DETROIT, Mich.— A Detroit mother is facing criminal charges after allegedly sneaking a pocket knife into her daughter’s school and giving it to the teen “to protect herself,” only for the 13-year-old to use the weapon in a stabbing that left another student seriously injured.
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, 37-year-old Lacara Anita Parks appeared in court on Wednesday, charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and possession of a weapon in a weapons-free school zone — both misdemeanors. Her 13-year-old daughter faces far more serious charges, including assault with intent to do great bodily harm and possession of a weapon in a weapons-free zone.
Prosecutors said the stabbing occurred around 8:40 a.m. on Oct. 8 at Gompers Elementary-Middle School on Burt Road. Parks allegedly brought the knife to the school that morning, giving it to her daughter “in case she needed to defend herself” after a previous fight with another student. Moments later, the girl reportedly used the knife to stab a 13-year-old classmate multiple times in the head, back, and arm, leaving her with deep wounds, including one that stretched from her neck to her ear.
Prosecutor Aniela Bosca said both the victim and the attacker will live with lifelong trauma as a result of the incident. The victim’s mother told Local 4 News the stabbing stemmed from an earlier altercation between the two girls. Following the attack, both Parks and her daughter were arrested and later released on bond. During the court hearing, Prosecutor Kym Worthy alleged that Parks had left work to retrieve the knife and deliberately bypassed school security to deliver it to her daughter.
Defense attorney statements contradicted that claim, saying security footage did not clearly show a knife being handed over. Still, investigators said Parks later admitted she gave her daughter the weapon “so she could protect herself.” The security guard on duty reportedly failed to properly check Parks after a metal detector went off and has since been removed pending investigation.
Following the incident, Detroit Public Schools Community District placed the assistant principal on leave and launched an internal review into school safety procedures. Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti said the district is cooperating with investigators, while the victim’s family has filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the school system. Parks, now free on a $50,000 personal bond and wearing a GPS monitor, has been ordered to stay away from the school. Her next court appearance is scheduled for October 29.