HUNTINGTOWN, Md. — Three more middle school students from Calvert County are being referred to Maryland juvenile authorities as a hate crime and harassment investigation against a classmate widens, according to Calvert County State's Attorney Robert Harvey.
Three 13-year-olds are being referred to the state's Department of Juvenile Services under what the law calls a "Child in Need of Supervision" petition from authorities, Harvey said Monday. He had previously announced Sunday that three other 13-year-old boys had been charged with hate crimes and harassment violations after a Maryland State Police investigation.
That makes a total of six students from Plum Point Middle School who are now facing juvenile justice after allegedly harassing a classmate for his religion.
According to Maryland law, a “Child in Need of Supervision” is defined as a child who requires guidance, treatment, or rehabilitation based on behavior under categories including: truancy, engaging in behavior that cannot be controlled by the child’s parents, or dangerous acts.
The teens showed swastikas, made Nazi salutes, and directed offensive comments to a classmate because of their religious beliefs, according to the investigation. Investigators say the behavior was first reported in December of 2023. It went on for several months, even though the students received repeated requests to stop. The classmate being harassed ultimately reported what was going on to Maryland State Police officers, who investigated and filed charges against the teens.
The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) will hear the charges and decide appropriate action. DJS has the discretion to refer the charges to the Calvert County Circuit Court for an adjudicatory hearing, at which time state prosecutors will be required to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
“Maryland was founded on the principle of religious toleration," Harvey said in a statement. "It is frankly astonishing that nearly 400 years later some people continue to persecute others based upon their religion. I call upon parents, educators, and community and faith leaders to make sure that our children know that religious persecution has no place in our society.”
WUSA9 reached out to school authorities in Calvert County and received the following statement:
"Calvert County Public Schools is committed to providing students and staff with an environment that is safe, welcoming, and free from all forms of discrimination. The civil rights of all individuals will be protected.
"All complaints are investigated promptly. Upon completion of an investigation, students and school personnel may be subject to disciplinary action or consequences for discriminatory behaviors. Student violations of school policies are handled as per the Calvert County Board of Education's adopted Student Code of Conduct.
"We continue to work collaboratively with the Calvert County Sheriff's Office."
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