9-Yr-Old Student Calls Teacher 'Cute' - Gets Suspended For an Alleged 'Form of Sexual Harassment

The comments made by a 9-yr-old elementary school student have earned him a two day suspension for "inappropriate behavior" and his principal reportedly believes the comments were "a form of sexual harassment."

Emanyea Lockett is the fourth grade boy who was forced to sit home for two days. The young man is confused by the situation, telling local press, "I was talking to my friend and I said Miss Taylor was cute."

According to several accounts, that conversation between school friends was overheard by a substitute teacher and reported. The principal at North Carolina's Brookside Elementary School allegedly said to the child's mother that the comments were a "form of sexual harassment."

Chiquita Lockett, the boy's mother, is surprised by the suspension and told WSOCTV.com:

"It's not like he went up to the woman and tried to grab her or touch her in a sexual way," Ms Lockett said. "So why would he be suspended for two days?"

WSOC says a district spokeswoman told the station Emanyea was suspended for "inappropriate behavior" after making "inappropriate statements." However, she wouldn't elaborate.

The district's Code of Conduct doesn't list "inappropriate behavior," but says "disruption of school" is punishable by five days of out-of-school suspension.

The Blaze has reached out to school principal Jerry Bostic for clarification on the story, requesting information about the suspension and the allegations made by Ms. Lockett. As of this writing, Principal Bostic has not responded.

Was the school's action appropriate? Take our quick poll.