CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. - The father of a nine-year-old child charged with bringing marijuana to school said he had no comment when asked about the charge his son now faces. Neighbors in the Chesterfield community where the child lives said they were using the incident to talk with their children about drugs.
School officials found marijuana in a student's bag at Bensley Elementary School in Chesterfield Monday afternoon, according to Chesterfield Police.
Police would not say how much marijuana the nine-year-old child possessed, nor was a police spokeswoman aware of the reasons why school officials searched the child's bag.
"We take very seriously our responsibility to provide a safe and supportive learning environment that is free from disruption. Students who violate student conduct regulations are subject to suspension and/or expulsion, and, if the offense is a violation of the law, to prosecution," Chesterfield Schools spokesman Shawn Smith said. "To protect students' rights to privacy, the Congress of the United States has enacted the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This law prohibits school divisions from releasing certain student information, including whether any disciplinary action has been taken, without the express written permission of parents or guardians."
The child was charged with possession of marijuana.
Police could not say from whom the child obtained the drugs.
Bensley Elementary is located along the 6600 block of Strathmore Road, near Defense Supply Center Richmond.
