Police investigate needlestick injuries at Australian school

Police in Collie, Western Australia, are investigating an incident in which three primary school students were pricked with a needle from a diabetic testing device another student had brought in from home.

Collie Senior Sergeant Mike Dean said police and child protection representatives were called to the school on Tuesday morning, and they had responded following a “series of threatening behaviours” by the 10-year-old student.

“He said the child was too young to be charged.

“Child protection and police are working closely with the child’s carers,” Snr Sgt Dean said.

The school issued a statement in response to the incident.

“On March 18, 2014 three students at St Brigid’s Collie, reported an incident to a teacher involving contact by another student with an object,” the statement read.

“The object used was found to be a diabetic testing device brought from home.

http://www.colliemail.com.au/story/2166902/police-investigate-needlestick-injuries-at-collie-school/?cs=1443

There is a responsibility on the part of the school and the child’s parents, and also on behalf of those providing care to the diabetic child who should have been trained and equipped to manage and dispose lancets and insulin syringes safely.  Police involvement may be appropriate, at least until the circumstances are known, but considering whether a 10-year old child could be charged misses the point entirely!

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