Cops called on 6-year-old

Student reportedly made a threatening gesture

TREDYFFRIN >> A mother is not pleased that police were called to investigate her six-year-old daughter with Down syndrome.

Valley Forge Elementary School kindergartener Margot Gaines attracted attention from Tredyffrin police after she pointed a finger at a teacher when she was asked to do something she did not want to do, and said, “I shoot you.”

A police report was filed and no disciplinary action was taken.

Mother Maggie Gaines said it was not unlike when her daughter is told it is bed time.

“I hate bed,” the six-year-old would say. “I hate mommy.”

“As most parents can attest, I have learned to not take offense,” said Gaines. “For I know that a short time later she is usually cuddled up to me, while I read bedtime stories and exchange cuddles and kisses before saying good night.”

The school’s principal Rebecca Wills quickly determined that there was not a threat and then followed district policy and convened a “threat assessment” team. The threat assessment team recommended no disciplinary action, and determined that a “transient threat” was made and no harm was made to the teacher or any classmates. A statement made in frustration or anger with no intent is considered a transient threat.

Gaines then said that she received a call from the principal that police were going to be notified. The incident was reported to police 24 hours later.

Tredyffrin Police Department Officer Joseph Glatts, said that the reports are taken … “at a number of different times, while just gathering information in general.”

He compared the situation to a

traffic accident report when anybody involved is noted.

“Officers are called to take a report regardless of age. It’s just for reporting purposes.

“Juvenile records are not obtainable to anybody,” said the officer. “Nobody can get it.

“We understand the situation and concern, but the records are not obtainable to anyone.”

Maggie Gaines said the school overreacted. Her daughter has never witnessed a gun firing.

“The whole thing is overkill for an instance like this,” she said. “Children don’t have the same understanding as adults, these are children not adults, with not the same life experience.

“The police were called on a six-year-old over something she didn’t understand. We as adults should be there to help them – not as a threat.”

State Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19th, of West Whiteland responded through a statement.

“While I understand the paramount importance of school safety, I am concerned about what appears to be a lack of judgement and accountability in interpreting state law and applying such policies,” Dinniman said. “When my constituents encounter a situation that raises more questions than answers, it is my duty, as an elected official, to voice their concerns and assist in getting answers.

“At the end of the day, it is still not clear how this situation was handled in a way that enhanced school safety.”

The school district responded: “When district staff become aware of a potential student threat, policy and Regulation 5401 are followed,” according to an email about district policy. “Policy and regulation … specifies that threat assessment teams consult with police.

“Consultation is not the same as making a police report and asking for an investigation. It allows the district to receive an opinion from law enforcement regarding the level of threat, but equally important allows agencies to confer and use the information they have to plan for appropriate supports. Consultation does not create a criminal or juvenile record for the child…”