Kiera Wilmot, the 16-year-old high school student who made news
The state attorney for Polk County, Florida announced on Wednesday that both felony charges had been dismissed against Wilmot, but that the teenager must undergo a “diversion program.” No details were released about the diversion program.
Wilmot was arrested April 22 and charged with two felonies after she combined household cleaning products with aluminum foil in a bottle, causing the top of the bottle to pop off and smoke to pour from the bottle. No injuries or damage occurred in the blast.
After the explosion, the school's resource officer detained Wilmot until police arrived. She was later charged with possession/discharge of a weapon on school grounds and discharging a destructive device.
The teenager told authorities she'd been performing a science experiment, a claim her teacher denied. The school's principal, Ron Pritchard, supported Wilmot's side of the story, telling WTSP earlier this month, "She wanted to see what would happen [when the chemicals mixed] and was shocked by what it did," before adding "honestly, I don’t think she meant to ever hurt anyone."
Pritchard, however, still expelled the teen, who will now "be forced to complete her diploma through an expulsion program," according to the Miami New Times.
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