8-Year-Old Arrested, Accused of Hitting Teacher

8-Year-Old Arrested, Accused of Hitting Teacher

www.nbc-2.com

FORT MYERS: An eight-year old boy is about to get a first hand lesson in criminal justice. The second grader was arrested for allegedly punching his teacher in the face. NBC2's Patrick Flanary had a chance to speak to the young boy.

An argument over crayons in the classroom ended inside a patrol car for second grader Deshawn Williams. His wrists were in handcuffs and his teacher was badly bruised.

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I think it's pretty sad that adults want to charge, a 2nd Grader, an 8 year old, 4 foot tall, 70 pound boy with criminal charges for hitting AN ADULT!

Sorry, but I just think that is wrong!

True, the kid shouldn't have hit the teacher (or anybody), but the charges are being filed for hitting the TEACHER, the ADULT that was in the classroom! NOT for hitting his classmates, but the ADULT!

This should have been handled within the school system, NOT the court system!

Kids get into fights all the time in school and hit each other and the school punishes the kids. (Unless weapons are used)

Why, because this 8 year old kid hit a teacher, AN ADULT, is he being subjected to being arrested and having to go to court? What this kid NEEDS is a little psychological help, a little anger management help.

Times sure are changing, you would have NEVER heard of an 8 year old being arrested for hitting an adult 10 or 15 years ago! (the ADULT would have been embarrassed) NOT ANY MORE!

What is society coming to when an 8 year old gets ARRESTED for hitting AN ADULT!

When/WHY did adults feelings change that they NOW think an 8 year old SHOULD be ARRESTED for hitting AN ADULT!

Times sure are changing! RIDICULOUSLY!


www.nbc-2.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

[edit on 26/4/08 by Keyhole]

Taking the report at face value, I must admit, I'm not sure if I would have got the police involved.

Deshawn's teacher told Fort Myers police he hit several students, threw several chairs and when she tried to intervene, the boy threw several punches at her.

But Deshawn says he only hit her two times and says he did not hit her in the face. But police say the teacher did in fact have bruises on her face.

*Waves goodbye as the boy leaves the school never to return and so allowing the other students to learn. Why should the other children and teachers have to put up with this behaviour? He shouldn't be hitting anyone, what do his actions say about him? Is attacking a teacher really acceptable?

He would be removed from any school I had authority in, but then again perhaps I am just too harsh.

Perhaps it might be considered by some more constructive if the police become involved, that a little scare might help him curb this behaviour. If I were lobbied by teachers suggesting we go to such lengths in hope of helping after a display of behaviour that hardly seems out of character I suppose my course of action, being one of refusal and simple expulsion would not result in a news story. There would be no 'OMGz!' Yet in that situation, no arrest, no drama who would really be the bad guy?

Jak

reply to post by Keyhole



Oh heck no!! Unless you are in this person's position you shouldn't sit here and say that the kid shouldn't be arrested. A KID SHOULDN'T BE HITTING AN ADULT IN THE FIRST PLACE!! WHERE DO THESE KIDS GET OFF THINKING THEY CAN JUST DO WHATEVER THEY WANT NOW AND NOT FACE THE CONSEQUENCES??!!!! You don't know how much this teacher has had to put up with this kid. Maybe this was the teacher's last straw. You think all 8 years olds are precious angles? Step your feet into a classroom so that you can witness FIRST HAND how children behave now! Things aren't like they used to be!! I was hit by a student too. I was sick and tired of all the crap this kid gave me. No, I didn't get the kid arrested but I sure as hell didn't want him back in my class...Would you really be okay with a child hitting you in the face and giving you a black eye? We have a first grader in our school who threw scissors at the teacher, threw a desk, and threw crayons at the other kids. And the parents don't care! So yes, this kid got what he deserved!!

Ah, the good old days when just the threat of being sent to the principals office was enough determent.
To me, the real fault is the parents lack of discipline, and teaching their child the proper way to act in a social setting, which seems to be a growing trend.
In my day..(Not that old, really) the principal would use a strap, belt, or ruler ...
not a very good way to teach a child not to hit others, but it put enough fear into all of us to behave ourselves for sure.

reply to post by Keyhole


What you don't understand is that according to Florida Law, teachers are prohibited from touching (this includes restraining) children in their charge for any reason. They are also not allowed to raise their voice to them either. A few years back, my brother in law got his substitute teaching credentials here in Florida, but on the first day he instructed a third grader to take his seat to which the boy responded, "F- You!", and the only thing my brother in law could do was contact the principal.

Back in my day, the teacher would have beaten my arse, followed by an even more severe spanking when I got home. Now the only option in this case is law enforcement. Thank the over zealous anti-child abuse advocates who have taken things too damn far!