Father seeks action after son stabbed with pencil at Harnett County elementary school

ANGIER, N.C. (WNCN) — A combat veteran is afraid to send his seven-year-old son back to school in Harnett County after the boy said a classmate stabbed him with a pencil.

According to Kenneth Lock, his son is in emotional distress after the incident at North Harnett Primary School on Tuesday.

“The most horrifying call I’ve ever got,” Lock said. “Them calling me and telling me my son was stabbed by another student. 

“He didn’t even want to go to school this morning,” Lock said. “He was begging me, crying on the floor, and on his hands and knees begging me [not to] go to school.”

Lock, a U.S. Marine veteran who served during the War in Afghanistan, said he was told by the district that the student randomly decided to stab his son. He feels Harnett County Schools isn’t doing enough to make his son feel safe again.

“They are telling me they are only going to move my son’s desk,” Lock said. “They are going to keep him in the same class, and they are just going to continue doing what they are doing.”

Harnett County Schools sent CBS 17 the statement:

“North Harnett Primary School and the district followed all appropriate protocols in responding to the situation. School administration conducted a thorough review of the incident and communicated with the family throughout the investigation. The district administration actively communicated with school officials and the family to ensure that appropriate steps were taken in this matter.”

The district did not say if the other student was disciplined.

Lock said he also reached out to Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, but was told there is nothing they can do because of the age of the other student. 

“I feel that there needs to be accountability,” he said. The teachers and the administration need to take action. So does the sheriff’s office.”

Lock is now looking for another school for his son, as well as possibly filing a lawsuit. 

“No child should have to come home bleeding and be assaulted with a pencil at a public school system,” he said.