Mom: Son made threats 'to look cool'

The mother of a 10-year-old boy suspended from school for allegedly threatening his classmates said Wednesday her son is no danger to the community.

The Meneley Elementary School fifth grader was suspended April 28 after a counselor reported the boy said he had a "kill list" targeting students.

"A lot of the time he does those things to look cool in front of this friends," his mother said. "We're trying to change his opinion of what 'cool' is."

She said the family was fearful for her son's safety because of the community response.

"If people could just keep in mind he's just 10 years old. Sometimes little boys say things they shouldn't," she said. "He's not a bad kid. He just has some behavioral problems.

"He is going to receive lots of help to deal with whatever his issues might be," she said. "There was never a list. He told the counselor that in the group. He has a tendency to say things for shock value."

The woman said she and her husband are meeting with the Douglas County School Board in closed session next week.

"We just don't think school is the best place for him. He does understand the seriousness of what he did and knows he made a really, really bad mistake. He is very sorry," she said.

"We're looking into moving. We might go back to Tahoe or home school him. Our primary concern is our son's well-being and future. We want to put the community at ease and put this situation to rest," she said.

The father of a 10-year-old classmate obtained a protection order against the boy which expires May 18. If the boy is within 100 yards of the school, he will be arrested.

"He is with me all the time now," his mother said.