Douglas Sheriff: Elementary school "kill list" unfounded

MINDEN " Sheriff Ron Pierini said today that deputies have turned up no evidence of a so-called "kill list" or weapons in the investigation of a 10-year-old fifth grader who allegedly threated classmates at Meneley Elementary School.

The boy was arrested April 28 by the sheriff's office school resource officer, Pierini said, after allegations of a list that targeted other students were reported to the school counselor.

"We haven't found any weapons or any kind of hit list," Pierini said. "There is no evidence to back up the threats other than what he's saying."

The list came to light last week when the father of a 10-year-old girl obtained a temporary restraining order in East Fork Justice Court against the boy.

The father said his daughter's name reportedly was on the list and the boy had thrown a rock that hit her in the face.

The boy, who has been suspended from school, appeared at the hearing with his parents.

Judge Jim EnEarl issued the order and warned the child he would be arrested if he came within 100 yards of the school.

"At this point, the staff psychologist for the juvenile probation office will be interviewing the boy to determine what kind of threat he is to our community, if any," Pierini said.

After the evaluation, a decision will be made whether to formally charge the boy or "start referring him to some system programs to get him back on track again," Pierini said.

That decision is made by the district attorney's office.

"The key is that he is 10 years old," Pierini said. "If he was past 14, there wouldn't be much option. But because of his age, the law must prove he knows the difference between right and wrong."

Pierini said the boy faces a hearing next week to determine whether he stays in school.

"He could be expelled from now until Christmas time, for 90 days," Pierini said. "That is their (the school board's) determination."

Douglas County School District Superintendent Carol Lark said she met Monday with a half-dozen parents at Meneley to assure them "their children were safe in a safe learning environment."

In a statement sent home to all Meneley parents on Monday, Prinicpal Paula Zona said the incident was immediately reported the Douglas County Sheriff's Office by the counselor.

"I can say that the sheriff's department and our school are taking appropriate actions," Zona said in the note to parents.

"Our students are safe and the student in question is currently not at school."

Lark said she is prohibited by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act from divulging the name of the student or any action the district may be taking against the 10-year-old.

Lark said the boy would be dealt with through "progressive discipline" as dictated by Nevada Revised Statute.

"It's state law and dictates what every school district must adhere to that has to be progressive in our avenue for dealing with these kinds of concerns. Our (school) board is very involved in making sure our children are safe," Lark said.

"I want to reassure the community that we have taken the appropriate action. Their children are safe in a safe learning environment," she said.

Pierini said the sheriff's office takes the allegations seriously.

"It's not the first time we've had kids involved in something like this," he said. "Every time, we take immediate action.

"Parents need to report these things. We keep pounding that in their minds. How many times do you find out after something happens that people knew about a threat and didn't do something? The last thing we want is to have an incident at a school and we didn't take appropriate action."