Boy who found lighter is suspended from NJ school

[September 24, 2010]  JAMESBURG, N.J. (AP) -- Officials suspended a fifth-grader in New Jersey who found a lighter on his way to school.

Jamesburg school superintendent Gail Verona told The Home News Tribune of East Brunswick the lighter had the potential to compromise student safety.

But the 11-year-old boy's father questioned why school officials consider the lighter a weapon.

Patrick Halpin called police Wednesday to say there were weapons on school property because teachers at the Grace Breckwedel Middle School had lighters in the building.

Halpin says he was a "little irate" because his son, who is a Boy Scout, never flicked the lighter.

The superintendent says a weapon is anything that "has the potential to cause harm."

Jamesburg Police Chief Martin Horvath says he believes the school took appropriate action.

___

Information from: Home News Tribune, http://www.mycentraljersey.com/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.