Experts Doubt Third Graders Would Have Carried Out Attack

WAYCROSS, Ga. (AP) - Criminal and child psychiatry experts say it's doubtful third-graders in south Georgia accused of plotting to attack their teacher would have executed their plans.

And the experts said yesterday it's doubtful students that young intended to seriously hurt anyone.

Authorities in Waycross have charged three third-graders at Center Elementary School of plotting their attack their teacher.

Waycross police say the third-graders brought a broken steak knife, steel handcuffs, duct tape and a crystal paperweight to school after hatching an elaborate plan to knock their teacher unconscious, then restrain and stab her.

Police say nine children were involved overall, with some of them assigned specific roles such as covering classroom windows and cleaning up any mess.

Police say the children were apparently angry after the teacher disciplined one of the students for standing on a chair.

The district attorney is seeking juvenile charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault against three of the children: an 8-year-old boy and two girls, ages 9 and 10. The girls are also charged with bringing weapons to school.

Dr. Louis Kraus is a child psychiatry expert at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He says he doubts the children would have actually attacked the teacher.