PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – A Florida middle school suspended an honor-roll student for using a child knife to cut a peach to share with her friend at lunch in the cafeteria.

Ronald and Andrea Souto told WPLG that their 11-year-old daughter was eating lunch at Silver Trail Middle School and used the child butter knife to cut a peach to share with her friend, and she was quickly suspended for six days for violating the district’s weapons policy.

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“This is a set of a spoon, fork and knife for toddlers – one year old,” Andrea Souto said. “It is made for children to learn how to eat properly. She’s used it since she was a baby.”

“The friend asked for half of the peach and she cuts half of the peach and gives it to her friend,” Roland Souto told the news site. “She goes to the bathroom and comes back and the guy said, ‘Follow me.’”

The Soutos said the girl, an honor roll student who is “always trying to help someone” and “always trying to share things,” was issued the harsh punishment without much discussion and could now face criminal charges. The Pembroke Pines Police Department confirmed to WPLG it investigated the case and forwarded the findings to the State Attorney’s Office.

“There’s no one there trying to educate and to be reasonable to say, ‘Let’s work this out,’” Ronald Souto said.

“She’s afraid now of the educators. She’s afraid of the people at school,” he said. “They need to change the system.”

Other parents certainly agree.

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“I think the principal should revisit this and everyone (should) sit down to the table, and let’s just say, ‘Don’t do it again,’” said Melvin Smith, whose grandson attends Silver Trail. “This is outrageous to go to that extreme.”

The family hired attorney Larry Meltzer, who sounded off about the incident to WPLG.

“The school board has abused its discretion to act in this case,” he said. “It is tragic that a school that this girl lives sees fit to prosecute and suspend her – the epitome of a model and honor roll student – for using a child-proof utensil that could never be construed in any form as a weapon in order to share part of her lunch with a fellow classmate.”

The child should be applauded, not suspended, he said.

“This item at all times was used in the school’s lunch room as it should be – to cut a peach and share lunch with a friend,” Meltzer said. “She should be applauded for her generosity, kindness and for her motivation to be a great student in all senses of that word.

“The only harm that has been exacted in this case is by Silver Spring Middle School and the Broward County School Board upon one of its finest students and upon one who exemplifies the type of person and student it wishes to help create. It is truly senseless and does reflect poorly upon the type of educators and law enforcement involved in this case.”

Broward County Public Schools officials refused to discuss the incident and instead issued a lame prepared statement defending the absurd suspension.

“The school followed district policy regarding this incident and continues to work with the student and parents involved,” it read. “It is the district’s priority to maintain safe and secure campuses for students and staff at all times.”