Girl, 13, arrested at school with blade weapon

Published 12:10 am Saturday, August 20, 2016

LAPLACE — Hard feelings and animosity that had been brewing since summer vacation spilled over to the campus of LaPlace Elementary School, where a 13-year-old student was arrested this week for having a weapon on campus.

St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre said deputies responded to the location at approximately 2 p.m. Tuesday after a knife was reported on school grounds.

School administrators had received information the student brought the weapon to school and made threats to hurt another female student, Tregre said.

The threat led to the arrest of a 13-year-old female student booked with carrying a dangerous weapon at school.

The suspect was released to the custody of her mother.

No altercation or injuries were reported.

“During the investigation, deputies received information that the student brought the knife to school and made threats to hurt another female student because of an incident that occurred Aug. 15, in which the female student who was being threatened was calling the other student bisexual names,” Tregre said.

St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools Superintendent Kevin George said LaPlace Elementary faculty had not received any reports of bullying or threats before Tuesday and acted swiftly upon receiving the news.

He said the safety of the student body was never threatened and commended the quick actions of the principal and staff.

According to George, school leaders learned of the animosity between the students in question after Tuesday’s threat.

He stressed the weapon in question was not a knife but a letter opener/tape cutter with a 1/3-inch blade. However, he said it could be used as a weapon and is prohibited from school grounds.