Elba Elementary School - Three 4th graders have been suspended from school after it emerged that they were planning to kill their teacher by smearing sanitizer around places in the classroom, where the teacher, who reportedly has a severe allergy to anti-bacterial products, is likely to touch.
Board members and the principal of Elba Elementary School got in contact with the police to report the plot after it was exposed by classmates of the accused schoolgirls. The girls had reportedly shared their fatal prank with other classmates, who relayed it to their parents before it eventually reached the school board and principal.
According to the Genesee County Sheriff Department, the schoolgirls were going to kill the teacher because they claimed she yells on them and has problems with the entire class. It is unclear if these accusations are true. Police say there are reports of bullying in the class.
Genesee County Sheriff Deputy Jerome Brewster has revealed that despite the fact that a motive has been established, the fact that the schoolgirls did not actually put their murderous plan in motion means that they cannot be charged. "For a person under the age of 16 to be charged with something, they have to commit either a misdemeanor or a felony," he explained.
Meanwhile, the Elba Central School District has taken over the case of the 4th graders accused of attempting to kill their teacher. Reports indicate that the schoolgirls have been suspended from Elba Elementary School and it is unclear when they will be called back.
Elba Superintendent Jerome Piwko, who described the revelation of the schoolgirl's plot as shocking, said media reports may not reflect the complete case. He, however, noted that the district is prohibited from commenting on the case due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
Piwko dismissed the schemes of the Elba schoolgirls saying "The District does not condone any of the behaviors that have been reported and is in the process of working alongside the Sheriff's Department to use this incident as a vehicle for educating the Districts students regarding appropriate behaviors."
It is unclear if the unidentified teacher will remain at Elba Elementary School. Experts say the disturbing trend of violence against teachers seems to be rising.
