Teen accused of stealing 65-cent carton of milk at middle school to face trial

[Anonymous]

What a ridiculous waste of money. I can imagine the kid, not thinking how his actions would look to someone else, just popping back to get his milk because he forgot it. To him, it's fine because he's been through the line already. To an adult not aware of the situation in the kid's own head, it would be stealing. Said person would be upset and let the kid have it, in front of his peers. Kid, not wanting to lose face, would stand up to the adult because after all, he hadn't done anything wrong. Adult would get even more angry and demand the student go to the principal's office. Kid would become more stubborn and indignant. More people would be brought it and gradually the whole thing devolves into an out of control pissing contest that is wasting money and time.

It's kind of sad that there seems to be no normal, rational, and mature adult involved in any of this.

[Anonymous]

Just saying can't discredit racisms existence just cause something similar "happened to a white kid a few years back."

When people on this board say this would not have happened had he been white, yes you can. And, that is not what I said, anyway.

FWIW, What middle school kid does not know that it is wrong to steal? If he had forgotten his milk why didn't he say so instead of throwing it at the policeman?

[Anonymous]

What a ridiculous waste of money

Absolutely. Why did the mom not insist that her son learn some manners instead of taking it to court--her choice.

The only other option was for the administration to say "that's okay, we'll excuse his bad behavior because you are angry......" NOne of us were there--but that is a possibility. The article said that it was the mom's choice to do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

What a ridiculous waste of money

Absolutely. Why did the mom not insist that her son learn some manners instead of taking it to court--her choice.

The only other option was for the administration to say "that's okay, we'll excuse his bad behavior because you are angry......" NOne of us were there--but that is a possibility. The article said that it was the mom's choice to do this.

Or the school could have just given him detention if they were so convinced he was wrong. I do not understand why this is going to court instead of being handled within the school.

- white mom

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Just saying can't discredit racisms existence just cause something similar "happened to a white kid a few years back."

When people on this board say this would not have happened had he been white, yes you can. And, that is not what I said, anyway.

FWIW, What middle school kid does not know that it is wrong to steal? If he had forgotten his milk why didn't he say so instead of throwing it at the policeman?

I'm not his lawyer so don't expect me to defend the kid I'm simply stating (again) that I'm of the opinion that race played a factor.
You disagree good for you.

[Anonymous]

Or the school could have just given him detention if they were so convinced he was wrong. I do not understand why this is going to court instead of being handled within the school.

- white mom

I think, from the article, that the mom would not accept any punishment for her son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frickin ridiculous

My father was an assistant principal. He faced down kids with knives and nunchucks. And I don't believe law enforcement was ever involved.

Seriously? Going to court over a milk? I just can't

The kid was offered the option not to go to court. He chose not to take that option.

He was offered a punishment. I wouldn't accept a punishment if I didn't do anything wrong. Good for this kid to have a backbone.

His mother is either backing him or making him go to court for this. Taking a stand on pricniple is a valuable life skill, backing down and apologizing to smoothe things over is another valuable life skill.

The school sounds somewhat unreasonable here, but they are the authorities. If he were to act like a responsible student (soon he'll be driving, not much longer until he's an adult), apologize rather than escalate, then he wouldn't need to go to court, in front of a judge.

Yes, it's a good thing that he and his mother are taking a stand against the unreasonable school/"authorities". Maybe they should take responsibility now for their over-reaction, rather than force this in front of a judge.

No one is forcing this in front of a judge. The DA could choose to to pursue this, but he or she is clearly and idiot! I hope the judge is smart enough to throw this out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like they gave him every opportunity to fix it without it becoming a big deal, and the student wanted to escalate it. Now he gets to be a victim of institutional racism, which I'm sure will get him on TV and so on.

Or, on the flip side, he did nothing wrong, felt like he did nothing wrong, and was blamed for something and offered an opportunity to cop a plea when he was actually innocent? So now he is trying to make a stand to show the biases of the system?

He did nothing whatsoever that was illegal or otherwise wrong. He should not bear the burden of proving a negative. I hope he is not convicted, and that he then sues the living hell out of everyone involved.

[Anonymous]

He did nothing whatsoever that was illegal or otherwise wrong. He should not bear the burden of proving a negative. I hope he is not convicted, and that he then sues the living hell out of everyone involved.

Stealing is wrong.

He said he had forgotten his milk--however, we do not know that for sure.

DS told me that he's seen kids go steal food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Or the school could have just given him detention if they were so convinced he was wrong. I do not understand why this is going to court instead of being handled within the school.

- white mom

I think, from the article, that the mom would not accept any punishment for her son.

Which makes sense if he didn't do anything illegal.

[Anonymous]

I feel every child in America should get free lunch, and a second milk if they need it. I would gladly pay more taxes to support it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

He did nothing whatsoever that was illegal or otherwise wrong. He should not bear the burden of proving a negative. I hope he is not convicted, and that he then sues the living hell out of everyone involved.

Stealing is wrong.

He said he had forgotten his milk--however, we do not know that for sure.

DS told me that he's seen kids go steal food.

If a kid is so hungry that he feels compelled to boost a crappy school lunch, why would you deny them the food? I bet your kid has never known hunger PP, so it's easy for you and your child to be judgmental. try going hungry like so many kids in America.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If a kid is so hungry that he feels compelled to boost a crappy school lunch, why would you deny them the food? I bet your kid has never known hunger PP, so it's easy for you and your child to be judgmental. try going hungry like so many kids in America.

This +100

The WaPo article was light on the relevant details (surprise, surprise). But it was pretty clear to me that the adults' handling of this situation left much to be desired.

-Former teacher

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel every child in America should get free lunch, and a second milk if they need it. I would gladly pay more taxes to support it.

Do you think FARMS is not set correctly? Every child in Amercan can get lunch, either free or provided by their parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I assume there is more to the story and the kid's behavior wanrrented this.

If that was the case, you KNOW the school district would be blowing it up to bolster public opinion in their favor. The student had never been in trouble before. WTF is wrong with schools? Why was detention not an option if the school was so convinced the child was in the wrong?

There is no way this would have happened to a white child in a high SES school. This is plain wrong.