QUEEN CREEK, AZ — Two students are facing possible charges after a doll was found hanging by a rope at Queen Creek High School, according to police.
The Queen Creek Unified School District says that during a routine morning check earlier this week, security personnel found the Black doll with a jump rope around it, hanging in a student restroom. The School Resource Officer was notified and the Queen Creek Police Department was contacted to investigate.
As part of their investigation, police say they are submitting referrals to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for charges related to interference and disruption of an educational institution as well as disorderly conduct.
"Disciplinary action" was taken against the students as well by the district. What those disciplinary actions are were not immediately available.
"That's threatening and it's terrifying," said Andre Miller, a pastor at New Beginnings Christian Church. He said these actions are unacceptable, "You have kids that, you know, if they're in 9th grade, they're 14 years old and maybe have never seen anything like this before. It's traumatizing."
He is proposing QCUSD implement ACLU's 'No Place for Hate' program.
"It's a program that says all students should be in an environment where hate is not tolerated and everyone should be accepted for who they actually are," added Miller.
Miller is already setting up meetings to get the ball rolling on this.
"So, the conversation I plan on having with the superintendent as well as the police chief there, is that this is something that we definitely need to bring on board, and then have these hard conversations," he told ABC15.
The Queen Creek Unified School District released the following statement related to this incident:
"Earlier this week, during a routine security check right at the start of the school day, Queen Creek High School security personnel found a black children’s doll with a jump rope around it in a student restroom. The School Resource officer and school staff were immediately notified and the Queen Creek Police Department was contacted to investigate. Queen Creek Unified School District denounces this behavior and strictly prohibits bullying, harassment, intimidation and violence of any kind. School administration quickly identified the students involved and staff took disciplinary action based on the QCUSD Handbook which outlines discipline policies."
