Wiley's Nightmare

The story below is another heart breaker, another example of the epedimic abuse of children perpetrated by school officials under the banner of Zero Tolerance. Kids are not safe in our public schools any more but the threat does not come from other students, it comes from the school officials and the self righteous, "Big Brother" relationships they have with juvenile justice departments. Read the story below, it makes home schooling sound very appealing.

Wiley's Story:

Friday, Dec 8, at the Canton Junior High School a 14 year old deaf boy, Wiley, found a "bullet" or a "Rat-Shot cartridge" on the play ground and threw a rock at it - it exploded, and a small piece hit a little girl in the arm. (She is okay) - The school called the police department, under their Zero-tolerence policy...

Even though Wiley did not bring this "bullet" on campus, he was not believed and the police insisted on taking him to the Juvenile Detention Center in Grand Saline, TX - knowing that there would be no chance to get him out until Monday - his parents begged them to let him come home with them- he was so scared. They were told that they could visit with him from 9-11 am, but they only let them see him for 20 minutes.

He was cold and scared - his first night he held up a sign to a guard asking when he could eat, and the guard held up a sign saying "never" - they were also teasing him.... and getting angry with him, for one thing because he didn't realize that everytime he touched the bars in his cell that an alarm and light would go off causing the guards to have to walk all of the way to his cell.

No officials in this town understands or tries to understand Wiley's special needs. I am not saying he should not have been punished, but this is too much.

Other parents, including the little girls mother, and the school teachers and principal are all horrified that Wiley is in this situation, but there is nothing anyone can do! We so desperately need someone from outside of the "good old boy" network to help us with this horrible situation.

As of Dec 15, the District Attorney for Van Zandt County has announced to the press that this young man's case will be presented to the Grand Jury on Dec 28 for deadly conduct. DEADLY CONDUCT! The family has retained an attorney here in Canton, Mr Elliot., this morning and they also went to the Juvenile Probation Department to file a complaint against them...

Just as concerning, Wylie had insisted that he did not bring the "ammunition" to school, but found it on the playground, and this was corroberated by witnesses (other children) - The school and police said that they weren't sure that they believed him - YET IT WAS FOUND OUT LATER and also corroberated by witnesses, after Wylie was incarcerated, that the same type of "ammunition" was found on the playground and turned into the office the previous week! So it seems that not only did the authorities know full well that the potential for this dangerous item to be on the grounds existed prior to the Wylie finding it, they did nothing about it, and still have done nothing about it!

So currently, here in Canton, children may be playing at risk of serious injury if the school, for fear of a lawsuit, will not admit a potential danger exists... Pray tell, who would have been responsible if Wylie, in throwing the rock, had himself been seriously injured? No One?? I think not. A School staff member was over-heard to say that the same type of "bullet" was found last week.

How ironic that if one head louse (lice) is found on the head of one child, the school sends a notice to all parents so that preventative measures can be taken... but they don't feel that the risk of live ammunition on the school grounds is reason for a safety alert, or precautions.

(I am a family friend - Wiley's family does not have a computer or access to the internet, but you would find in talking or visiting with them that they are a fine family, raising five wonderful children - they deserve a "Parents of the Year" award in my humble opinion! - and now they have had to pay $1500 to retain an attorney, so close to Christmas, that of course there will not be much of one (Christmas) - but there is a lot of love and they feel that their children are learning an important lesson)

Sincerely,
Denise
Canton TX

FYI:

Canton Junior High Principal, Bruce Congleton, (at JH School) 903-567-4329

Canton Independent School District Superintendent, Larry Davis (Office) 903-567-4179

Van Zandt County Judge, Jeff Fisher (Courthouse office) 903-567-4071

Van Zandt County Juvenile Department 903-962-6292