8-year-old suspended after bringing palm-sized LEGO gun to school: 'Panic mode'

An 8-year-old boy in McDonough, Georgia, was suspended for three days after bringing a LEGO gun to Walnut Creek Elementary School. The school classified the palm-sized toy as a weapon under its Code of Conduct, leading to disciplinary action. The boy’s mother, Chanti Little, told WXIA-TV that her son is neurodivergent with autism and ADHD. She expressed frustration, stating that the school failed to address the situation with education or communication. 'They could have simply explained to him that we cannot build things that look like a weapon,' she said. Little received a call from the school principal on Thursday informing her of the incident. Upon arriving at the school, she was given the LEGO gun. She questioned why the school prioritized this over more serious concerns, calling the suspension an overreaction. A district spokesperson confirmed that consequences follow the Henry County Board of Education’s Code of Conduct, which outlines infractions and their penalties. The statement noted that multiple violations could lead to stricter consequences, though this case involved only one incident. Little believes the school missed opportunities to educate her son rather than suspend him. She emphasized that her family does not own weapons, and the LEGO creation was not intended to cause harm.