Autistic Boy Charged With Making Terrorist Threats Over Stick-Figure Sketch

Originally posted by ickylevel
I don't really know what prevents video gamers from being called terrorist theses days. I think it will come soon (worst than the map maker terrorists)...

Yep government probably watches xbox live.

Government is obsessed with thought crimes, and everyone on the planet wishes someone dead, so they need to look at themselves.

Originally posted by CHA0S
reply to post by Mudman21

 

Karen Finn says that her son, 8th grader Shane Finn, doesn’t understand why he is in trouble. She says the boy is autistic and has the mental capacity of a 3rd grader.

That's bull, he knew exactly what he was drawing. But that doesn't change a thing, maybe if he pulled a gun on the teacher there'd be more reason for concern...but a drawing...especially from an autistic boy...sheesh, show some lenience...that's way over the top...

EDIT: Mudman, that avatar disturbs me more than any other on ATS.

[edit on 14/5/10 by CHA0S]

you know nothing about autism. I have aspergers i use to draw guns and fire all the time.

The kid SHOULD be in trouble and punished for drawing such a thing. However, charged? A bit too far no?

This for some reason reminds me of the movie "Brazil" where the secondary character (Robert DeNiro) was a "terrorist"...but he was just an A/C repair man. It's sort of unrelated, but it borders on the same line of ridiculous.

How ridiculous, have police really not got anything better to be doing with their time than dealing with stuff like this?
He should be punished in some way though because even a person with that mental capacity would realise on some level that its not nice to draw things like that.

Saying that though, Id be interested to see whether the mothers estimate of his mental age is due to results of proper tests, or whether its just something she's deduced herself.

First off I have to say that I have no kids,
so am on the outside looking in.

I personally feel we are raising children to
be afraid of everything. Wear a helmet while
riding a bike or skateboard, not allowing children
to be children.

Expression through art is also a valuable lesson.
I would much rather want one to express
themselves this way rather than with actual
violence.

I was going to make my next thought about
the kid who got his " you know what " beat
by his teacher but never got too it. My comment
was about having disabled children in class with
regular ones.

I remember when I was in school that was unheard
of. When I got out of college, the only job I
could find was that of a substitute teacher. I was
extremely surprisedto see not only physically
disabled kids but mentally disabled as well.

The first thing I thought was "great, now what am
I supposed to do." Needless to say I found it to
be a really fun learning experience myself and I
do not really like kids.

The blind kid was the smartest and quickest in
class with his Braille book as well as the most
polite. The mentally challenged kids had their own
adult supervision but still participated with the
class. They were definately the most eager to learn
out of the whole bunch.

Having children like that in class is a good thing.
It helps their self esteem and teaches the other
kids some valuable lessons as well.

Sorry about that.
Double post

[edit on 14-5-2010 by capgrup]

I edited my last post to reflect what I'm about to say, but wanted to add it to the end of the thread as well since it might get missed.

According to www.criminaldefenselawyer.com, which although it's a networking site to connect potential clients with lawyers doesn't seem to have any reason for bias or error in this matter, a "Terrorist Threat Charge" is not the same thing as a charge of violating "Terrorism Laws".

A Terrorist Threat Charge (what this kid is presumably charged with if there are even any actual legal charges) is:

Often known as a terroristic threat, this misdemeanor charge occurs when an individual communicates any type of threat that causes a person or group to be in fear of bodily harm, disrupts an assembly, public gathering or the use of a public building or indicates an attempt to interrupt or disrupt any type of public service such as telephones, water, sewage or electricity.

Terrorist threat charges can also occur with threats to the government or any school, public officer or emergency service organization as well as those directed as particular private individuals. Stalking, harassment and public misconduct and also result in terrorist threat charges.

So it's a misdemeanor charge, not a felony charge, and does not have the same connotations of politically or religiously motivated threats against civilians that "terrorism" does:

Terrorism is generally defined as the use or threat of use of violence against civilians, non-military personnel and ‘innocents’ in order to advance political or religious agendas and meet political or religious goals. Terrorism is used as leverage against governments and organizations, as the threat of terrorism is an effective measure for causing fear in a population and getting government bodies to react quickly to perceived threats. Acts of terrorism deliberately target random targets in order to sow the seeds of fear.

To me that makes a huge difference. Whether or not a specific child should be charged with making a "terrorist threat" would depend in my opinion on the particular circumstances, which would include the child's developmental age and also the history of the relationship and the viability and credibility of the threat.

Damn, they should help the poor kid out by giving him help
not keep him accountable for the same charges a suicidal radical muslim terrorist would be charged with.

reply to post by rcwj1975


There is a difference between academic level and social level. For instance, my son (autistic) performs academically at his normal 5th grade level or above. It's amazing how well he can read an academic paper if it's on something he's interested in.

Socially, he's a few years behind. He needs coaching on how to talk to people, how to relate, to face someone when talking, etc. It took me 6 months to teach him all the steps to going into our local convenience store to buy his favorite lemonade. I had to teach him each step from standing in line, personal space, giving your items to the cashier, handing money over and waiting for change. Now he can go into any store and go through the process. Meanwhile, he's an all As 5th grader.

My son doesn't understand any rule he hasn't been taught. So he doesn't know that one doesn't call the teacher "Silly" until someone explains the rule to him. Probably same for this child - he doesn't know it's wrong until someone explains why.

Thank you for being genuinely interested in the difference.

reply to post by americandingbat


Thanks for posting the information. It does make a difference IMO. It's even worse! The teacher of this child obviously has known the child was challenged. Why are there ANY charges against a child? esp a challenged one? I have a good older friend who has an adult Autistic son who is very functional he works, has his own apartment and lives pretty much on his own. [Friends and Family] Keep a watchful eye.

Not that he is a danger to himself or anyone else. Just to keep an eye out for anyone who would do him harm.

I think the teacher needs their head examined.

reply to post by SLAYER69


Here's another link for info, it's the Georgia statute covering "terrorist threat":

Georgia Code - Crimes and Offenses - Title 16, Section 16-11-37.

edit to add: BTW, I agree that pressing this charge against a kid (autistic or not) for drawing a picture of himself shooting his teacher is absurd, unless there was some history that suggested the threat was real.

[edit on 5/14/2010 by americandingbat]

reply to post by americandingbat


In other words their NWO order illegal pseudo "laws/crimes" make nearly all offenses terrorism. Like I said its time to go out in large numbers and some bullhorns and deal with it.

This is really important information, people need to read what they've done here. Thank you for contributing this.

[edit on 14-5-2010 by Unity_99]

it's a big reason why I am very reluctant to have kids. I don't want them to have to live in this BS world full of people who are full of BS. A terrorist threat?? Are they serious. Now kids can cause terrorism too?

GAWD DAM PATRIOT ACT!

reply to post by SLAYER69


Of course the fact that this kid is autistic makes the entire situation even more preposterous. But even if this kid WASN'T autistic and drew the same thing? Come on! Reprimand and punish him for sure to let him know that such actions are NOT OK. But to charge him with a terrorist threat? I...I'm speechless...

Okay, so an autistic kid draws himself shooting a teacher (...roughly.. they were stick figures after all.)

Someone please explain to me how an autistic boy with the mental capacity of a 3rd grader would even go about acquiring a gun?


Here is a link to a contact form for the boy's school.

Send these guys a piece of your mind everybody.

I really think drawing is a great way at relieving stress - would they have rather the picture come true if this kid would have held in his anger/stress?

Personally, I write, but I have used drawing to express myself as well at certain times in my life. Some of the things I've written, if seen by someone else, would probably make them very concerned for my well being/mentality, however it's just my way of letting everything out without having to say it out loud or actually do the action(s) I'm thinking about.

The only thing about this that really is bothersome is that the kid put the name of the teacher on the drawing. That shows direct aggression towards that specific teacher. They should look into why this kid has a problem with this teacher; either way though putting someones name on a picture and including yourself with a gun and drawing yourself shooting is still a threat in some nature.

Schools are not tolerant of anything anymore - kids get suspended for bringing Advil into school without permission it's ridiculous. I don't agree with a lot of the things going on in our schools these days, however I understand why the school would be upset about this picture, and just because he's handicap doesn't mean he isn't capable of doing the things he drew. Handicap people always try and make their claim about how they want to be treated just like everyone else, and I agree they should, but should that not apply to the legal system as well?

I'm not saying this kid should go to jail or anything, but the school does need to look into why he was drawing this picture. For all we know the teacher was treating him badly/differently because of his handicap.

Originally posted by free_form
Okay, so an autistic kid draws himself shooting a teacher (...roughly.. they were stick figures after all.)

Someone please explain to me how an autistic boy with the mental capacity of a 3rd grader would even go about acquiring a gun?


Here is a link to a contact form for the boy's school.

Send these guys a piece of your mind everybody.

Just did. Thanks for the link.


Peace be with you.

-truthseeker

Wow, I live in Sandy Springs, GA. This is so unethical I don't understand the problem with an autistic child! This is insane. Who could possibly take this (threat) seriousely??

Isnt it slightly premature to be sending messages to the school ranting about it? Just saying that because it is a fairly short article.. could well be more to it than meets the eye.