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Batavia Middle School student in trouble for packing a BB gun

By Howard B. Owens

Parents in the Batavia City School District were informed tonight that a student at Batavia Middle School is being disciplined for bringing a BB gun to school.

It wasn't a rifle, it wasn't a handgun, it was a BB gun a student had a in backpack in his locker, Superintendent Christopher Dailey emphasized in an interview tonight.

"He didn't think it would be anything to worry about," Dailey said. "Unfortunately for him, it was a really bad choice. He didn't have it at school to hurt anyone or defend himself. He wanted to play with it after school. It was a random poor choice by a kid."

The search was initiated, Daily said, because school officials suspected the student may have brought tobacco to school.

The "random poor choice" by the student had landed the kid in Family Court, according to Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch.

Heubusch confirmed tonight that school officials turned over to police a BB gun that was located in a student locker.

"Batavia school officials should be praised for their quick response to this incident," Heubusch said.

Dailey said school officials take issues like this seriously and his automated phone call tonight was aimed at keeping parents informed and designed to quell rumors about it possibly being a more serious matter.

"I felt it important to share because we don't have anything to hide," Dailey said.

In his message, Daily said, "Having a BB gun on school grounds is against district policy. The BB gun was turned over immediately to the Batavia City Police. The student was removed and will be held accountable according to our district code of conduct."

Frank Bartholomew

Somehow I don't think students carry a copy of the code of conduct in their pocket, but this was a bad choice.
Now this kid is going to be subjected to the most back assward court in the state, and if the parents don't play along with the court, they will bring social workers into the court to coerce them, trust me I know...

Feb 22, 2013, 5:38am Permalink
Doug Yeomans

The police state has become the norm. I made a comment or two on facebook that the wrath of dad would be fitting if it didn't bring a visit from the DSS and the police. My son wouldn't be able to sit for 2 weeks. He'd also be hand splitting firewood every waking moment that he's not in school or doing homework.

Feb 22, 2013, 7:24am Permalink
Sue McCarthy

A boy in my sons' class got suspended just before graduation and wasn't allowed to go to the prom because he went to his car to retrieve a forgotten folder and someone followed him out and saw shotgun shells on his console. No gun, just the shells. What a way to ruin what should have been a great memory for him.

Feb 22, 2013, 7:29am Permalink
Mary E DelPlato

he made a dumb choice...live and learn...after all the school shootings you dont bring any type of weapon to school....hope theyre not too harsh on him

Feb 22, 2013, 10:36am Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

If schools would put more emphasis on education than punishment, we just may get our moneys worth.
Don't even say the word gun any where near a school, paranoia is the new order, and you may just end up facing a swat team.
Mary, a sling shot, a baseball bat, hockey stick, piece of metal from shop class, bug spray, perns, pencils, etc.etc. can all be weapons.
In fact, when I was in 7th grade, I made a nasty little projectile launcher with the guts from a pen. Where do you draw the line???

Feb 22, 2013, 11:13am Permalink
Jeff Allen

Why was something that you can legally purchase from Walmart turned over to the police? Was it stolen? If they take a cell phone from a student is that turned over to the police?

Feb 22, 2013, 11:05am Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

A word of advice to this kids parents, get a lawyer, do not use the public defenders office, they suck, they let the judge threaten you, coerce you, and if you ask for a trial, they will tell you your child will be placed in a detention center, foster care, or some other placement outside the home for at least 45 days while they prepare for trial.
And do not let them put your kid on PINS, you will be sorry, certain probation officers can be "somewhat" dishonest so to speak.
Then they will send the kid for a mental health eval, a drug and alcohol eval, and if you have insurance, they will find it necessary to recommend treatment from one or both agencies.
I know of a family that damn near went broke because of all the "help" they gave their child. This family is still picking up the pieces from the mess the school district, probation, and the courts made of their lives.
Be careful.

Feb 22, 2013, 12:16pm Permalink
david spaulding

frank, i agree, whenever law enforcement comes into your life,the only thing you should say to them is "i need my attorney".....reminds me of the joan diver murder a few years ago,the husband got an attorney right away as law enforcement was using their "gut feeling" to try to implicate him..then saying why does he need an attorney? we all know how that turned out....

Feb 22, 2013, 3:33pm Permalink

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