WARREN Needle pricks random, says schools chief

The superintendent is pleased with how officials handled the situation.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Pupils at McGuffey Elementary who were poked with a hypodermic needle by a schoolmate appear to be random victims, schools Superintendent Betty English says.
English said she does not believe the acts were premeditated.
"It appears the acts were random," English said during a news conference Tuesday at the board of education meeting room.
She noted that a boy, a fourth-grader at McGuffey, on the northwest side, used the needle to poke pupils on his bus, on the playground, and in the school's restroom.
"We reviewed the tape from the bus, but we were unable to notice anything," English said. "We looked for some type of reaction by the children sitting next to him, but we were not able to see it."
English, however, said that the pupils' hands showed it was obvious that they had been poked.
Child suspended
The 9-year-old has been suspended. It is not known how long the suspension will last.
"We are not asking for criminal charges at this time," English said.
Several parents, however, did file police reports. No charges have been filed.
The boy told school officials that he found the needle in a public park near his bus stop Monday morning.
School security officers were scheduled to talk to the boy Tuesday, officials said.
At least two of the parents took their children to the hospital. None of the children was admitted, school officials said.
English said that the matter is very upsetting.
"I am pleased with the way the school handled the situation," English said. "School officials notified parents as quickly as possible."
Not reported early
She added that even though some pupils were poked with the needle in the morning, it was not reported to school officials until midafternoon.
She noted that she was told by a security officer that the syringe appeared to be for an insulin injection and did not appear to have been used.
sinkovich@vindy.com