Document text
http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Featured Galleries: February 28, 2007 Spankings lead to sex charges against Ore. boys McMINNVILLE — A 13-year-old boy and a 12-year-old boy have been charged with sexual abuse after a teacher saw them slapping the backsides of female classmates, McMinnville police said. The Patton Middle School students were released from the Juvenile Detention Facility in McMinnville on Tuesday, five days after they were lodged there. They are to be at home under 24-hour surveillance by their parents and will not attend school. They are due back in court March 9. School district spokeswoman Tanya Gross said a teacher saw students "slapping each other's bottoms" last week and ordered them to stop. When they continued, she said, the teacher reported the situation to Principal Jim Torgerson and Vice Principal Steve Tillery. Based on what they learned from interviews with students, Torgerson and Tillery concluded that activity of a "more serious nature" had taken place, and notified police, Gross said. McMinnville police Capt. Rob Edgell declined to detail the alleged conduct, but said: "There was a teacher who observed some inappropriate slapping of bottoms, which basically opened a Pandora's box." In court Tuesday, it was revealed that the boys also allegedly poked breasts. Parents of the two boys said officials overreacted. They said they were aware of nothing more serious than a dance move in which bottoms are swatted. The father of the 12-year-old boy said students have been engaging in the so-called "party boy dance," popularized in the movie "Jackass," for several months. "Everyone does it to each other, that's what I'm gathering," he said. "They're all friends. I don't think anything was done maliciously or in a sexual way." He said the boys are good friends, and it appeared to him that school and police officials were making an example of them. "My boy's never been in trouble," he said. "He's never done anything inappropriate. He's not that way." Rhonda Pope said her 13-year-old daughter was one of the alleged victims. "She's been slapped on the butt," Pope said. "Several girls are involved. The boys have been asked not to do it. The girls keep saying, 'stop, stop, stop,' but the boys don't listen. They run up and down the halls doing this." Current Comments: You adults who are involved in this: you were 13 once. Do you have any recollection of that time? Weren't you paying attention? Curious and playful boys must be given guidance and taught respect, not sent to the courts and police. Girls must be taught how to handle situations. Some of you parents and school professionals are pushing your issues on to your kids and students rather than helping them integrate into the tough world awaiting them. You would do well with a slap on the butt. J. - Ashland, Oregon - February 28th, 4:07 PM I wouldn't touche' this subject matter with a ten foot may pole.... I wonder what they authorities would do if they actually listened to the lyrics of poplular hip-hop/rap songs? You know, 'musical porn' ? Of course the term "musical" is open to debate.. This is a very different world today. I recall waaaay back in the EARLY 70's when "streaking" was popular..I wonder what such behavior would garner today?, wait..yeah, right..you'd be voted-in as a City Councilman..them boys for City Council? slap me, this is silly - assland - February 28th, 8:14 PM Why are parents allowing their 12 and 13 year old children to watch movies such as "Jackass"? M - Ashland, Oregon - February 28th, 8:36 PM The boys sound like they are acting innapropriately and the parents need some training on how to handle their sons and teach them what is ok. The schools need to implement a school policy but do they really need sexual harrassment charges against them??? Police intervention??? Kids can't do anything these days wihtout it breaking some law to someone! I'm not excusing behavior but have we entered the "police state" where they are called instead of parents???? Teach girls what to do. Lisa - Ashland - February 28th, 9:00 PM For goodness's sake, what is this world coming to? Are we turning into such a police state that parental or school reprimand isn't the first option? I agree with J. Use this as a learning opportunity for both boys and girls, not as an early introduction to our horrible penal institutions. Jessica - Ashland OR - February 28th, 9:45 PM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising: Debt Help Inkjet Printers Payday Loans Free Ringtones Debt Consolidation Security Systems Debt Relief New Hampshire Primary Advertisement: Copyright © 2007 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved. Del.icio.us