1ST-GRADER FINDS CRACK IN POCKET AT SCHOOL

TAMPA - The 7-year-old Forest Hills Elementary School student fumbled
in the pocket of his royal-blue jacket for a dollar.

His fingers touched a plastic baggie. Inside wasn't a cookie or a
peanut-butter sandwich. It was chunks of crack cocaine - 89 grams
worth about $8,900, Tampa police said.

The youngster didn't recognize what he had, but "he knew it was
something bad," school district spokesman Steve Hegarty said.

The first-grader immediately told his teacher Tuesday he needed to see
the assistant principal and reported the discovery. The assistant
principal had developed a rapport with the child through speaking with
him over breakfast at the school, Hegarty said.

The child, who was not identified Wednesday, was not in trouble, but
someone close to him might be, officials said. Detectives talked to
his family members Wednesday to determine how the drugs ended up in
the jacket, where the boy found them Tuesday morning.

Wednesday, the school district sent a letter home to parents about the
incident. The letter omitted the amount and type of drug but commended
the child for his bravery.

"The student did everything we've taught students to do if they find
or see something illegal. He notified a responsible adult," Principal
Sandra Thrower wrote.

Police said child-protective investigators also spoke to the boy's
family. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, which oversees these
investigators, said it could not comment on the situation.

About 1,100 youngsters attend the school at 10112 N. Ola
Ave.

Parents and guardians interviewed Wednesday were astonished when told
by a reporter of the amount of narcotics in the youngster's possession.

"Great gosh almighty," said Roni Bowman, 56, whose 10-year-old
granddaughter attends third grade at the school.

"I wonder if somebody just put it in his pocket," Bowman said. "Poor
little fella. Bless his heart. ... It makes you think maybe you'd
better keep your eyes open more."

Although those interviewed were disturbed the drugs wound up at the
school, they thought the child handled things well.

One parent, Ruth Tavarez, 32, whose 6-year-old son attends first
grade, wished school officials had notified parents Tuesday of the
incident.

"I know they probably wanted to get the whole situation straightened
out before making any statements," she said. But her son had not
mentioned it. "I'm just alarmed. ... How would I have known?"

Tavarez did not think her son knew who the child was. She planned to
use the incident to talk to her son and two daughters, 13 and 10,
about personal safety.

"My kids and I talk a lot about drugs," Tavarez said. "I just hope
other parents will be as open with their kids."

Another parent, Deborah DeVane, 42, also wanted to use the incident as
a lesson for her sons, 9 and 12. She said she often tells her children
not to accept things that other children offer them.

Hegarty said a child of this age bringing drugs to school is rare.
Published reports show that a 7-year-old Pinellas County student and
his family were referred to a counseling center in 2005 after the boy
showed off a bag with 3 grams of marijuana on a school bus.