Florida teenager Kiera Wilmot had good grades; and a clean behavioral record until she tried an ill-advised science experiment on school grounds.

Mixing a few household products together in a water bottle, the concoction caused a small explosion and some smoke. No one was injured.

Not a good idea by any means; but the harsh punishment dished out to Kiera has many crying foul.

Kiera was arrested, expelled from school, and charged with two felonies; possession/discharge of a weapon on school grounds and discharging a destructive device.

From Miami New Times:

According to WTSP, Wilmot told police that she was merely conducting a science experiment. Though her teachers knew nothing of the specific project, her principal seems to agree.

“She made a bad choice. Honestly, I don’t think she meant to ever hurt anyone,” principal Ron Pritchard told the station. “She wanted to see what would happen [when the chemicals mixed] and was shocked by what it did. Her mother is shocked, too.”

The school has released the following statement:

“Anytime a student makes a bad choice it is disappointing to us. Unfortunately, the incident that occurred at Bartow High School yesterday was a serious breach of conduct. In order to maintain a safe and orderly learning environment, we simply must uphold our code of conduct rules. We urge our parents to join us in conveying the message that there are consequences to actions. We will not compromise the safety and security of our students and staff.”

Read more at Miami New Times

 

Kiera’s impromptu sciene experiment was obviously a serious error in judgement.

But being charged with felony “possession/discharge of a weapon on school grounds and discharging a destructive device” is pretty harsh, isn’t it?

Does Kiera Wilmot deserve such a harsh punishment?

Did the police need to be involved?

Why dish out such a harsh punishment to (by all accounts) a good kid?

Sound off below!