The School District of Philadelphia is responding to claims by a South Philadelphia 5th grader and her mother that her elementary school went too far in reprimanding her for bringing a paper gun to school.
Fernando Gallard, a spokesman for the district, told FOX29 an internal investigation showed Melody Valentin of Newlin Fell Elementary School told classmates she had a handgun on her.
He said the school then acted swiftly and appropriately by questioning the girl and later searching her belongings as some classmates watched.
The school district's response comes several days after FOX29 broke the story which has since made national headlines.
Meanwhile Melody and her mother Dianna Kelly deny she ever used the word "handgun."
Kelly said her daughter realized she had the paper gun on her, put it on her desk and prepared to throw it away when another classmate saw it and contacted school administrators.
She said Melody got the piece of paper folded into a gun from her grandfather, a marine specializing in firearms, the day before and forgot about it.
Kelly told FOX29 Melody has been distraught by constant teasing of students after an administrator yelled at her and had her searched during the incident.
She has since kept her daughter out of class to avoid harassment.
Gallard stressed the district acted within its guidelines in responding to the situation, and pointed to another case where a handgun was recently found in a backpack at another school.
Kelly maintained her view Friday that the school district went too far and said she will now have Melody home schooled.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:04:07 GMT
Bucks County EMT Bryan Elwell is heading out to Oklahoma to help assist overwhelmed emergency responders dealing with the deadly tornado aftermath in Moore, just outside Oklahoma City. He's prepared
Two local EMTs are headed to Oklahoma to help victims and crews dealing with the aftermath of a deadly tornado.
Monday, May 13 2013 1:53 PM EDT2013-05-13 17:53:44 GMT
Mother's Day just wasn't the same for Olga Ortiz of Newark, NJ. She said her daughter Melissa Rodriguez of Collingdale, would have spent the holiday weekend with family up there, but has not been seen
Police consider rebooting investigation of missing Delco mother as her mother marks Mother's Day without her.
Sunday, April 7 2013 5:32 PM EDT2013-04-07 21:32:07 GMT
A Philadelphia firefighter from Ladder 27 died fighting a three-alarm blaze Saturday night in the city's Queen Village neighborhood. A second firefighter was injured.
A Philadelphia firefighter from Ladder 27 died fighting a three-alarm blaze Saturday night in the city's Queen Village neighborhood. A second firefighter was injured.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:27 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:27:11 GMT
The Boy Scouts of America throws open its ranks to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders - a compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors.
The Boy Scouts of America throws open its ranks to gay Scouts but not gay Scout leaders - a fiercely contested compromise that some warned could fracture the organization and lead to mass defections of members and donors.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:10:26 GMT
"If I die please take me to Heaven not to Hell." After a near death experience 12-year-old Ibn Anderson showed us how he got down on one knee and prayed for his life. Bandages hide the bullet wounds from
"If I die please take me to Heaven not to Hell." After a near death experience 12-year-old Ibn Anderson showed us how he got down on one knee and prayed for his life. Bandages hide the bullet wounds from
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:43 GMT
If you think a high school sophomore and an 88 year old World War II veteran wouldn't have a lot in common. Think again. When Joseph Blaisse was looking for his final Eagle Scout project he thought of
If you think a high school sophomore and an 88 year old World War II veteran wouldn't have a lot in common. Think again.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:25 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:25:16 GMT
The Philadelphia Parking Authority gets caught on tape breaking the rules, or so it appears. The PPA responds to a video that has gone viral in Philly.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority gets caught on tape breaking the rules, or so it appears. The PPA responds to a video that has gone viral in Philly.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:49 PM EDT2013-05-23 22:49:28 GMT
Your Friday will feature steadier showers and thunderstorms early giving way to scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. We reach an early High of 64, followed by falling temperatures. Winds pick up out of the NW 10 to 15 mph. Right now the Memorial Day Weekend looks cool with highs in the low to mid 60s.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:03 PM EDT2013-05-23 21:03:32 GMT
Investigators allege that bars and restaurants in New Jersey disguised cheap booze, or worse, as the expensive stuff and made you pay the higher price.
Investigators allege that bars and restaurants in New Jersey disguised cheap booze, or worse, as the expensive stuff and made you pay the higher price.
