One student's parent feels charges are too harsh
SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. (WALA) - Three middle school students were put behind bars this week for felony molestation charges. Deputies say the three students were bullying another student on the school bus, and it went too far.
Three sixth grade King Middle School students were arrested for lewd and lascivious molestation.
Sergeant Scott Haines with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office said, "Each one of the juveniles, took turns sitting next to kid on bus, in an effort to demean or harass him, they simulated different sex acts with him. He was not a willing participant."
Deputies say the suspects took cell phone video of them committing the acts so when the bus pulled up to the school, it didn't take long for teachers to find out what happened.
Haines said, "Things that can be perceived as joking around, horseplay whatever you want to call it, could be a criminal act, and there could be very serious consequences, and that's what happened in this scenario."
One of the suspects' fathers said the boys had no clue what they were doing could land them in jail. He admits what the kids did was wrong but doesn't think it deserves a life sentence as a sexual offender.
He said, "Do I think they deserve to have consequences, by all means, but if these charges stick, he doesn't fully understand, a lewd lascivious charge is a sexual offense. If it sticks, he will have to register as a sex offender, if it sticks, anytime he goes to fill out application, he will have to check the box, yes I'm a felon. "
He doesn't think the charges are justified. He said he's not going to just sit back and watch as his son's future could be ruined by one bus ride.
He said, "I'll take this as far as a can to whoever will listen."
The boys are court ordered to home detention. They'll be arraigned May 22, 2009. ..News Source.. by Christina Leavenworth
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