Filed under: News
A fourth-grade student, who attends Washington D.C.'s Strong John Thomson Elementary School, decided to share with his classmates some bagged cocaine he found in his step-dad's car trunk on Thursday instead of sharing his lunch. The unidentified child was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance.
Although the boy was scheduled to appear in court Friday, the hearing was canceled. The D.C. Office of the Attorney General decided not to prosecute the young child.
According to police reports, after being dropped off at school, the boy gave the drug to at least five classmates. Four of the children either sniffed or swallowed the cocaine and immediately fell ill. The children were rushed to a nearby hospital emergency room. All of the 8- and 9-year-old youths are reportedly in good condition.
The case has now taken a different turn. Police and detectives from two local counties descended upon the home of the child in question on Thursday night. The investigators searched the residence looking for further evidence of narcotics. Officials are not releasing the names of the boy's parents until further developments.
Jason Cannon, a next-door neighbor of the family in question, who just happens to be a kindergarten teacher, was interviewed by a local news station. He is just taken aback by the recent turn of events involving the boy and his parents. "I'm astonished," Cannon said. "How can this happen?"
Sources say that the boy's parents could now face criminal charges.
Meanwhile, the boy and another sibling have been removed from their home by the Child and Family Services Agency and have been placed in foster care.
A neglect hearing has been scheduled for Monday morning in D.C. Superior Court to determine whether or not the children will be returned to their residence.
Officials at the elementary school have decided to hold drug education counseling services for the students on Monday.