Posted on 05/03/2005 3:37:45 AM PDT by MisterRepublican
A 6-year-old Jacksonville boy won't face criminal charges after allegations that he tried to stab a 10-year-old boy while two friends, ages 9 and 10, held the victim down, authorities said Monday.
It happened about 5 p.m. Friday outside the Hartwood Place Apartments in the 11500 block of Harts Road. Police arrived after a woman who lives there saw the 3-foot-5, 35-pound Biscayne Elementary School student chasing the victim with the knife and took the weapon away, a Sheriff's Office report said.
The victim, who is 2 inches taller and weighs 5 pounds more that his alleged assailant, wasn't hurt in the confrontation, his mother said Monday. She said she agreed with the State Attorney's Office in its decision not to charge the 6-year-old, but thought authorities should compel him to get counseling.
"I was very upset about it," the woman said, adding that she wanted the boy to understand he could have killed her son, an Oceanway Elementary School student.
The Times-Union is withholding the names of the children involved because they are minors, and is not identifying the mother to protect her son's identity.
Had authorities arrested the 6-year-old, he would be facing a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.
The victim's mother said she believes the two older boys involved encouraged the 6-year-old. The victim told police the 6-year-old chased him with the knife and tried to cut him while the two other boys held him down. He said they are friends but had an argument.
Police recovered a knife at the scene but didn't arrest the 6-year-old after consulting with the State Attorney's Office.
(Excerpt) Read more at jacksonville.com ...
From the article "Chief Assistant State Attorney Jay Plotkin said Monday that police are advised not to arrest suspects younger than 10, and authorities consider situations on a case-by-case basis even if the suspect is 10."
So what about the 5 year old who was busted for throwing a temper tantrum?
And what about the older kids here, the alleged instigators?
I'm not saying any of these people SHOULD have been arrested, but it wouldn't have taken too much for this situation to end tragically. Thank goodness for the lady who put an end to it. Maybe she can be given a job in that school.
She wil be sued for touching the kid when she took the knife away.
"The victim, who is 2 inches taller and weighs 5 pounds more that his alleged assailant"
HUH?
So what did the three little potential murderers learn? NOTHING, and will live to kill another day.
How did she dare take on a 6 year old without having a taser, a can of mace or handcuffs at her disposal?
She sounds more qualified to be a cop than a lot of ones I have been reading about lately.
If he'd accidentally brought a plastic butter knife to school in his backpack, he'd be charged with all manner of things.
"HUH?"
Being held down by two other boys.
This could have turned out really bad. At least the DA didn't over react in this case. But a good session behind the barn is still in order for all of the kids involved.
"HUH?"
Being held down by two other boys.
This could have turned out really bad. At least the DA didn't over react in this case. But a good session behind the barn is still in order for all of the kids involved.
Although said in jest, bond is often required when not necessary. Seems to be in collusion with the bail bondsmen.
They learned to not get caught or they will lose their knife.
"Had authorities arrested the 6-year-old, he would be facing a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill."
Looks like due to the seriousness of the offense, they chose not to file a charge. However, no punishment at all is bad news - all three should be getting some kind of justice as this indeed would have been a murder had it been successful...
Does anyone knonw if this is an inner-city deal?
Surely these sizes aren't correct.
I know (non-obese) 4 year olds who outmass this six year old by more than ten pounds (do the math for the ten year old)
The height and weight measurements given for both boys are well below the 3rd percentile.
Hope they keep an eye on these bullies - in my experience, the victims of group bullying (though we don't know what went on, perhaps the ten year old was the bully, and getting the sort of lesson they sometimes get) are typically the ones assigned to watch lists, rather than the perps.
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