Story by: Jordyn Taylor
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Ouachita Parish sheriff-elect Jay Russell put it plainly: texting can be vicious and even criminal. Students can face harsh consequences, if they don't think before they text.
"They're going to go to jail," said Russell. "They're going to booked at Glen Oaks and they're going to be put in a jail cell."
Deputies arrested seventeen-year-old Miranda Atkins at West Monroe High ... on charges of battery and cyber bullying.
Deputies said Atkins got into a physical fight on campus, Wednesday, and told them that the fight was because of threats made on Facebook. She is the third teen to be arrested for online bullying in the parish .
"People and parents have to realize that if their children are texting, if they're on a computer, or emailing - all those things taken out of text can be construed as cyber bullying," said Russell. "And they need to make sure what their kid is texting is a legitimate text and not a threatening text."
Teens caught cyber bullying could be slapped with a five thousand dollar fine or face up to six months in jail.
Russell says the consequences are harshest for those being bullied.
"You've heard of people committing suicide over bullying," said Russell.
