Katy ISD
INCIDENT:
May, 2007
Our 12-year-old daughter with ADD who attends Mayde Creek JHS, was taken into the principals office to meet with the 6th grade principal and KISD police. She was immediately read her Miranda rights which she did not understand, all for writing I Love Alex in 1 inch letters on a wall. She was asked to "sign here, initial there, do you understand" by the KISD officer. She was scared and did what she was told as we always taught her to tell the truth and follow the rules.
Neither her father nor I were notified until I placed a call the next day, being told that the investigation is over and because she is a good girl and doesn’t cause trouble she is only being charged with 2 misdemeanors instead of a felony. She will not be suspended because it is the end of the school year. She will have to go to court and perform community service. However, later on that day I was notified that this was incorrect and that, per the principal himself, my "good girl who had made a simple mistake that we all have made, would have to start next school year at an Alternative school for Real Criminals". This I was told came from the District office and his hands were tied.
The officers refused to give us a copy of this coerced under duress confession telling us if we want it then get a lawyer. I am appalled that her rights were so violated. She may be a child but doesn’t she still has rights? No child’s rights should be null and void just because they step onto school property. We were also told that we should feel lucky that she wasn't charged with a FELONY. A FELONY for something so small. It was not gang graffiti!! Which is what this supposed law was enacted for. The school districts zero tolerance attitude is warped beyond belief. I am disgusted, heartbroken and just plain ANGRY that this is happening to mine or anyone else’s child. I am going to do as much as I can to get this story out there to the public
