Police investigate claims 4th grader took gun to school

Subhead2

3/4/2012

A fourth-grade student at Sylvania's Central Elementary was suspended 10 days while authorities investigated claims that he brought a pellet gun to school, officials said.

Nancy Crandell, spokesman for Sylvania Schools, said Friday that authorities decided to extend the child's suspension -- which was handed down Wednesday -- through March 14, pending the result of a joint investigation by the school district and township police. The name of the student was not released.

Staff members at the boy's day-care center found a BB gun in his backpack Monday and notified the school at 7460 Central Ave., and school officials called township police, Sylvania Township police Lt. Robert Austin said. Police began a probe Wednesday, he said.

Sylvania Schools Superintendent Brad Rieger said there was no threatening action on the part of the boy.

"But any type of weapon or weapon lookalike in a school setting is serious," Mr. Rieger said.

"Discipline is handed out after careful consideration of the facts associated with the incident."

Ms. Crandell said the boy did not produce the gun at school, but he showed it to his seat mate on the bus ride to the day-care center.

She said she was unaware of what prompted officials to extend the suspension.