Student charged for allegedly having knives at WHS

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WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE — A 16-year-old Washington High School student has been charged by police for allegedly being in possession of two knives on school property.

On Monday afternoon while school was in session, assistant principal Jennifer Miller searched the student’s purse for a vape device after the purse was being passed around to other students, according to the Washington Police Department report. While searching for the vape device, Miller reportedly found two knives — a pocket knife and a butterfly knife with a four-inch blade — concealed inside.

The school reported the incident to police, and an officer took possession of the knives. According to reports, the student admitted that the knives belonged to her and that she had been bringing them to school “for a while now.” She added that she carried them for protection when she was walking outside of school to and from work and other locations.

“The knives were seized and charges were requested to be filed,” the police report states. “It is not suspected that she had any intention of using them against another student or staff member of the school.”

The student was charged with illegal conveyance of a weapon in a school safety zone, a fifth-degree felony. Her legal guardian was notified of the incident.

When asked by the Record-Herald for comment, Washington Court House City Schools Superintendent Dr. Tom Bailey wrote in an email: “Originally the search in a student’s purse was in response to a vaping incident. While the search was being executed, the administrator found 2 knives concealed in the purse. There was not a threat made by the student nor did the school ever have information regarding the concealed knives. Because the district takes this as a very serious matter, the district requested that charges be made by law enforcement. Washington High School is a great place to grow and learn and we take seriously the safety of our students. The school will continue to enforce our policies and procedures to a high level.”

Reach Record-Herald Editor Ryan Carter at 740-313-0352.

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