Lakeland student arrested

Published 10:00 pm Thursday, April 25, 2019

A Lakeland High School student faces several charges following an investigation of incidents that took place at the school earlier this month, according to Suffolk Police.

A 16-year old male has been charged with abduction and kidnapping, sexual battery and strangling another causing wounding or injury in an April 5 incident that involved another Lakeland student, a female, city spokeswoman Diana Klink said.

A preliminary investigation by police determined that the boy “had allegedly physically restrained the victim against her will in actions that made it difficult to breathe and made inappropriate sexual contact,” Klink said.

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The incident was reported to school administration, Klink said.

Virginia State Code does not allow law enforcement to identify juveniles charged with a criminal offense, Klink stated.

“Based on our disciplinary policy, this type of incident would result in a recommendation for expulsion,” said Suffolk Public Schools spokeswoman Bethanne Bradshaw.