School Suspends Boy for Wanting Hug

(Putnam Valley, New York) A 10-year-old fifth-grader, Aaron Perez, was suspended from Putnam Valley Middle School for asking his teacher for a hug. The teacher believed his request was sexual in nature.

The boy's parents are upset, believing the school overreacted. "My son doesn't know about the birds and the bees yet, he's an innocent child," said mother Lira Garcia-Perez.

I would agree. The school superintendent, however, stated that Aaron had previously called the teacher "sexy" and the hug request indicated a pattern of inappropriate behavior. It still seems to be an overreaction.