http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/135017918_webmomcharged17.html
Mother charged after son brings gun to school
By The Associated Press
KIRKLAND — The mother of a 12-year-old boy who brought a loaded handgun to school has been charged with reckless endangerment.
If convicted, Amy Levitt could face a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Her son, a sixth-grader at Alexander Graham Bell Elementary School, remains in custody at the King County Youth Center. He was arrested at school June 5 after administrators found a loaded .357 Magnum handgun and a BB gun in his backpack.
The gun belongs to Amy Levitt, who said she had noticed it was missing and questioned her son about it three times. Each time he denied knowledge of the gun’s whereabouts.
Kirkland Police Lt. Rex Caldwell said Levitt never contacted authorities when she discovered the gun was missing.
The charge against her in Municipal Court reflects the city attorney’s belief that Levitt did not do enough to keep the gun out of her son’s hands.
Washington state, however, has no law requiring that parents store their weapons locked up, unloaded and out of reach of children. Efforts to enact such a law in Washington have been stymied for years, although at least 18 other states have such laws.
Levitt’s son has pleaded not guilty to eight felony and two gross misdemeanor charges. Other students said he brought the gun to school repeatedly and often pointed at people.
School officials were tipped off about the gun when another parent called to say their child wouldn’t come to school out of fear of the boy and his weapon.
If the boy is convicted, he could spend up to two years in detention.
Mother charged after son brings gun to school
By The Associated Press
KIRKLAND — The mother of a 12-year-old boy who brought a loaded handgun to school has been charged with reckless endangerment.
If convicted, Amy Levitt could face a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Her son, a sixth-grader at Alexander Graham Bell Elementary School, remains in custody at the King County Youth Center. He was arrested at school June 5 after administrators found a loaded .357 Magnum handgun and a BB gun in his backpack.
The gun belongs to Amy Levitt, who said she had noticed it was missing and questioned her son about it three times. Each time he denied knowledge of the gun’s whereabouts.
Kirkland Police Lt. Rex Caldwell said Levitt never contacted authorities when she discovered the gun was missing.
The charge against her in Municipal Court reflects the city attorney’s belief that Levitt did not do enough to keep the gun out of her son’s hands.
Washington state, however, has no law requiring that parents store their weapons locked up, unloaded and out of reach of children. Efforts to enact such a law in Washington have been stymied for years, although at least 18 other states have such laws.
Levitt’s son has pleaded not guilty to eight felony and two gross misdemeanor charges. Other students said he brought the gun to school repeatedly and often pointed at people.
School officials were tipped off about the gun when another parent called to say their child wouldn’t come to school out of fear of the boy and his weapon.
If the boy is convicted, he could spend up to two years in detention.