DETROIT, Mich. — A shocking incident at a Detroit middle school has led to criminal charges against a 37-year-old mother, Lacara Anita Parks, and her 13-year-old daughter, after authorities say Parks brought a pocket knife to her daughter’s school and handed it to her moments before the girl used it to stab another student.
The violent altercation unfolded on October 8, 2025, leaving one 13-year-old victim injured but expected to recover. According to investigators, the mother, Lacara Parks, entered the school that morning and passed through a metal detector, which alerted security staff. However, the on-duty security guard failed to conduct a search or investigate the cause of the alarm. Moments later, Parks reportedly gave the knife to her daughter. The guard responsible for the oversight has since been removed from duty and is under investigation by both school officials and law enforcement.
Shortly after receiving the knife, Parks’ daughter became involved in an altercation with another student. The confrontation escalated quickly, ending when the girl stabbed her 13-year-old classmate. School staff rushed to intervene, and emergency services were called to the scene. The injured student was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and officials confirmed the child is now in stable condition.
Police were immediately notified, and an investigation began that same day. When questioned, Lacara Parks reportedly admitted to bringing the weapon into the school, telling detectives she gave the knife to her daughter “for protection.” Investigators, however, emphasized that such actions directly endangered students and violated multiple school safety laws.
Following her arrest, Parks was charged with two misdemeanors — contributing to the delinquency of a minor and possession of a weapon in a weapons-free school zone. She appeared in court earlier this week, where a judge granted her a $50,000 personal bond and ordered her to wear a GPS tracking device until her next court appearance scheduled for October 29, 2025.
Meanwhile, her 13-year-old daughter faces serious juvenile charges, including assault with intent to do great bodily harm and possession of a weapon in a weapons-free school zone. The girl received a $10,000 cash surety bond and has also been ordered to stay away from the school pending the outcome of her case.
Detroit Public Schools officials released a statement condemning the incident, reaffirming their commitment to student safety and announcing a review of security protocols across all campuses. “This event is deeply troubling,” the statement read. “Weapons of any kind have no place in our schools. We are reviewing all procedures to ensure every safety measure is enforced consistently.”
Parents and community members have expressed outrage and concern following the revelation that a security lapse allowed the knife to enter the building. “The system failed these kids,” said one parent outside the school. “We rely on security to protect our children. This could have ended so much worse.”
Child safety advocates are using this case as a wake-up call to address gaps in school security, parental responsibility, and youth conflict resolution. Experts warn that providing children with weapons, even for “protection,” can lead to devastating outcomes — turning moments of fear or anger into acts of violence.
As the investigation continues, both the mother and daughter remain barred from the school and its surrounding premises. Prosecutors say the case sends a strong message about accountability and the importance of keeping weapons out of schools.
What began as a misguided attempt to “protect” a child has now spiraled into a legal nightmare — one that has left a community shaken, a young victim recovering, and two lives forever changed by a single, tragic decision.
