5th Graders Accused In Poison Plot

CBS News ^ | 1/17/03

[areafiftyone]

DENVER, Jan. 17, 2003

(AP / CBS) "They said that they didn't like her and that they wanted to hurt her." school principal Sally Edwards

(AP) Police said a group of fifth-graders tried to poison a schoolmate by putting pills, glue, lead and chalk in her drinks.

Officers planned to ask prosecutors to file reckless endangerment charges against two 10-year-olds they said led the plot at Harrington Elementary in northeastern Denver.

Police learned of the case Tuesday after the 11-year-old complained to teachers that she had found the items in her water bottle and soda over three days. Five girls and two boys, all in fifth grade, were suspended for five days, and some face possible suspension.

Investigators declined to elaborate on why the group allegedly targeted the 11-year-old.

"They said that they didn't like her and that they wanted to hurt her," school principal Sally Edwards said Thursday.

Police haven't identified any of the children.

Investigators were awaiting test results to determine what kind of pills were involved.

Police said they planned to turn the case over to the district attorney's office even if tests show the pills were harmless. The misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment centers on the intent to do harm, Lt. Gary Lauricella said.

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[cardinal4]

What do you do with 10 year olds who want to kill?

[areafiftyone]

Kick their butts from here to kingdom come! No - seriously I just don't know what I would do but I would most certainly send them to kids to some kind of boot camp or jail for some enlightenment and a good scare! When I was a kid we would't even think about things like that. If we didn't like someone the most that was did was put a tack on that annoying kid's chair or gum. Killing someone or physically hurting someone was never even thought of. Never entered our minds. What the heck is wrong with kids!

[ohiobushman]

How about spanking the crap out of them! IMHO the parents must be partly to blame.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

What do you do with 10 year olds who want to kill?

First thing you do is sit down and have a good cry.

[cardinal4]

How about spanking the crap out of them! IMHO the parents must be partly to blame.

I agree, but I fear these kids are already history....

[fogarty]

I'd put them to trial them as adults.

[niteowl77]

Five day suspension, huh? I guess there is no zero tolerance rule for attempted poisioning. If one of the little darlings had pointed a finger and said, "bang," then we'd get serious.

[Tai_Chung]

she had found the items in her water bottle and soda over three days.

A 5 day waiting period on water would have prevented this crime.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

What do you do when your child is poisoned in school?

[cardinal4]

I would have no idea, this whole thing is unfathomable to me.

[roadcat]

"Five day suspension, huh? "

I don't get it, either. A few days ago, Hannity & Colmes interviewed a 13-yearold who was expelled from school for one year for playing a few minutes with a 2-inch laser light. It happened to be a key-ring toy in the shape of a little pistol. It wasn't his, he wasn't harming anyone or pointing at anyone, he just asked a schoolmate if he could try it out. So he's busted for one year.

These kids doing the poisoning bit should be expelled for one year and ordered to undergo therapy.