debate for the day- what do you think of this?

OCALA, Florida (AP) -- Two boys were arrested for making pencil-and-crayon stick figure drawings depicting a 10-year-old classmate being stabbed and hung, police said. The children, charged with a felony, were taken from school in handcuffs.

The 9- and 10-year-old boys were arrested Monday and charged with making a written threat to kill or harm another person. They were also suspended from school.

One drawing showed the two boys standing on either side of the other boy and 'holding knives pointed through' his body, according to a police report. The figures were identified by written names or initials.

Another drawing showed a stick figure hanging, tears falling from his eyes, with two other stick figures standing below him. Other pieces of scrap paper listed misspelled profanities and the initials of the boy who was allegedly threatened.

The boys' parents said they thought the children should be punished by the school and families, not the legal system.

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Posted by Sassyz75

OCALA, Florida (AP) -- Two boys were arrested for making pencil-and-crayon stick figure drawings depicting a 10-year-old classmate being stabbed and hung, police said. The children, charged with a felony, were taken from school in handcuffs.

The 9- and 10-year-old boys were arrested Monday and charged with making a written threat to kill or harm another person. They were also suspended from school.

One drawing showed the two boys standing on either side of the other boy and 'holding knives pointed through' his body, according to a police report. The figures were identified by written names or initials.

Another drawing showed a stick figure hanging, tears falling from his eyes, with two other stick figures standing below him. Other pieces of scrap paper listed misspelled profanities and the initials of the boy who was allegedly threatened.

The boys' parents said they thought the children should be punished by the school and families, not the legal system.

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WOW- I think arrest is extreme, but it might be neccessary- School punishment may have not been enough. The boys need therapy. Hopefully that is what will come out of this. If it was left to the family & the school & was not court mandated they may not get the help they need.

yeah, i think it may have taught them a good lesson

school intervnetion does nothing

I thought schools have a zero-tolerance policy after the Columbine tragedy.

I'm glad the authorities were involved; they probably saved a lot of lives.

The kids definitely need some counselling/therapy.

It's still sad.....

i feel bad for the kids. theyre 10 for god sakes! thats what they do!
but they should def have a talk or counseling, but jail?

its great to know that rapists, murderers, druggies, etc are free, but the cops worry about arresting two 10 yr old boys.

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Posted by lolita4life

i feel bad for the kids. theyre 10 for god sakes! thats what they do!
but they should def have a talk or counseling, but jail?

its great to know that rapists, murderers, druggies, etc are free, but the cops worry about arresting two 10 yr old boys.

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i think this serves as a good lesson for them

getting hauled out in cuffs, maybe spend a few hours in jail

if you have delinquent tendencies, this may straighten you out real quick

tough love

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Posted by lolita4life

i think if they had done something more then a drawing perhaps... but imo its too much.

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i think extreme scare tactics are good -- nip it in the bud before it becomes worse

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Posted by t

They have to learn cause and effect.

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and what better way than extreme visuals

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Posted by don424

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Posted by lolita4life

i think if they had done something more then a drawing perhaps... but imo its too much.

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i think extreme scare tactics are good -- nip it in the bud before it becomes worse

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I have to agree. Children do not have the same level of fear as we did as children. These tactics, although harsh, can serve as a good lesson.

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Posted by violet

A lot of juveniles get arrested at an early age. 'Scaring' them doesn't really do anything. Getting serious counseling might.

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then a combination of both is needed

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Posted by don424

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Posted by lolita4life

i feel bad for the kids. theyre 10 for god sakes! thats what they do!
but they should def have a talk or counseling, but jail?

its great to know that rapists, murderers, druggies, etc are free, but the cops worry about arresting two 10 yr old boys.

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i think this serves as a good lesson for them

getting hauled out in cuffs, maybe spend a few hours in jail

if you have delinquent tendencies, this may straighten you out real quick

tough love

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I guess my problem is stick figures being the same as a threat.. I mean, what's next- Juvenille Hall for kids who want to beat up other kids at 3pm by the flag pole?

Plus I believe kids @ that age do not have a formed brain in terms of right and wrong- so Juvenile Ct really won't do anything.

I think counseling- but a FELONY?

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Posted by Sassyz75

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Posted by don424

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Posted by lolita4life

i feel bad for the kids. theyre 10 for god sakes! thats what they do!
but they should def have a talk or counseling, but jail?

its great to know that rapists, murderers, druggies, etc are free, but the cops worry about arresting two 10 yr old boys.

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i think this serves as a good lesson for them

getting hauled out in cuffs, maybe spend a few hours in jail

if you have delinquent tendencies, this may straighten you out real quick

tough love

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I guess my problem is stick figures being the same as a threat.. I mean, what's next- Juvenille Hall for kids who want to beat up other kids at 3pm by the flag pole?

Plus I believe kids @ that age do not have a formed brain in terms of right and wrong- so Juvenile Ct really won't do anything.

I think counseling- but a FELONY?

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i don't think it should be an 'official' charge

but scare tactics to make a point --go for it

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Posted by violet

Arrest is too extreme. I would say requiring them to see a counselor or psychiatrist is enough. It's only a drawing. Disturbing, yes, but arresting them for that? They're only 10.

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if they are doing this at 10, what are they going to be like at 17 without some kind of intervention from the authorities?