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Parent arrested at Elmwood school PDF Print E-mail
Written by Sentinel Staff   
Friday, 06 December 2013 12:05
Borton indicated his understanding was that the child had had a prior, minor disciplinary episode on the bus, and as a result had to get a slip signed by a parent. He said it is policy that warnings, a time period, and other reminders are usually provided for the slip to be signed, but if they are not signed within a certain amount of time, the child cannot ride on the bus.
Borton said that, in these circumstances, the children sometimes do not show the slips to their parents because they don’t want to get in trouble.
“It’s the kids’ job to get those signed.”
Borton said the child was not let on the bus by the bus driver. He stated his understanding that the bus driver saw the parent drop the boy off, and thought they were still there, and so drove off.
Borton said West had understood that her son had simply just been left by the bus.
“The investigation for me to get back was, was the parent there? If not, what did the driver see that confused her?”
“Our normal protocol would be to call into the central office and call the parent to get the kid,” he said.
West reportedly took her son to school shortly thereafter and went to the elementary school and transportation office. Borton said he understood that West was not pleased with the answers she received there and “got irate to the point that they had to call the school resource officer.”
According to the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, at 9:16 a.m. the school resource officer was radioed to the Elmwood administrative office in reference to West.
“I think she just didn’t calm down and it escalated,” said Borton, “and at the time he (the SRO) made a choice to have her apprehended for a school safe zone.”
Borton said that they will look into how to change protocol so that similar incidents don’t happen in the future.
He also said “We have to remain calm because it’s a safe zone. We can’t allow anything to get out of hand.”
Last Updated on Friday, 06 December 2013 12:15


# 2013-12-06 12:37
What a bunch of grap!!! Adults being afraid... really!!! What about the child left behind???? I remember when Elmwood left my child not once but twice at a stop...is it not the bus drivers job to know who the adult was before you leave a child? Apparently the training you supposedly did 6 years ago didn't work!! Why is it Elmwood won't take responsibility for their actions???
Why is it kids can threaten other kids, punch then,them bully them, have hit list and nothing is done???
But a parent is upset rightfully so and you call the cops!!!!!
Own up Elmwood because you just opened yet another can of worms!!!!!
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# 2013-12-06 19:31
Better get used to it. The disorderly conduct charge is used for next to anything these days.
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# 2013-12-06 17:22
What happened to parents staying at the bus stop with their kids? In my opinion 7 is way too young to be unattended at the bus stop. Why wasn't mom there?? Everyone is talking about how the bus driver left him there - who left him at the bus stop alone before the bus got there?????
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# 2013-12-07 19:56
Yes a 7 year old shouldn't be left at the bus stop alone. I feel there should be some kind of adult at every stop. I'm glad my kids don't ride the bus anymore.
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# 2013-12-06 18:34
"it’s the kids’ job to get those signed.” ... Really? Lets face it ... kids aren't adults. If there were a disciplinary action that caused the bus driver to not pick up the child why wasn't an adult notified?
I don't blame the parent for being upset. I usually don't like out litigious society, but in this case I would sue the school.
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# 2013-12-07 13:52
In this day of technological advances why was there not a phone call or message left for the parent, a text message, an email, or a letter sent to the home? Shouldn't there have been some acknowledgement from the parent prior to the child not being allowed on the bus? The kids job? Really! What are you paying your administrators to do?
Sounds like a request for a state hearing is in order.
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# 2013-12-13 12:16
Bus drivers nowadays......where do they get them? I have personally seen behavior on buses that should be addressed, and is not. They pick and choose who to "discipline".
How could a driver leave a small child without asking someone to call the parent? Really??????
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# 2013-12-06 19:48
This entire situation is unbelievable and disgusting from the bus driver who left a 7 year old at a bus stop to the arrest of his upset mother. Whats wrong with a direct phone call to the parent so they know that their child will NOT be picked up? Why would you hand a 7 year old child a note to take home to his parents that has these ramifications without some sort of follow-up before you implement leaving him at a bus stop? Oh Elmwood will figure out that they are somehow in the right. I can't believe this elementary principal would condone this happening to one of "Her Babies"
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# 2013-12-07 09:15
Maybe if the parent was more involved with the child school work and what was up with the bus discipline she would have had a clue. Wonder why the child got a discipline warning for the bug in the first place. Parents need to know and be more imvolved as to what is going on with their kids, sure a 7 yr. old is not going to remember , that is why it is the parents responsibility to be aware and know what is going on. Do not blame the school right off the bat, start at home with the parent, then go from there.
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# 2013-12-07 19:50
i agree with you. i looked through my kids bookbags when they came home from school I looked at any notes and also there papers. Maybe the school should have called about the problem but mom dropped the ball. In so many ways.
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# 2013-12-13 12:32
"there papers"? Again.....I rest my case.

Mom's aren't always perfect. No one is. But they should expect others that are responsible, to do their utmost when it involves children, not leave them behind. Again, make the decision to take care of one another, at all times, or get others involved that will do a better job than you. Never leave anyone alongside the road.
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# 2013-12-13 12:26
...." got a discipline warning for the bug in the first place" BUG? If this is representative of someone that knows what is going on at all times with their child, what about themselves? (Does Spelling and grammar always equal literacy?) People, and children, make mistakes, but young children should never be left on their own. Good people use common sense when well-intended rules DON'T. Bus Driver, how could you?
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# 2013-12-07 09:39
Why weren't the elementary principal, SRO, and the bus driver quoted for this article? Was it really necessary for the superintendent to be in ND? It is stated that the superintendent "did not witness the incident." He was SIXTEEN HOURS away. Then why interview him? If the school systems can email and text parents for school, cancellations, delays, lockdowns, etc., why can't they put the responsibility of this type where it should be, on the parent. Mr. Borton, your system failed this child, and by extension, you and your comments failed this child. You actually were quoted as saying, “Our normal protocol would be to call into the central office and call the parent to get the kid.” This is a seven year old child and one of your STUDENTS, not "a kid." Shame on you.
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# 2013-12-08 12:39
He was interviewed about policy. I'm not sure what SIXTEEN HOURS away has to do with anything. We have telephones now.
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# 2013-12-13 12:37
Why was he interviewed when he was not there, had no knowledge, etc.? His comments are hearsay!
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# 2013-12-07 10:25
Mr. Borton, you got your levy passed, now you better start taking care of your staff and hold each and every one them accountable for their actions. You say, "it’s the kids’ job to get those signed.” You have staff that can’t do their jobs and they are adults. What happens to them? I can tell you, NOTHING. Yet you all expect these children and parents to do their job or else. Well, where is the “or else” for your staff. If this school is consider a” safe zone” then why in the world does your school principals and staff stand by and let all the bullying happen? That does not guarantee a “safe zone”. You my friend have A LOT of issues out there that need taken care. If the press keeps lifting up the rug that you all sweep things under. Oh look out, this is just the beginning.
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# 2013-12-07 11:31
Protest today online, tomorrow..disorderly conduct charges!
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# 2013-12-07 12:48
Like mother, like son.
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# 2013-12-07 17:30
The school use to mail home the notes that your kid got in trouble and would not be able to ride the bus unless it was signed. So who on their right mind would think a 7 year would show s note to mom or dad!"? That's a lot of responsibility for a child. He is 7, what could he have done it warrent a note? What ever happene to the adult being the responsible one?? When the school can notify the parents that a sporting events are cancelled but can't call a 7 years mom??? Crazy
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# 2013-12-07 23:14
I see the AG getting involved in this one & may we be notified of the results: I give U the agenda for the AG - Past problems with the kid / Parent - SRO / Wood Co. Sheriff - Elmwood school rules / laws / staff / Brd. of Ed. & Adm. - Good Luck Elmwood - goes on all over but U have managed to make the news
God Bless the kids & Taxpayers / LAWSUIT.
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# 2013-12-10 10:14
I think this is a bit ridiculous. I do not think the mother should have been arrested and I think that being an elementary student...that when the letter did not come back signed by due date, then someone should have called the family and said...look we have a problem...This has got to be the WORSE scenario I have seen in which the child is going to pay for a lack of communication...do you think he will ever live down the fact his mom got arrested there? wow...crazy stuff here...
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# 2013-12-13 12:52
More than crazy. It was just wrong, immature and vindictive. They were wrong, and lashed back at her. She was protecting her child, and I believe should be issued an apology.
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# 2013-12-10 11:18
OH DEAR....Elmwood in the news again...not more bad publicity....First and foremost, we are discussing the safety of a 7 year old little boy. Although he may have behavioral issues...he's 7....sit his butt up front, take him to school and then call his mother. Don't leave him alone. Everyone involved needs a darn wake up call. Mom.....you best get more involved in what's going on with your son, Elmwood Schools, come on....you're gonna make a 7 year old get a note signed by his mom that he was bad???? Call his mother for goodness sake...Bus Driver...I understand you probably did what you were told but in your gut...did you really think that was a great idea??? Not sure why I still allow my daughter to attend this school....Time for a staff inservice on common sense! Mom, time to start teaching your child how to behave!
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# 2013-12-12 18:44
Great job of parenting by this "concerned" mother. If she would discipline her child like she thinks the adults should be disciplined, the problem would be solved. Why did this mother ABANDON her precious child at a bus stop with no adult supervision before the bus even got there? Child services should be called on this terrible mother. Hope the Sheriff throws the book at this bad mother.
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# 2013-12-13 12:54
They should get the bus driver for not using common sense.
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# 2013-12-13 12:17
really? You can't let your kid at the bus stop by himself? Do you know how many "latch key" kids there are? I am sorry, but I have to be at work every day at a certain time and I am sure she probably has to be as well...I could see if it was a 4-5 year old pre-school child left there by him/herself...however, this kid is 7! I am saying don't judge her if you don't know what you are talking about...
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# 2013-12-13 12:50
This "school" should not have gone so far as to arrest this mother. Any so-called charge can be made up to justify their actions (CYA - if you know what I mean). This mother bear was protecting her cub. I side with her!

Look at what goes on all over: http://www.upworthy.com/meet-the-17-year-old-who-blew-the-lid-off-racial-profiling-with-his-ipod?c=reccon1

And now it is happening here.
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# 2013-12-13 21:30
Procy Dobby states SRO should be in schools.
I agree the AG will be involved again and hopefully does the job required of his office for a change - God Bless Elmwood.
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