A mom from Texas, Jennifer Lynn Rossi, aged 45, has been arrested by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office after she prepared a drink for a school bully.The drink that she fabricated contained a mixture of lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and Gatorade in a sports bottle for her son's bully.
Mom Prepares Tainted Drink for His Son's Bully
The incident happened at Legacy Traditional School-Alamo Ranch, which is located about 20 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio, Texas.
According to a arrest warrant affidavit attained by ABC News' San Antonio affiliate KSAT, Rossi informed her son to provide the drink to the classmate who had formerly taken his drink.
Deputies learned that the affected kid accepted the drink during a P.E. class, and shortly afterward, he began encountering nausea and a headache. The child was urgently taken to the hospital, although the substances of the drink were found to be non-toxic.
The Bexar County Sheriff's Office declared that in spite of the non-toxic nature of the substances, the inicident led to the medication of the child, who required added medical examination but is likely to be released.
Rossi's son informed deputies that the child who accepted the mixture had stolen his drink the past day and had been bullying him. Sheriff Javier Salazar affirmed that regardless of the bullying allegations, there is no justification for taking matters into one's own hands and causing danger to another child.
According to legal documents, Rossi informed investigators that her 10-year-old son had returned home distressed the day before, recounting instances of bullying and the theft of his drink by an older classmate.
In response, Rossi proposed a plan to play a prank on the alleged bully, aiming to dissuade other students from attempting to pilfer his drink.
Following Rossi's guidance, her son administered the contaminated drink to the older boy during PE class, resulting in the recipient feeling unwell and developing a headache immediately after consumption. While several other students reportedly sampled the drink, they did not require hospitalization.
Despite being a nurse, Rossi asserted that she was aware the added ingredients were not harmful and claimed she took this step solely to address bullying at her son's school.
Texas Mom Awaits Pre-trial Hearing
Following her arrest and charges on Tuesday, Rossi has been discharged on bond and awaits a pre-trial hearing set for April. The decision to charge her has triggered controversy, with some questioning its justification.
Critics argue that parents should inject anti-bullying values in their children, while others believe the incident underscores the importance of addressing widespread bullying. Some commenters displayed that school officials, unaware of the drink's precise contents at the time, may have harbored consideration about possible danger.
Legacy Traditional Schools released a statement on Wednesday, intensifying their all-out commitment to the safety of students, teachers, and staff. They noted that Rossi's son would face disciplinary measures in accordance with the school's policies governing student conduct.
Related Article : Florida Apartment Fire: Mother Discovered Stabbed to Death, 2 Kids Hospitalized, Infant Perishes
