Mother furious as 13-year-old son is suspended for posting ‘threatening’ picture of Dr. Pepper cans: ‘Kids can’t be kids anymore’
A teenage student at a Missouri school has been suspended after posting a “threatening” photo online of a set of Dr. Pepper soda cans shaped like a high-powered rifle.
Riley Grunden’s 13-year-old son was suspended from Liberty Middle School in the small town of Mountain View for three days after her son admitted to posting the controversial photo, which the school considered a threat.
The teenager thought he was being artistic and creative when he stacked eight cans of Dr. Pepper on top of each other to resemble an AK-47 rifle.
Grunden believes the school went too far in its response to his message.
A teenage student at a Missouri school has been suspended after posting a “threatening” photo online of a set of Dr. Pepper soda cans shaped like a high-powered rifle
Riley Grunden’s 13-year-old son, pictured, was suspended for three days from Liberty Middle School in the small town of Mountain View after her son admitted to posting the photo
“Dr Pepper Cans, is this a threat?” Grunden said to KY3 after he visited the school to deal with the consequences.
“When I went to the headquarters, I was there to defend my son because I feel like he’s done nothing wrong,” she said. “I’m very angry. I feel like kids can’t be kids anymore.”
But the school saw it differently and suspended the teenager for three days.
School officials told Grunden that her son should turn himself in and report to the district’s main office due to concerns about the mail.
“I feel like he’s done nothing wrong,” Grunden added. “We have employees who post pictures of real guns when they’re out hunting or with their kids — even pictures of kids with real guns. If that’s not a threat, how are Dr. Pepper cans that can’t do anything a threat?
“I feel like he’s done nothing wrong,” Grunden, pictured, added. “We have employees who post pictures of real guns when they go hunting. If that’s not a threat, how are Dr. Pepper cans a threat?”
The school suspended the 13-year-old boy for three days and the incident will be noted on his permanent criminal record
When the boy returned to class, he was frisked before being allowed back onto the school grounds.
The boy’s permanent school file will also be updated with one charge of “cyberbullying” and another of “making a threat to school.”
Grunden believes her son should not have been punished. She feels she would understand better if her son had made a direct threat to the school district, a school, or another student.
“He would get into trouble not only at school but at home as well,” she noted.
The school posted a number of lengthy statements online about the boy’s antics.
“We have enough information to believe that the video caused fear in at least one student, and that is understandable,” said school principal Lanna Tharp.
‘We would like to inform you that we have become aware of a rumor circulating on social media about a potential threat. After thorough investigation, we have found no credible evidence of any danger.
Grunden believes her son should not have been punished and notes that she would understand better if her son had made a direct threat to the district, a school or another student. The couple is pictured in 2020
The school posted a series of lengthy statements online about the boy’s antics
The school then asked parents to emphasize the seriousness of the incident
“Some social media posts can cause stress for our students, families and staff. Social media can also disrupt the learning environment,” the statement said.
The school then asked parents to emphasize the seriousness of the incident.
“We ask that you talk to your child about the seriousness of making a threat or posting anything of a threatening nature (images of weapons, violent song lyrics, violent videos, etc.). Help us emphasize to all students that making a threat against a public school or a student carries serious legal and disciplinary consequences.
“Posts of this nature are not funny or entertaining and are not considered a joke or form of entertainment. Even posts made outside of school hours that interfere with the education of our students or cause anxiety among our students will be investigated.”