local6.com
First-Grader Arrested, Handcuffed After Fight
UPDATED: 2:10 PM EDT October 6, 2004
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Police handcuffed and arrested an 8-year-old boy after a fight and charged him with misdemeanor battery and criminal mischief.
First grader Isaac Sutton was arrested Monday by a Tallahassee police officer after a fight with a 10-year-old boy in his neighborhood. A police report says Isaac punched and slapped the other boy during an argument. The victim's mother called police. Isaac was taken to a juvenile center and released to his mother after midnight.
"This was children's stuff, a disagreement between two neighborhood kids," said Kathy Garner, Isaac's attorney. The boy's arrest was made public by his mother, Pamela Kelly.
It was the second time in recent weeks that a north Florida elementary school student has been booked by police for fighting. A 7-year-old in neighboring Jefferson County was arrested at school Sept. 1 for allegedly fighting another student, hitting a teacher and scratching a police officer.
In Isaac's case, assistant city attorney Rick Courtemanche said the arresting officer decided there was enough evidence to arrest the 4-foot-10, 70-pound boy. And, he said, city policy requires officers to handcuff juveniles when taking them to the county's Juvenile Assessment Center.
"He just needs a good talking-to," Garner said. "This doesn't need to be handled in the judicial system."
Children don't start to be accountable until around the age 8 and than they are still learning civility!
Eight years old and 4-foot-10, 70-pounds, is too big to be in first grade. The other kids are much smaller 6 year olds.