Seven Year Old With Plastic Butter Knife Accused Of Armed Robbery With A Deadly Weapon

News articles across the country have reported that a Florida child had actually formed the intent to carry out a premeditated, violent robbery. In actuality, this "assailant," who had only turned 7 a few days before, was simply playing. Like any concerned parent, legal help was sought to avoid the life long ramifications of a false allegation.

Upon meeting with the mother and her son and hearing their account, it quickly became apparent that the media's initial perspective was laden with untruths and explosive exaggerations. Throughout that first meeting, all were amazed at how well-behaved the child was. "Obviously the facts have been distorted here. This child has been raised by good parents. He is the most obedient and polite child that I have ever met", stated his attorney, William Moore. Reports state that the criminal act occured in the restroom of Pines Lake elementary just before Thanksgiving and wasn't reported for a full five days. No mention of this "robbery" was ever made by any of the children present, and not one faculty member observed anything out of the ordinary on the day of the alleged crime.

All the same, school policy madated that the first grade suspect be suspended for up to 15 days. "The actions of the Broward County School Board were absolutely appropriate at that point", stated Moore. "The faculty had very little information at that juncture, Broward policy is very clear in this regard".

A suspension while facts are being investigated is one thing. Being removed from the Broward County school system is another issue altogether. Following the event, it was widely reported that the child faced imminent expulsion from the Pembroke Pines School Board. One report emphasized that the boy would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, despite the fact that statements by all of the eye-witnesses were inconsistent.

"Ultimately, the school found that expulsion was not warranted and I commend all of the Board members involved. They did not allow the media to affect their judgment in the least. Assistant Director Pamela A. Brown has shown exemplary leadership in protecting not only her students, but also my client, while she sorted this mess out", stated Moore. "She was not influenced by an overblown media."

All reports have since been turned over to the State's Attorney. The chief prosecutor for the juvenile division was quoted as saying that it was highly unlikely for the Accused to be charged in the case, due to both the child's age and the inconsistencies in the reports from the three parties involved. A child that has just turned seven years old simply doesn't have the ability to possess this type of culpable mind, agreed the chief prosecutor.

On Monday, December 15th, the Accused, his lawyer and his mother went before the Pembroke Pines School Board to plea the case against expulsion. In less than one hour, all parties agreed that such a sanction was to be denied, as reported by the Sun Sentinel. "This thing was blown so out of proportion. It's refreshing to see at least one newspaper put an end to all of the negative publicity in their latest report of the incident" claimed one advocate.