13-year-old charged with felony

[IDrinkaRum]

http://www.kentucky.com/779/story/380893.html

One classmate has a known peanut allergy. So what does this child/teenager do? Crumbles up peanut butter cookies and places them in the other child's lunch box.

Of course there are "no known" issues between the two students.

[Sylvia727]

And he did this...why? Did he think it was a practical joke, or was he really trying to kill the other student? Either way he should be punished, but motivation should go a long way in determining severity.

My sister's allergic to latex. If someone pops a balloon near her and she breaths in the air, she could die. One classmate brought a balloon to school. She freaked out and ran to the other side of the room, telling him to get it away from her. He, being 15 and stupid, decided to chase her around the room. He was suspended for one day. I think that's appropriate because even though he'd been told she was allergic to latex, he thought it only kicked in if it touched her skin, and thus was only trying to scare her. So he was punished for harassing her, but not for trying to hurt her.

[Boozy]

The 13 year-old probably didn't understand the seriousness of the other child's allergy. He probably thought it would give them a rash or something.

Adults can sometimes forget that what's "well known" to everyone doesn't mean its fully understood by a child.

[IDrinkaRum]

Boozy, you're correct. However, malicious practical "jokes" - even if he thought the kid would get a rash (hives are itchy and very uncomfortable) - should be punished somehow. Detention or 1 day suspension should be sufficient. However, even if the school doesn't cop to knowing about any problems between the 2 doesn't mean there aren't.

[ebonyknight]

Boozy, you're correct. However, malicious practical "jokes" - even if he thought the kid would get a rash (hives are itchy and very uncomfortable) - should be punished somehow. Detention or 1 day suspension should be sufficient. However, even if the school doesn't cop to knowing about any problems between the 2 doesn't mean there aren't.

It all depends. Unfortunately what we took for granted as horseplay when we were children, is nothing but now. Now with kids having access to the internet, TV and other media, kids can learn about how to serious hurt others or get the ideas.

I believe that motivation is now a BIG factor where it wasn't when we were kids.
Back then, we didn't know about allergic reactions, guns, making booby traps, etc. We just went outside and beat the snot out of each other. These days there are a lot easier ways (from widespread knowledge) to inflict serious bodily harm without even touching the other person.

It may have been one of those innocent jokes (she'll turn all red and have to go to school like that for a few days) or it could have been that they wanted to seriously hurt them. With so much media and access to information, it can no longer be taken for granted that it was innocent and due to ignorance.

God I miss those days when things were so simple.

[rahmota]

Still though a felony? Thats overreacting a bit much dont you think? Maybe some community service in a allergy ward or nursing home or something.

Yeah thigns used to be a lot more simple but things dont have to be complex if people dont choose to let them be.

[Sylvia727]

If the kid knew it could cause death, then hell yes he should be charged with a felony. 13 is old enough to understand cause and effect and that people die forever. If he thought it would just cause hives, then he should be charged with assault.

[rahmota]

If the kid knew it could cause death

Thats a mighty big IF that we dont know for sure about. From the news article I cant read the kids mind can you? Still though a felony is rather a bit much.

I mean 13 is that pivitol age between a child and and adult where you are still trying to get your bearings. Yeah the knowledge of cause and effect and responsibility should be there and pretty well instilled in a person by that age but in this modern world we live in yeah right. too many kids being raised by absentee or apathetic parents and a society that says dont worry about personal responsibility leads to some adults not having those cause effect responsibility values in place. A felony is some serious stuff that could mess the kid up for the rest of his life depending on how they do it. All for what may or may not have been astupid prank. Better to give him a real big slap on the wrist ,not a tiny one mind you, but a real honest to goodness we could have messed your life up but chose not to in the hopes you get your head on straight buddy kind of slap.

[AFPheonix]

I remember when I was 13. I was a flipping idiot. Pretty much like all 13 year olds.

I suspect this will probably be locked with his juvie record once he hits 18.

[Sylvia727]

If he knew it could cause death, then he should be charged with attempted murder. If not, then he shouldn't.

I know that prison could eff his life up hardcore, but you know what else could mess someone's life up hardcore? Death.

[rahmota]

If he knew it could cause death, then he should be charged with attempted murder. If not, then he shouldn't

Like I said thats a mighty big IF there.

If his intent was to murder ,
If his knowledge was there,
If, If , if.......

[Sylvia727]

Like I said thats a mighty big IF there.

If his intent was to murder ,
If his knowledge was there,
If, If , if.......

It is a mighty big IF, but that's what the courts should be sorting out. If they determine A, then I think the penalty should be X. If they determine B, then I think the penalty should be Y.