(quote)The mission statement on the LawForKids.org website (Justice for Juveniles(unquote) In the interest of accuracy and bring attention to a specific website, please note that lawforkids.org(the organization is Arizona based), is not the same as Justice for Juveniles website. Correct url is http://www.justiceforjuveniles.org

I find it obsurd that a 7th grade, 14 year-old boy is locked up in an adult jail in solitary confinement. Joplin schools harp on the "No Child Left Behind Act" yet this boy gets no schooling now. Why? Because he has been certified as an adult. That means they don't have to school him. This boys past history is excellent. He has never been in trouble with the law or the school system. He has a learning disability that no one in the school obviously cared to address. In our schools here in Illinois, children who have problems grasping subjects can get Title One care which gives them extra help to understand and focus. Why wasn't Thomas offered this? As for the Juvenile Officer who recommended Thomas be certified as an adult, who do you work for? The State's Attorney's office or for the children of the state of Missouri? Did you bother to look at this child's background and criminal history? Did you bother to find out if he was bullied at school? As the Administrator of justiceforjuveniles.org I see time and time again why our children take guns to school. One of the three top reasons is because the child is bullied and just wants it to stop. They just want someone to listen to them. This child's case cry's out "Boy's Town." Tax payers shouldn't have to foot the bill to house a boy in prison who just needs some time to grow up in an environment that will tend to his needs. Taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for prosecutors looking to make an example and gain votes come next election. It's time this community stops looking at what they want and what they can gain from this. How about looking at Thomas and helping him with what he needs?