Letter to the Editor: Poisoning Charge Too Harsh in Teen’s Case

A Land O’ Lakes Patch reader has reached out in reference to the recent arrest of a 13-year-old girl who stands accused of trying to poison her teacher with sidewalk chalk.

Editor:

In regard to your story, the information that the school and sheriff's office supplied is extremely misleading. I hope you will consider other viewpoints.

First, you can't poison someone with chalk in their coffee cup. If it were toxic, it never would have been in the classroom or handled by 13-year-olds. I am an art teacher and have handled various chalks, including calcium carbonate powders for mixing paint.

Chalk is made from calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is a common dietary supplement and we probably have some food or drink with it every day.

Also, the charge of f.s.859 is extremely severe. The statute is for serious poisoning crimes, date rape drugs, even terrorism. It is meant to deal with deadly viruses introduced to the water supply, not 13-year-olds putting chalk in coffee.

The teacher was never in danger. The student may be further traumatized by the arrest. It appears that no one is on her side.

Joe Weinzettle

To find out more about the case, read: “Teen Poisoned Teacher’s Coffee, Deputies Say.”

Do you have a letter you’d like to submit? Just email Sherri.Lonon@patch.com. Letters will be reviewed prior to being published. “Letters to the Editor” is not an expression of support or opinion by Patch.

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