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Police Probe Report Of Student Pulling Knife On Classmate On Bus

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -Holly and Josh Smith say their 8-year-old daughter was on a Ringgold School District School bus on Tuesday, when another student pulled out a pocket knife.

The incident reportedly took place after school had let out at Ringgold Elementary School South in Washington County.

The 2nd grader told her parents that the 3rd grader, who is assigned to sit next to her on the bus, took out the pocket knife saying she had stolen it from her parents.

KDKA's Christine D'Antonio Reports:

The third grader then allegedly put the knife in the 8-year-old's face and said, "You better tell nobody."

Because the 2nd grader was scared, she initially didn't tell the school bus driver or her parents.

The Smiths say they immediately contacted the school, who said it would let the principal know and then see what could be done.

The family also contacted the Monongahela Police Department, who confirmed an officer did take the report that something happened on the bus.

The case is now being handled by the Ringgold School District Police Department.

Today, Ringgold School District Superintendent Dr. Karen Polkabla said, "The investigation will include Ringgold Elementary School's Principal meeting with the bus driver and other students on the bus to verify if the allegations made are true or not. Until that is complete the district can't make a comment."

Josh Smith said, "We send her off to school. We don't see her for eight hours and that's on them to protect our daughter."

KDKA's Amy Wadas Reports:

The Smiths say they plan on meeting with the elementary school principal to see what can be done.

In the meantime they don't plan on sending their daughter to school until the issue is resolved. The family is also looking into the option of cyber school.

UPDATE:

The Ringgold School District said after investigating, they could not find any evidence to support the claim. The district released a statement saying:

"The Administration of Ringgold Elementary School South along with the Ringgold Police Department performed a thorough investigation of the allegations of a student possessing a knife on a Ringgold School District elementary bus run. After interviewing the bus driver and students and viewing bus video, no evidence could be found to substantiate the allegation. The Ringgold School District places student safety as a high priority and will continue to thoroughly investigate all incidents regarding student safety."

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