it.  Get an atty. involved...have them contact the school.  I'll bet, they'll take action then.  Threaten them, let it go on record that if anything happens to your child you would hold the school responsible.  I would really consider moving your child to another school as it appears this kid has something against yours since he's been harassing her since kindergarten.   Tell all the parents!!!!  Tell everyone!!!  Get them involved!!!! Their kids are in jeopardy as well.

Answer 6

I would pursue the case with the sheriff's office. No one lifts a finger to my child and continues to get away with it. You say they spoke with the boy. How does a child get into school with a knife? Why didn't they talk to the parents?

And who is the school to tell you not to talk to the parents? I would go over to that kid's house and have a VERY long talk with his parents. Maybe they know what's going on and are ignoring it. Maybe they have no idea. Either  way, your daughter is in danger. Be a responsible parent and do something quickly.

Answer 7

He should be suspended! I would go to school and yell at the principal and tell the sherrif more until it really sinks in!

Answer 8

It's sad that the school isn't getting involved.  I would be freaking out about NOW!  That's tough since the school isn't helping, so I'd say involve the police.  It wouldn't hurt to talk with the childs parents.  I know that is a scary situation, but something needs to be done!  I'm sorry that your daughter has to go through this.  Did you try the school counselor, if not how about the school superintendant?

Answer 9

I would see a lawyer there are anti-bullying laws in many states. The school should be doing more in this case. This boy definitely needs more than a lecture. I would definitely talk to his parents. You have a child that needs to be protected from this type of behavior, and it needs to be stopped now or it could get worse.

Answer 10

School told you not to tell the other parents?? IDIOTS.

I would write a HUGE letter to put in the newspaper stating EVERYTHING the school has said. The c**p about starting over every year, the last year doens't matter.

All they did to that boy was put him in the front of the bus??

The sherrif didn't do anything either !?!?!

Boy, schools will go to ANY lenghts to get that NCLB money, eh??

Answer 11

if ANYTHING like that ever happend to my kids while they are at school, i would swithc schools. especially if the school seems to be taking so little interest in the situation

Answer 12

The school is being irresponsible.  This child has physically hurt and threatened your child and it is their job to protect your child.  Believe me the stuff that he did now will matter in ten years when he is doing worse to kids, if they don't find out what is going on in his life that is causing him to behave like this.  Follow up with the sheriff's department to find out what kind of recourse you have.

Answer 13

We had a similar experience last year with our daughter, only it was a pair of scissors, but the same intent.  Check the school's policy against violence.  Most schools have a zero tolerance policy and since the incident occured on the bus, it's still considered school property.  I would pursue the incident with the principle and school board insisting the child be expelled, or at the very least suspended, and get some couseling.  It sounds like he needs it.  You may also want to have your daughter talk to the school couselor as well.  Being bullied in such a violent manner can have lasting effects.  I completely understand your and your husband's anger, but staying calm and insistent is your best strategy.  Most schools will ask that you not tell other parents to prevent panic or worse, other parents insisting thier children need to "protect" themselves by bringing harmful objects to school.  You may also want to check with the Sheriff's Office to see if you can get a restraining order against the child which would force the school to take more severe action.  The child may be too young to be charged with a crime, but your daughter should not be subjected to the possibility of bodily harm no matter what the age of the agressor.  Good luck!

Answer 14

I would have done what you did. I also know that my husband (daddy) would have gone over and had a LONG one on one TALK with that child's father. He wouldn't have cared about the guns and other c**p. I would continue to report things to the police. You have every right to go to the other parents and tell the whole school if you want to do that. I probably would have even contacted the television stations and broadcast it out to the whole community what that child is doing to your little girl. Maybe if they get enough embarrassment they will be the family to move out of the community. You should not have to move. Also I am glad that you now drive her to school. If you do contact the TV station I would be sure to tell them what the school said about starting new and fresh every year. This is what I would do.

Answer 15

Report them and DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER! This is very important. If the kid gets one of his father's guns and shoots someone, it would be awful.

Answer 16

I would definitely pursue this with the school and with the police.  Having been in a similar situation, I informed the school that if my son was harmed in any way that I would be contacting an attorney.  I let them know that I had documented EVERY incident and who I informed, when, etc. and that they would be held responsible for any harm done to my child.  My husband and I tried talking to the parents ourselves but in the end my son's older brother (still a minor) had a confrontation with the other child.  We haven't had a problem since.  I don't promote violence but I do promote my children defending each other.

Answer 17

wow that is just crazy..........looks like you did everything you can do...........you talked to the sheriff , talked to the school and are taking your child to school everyday. Yep keep a record of all the incidents is a great idea. Your daughter is lucky to have a mom who will go to bat for her.

Answer 18

3 simple words: CALL THE POLICE!

Answer 19

I'd scream and yell like a lunatic too! I'd keep doing it till the Sheriff paid a visit to the boy and his parents. And I can't believe the school told you not to tell the other parents. I think they 're being irresponsible.

Just keep screaming till something is done about this kid.

Did the kid really have a knife or did he just say he did?

Answer 20

ughh i wish people would take care of their kids that is just sad