A middle school student will not face criminal charges after being caught with a knife at school, but will be recommended for expulsion.

The 12-year-old King’s Fork Middle School student did not threaten anybody with the knife, city spokeswoman Debbie George said. However, it fell out of his pocket and was spotted by another student.

Because the blade was less than 3 inches long, it did not qualify as a concealed weapon, George said. The situation was handled administratively in the school.

According to Suffolk Public Schools spokeswoman Bethanne Bradshaw, the boy was recommended for expulsion, per school system policy.