A 12-year-old girl was arrested and booked into juvenile detention after she allegedly pinched a boy’s butt in school during what she described as a popular game at her Florida school.The girl is facing misdemeanor battery charges after the incident at Milwee Middle School, which is outside Orlando, and was reportedly read her Miranda Rights, put in the back of a patrol car and later charged.
"Lord, lord, lordy. . . what has this world come to?" asked the girl’s father, whose first name is Ray. "Kids can’t even be kids, and that’s basically what it is. She’s 12 years old, she was acting like a 12-year-old child." Fox News typically neither names minors charged with crimes, nor reveals the last names of their parents, to fully protect the identities.
The boy’s mother apparently disagrees, ClickOrlando.com reported. The boy reportedly told the school’s resource deputy that he did not want to press any charges. The accused, who said she didn’t know the boy, was suspended. The boy’s mother, however, asked that the girl be prosecuted for battery.
"I regret it," the girl reportedly said in an interview. "I didn’t know it’ll lead to this."
Authorities said the pinching incident occurred in March. KABC reported that the state attorney said the charge will be dismissed once the girl completes a diversion program that includes community service and a drug test.
The girl's father offered some parenting advice to the boy’s mother.
"I’m sorry my kid touched your kid. But I’m sorry because you need some help, I think -- too overprotective -- let your kid be your kid. He might get some friends, and that’s all I have to say."