Washington state fifth graders plotted to kill girl, authorities say

[avebury]

7. Regarding any bullying allegations:

I would like to hear what other children have to say before making a determination as to whether there was bullying involved. There is a difference between kids being kids (and some kids have no filters in what they say and they come up with rude comments) and a full blown bullying situation. Other kids who are not directly related to any incident with the girl could give you a clearer picture of what was taking place. It also sounds like they weren't not going to stop at one victim. It was been reported that they were going to lure other children one at a time. I wonder if there is any evidence that either boys had tortured or killed any animals. If so, that would be a really bad sign.

The school may or may not have to deal with how they handle bullies. However, not all incidents of "meanness" are bullying situations. Kids have made nasty comments to one another for generations. Each situation has to be looked at individually to determine how far the line has been crossed. I don't necessarily place all of the blame at the doorstep of the schools. Parents have just as much to blame when a child is identified as a bully. I also look at how a child is raised and what is their home life like. A child who acts out as a bully could be a symptom of a child who might not be in a good home situation or are not being properly parented. The whole thing may not be as cut and dried as one might think.

However, if a child is acting out in a way that these children are, they are in an extreme situation and can be a danger to themselves, their families, and other people. Do you think that the school and the parents of all the other children at that school want those to boys to ever be allowed near that school again? I don't think so. If those boys are able to get out again (from a psychiatric, juvenile, or adult facility) they will be total pariahs in that community. The families would be smart to pack up and move elsewhere in the hopes that they can have a fresh start. That said, I know that i would not want them living in my neighborhood.