A Virginia family says their son was suspended and handcuffed when he took a carton of milk that was part of a free lunch program.
WJLA reported that Graham Park Middle School student Ryan Turk stole a 65-cent carton of milk, according to Prince William County police.
Ryan said he went into the lunch line May 10 to get a carton of milk when a police officer accused him of stealing.
Police said Ryan became disorderly and was handcuffed.
Ryan told WJLA he did pull away from the police officer when he was touched.
"I yanked away from him. I told him to get off of me because he's not my dad," he said.
Ryan's mother, Shamise Turk, said her son was brought into the principal's office and searched for drugs because he was behaving inappropriately and " pulling on the strings of his pants and laughing when we were trying to talk to him and just wouldn't talk."
"This is ridiculous. This is beyond embarrassing," Turk said. "He's at home for 65 cents. I'm angry, I'm frustrated, I'm mad. It just went too far. They are charging him with larceny, which I don't have no understanding as to why he is being charged with larceny when he was entitled to that milk from the beginning."
According to police, Ryan is charged with larceny because he tried to "conceal" the milk, but Ryan disputes that claim.
Ryan has been ordered to make an appearance in juvenile court. A school spokesperson said he was suspended for theft, using his cellphone in school and being disrespectful.
"The need for disciplinary action is determined by how a student behaves throughout any given incident," a spokesperson for Prince William County Schools told WJLA. "An appeals process is in place to ensure the fairness of any disciplinary action."
About the Author
