Louisiana Students Face Criminal Charges for Prank

Students Jeannie Nguyen, 17, and Kamrin Kennedy, 17, were expelled from Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy in Old Jefferson, Louisiana for pulling a prank that involved putting laxative-laced cupcakes in the school’s teachers’ lounge.

The two seniors are now facing criminal charges that are punishable by up to two years in prison.

More Students Were Involved

The school’s principal, Kristi Phillippi, was tipped off on Aug. 29 about the nearly two dozen cupcakes — to which students added the over-the-counter laxative and stool softener MiraLAX — before any of the teachers ate them.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office was notified, and Nguyen and Kennedy admitted to their involvement, although apparently more students were in on the prank.

Students Sent to Jail

Nguyen and Kennedy, in addition to being suspended for the rest of the school year, were taken to the Gretna, La. jail on the day before Hurricane Gustav’s arrival.

They arrived as the jail inmates were being evacuated to state prisons. The students were told that if they didn’t make bail in time, they’d be taken to Angola, the state penitentiary.

Jeff Nowakowski, a spokesman for the parish school system, said, "The school felt there was enough intent to harm teachers and that's why they contacted the police." He stated that school officials did not play a role in the students’ arrests.

Parents of the students disagree with the criminal charges and feel the students are being punished too harshly. "We're not justifying what these kids did. But the thing is, we just think the punishment doesn't fit the crime," said Marietta Kennedy, Kamrin Kennedy’s mother.

(Source: The Times-Picayune)

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