Colo. police pepper-spray misbehaving boy, 8

Published - Apr 06 2011 08:17AM EST

The mother of an 8-year-old boy pepper-sprayed by suburban Denver police as he threw a violent tantrum at his elementary school said Wednesday that she wishes authorities had chosen to talk him down instead.

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Video: Boy, Mom Speak Out Video: Boy Sprayed at School

Police in Lakewood say they pepper-sprayed 8-year-old Aidan Elliott twice Feb. 22 at Glennon Heights Elementary School after he refused to drop a piece of wooden wall trim that he was trying to stab them with.
"I wanted to make something sharp, like if they came out, 'cause i was so mad at them," the boy said on NBC's "Today" show. "I was going to try to whack them with it."
His mother, Mandy, said she wants police in Lakewood to get special training in dealing with children. She said her son has a history of behavioral problems and has responded to rationalization in previous outbursts.
"I don't think a child should get pepper sprayed," the woman said.
Asked on ABC's "Good Morning America" whether he meant it when he told police he wanted to kill them, the boy responded: "A little."
Police say pepper-spraying the boy was the safest option.

MAYBE ALL HE NEEDS IS A GOOD OLD BUTT WHIPPING WITH A SWITCH. YOU KNOW THE KIND YOUR MOMMA WOULD TELL YOU TO GO OUTSIDE AND GET BEFORE SHE WHIPPED YOU WITH IT. PEPPER SPRAY IS A BIT TOO MUCH. DUH.........