Fifth grader could be expelled for bringing in his father’s marijuana

Suffolk, Va. - A fifth grader from Driver Elementary in Suffolk is facing being kicked out for bring marijuana to school.

"Policy is policy, but I do think they need to check into the situation more," said former teacher Jonathan Lewis.

Suffolk police say the student brought marijuana to school last week, but tell us it wasn't for him or his classmates.

They say the child showed his teacher the pot. Then, with his mother there with him, said he took it from his father's truck and brought it in so his dad would stop smoking marijuana.

And now, the school's policy says expulsion is the next step,  whether the child is telling the truth or not.

"Today is a different day in age. I can't imagine that happening. It obviously seems young, but I mean, but they're so exposed to everything nowadays. I mean who knows what the child's homelife is like and what kind of exposure they're getting besides drugs," Lewis added.

NewsChannel 3 tried talking to the principal and superintendent, but they wouldn't speak to us.

A school spokesperson said an expulsion hearing will be scheduled where they will look at all extenuating circumstances.

The fifth grader is currently suspended until the expulsion hearing, which the school told us will be sometime within the next ten days.