Safety concerns at Bennett Middle School

FRUITLAND, Md. — Parents of students at Bennett Middle School are voicing safety concerns online after disturbing comments made by a student were shared on Facebook this week. Many are now questioning how the school handles threats and what steps are being taken to protect their children.

A parent from Bennett Middle School posted to Facebook on Tuesday, sharing a troubling interaction her daughter had with another student. The student allegedly idolizes a school shooter from Florida and showed other students photos of the criminal while at school. The parent, having no choice but to contact the school principal, said she did not receive the response she had hoped for.

“I reached back out to the principal to ask what their solution was going to be, and she suggested that I virtually school my daughter,” the parent said.

Principal Erin Nathan responded to the incident, condemning the student’s behavior and assuring parents that “your child’s safety is our top priority at all times.” She added, “We are working closely with law enforcement and our partner agencies to ensure a thorough investigation.”

The student’s parent expressed dissatisfaction with the school’s response to concerned parents.

“So that’s why I made the post — to just make all the parents aware so they could decide whether or not they wanted to send their kids to school with a kid who was having those thoughts,” the parent said.

WMDT was unable to confirm by Friday whether the student had been expelled.