Officials find butcher knife in student's backpack at East Manatee school

MANATEE -- A 14-year-old student at Haile Middle School in East Manatee last week was found to be carrying a butcher knife in his backpack, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

While investigating the loss or theft of a classmate's cell phone, officials Nov. 20 searched the student's backpack and found a medium-sized butcher knife, according to a sheriff's report.

The school punished the student and a juvenile referral was completed, according to the report.

Haile Middle School is located at 9501 State Road 64 E., Bradenton.

This story was originally published November 24, 2015 at 8:54 AM with the headline "Officials find butcher knife in student's backpack at East Manatee school ."